blue_water

Thanks! I did contact Billy Bones, they have one option, a private powerboat for up to 10 ppl, cost is ~$185/pp with a full compliment. Open bar, snorkel gear, we buy lunch. The ferry looks to be ~$78 USD/pp with the Anguilla departure tax, giving us just 3 hrs there…Just a tease! I guess we’ll just head to our favorite SXM beach ☺️ Thanks! 🙏

We know from staying on St Maarten and St Martin that there are reputable independent outfits that provide full-day excursions to Anguilla. Can you recommend any that provide half-day excursions or that cater to cruise passengers. Short 7AM - 5PM port time…

Friends who have been recently are not concerned as drivers routinely return at a specified time for them and others. So even if Patricia can’t call you should be fine. And with the Long Bay Resort being so close I would not be worried as long as you give yourself time. And I know that if you saw a private driver they would stop for you as it is a very friendly island 😉 Enjoy your time there!

That is the one concern most have and for good reason, although I’ve never once read of someone being left at SC…Most people will pay the driver on the return and that would be the best option for you if a driver agrees. I’m thinking that Patricia could also call her favorite driver too. There are taxis based at Long Bay Resort and Sebastian’s which you pass enroute to Smuggler’s. So the worst-case would be making the 20-minute, 1.5km walk to the LB Resort to grab a taxi. But I really don’t expect you to have a problem…Let me see if I can find out if Patricia can assure your return…

I see 2024 room rates (except for January- March).Any idea when the 2025 rates are posted, at least for the 1st quarter? I’d prefer to see the rate before booking the rooms…

Yes, we’ve seen strong swimmers swim in to the Baths from moored cats to the right of the boulders and be exhausted from the current or undertow. Regarding Smuggler’s Cove, we wouldn’t be concerned about the cruise line Jeep excursion. Sounds like a small group and they are not there long. And Miss Patricia is there serving her famous burgers, chicken, and salads (her potato salad is deelish)! Not to mention great drinks and cold beers. She is our favorite vendor on the island. Nigel has also been a fixture there, but you want to have Patricia take care of you. I just learned that her husband, Bush, is a talented chef and is sometimes her cook! And there will be a portapotty or two so you have everything you need! 😉 Gorgeous beach and water and beautiful views…

Now knowing that the Vista corner cabins have access to the VC pool we’ll probably go that way rather than the aft balcony…We love the typical aft-facing balcony, but with these HC aft cabins the railing with the gate + the walkway take away from the water view…Looks like the corner balcony just has the conventional rail…

We’ve cruised to most Carib nations over 20+ years and stayed on several, the Caribbean is our favorite destination…We’ve wintered in our retirement home in Mexico the past 8 years, and we are looking forward to returning to the eastern and southern areas iof the Carib…The BVI is our favorite area…gorgeous beaches, wonderful people on Tortola… Grenada has always eluded us and we happened to choose an upcoming cruise that stops there. I have to say we’ve toured many of the islands and we’re not really interested in seeing the typical sights, but we do always look forward to seeing the beauty of the island and learning her history. So we (two couples) booked a private island tour, and will spend some time on a less-developed beach after. For your interests, a similar excursion sounds about right! Have you been to the Western Caribbean? Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, Roatan and other areas offer beautiful rain forests, amazing Mayan and other ruins, and of course gorgeous beaches!

Aah yes, I see that excursion now. I see they also offer the Jeep excursion with a stop at Smuggler’s… Enjoy your visit!

Are you referring to the shared “safari” taxis? The open-sided bench seating on pick-up trucks? If so there are drivers offering shared island tours, some with a stop in Cane Garden Bay…

Thanks, it’s more clear after seeing YouTube videos of the HC area exactly how it is set-up. The only concern would be the number of HC and other qualified guests would be at the pool but that’s not a big deal. We’ve cruised in Carnival aft cabins years ago, and this HC set-up is something we’ve not seen and we would definitely go this route 😄

Yes I do see the Premium Vista wrap cabins do have the HC perks listed on other booking sites…Funny Carnival’s booking doesn’t seem to state that…Unless I’m just missing that…?

Depends on your vantage point really… We and other couples on our cruise have arranged for a nice, private cat sail for a small group (at a great price), just to avoid the congested spots like the Springs and Waterfalls. Nothing wrong with those as they are probably the biggest draw for new visitors… We do want to view the Pitons and other areas of the coastline from the cat, and we may decide on some beach time, depending on the vibe at that time…But if too busy not a biggie 😉

We don’t have a favorite driver anymore. But I would just grab a taxi when you arrive. A driver should confirm he/she will return at a time you choose. I’d probably look for another couple on our Roll Call to share the taxi. one note - I’m seeing that cruise lines (not sure how many) offer a Jeep tour to Smuggler’s now. I don’t know how long they stay there. But it’s really a shame as Smuggler’s is one of the last remaining beaches not overtaken by crowds on cruise ship days…

Not our idea of a great excursion, just because of the typical tourist stops. But happily you enjoyed it!