3blakekids

Thank you for all of the amazing information!!! It makes me anxious to be able to see and do all/most. Im still trying to figure out how to meet up with my older kids while on a huge ship!!

I have a 17 and 21 yr old that are very close. Im hoping the 17 yr old can do some of the same stuff with the 21 yr old.. as in comedy and dancing. Neither of them drink but both love to dance and comedy. Im just hoping they can enjoy that.

I decided to chime in as I just came back on my cruise with the same port time.

 

This was the only DIY excursion I was a bit nervous and considering my flight to the cruise was delayed by 3.5 hours making me almost missed my cruise, I debated doing this myself or booking with NCL.

 

As fate would have it, there was only one spot left on both excursion time, so it was destined for me to do this on my own with my girlfriend.

 

Waited to get off the gangway at 6:50am, boat had cleared customs and I was the first one off the boat. The walk to the ferry was about 10 minutes, ignore the recommendations to take a taxi. It's a waste of money and you probably won't find much available at that time. I overheard a family of 6 paid $30 for the 10 minute walk....

 

Got to Speedy Ferry terminal at like 7:00am, waited a good 45 minutes for the 7:45am departure. No need to rush down, take your time, grab breakfast. Don't wake up early like I did. A safe bet would be leave the ship around 7:15am.

 

Over 100+ people from my ship was doing the same thing as I was. Taxi is included with the $38 round trip from Speedy. I got to the Baths about 8:45am, I would say it took longer to get there than on the way back. That's because you are sharing the same ferry as people who go to school and work from the islands. There's two taxis when you arrive, make sure you get off the boat first and get the first taxi to save a bit of time. I easily spent a good 3 hours at the Baths.

 

If I had gone with the Excursion, the caves would be packed with everyone I was going with NCL. By arriving much earlier, I was able to enjoy Devil's Bay before people arrived and also after people had to leave.

 

I also recommend to go down the Left side, don't even bother going to the right side. It's mostly stairs with no view and that side of the beach is nowhere near as good as Devil's Bay.

 

Left side gives you a nice scenic trail down to Devil's Bay where you end up on the other side of the caves. Lots of grottos and areas you can navigate yourself.

 

I stayed till around 11:30am before trekking back up, you can easily stay till 12pm and trek back up in about 5-7 mins. Taxi driver said he would be around 12:00pm to 12:15pm. We actually got back on an early taxi. I arrived at the ferry at around 12pm, I think if you stretched it comfortably you can get a good 3.5 hours at the Baths. Since I went Coki Beach at the day before at St. Thomas, didn't need to stay that long at Gorda.

 

The dock for the ferry has a goregous beach. Imagine getting a beer and swimming in the water off the same body of water the ferry is waiting for you. When the ship was ready to depart, they flagged us and we hopped out of the water and right on the ferry. The best experience ever while waiting for the boat.

 

All in all, I got a good 3 hours at the baths versus the 1 hour you would get with NCL. The cataraman option is pretty good too, you come up 15 feet from shore and jump in with a life jacket with a guide leading you straight to the beach.

Thank you!! This is what I needed to read!

Kerri

my thoughts exactly! Plus we have a 3.5 year old and NCL would charge $51 for her. Going on our own, she's free.

I totally agree with you both.. Im just a nervous nelly with time and catching the ship. LOL I will probably do it on our own anyway. AS long as its an easy venture....

Normally you can extend your time on VG by ferrying on your own, but with an early ship departure from Road Town you don't have those alternate ferry options unfortunately...

Taxi to the Baths is quick and the walk down not that long so you'll have time to enjoy.

Would you recommend going with NCL or Ferry on your own 7:45/12:40 return?

Thanks for your input

I emailed them as well, they don't like to answer their emails seems like. But I'm guessing they are used to getting ship crowds and can add more ferries if needed, at least that's what I've heard from other people here.

 

We're probably not on the same cruise as you. We're be on it in 4 weeks! :) So we might cross paths when we come off it.:mad:

We are on the Getaway Oct 10th. I may just book with NCL to be safe, but I will give it more time.

We'll be there in Oct via NCL Getaway from 7am to 3pm. We're planning to go to the Baths on our own by taking the Speedy's ferry. It departs 7:45am, and the only return time that would work is 12:40pm in order to make our 3pm ship departure. Is this too tight of a schedule?

 

Also do the ferries ever run full and can't take more passengers? I'm worried that the 12:40pm return ferry might get full and we're left behind.

 

Thanks!

We are planning the same trip. I emailed Speedy too, but have not heard back. Im assuming it would all be fine, however the 12:40 only ferry back does worry me. I worry if we miss that one then the next is too close to departure time. I may try to call them this week. See you on the ship.. 5 weeks left!!!

Kerri