blue_water

We are very fortunate in that we have a friend who makes jewelry. But we’ve purchased many of the settings and stones and have learned a lot about that part of it. One note in regards to affordability, and the options now available today - lab-grown diamonds. They are visually indistinguishable from the finest natural diamonds, and much less expensive. One source is lightbox.com, where you will find white, blue, and pink diamonds, set and loose. Just another option for pink stones and rings. My wife purchased several smaller natural pink sapphire stones to accent a diamond ring, and buying natural stones “direct” is sooo much less expensive than buying retail of course - you get so much better quality at a lower price. Not everyone has a jewelry maker at their disposal, but there are several reputable sites that offer rings and other jewelry with high quality natural and lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, and other stones. In years past she had bought jewelry in the Carib, including STT. Her trusted shop is no longer there, and I know she would strongly advise against DI and similar stores. We both can attest to the quality of materials - and as important - workmanship, in a Hook Bracelet purchased at St John Bracelets if interested in that one day… But if interested, compare prices of a lab-grown pink diamond ring to a natural pink sapphire ring by Googling reputable lab-grown diamond sources. Pink diamonds are quite similar to pink sapphires except they are more brilliant. At least you will have more knowledge or info before looking in these stores…

Thank you WisCruiser! 👏 Because of the limited space and number of non-resort lounge/umbrella rentals available, I would suggest reserving your rental from AADivers well prior to arrival. Below is their reply today to my question on their policy - ($10/lounge and $10/umbrella, or $30 for 2 lounges and an umbrella) - https://www.aadivers.com/ The chairs and umbrellas are $10.00 each for the day. To reserve your chairs please complete the “book now” link on the website. If you need a taxi we recommend Shamari 340-643-2098. If the ship doesn’t make it there is not charge. We will not charge your card until you arrive and check in at the dive shop. Cheers, Diane

Taxi is the quickest transportation of course. But if you want to ride with locals for a different experience take the #10 jitney on your return. $1.25/pp. they depart town from Bay & Frederick Sts, and have regular stops along the route…

Meant to add that the nice thing about working with one driver who drops you at different spots and returns (when you call or at an agreed upon time) is you can actually take more with you, like snorkel gea, and leave it with the driver when you go down to the Baths…Makes for a nicer day!

I was afraid of that…Many day visitors will be wanting the typical beach with amenities, and will head for CGB. Others will have the same requirements, but with no other cruisers there, and that animal just doesn’t exist! But they will be directed to Brewers Bay by the taxi drivers… CGB is a large bay, but all of the bars/restaurants are in one section so it will be crowded that day for sure. So I would definitely choose Brewers Bay because it can be hard to rely on a taxi returning to Smuggler’s… Another great option for a busy cruise ship day (or any day) in the BVI is a catamaran sail between the islands. That is the ultimate excursion choice for avoiding the crowds, and an inexpensive way to be pampered by the crew on a nice cat! If interested, there are some excellent independent catamaran sails that cater to day visitors like Aristocat, Kuralu, and Patouche. They generally offer two shared sailing options - One that is primarily snorkeling the east area, stopping at the Indians, Norman Caves, and either Island Bight or Cooper Island for beach/lunch time. The other is to the west, including a stop in White Bay, Jost for beach time with beach bars (e.g. Soggy $ Bar) and perhaps Diamond Cay or Sandy Spit. https://aristocatdaysails.com/cruise-ship/ https://kuralu.com/destinations/ https://patouche.com/

Sure! If you are interested in snorkeling I know there is a good spot at Savannah. We’ve not snorkeled there but you can learn more from others on the TripAdvisor Virgin Gorda forum…

cruising - what is your port date? You are in port 8AM - 5PM along with another ship. But depending on your date, you may be in port with a smaller ship (2,500 pax), or a larger ship (5,200 pax). That can mean the difference between CGB and another beach…

Agree with Brewers Bay. Unlike CGB, one restroom, one beach bar (Nicole’s), some lounges and natural shade. More that “old Caribbean” vibe than a busy beach shared with many of your fellow cruisers… Taxis will return, same price and distance as CGB… A bit more rustic, just depends on what you are looking for? Once a quiet beach even with mega cruise ships in port, Long Bay, Beef Island now has lounges and other amenities through the cruise line. Not sure if you can rent the amenities going on your own? Smuggler’s Cove would be our choice, but we would rent a Jeep because it’s a bit more isolated… Do look at Brewers and CGB for reviews in past threads here, and on the cruise line website…

You will find several 20+ passenger open-sided safari-type vehicles lined up to take visitors to beaches and on island tours. The majority of first-time visitors just choose to go to CGB because it’s easy - there are several restaurant/bars as well as water toy rentals and public restrooms. All the amenities you could want! So you will be part of a large crowd, depending on the number of cruise ship passengers in port that day. 20 - 30 minutes up over the hill and down into CGB. As pattycake shared above, taxi fare is now $12/pp in a shared safari (I’m guessing that is the “3-person” fare but not sure), an umbrella + 2 lounges $20. CGB is a large bay with a nice beach, and home to Quito’s Gazebo, Rymer’s, Myett’s and other hotels/bars, but we don’t consider it to be the nicest beach in the Carib, or even on Tortola. But if you are looking for the typical beach that most day visitors head for, CGB is that…

