Anyone consider helicopter & Rendezvous?

[w8ing2cruz]

Thought I'd pull my two posts together since I'm not getting any response. Has anyone ever considered doing the 20 or 30 minute helicopter tour? How about going to Rendezvous Resort on a day pass? Any feedback here?

[HS2BS]

We have been to Rendezvous on three different cruises and always had a great time. Have also been to Sandles once - same results. R.. is only 10-15 minute ride from the cruise port and taxis were availble both ways. We (group of 10) arrived early and cought the end of breakfast and then lunch. There is also a stand a the beach for hotdogs, burgers, ect. The cost was very reasonable - I believe in Feb. of 07 it was $40 pp while Sandles was $100 pp.

Nice beach, swim-up bar pool, local market and friendly staff. Drinks are included and with a before-hand tip never an empty cup. Our group had a full day and got back to the pier with enough time to look through the shops near the ship. Will be back in Feb. 08.

[orchid69]

Helicopter ride was a great thing to do.

That is how I left my resort to get to the airport.

You get an island tour and get to the airport in a lot less time and hassle if your resort is on the northern end of the island.

 

It was great.

[Eric Vasili]

As said above, doing the Helo from the airport to a destination or area you wish to enjoy for the time you have, you can have a real spectacular tour of the island from a privileged perspective for awesome Kodak moments and a thrill to keep your dinnertime storytelling robust!

 

A bit pricier per person, were I to do it, I would fly to Jalousie (the only mid-island heliport I know of) on a meandering path, and as you approach Jalousie you will be able to see between the Pitons before swinging back around to land waterside. Then you can enjoy the beach (one of the best) and even opt to join a snorkel excursion from the Dive shop there, or, since they even have a protected area right close to their beach, you can 'rent' gear to explore 100 feet out alongside the Gros Piton......

This pretty much requires you to pre-arrange a Day Pass and 'permission' to arrive by helo though, thus preserving your "Guest Status" which should even allow you the option to add dining privileges as well (at the Beach Grill --- very good: not your average 'all-inclusive' fare). Herod can do this for you...

 

After your afternoon enjoying one of the best views and waterside experiences in style, you can request a "Taxi" from either the Grill or the Dive shop to come down to pick you up and take you on a mini-tour of Sulphur Springs (the volcano) and the Falls, only to continue to return you portside on time and without the frenzy so dreaded.

 

Another option to the motor return (and the mini-tour landside) would be to join the sea portion of Herod's "Land & Sea Safari" tour, so you could get a coastal tour to include the bat caves and other neat things before enjoying a sumptuous buffet spread before being "water-taxied" to the ship. This too, should be pre-arranged, as it usualy takes hours to co-ordinate water taxi services, especially ad-hoc.....

 

If you look at these suggestions combined with the Helo, the budget is not so much of an issue anymore, and you continue the pace and style of your arrival and still get to see and experience something totally unique and memorable to cherish for years to come!

 

Rendevous is really nice, and has a good beach and a professional ambiance, but you really should get out and experience Paradise, and St. Lucia beckons! ;)

 

IMO