MDSue

After reading all these reviews and checking out the website, I booked with Victor this morning. We are going to have Lionel as our guide. It's my husband and I and our two young boys. Our 4 yr old is even free which I thought was nice. It's our last port call on the Legend, so maybe it's saving the best for last!

I hope you'll have a wonderful time. We were on the Legend in March. We loved the ship and of course loved Roatan. The 4 stop itinerary is great:)

From our excursion with captain alan dot com May 2009:

 

Tintimarre Island:

 

 

Snorkeling:

 

 

 

And pulling away from St. Maarten:

 

great shots!

Dose Bodden ask for a deposit prior to arrival? Payment in full before arrival or pay at the end?

 

I notice several people mention you can request your guide. Who would be your favorite?

My sister and I have used Hanno twice. He does a great job. It seems that many people who have done tours with Victor love their guides, so there probally isn't a bad choice.

You don't pay until the end of your tour.

OK so there's two of us so it would cost $80.00. That's too much to spend for a guide to take us to a beach and back. We aren't interested in watching natives dance, zip lining, having monkeys crawl on us, or eating anywhere. Not trying to be a smart aleck, just saying.... Is there any place else you'd recommend the guide take us besides to the beach in order to get our money's worth? We like animals (just not having them all over us), gardens, scenery, that type of stuff.

If you go on a cruise sponsored tour, it will cost you more per person for a few hours than what you would pay to go on a tour with Victor. You are right that you wouldn't want to pay that much if all you wanted was a ride to the beach.

When you book a driver for the day, they will take you anywhere you want to go, you can skip anything that doesn't interest you, and spend more time at places you like. There is no set schedule for anything. They will have suggestions and are happy to show you their country and give you some history. You can also check his website for other ideas [just google it].

You basically will get a custom made tour that meets your needs for the day.

MDsue, but a motorcycle costs many thousands, the camera you are thinking of-NikonD90 just over a thousand. Ok, roof comes first, but then what? Not for me, nor am I trying to tell you or anyone else what/how to do things, just that coming from a twice divorced man, some things are 1-not worth fighting over and 2-is this a battle really worth fighting over? Please don't be mad at my input...but if you , guess I can live with it. About next year's cruise....maybe that might cancel both his motorcycle plans and your camera plans.

 

Rob---uh oh, did I just open up a major can of worms that I should just have stayed out of.....sorry if I did.

Not really a battle- just a debate, As for the cruise, my husband lives to ski and goes every year, I love to cruise and need my annual get-away. So even though I haven't mentioned it yet- he knows I'll be going, and I know he'll go skiing.

..want to check this?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=991087

 

.

More great shots- as usual. I guess I'll have to scroll on over and take a better look.

Regarding the camera body, I couldn't see anything on the website that mentioned warranty information or if it was a factory camera, not a knock-off. How would I know? Anybody familiar with the dealer?

Even if it was cheap, my other half would have a fit if I bought a camera right now. He wants a motorcycle, we need a new roof. I say no bike until the roof is fixed. He says no camera until he gets his bike. I tell you this marriage thing can really put a damper on my spending:(

p.s I haven't even mentioned the cruise I've already booked for next year yet!

I have to say that your pics are stunning.

 

To bad I don't have a job or I would jump on this deal for that camera.

http://www.cameragiantsinc.com/products.asp?product_id=19323

That's alot of temptation. I'm not sure how they can offer it so cheap though. I see once I add a decent lens, it get pricy again. I'm going to save my pennies until next year:)

MDSue, While I am nowhere near an expert on photography, camera's and that stuff, I do know the Nikon D90 is considered a great camera for the class it is in. Don't forget, it does take 720p movies, and thats pretty good! If you do purchase it, am sure you will be pleased with it.

 

Rob

One of the main reasons I wanted the D90 is because of the Hi-Def movie capabilties to go along with a [hopefully] great camera. That's not to say I won't change my mind between now and spring when I return to St Maarten. I tend do a lot of research before purchasing anything so I'm always open to suggestions.

I have an older manual Pentax camera that had a very nice telephoto lens. I took some great shots with it years ago, but it's broken and outdated. I can't wait to purchase a quality camera and then go about learning to take some great photos [and videos too].

In a previous post you where looking at the D90 and you have the D60?

This sounds like not much of a 'step up' you might try the D300 or newer D700. Also I was told by an old photographer an long time ago when I was first getting into this addiction called photography your images are only as good and sharp as the glass you shoot it through. Nikon lenses while being $$$$$ are some of the best optics you can buy. But Nikon is making lower grade optics for the entry level photographers. When you go to the more $$$ one the sharper the images. But if you use the lower $ ones you can still good pictures with smaller aperture openings.

