Things to do on Bahamas, St.Thomas, St.Maarten - please advise

[urfin]

Hi,

We are going to sail on Valor next week, with stops at Bahamas, St.Thomas, and St. Martin.

Many people advise not to book tours through Carnival, but instead book it directly with locals. The ship will stay at

Nassau, Bahamas: 7am - 2 pm (7hrs)

St.Thomas: 9am - 8 pm (11 hrs)

St.Maarten: 7am - 6 pm (11 hrs).

 

Of course, we don't want to waste time, and want to see and experience top attractions in each area, sightseeng, snorkeling, Scuba-diving (never did it before), etc, etc.

 

Can you please recommend us what would you do, and what would you do first? Any advices are highly appreciated.

Thank you.

[BettyPC]

Lots of ideas and testimonials on the "Ports" section of Cruise Critic. I have read them over & over & still can't commit:D But we don't go until JUNE - so I guess i have time.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Carnival Game]

We're taking a daysail on Island Girl in St. Thomas and touring with Bernard in St. Martin. Both get good reviews!

[KenMo]

St Maarten: Orient Beach.....clothing optional (Recommendation based on your other thread!)

[CorbinCatFan]

We've been to Nassau twice and have done a beach thing and a snorkel excursion. Must say that the snorkeling was not so good but fine for a beginner.

 

In St. Thomas, we've done an island tour with beach and a trip to St. Johns. Loved both. Also, do some shopping in St. Thomas for duty free stuff as well.

[GayleR]

In St. Thomas, I would definitely book with Godfrey! He's so wonderful! He gives you a tour of the island and will drop you off a beach for a few hours! It's awesome!

[dstar96920]

We are doing the same ports on Glory in about a week. We've been to Nassau, and if I can drag my husband off the boat we will take a cab to Atlantis. We booked tours with Sunny Liston in St. Thomas and Bernard in St. Martin. Everything we wanted to see the tours covered. If you are more into water sports, I would definitely check out the St. Martin and St. Thomas port pages. That's where I got the links for the tours. I would look at the ship's excursions also. I heard mentioned a mini submarine tour that sounded good. Have a great time, and maybe we will see you there!

[jessemon]

Hi,

We are going to sail on Valor next week, with stops at Bahamas, St.Thomas, and St. Martin.

Many people advise not to book tours through Carnival, but instead book it directly with locals. The ship will stay at

Nassau, Bahamas: 7am - 2 pm (7hrs)

St.Thomas: 9am - 8 pm (11 hrs)

St.Maarten: 7am - 6 pm (11 hrs).

 

Of course, we don't want to waste time, and want to see and experience top attractions in each area, sightseeng, snorkeling, Scuba-diving (never did it before), etc, etc.

 

Can you please recommend us what would you do, and what would you do first? Any advices are highly appreciated.

Thank you.

You will find much more info if you go to the bottom of this page and open the forum jump. Then go to ports of call and click on your ports of call.....You will find a great amount of info there. Also reviews and tour providers and even more.....;)

[Dave_737]

Go to sapphire beach in St.Thomas. Not many people go there, so its kina like a private beach, and it is one of the nicest beaches ive been to.

[urfin]

In St. Thomas, I would definitely book with Godfrey! He's so wonderful! He gives you a tour of the island and will drop you off a beach for a few hours! It's awesome!

 

How to find link to Godfrey? Somehow I am lost in the port page.

 

Also, out of Bahamas, St.Thomas, St.Maarten, where is the best snorkeling and scuba-diving (for novices)?

[erpride]

I have been to all 3 ports, St. Thomas (3 times), and St. Martin (2 twice). You have plenty of time in St. Thomas...go to St. Johns, it is the greatest island I have ever been to, so clean and quaint. Take the ferry from Cruz Bay, you will find links somewhere, it is a great ride over. Take the taxi/open tram to Trunk Bay...wonderful!

If nudity doesn't freak you out, go to Orient Beach on St. Martin, we had so much fun there with our 2 boys, who were grossed out at first but quickly got over it. They agreed that totally naked was better than speedos!

We did the Comfort Inn/Atlantis in Nassau, but I don't think you have enough time for that. You can just go there and see the free things. Take the ferry over and a taxi back. Have fun...I'm jealous.

[NJBill]

Here's what we did last year

 

St. Maarten- Divi Beach by Taxi then shopping in local market/town

 

St.Thomas- Meagan's Bay..Shopping in local market

 

Nassau- Free beach just past Straw Market, shopping in town & starw market. Horse & buggy tour around city...

 

kids had a great time.