fishman620

For those who have already cruised or are going soon on Empires of the Mediterranean Venice to Istanbul and have taken the Viking Air package......Can you please tell me the itinerary of the flights from US that you took......I guess my main question is, was it direct flights from the East Coast to Venice/from Istanbul or what European cities did you have layovers in. If you did have layovers, is there an option to stay overnight in these European cities? Thanks for any insight.

The day we were in port @ St. Maarten, there were 4 ships total in port.....which made it very congested where we were supposed to meet Bernard Tours. It was also a bit confusing on where to go to meet Bernard's. Huge lines to wait to check in for our tour (Bernard's is VERY popular). They stick as many people as they can in their vans and getting out was kind of a traffic jam, but once on the tour things went smoothly.

We went with Bernard's Tour #1, an hour @ Marigot shopping or sightseeing and an hour @ Maho, 4 hour tour of the Island and free drinks, for a very reasonable price.

We recently returned from a Celebrity Cruise and while in Barbados took an Island tour with Edwin Lovell (Eddy). It was easy to find him after leaving the ship, under the big tree with Scenic Barbados Tours sign. We had booked his tour online through scenicbarbdostours.net. There were two other couples from the ship and another couple from a hotel. Eddy took us all over the island in an air-conditioned van and stopped at different scenic spots for refreshments (water, pop, beer, & rum punch) Then Eddy dropped us all off at the "Shipyards" a popular, beautiful beach for 2 hours (or for a time you designated). He was there to pick us up and take us back to the ship. Very reasonable price, very informative 4 hours tour. I would recommend Eddy, it was a great tour.

We flew a red eye out of Seattle on Friday @ 10p.m., connection in Charlette, NC, arrived in San Juan @ 11:30a.m. Sat. morning took taxi to ship .Made resy on American but they put us on US Air going over, then coming back American through Dallas, then Alaska to SEA, same day as we departed the ship.

We also took Bernards tour #1, our tour guide was Junior. We agree for the money paid it was a nice tour. Maho Beach was definitely the highlight!

We too booked Herod's Land & Sea and just returned from our cruise a couple days ago. I would highly recommend this tour. Herod's guides were very professional, we saw much of this exotic Island by van (roads are very hilly and curvy but we loved it. Lunch was okay (but I don't care for Caribbean food), mud baths and waterfalls was a lot of fun. Snorkeling under the Pitons was nice, saw a spotted eel. The speed boat back to the ship was a hoot, loved it! We definitely got our money's worth for this full day tour and was highly satisfied.

We just got back from a cruise, our round trip flight from Seattle/San Juan was $945pp.

Back from our cruise....wanted to touch base on our snorkel to Trunk Bay. It was just okay, the beach and water was beautiful but not many fish the coral was okay. Next time we will head to Coki to compare.

I'm with you Kelsey, Herod's gets great reviews both on CC and TA. We are also doing Herod's Land & Sea while in St. Lucia.

We won't be doing this on our own, both would be excursions, St. John includes all-inclusive tour & snorkel (cruise excursion), the other on St. Thomas would be through Godfrey tours (including 2 hours @ Coki) We like to snorkel so want to choose which beach has the best snorkeling.

Wow! Now I really don't know which one to choose from, two very different opinions, that's for sure...

One of our ports of call is St. Thomas, we want to snorkel. We are considering going to St John to snorkel on Trunk Bay or should we stay on St. Thomas and go to Coki Beach, which has the best snorkeling?

We are on a Celebrity Cruise and have studied all the St. John excursions....we have decided on the All-Inclusive St John's Beach & Snorkel because you get picked up by ferry right at the port, and "Journey along the southern coastline of St. Thomas toward St. John to enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing in Trunk Bay. Along the way, you'll pass incredible landmarks and historical sites, including Pillsbury Sound and Cruz Bay. Upon reaching the world famous Trunk Bay, you'll have the option to swim or snorkel along an underwater reef trail over 650 feet long. From tropical fish to colorful coral, this spectacular reef will leave you breathless.

Highlights:

• Enjoy amazing views of St. John from special overlooks including Cruz Bay, Hawksnest Bay, and Caneel Bay Plantation.

• Bask beneath the warm Caribbean sun at Trunk Bay, considered the most beautiful beach in St. John.

• Learn about the region's exotic marine life as you snorkel along a unique underwater trail.

No hassles trying to catch a cab to/from Trunk Bay. Everything is included.

We are on a Celebrity Cruise and have studied all the St. John excursions....we have decided on the All-Inclusive St John's Beach & Snorkel because you get picked up by ferry right at the port, and "Journey along the southern coastline of St. Thomas toward St. John to enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing in Trunk Bay. Along the way, you'll pass incredible landmarks and historical sites, including Pillsbury Sound and Cruz Bay. Upon reaching the world famous Trunk Bay, you'll have the option to swim or snorkel along an underwater reef trail over 650 feet long. From tropical fish to colorful coral, this spectacular reef will leave you breathless.

hassles with trying to catch a cab @ St. John

Highlights:

• Enjoy amazing views of St. John from special overlooks including Cruz Bay, Hawksnest Bay, and Caneel Bay Plantation.

• Bask beneath the warm Caribbean sun at Trunk Bay, considered the most beautiful beach in St. John.

• Learn about the region's exotic marine life as you snorkel along a unique underwater trail.

No hassles trying to catch a cab to/from Trunk Bay. Everything is included.

That's not good! Now I am second guessing my ship excursion on the Celebrity Summit to St. John......has others cruisers had problems with docking in St. Thomas late?

We got a confirmation number but no instructions on where to meet and what time, hopefully they will email us soon with those details...

Is there a car service that would pick you up at the airport and take you on a short tour of Old San Juan before dropping you off at Pan Am Pier?

Have any of you cruisers used Coconut Tours, they have good reviews on tripadvisor. We are interested in their 360 tour. Just wanting some feedback before we decide. Thanks.

I believe tour 1 spends an hour shopping with a 15 min stop @ Orient for photo opportunity, tour 2 goes to Orient Beach without shopping involved.

Our contact from TA got back to us and told us he took the 9 a.m. Tour #1. I didn't know that it all depends on when your ship docks. I went through SMX deals.com so hopefully they will let me know.

Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it. We will definitely sit on the starboard side and enjoy the ride!

Samian,

My wife and I were wondering the very same question. We have been in contact with someone on tripadvisor that took tour #1, they said they were at Maho Beach when the big KLM jet came in, so I asked him what tour time to take Bernard's have a 9,9:30, 10:30 and 12:30 tour time for #1. Will let you know as soon as I hear back from him.

Thanks everyone. Is there a sidewalk or do we have to walk in the road?

Thanks everyone! I like having the option of a ride if its too hot. If we walk, is there a sidewalk or will we be walking on the road?