Actually, it was me asking about the D90 and it is a step up for me as I only have a small digital camera. Right now it's the best I can afford. I would love to go all out on a great camera, but that's in my dream world.

Thank you for the extra pictures and information. I really don't have to swim or snorkel. I am most interested in a scenic beach that isn't crowded. Is there a different beach you would recommend?

That's the only beach that I have spent much time at. I've read many great reviews about Tabayana beach, but can't say for myself. I remember seeing some beautiful pics of a beach [white sand/turquoise waters] in review of the Carnival Legend by PaulMedik. He went the week after I did in April. If you can search for his review [on the Carnival boards] you scroll through it to find the pics he posted. If you are touring with one of Victor's guides, you could just tell them what you are looking for.

Your Nikon D90 should come with the 18-105 mm. kit lens --not a bad optic.

 

I exchanged the 18-55 that came with my D60 for this 18-105 lens

so I have it and use it.

My only complaint is that, at the strong end of the tele (105mm. setting)

it bends straight lines like marine horizons.

Other than that it's okay!

 

 

18mm. is a reasonably wide angle that'll suffice

and at the other end, you'll find that 105 mm. is decently-strong

unless you are doing wildlife photography

-in which case you'll want something stronger(plus a tripod?)

 

 

If you buy the D90, and it comes with the 18-105

I wouldn't buy anything else just yet

-unless you want to do silly stuff like I do with ultra-wides.

 

Just wait awhile and see what happens,photographically.

You can always buy additional lenses later on.

 

 

.

Thanks for your expert advice! I have wanted a good camera my entire adult life, I'm looking forward to finally making that purchase:)

I had another question: I know you mentioned in the past that you use photobucket to store your pics. I use webshots and can only post smaller pics and the quality doesn't seem as good as the originals. My only concern is that when i went to sign up with photobucket- part of the agreement states that they may share my email address with other companies [i haven't had that problem with my current service]. Do you think you get alot of junk mail or unsolicited emails by using them? I get enough advertising already> Thanks

Orient Beach- This is the biggest size I can post

overlook in St Maarten

For those of you who went to Half Moon Bay, how large of a beach is it? About how many people were there? Thanks for any information.

It's not all that large and it has alot of shade trees. I would say it is a better beach for snorkelling than a swim area. There were many people in the water though. There was alot of grass growing in the sand very close to the shore. I really enjoyed it because we got a chair right by the water under some shade trees. It also has an outdoor restaurant and clean bathrooms. It is very close to the sandy beaches on the West End area. It does have a small sandy shore area. I'd say there was twenty five or so people there on the day we visited. I've seen some pictures of other beaches in Roatan that had the beautiful sandy beaches with the bright turqoise waters. This was more of a tropical beach.

Here's one area

view across the beach- notice the little yellow submarine in the pic. It was docked by the pier and looked like it was big enough for one person

view from the patio/outdoor restaurant

There's nothing wrong with the stuff they sell

and their prices are possibly the lowest in the Western Hemisphere.

 

If anyone knows of a cheaper place to buy camera gear, speak now!

 

 

..............................

 

 

Back in May 2007 (on our First Cruise) I bought a Canon Powershot A 630 from Boolchand's -$240

He threw in an extra card as well.

 

The very next day we stopped through St.Lucia

and there in Point Seraphine Duty Free complex was the same A 630 -at $399

 

That's when I knew.

 

 

.

I can't wait until I go back next year and buy my dream camera! I'd love a recommendation for a good overall lens to go with it [current choice Nikon D90, but could always change my mind]

aplmac....I have heard of Boolchands, are they a reputable company to purchase camera gear from? Any idea if their prices are competitive to those in the States here? Appreciate any info you may be aware of.

 

Thankyou,

 

Rob

I just wanted to say that I did a spur of the moment purchase while I was there last year. I had researched the price of a Sony Cybershot model that my daughter had recently broken and the lowest price I could find in the states was $249. At Boolchand's they sold me the identical model [new-in factory box with warranty] for $185 and included a memory card and carrying case. Not having to pay sales tax also saves extra money. So far it still works like brand new.

Here's another of the airport- Maho Beach

And Orient Beach

OOHHH!!! Purchased lens while on the trip?? Is there another store I must visit!!???!!!:D

I purchased a Sony Cybershot on my last trip there right on the pier at the store APLMAC mentioned. I hadn't intended to purchase a camera, but my daughter had dropped and broken hers right before my trip. I thought she was out of luck- I had paid $300 for it about a year before and gave it to her as a graduation gift. I shopped around before I left and the lowest price I could find for an identical model was $250. When I got to St. Maarten, I saw the camera shop and priced it out there. I was a bit nervous buying abroad, but was assured it came with a factory warranty. I ended up paying $185 and got a memory card and carrying case to go with it. I gave her my old camera [same model] and kept the new one- it still works great.

I've always wanted a better, more expensive camera with interchangable lens. I just booked another cruise that stops in St. Maarten so I may buy one there if the price is right.

Thank you very much. I do feel a little better. I will book with Victor.

Thanks again.

Also which beach did you choose. There are so many options. We like to snorkel.

We went to Half Moon Bay which is very close to the reef and supposed to have excellent snorkelling. The day we were there, the waves were a bit rough by the reef and the water was cloudy, so I didn't care for the snorkelling too much. Right next to Half Moon Bay a guy named Richard can take you out on his glass bottom boat to a place called the Blue Channel. When you book with Victor, just tell him you want to go out on the glass bottom boat also, it is well worth the extra $15 we paid. It was the best snorkelling I've ever done and Richard will swim along with you to point out fish and the reef. You can park your stuff at Half Moon Bay while you are out on the boat and lock any valuables in your guides car [i totally trusted Hanno with our belongings]. When we came back from snorkelling, we spent a few hours at the beach and ordered lunch. The water was much clearer when we got back and lots of people were snorkelling right off the beach. It's a very tropical beach with lots of shade trees. If you want a sunnier location, just tell them and they can take you to a different beach. I'm attaching a few pics for you.

Half Moon Bay

Glass Bottom boat

Scenic view of barrier reef with our guide, Hanno

Me and my new husband will be visiting roatan for our honeymoon. Victor's tours sound great. But I am a little uneasy about going to a foreign country and getting into some strangers car for all day. How safe is it there. Should we take a tour through the cruise line?

I keep thinking that this is no different than just taking a cab somewhere.

So my question is will we be safe with victor's guides?

Also any recommendations for resorts, if one is even needed? We love to snorkel.

 

Thanks

My sister and I have taken a tour with one of Victor's guides [Hanno] twice now. We have always felt completely safe everywhere we went on the island. I actually felt safer having Hanno for our guide, kind of like our own personal bodyguard [you don't need one really, the people are very nice]. If you take a tour with the cruiseline, you will mostly likely be crammed on a bus with lots of other people. If you book with Victor, you will have your own private tour guide who will cater your tour to meet your needs. In other words, if you are enjoying a particular beach, you can spend as much time as you wish or if you want to spend more time sightseeing then they'll do that instead. There is just so many different options and it's nice to have a say in how you spend your day. This is nothing like just taking a cab, they will give you a wonderful tour of the island and give you lots of options for activities along the way.

Not only do you get the personal attention, but they will meet you at the gates and you will have your guide for the whole day if you want, not just the 3 or 4 hours a ship tour provides.

I've read many great reviews of Victor's guides, but for my sister and I, we will always ask for Hanno, because he has done such a great job.

Alpmac- I love your shots and always look forward to viewing them- keep them coming. I remember you mentioned that you had just purchased your lens while on your trip. I'm assuming it was in one of the St. Maarten port camera shops. I bought a nice inexpensive digital at the shop on the pier and got a great price. I was wondering if you know if the Nikon D90 was sold there. I'm going there next year and thinking about picking one up while there, but I'm a bit nervous about shelling out a large amount at a foriegn port.

p.s I have no idea how the thumbs down post ended up on my post- your pics get a thumbs up!

Sunrise from our balcony- Carnival Legend

Hello fellow cruisers! I'm hoping someone here can help me figure out the best way to set up my cruise with Victor.

 

There will be 7 of us together. 3 adults want to do the zipline. 2 adults (the grandparents) will be watching the 2 kids (ages 4 and 8) while we do this. Is there a way to spend the day together and just separate while we do the zipline? Maybe the grandparents could take the kids to see the monkeys and/or iguanas? I'm not sure how long the zipline takes and how long we'd have to keep the kids occupied while we are gone. Also, since the grandparents will be watching the kids, it can't be anything that would require a lot of walking/hiking. I'd like to skip the beach since I like to keep a close eye on the kids and would be nervous if they were in the water without me watching (yes, I am a helicopter parent who "hovers" over their kids!!).

 

Anyway, would it be possible to set up our tour this way? I looked at Victor's form and I'm a bit confused as to how to explain what I am looking to do.

 

Also, is there a tour guide in particular that is better with kids than another? Do they all speak English?

 

Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated! Thank you! Oh, FYI, we leave on May 31.

Email Victor [if you can't reach him through his website you can email him direct at VictorBodden at yahoo dot com] and tell him what you would like to do. It sounds like if you want to separate, you'd need two separate guides who could meet up. I think you can stay together and do everything that you want. The island is not that big and it doesn't take that long to do the different activities. None of the activities require alot of walking. Victor has a zipline at his house where the monkees are, but i'm not sure it would be as nice as Gumbalina Park. I haven't done the ziplines personally, but have been to the iguana sanctuary and to his house to see the monkees. I think they have monkees at Gumbaline also, so maybe you'd want to go there instead of Victor's house. All of his guides speak perfect English so communication should not be a problem. I've only used Hanno for a guide [both trips] and we didn't have kids with us, but he has two kids ages 6-8, so I'm sure he'd be good. Victor is very good at emailing back and forth so you can work out a good plan for the day. Tell him Susan sent you:)

MDsue was there additional charge for Half Moon Bay? Looks like a place where teens could swim while others ate?

Also in your photos is a beach with a big clear ball, where was that?

Thanks!

Hi CMM, There was no charge to go to Half Moon Bay. There are waiters that will serve you on the beach or in the restaurant area. There is also a little floating dock that some teens were hanging out on close by [within easy swimming distance. It's not a real sandy beach [alot of grasses nearby and the reef close by] but quite a few people were swimming and snorkelling there.

The hamster ball you saw were actually taken in Cozumel at a beach called Mr. Sancho's. That was another stop on our cruise [Carnival Legend]. It looked like alot of fun, plenty of teens trying it. They would start you off at the top of the beach and roll you down into the water.

IF you had your choice what would you suggest doing while taking a tour with Victor? We are doing zip line in Belize so we don't want to do that here. If you snorkle do they have gear you can rent?

I would say it depends on what your interests are and the ages of whom you are travelling with. Have you checked out his website for some ideas? The guides are very familiar with the island and will suggest places to see and things to do, but they really want you to tell them what kind of things interest you. If you sign up for the best of Roatan tour, they will take you all around the island, stop at some scenic overlooks and give you some history of the island. There are some nice beach areas and shops on the West End side if you want to spend some time there. We spent some of our day at a small resort called Half Moon Bay. You can snorkel right from there, but I had more fun snorkelling off the glass bottom boat that went out to the reef. The guide hd snorkel gear on the boat. There are beach chairs and an outdoor restaurant, bathrooms etc also. The place is very tropical and the chairs were right at the water but were mostly in the shade [which we wanted as we got too much sun the day before]. There are other beaches in a sunnier location nearby. We also had a great time visiting Victor's home where he has some monkees, parrots and other animals. You can enter the enclosure and play with the monkees which was lots of fun. There is also an iguana sanctuary on the island, where the igaunas live freely and will happily eat leaves from your hand.

Victor is very good at responding to email questions and can also make some suggestions. Our guide, Hanno, was very good at suggesting places, but also trying to make sure we were doing what we wanted to do. If you are snorkelling, hanging out at the beach, they do not hover, but will always be close by if you need something.

Here are some pics from our trip last week.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2693979940104390106aJYayc?vhost=travel

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2338379320104390106KuQvcP?

vhost=travel

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2210642420104390106dtGqaB?vhost=travel

We also got off the Legend today. We booked Hanno for the second time with Victor Bodden because he did such a great job on our first trip. Once again we had a wonderful day. We went to see the animal's at Victor's house, met Victor's wife and brother and daughter, had a great time with the monkees. Then we went snorkelling off Half Moon Bay and also on a glass bottom boat, all while our stuff was safely locked in Hanno's car. The snorkelling off the glass bottom boat was the best I've done yet. We spent the rest of our day touring the island and shopping.

While there we felt like family and so well looked after.

To Hanno, Victor and all the other wonderful people of Roatan- we love you and think you're greatest. What wonderful memories we have of our visit and hope to return again soon:)

Perhaps there is a reason she thought you might like the Serenade better. I have not tried the Adventure, but sailed on the Serenade last year and loved it. It is a classy beautiful ship with a ton of glass for views. I would ask your tA specifically why she thinks you should book the Serenade. It was my favorite ship so far.