Yes avoiding the crowds that you are a part of is just very challenging…Most of your fellow passengers, and those on the other ship, have the same concerns. If you are arriving on January 29 that is much bette than the following week, the other ship that day (NCL Arvia) has 5,200 passengers! As you noted, NCL offers two excursions to the Baths, plus a few other excursions to Virgin Gorda, and I like your idea of taking the 10:40 ferry over on your own… When we’ve stayed on Tortola (on land vacations) we would hook up with one of the taxi drivers at the Virgin Gorda marina and take advantage of his/her experience with getting around. We’d go to Virgin Gorda (and Jost Van Dyke) when no ships were in port of course. But you can still use the driver’s experience to avoid the worst of your fellow cruise ship crowds. Of course anyone else following this thread can do the same. An alternative is to rent a car from Mahogany, but the taxi fares in the Valley area are affordable, especially for a couple. I can see the driver suggesting dropping you at Savannah Bay where you can relax on the beautiful beach while the crowds are at the Baths, and possibly Spring Bay, then Mad Dog’s for a bite before or after the Baths. You could even take a backpack with towels, sunscreen, etc, and when the driver drops you at the Top of the Baths leave items with him/her that you don’t want to carry. The drivers are very friendly and helpful! [EDIT] Forgot to answer your most important question! Yes we would not have a problem taking the 3:30 return. The ferries are quite reliable, and they run more ferries when needed. But I would plan on being back in line at the marina 30 minutes early…

Sun Lover the Bolongo Bay Resort allows non-guests at the bar, and last I spoke with the manager visitors also have access to the pool and the beach. Not AI, but the next best thing…This is not aimed at cruise ship passengers, but residents and folks staying elsewhere or visiting from another island… A couple other resorts offer limited day passes as mentioned…

Great nights at Duffy’s that we remember some of! ☺️ Those fish bowl drinks and our favorite music make for fun sing-alongs! We’d have dinner (pizza or meatball parm!) at Island Time Pub with friends from Tortola then head across to Duffy’s after…But Duffy’s is “special” after dark… Dog House Pub is our favorite spot in Havensight too… We miss Latitude 18 though…😔

The cruise dock is right there… Pusser’s Road Town Pub is near the ferry terminal, a 10 minute walk from the ship if you want a snack or cold drink.

Hard to say since it depends on when you can disembark. Viator is a 3rd-party operator and states they will update you with confirmed meeting times. But when taking non-cruise line excursions,I prefer to book directly with independent excursion outfits rather than Viator. Try emailing Ground Sea Adventures for their advice…

I don’t know of any Cable Beach resort passes today…Baha Mar offers a day pass to their Baha Bay water park ($160 adults, $65 juniors), but the beach itself was reserved for hotel guests when we stayed next door last April/May… There is a public beach access next to the Bob Marley Hotel, but no amenities when we stopped by, and according to residents the hotel has closed…

No we haven’t, but that looks like a great option away from the busier excursions!

AC’s is a great private option. https://www.bvitourism.com/acs-taxi-service http://www.info-res.com/actaxibvi/ For a shared safari taxi tour just seek one out when you arrive, there are several with different options…

Yes that is great - Both smaller ships without the mega-crowds! Explora1 looks beautiful by the way… Yes we would hook up with a taxi driver, preferably one with a smaller safari-type vehicle, and use his expertise to enjoy a few different sites. Published taxi fares are $4/pp around the Valley area, although they may have been raised recently. If you are more interested in seeing the island you could rent a car and drive to the North Sound. Mahogany is a good rental outfit. But I’d staying in the Valley area You can hit Mad Dog’s for a lunch with a nice view, or stop at the Baths & Turtle in Spanishtown after your tour which is a short walk from the ferry marina… Enjoy! 👍

I agree with saving the boat excursion for another destination. You will effectively have 6 hours of free time, and you would have time to hit the Baths as well as Savannah Bay, perhaps. Taxi drivers will work with you by dropping you at one place and returning when you call or at an agreed upon time, and fares in the Valley area are inexpensive. You could also rent a car if you want that flexibility, but a taxi would be our choice. What is your port date and ship? If there are a lot of cruisers coming over from Tortola earlier you may need to work around not only your fellow cruise mates but the others as well…

Melia is still closed and soon to be imploded… While staying on the island we and 3 other couples enjoyed this tour -

Sorry, Long Bay (Beef Island) is on Tortola ☺️

I’ve never seen a “walking” masseuse anywhere in the Carib, sorry…maybe that’s something new, or have you seen that somewhere? Along the RM (and in Coz I assume) you will see massage “stations”, or palapas with massage tables, typically 4 - 6 tables and staff. 20+ years ago at Playa Palancar one lady had one table and my wife was her favorite (read “only”) customer! On our beach we’ll see the ladies walking the beach soliciting business from the hotels, restaurants, and resorts. Resort guests are expecting - or willing - to pay $70 - $90 USD w/tip USD for a 50 minute massage, which has raised the price for us “locals” too of course. Although by knowing the girls we still get the “old” price… They’re not really “secret” beaches, just beaches that were once too far from the cruise docks, like Playa Palancar, or that were undeveloped and the cruise lines turned into cruise ship excursions, like Long Bay (Beef Island) and Lindqvist on STT…

We have a masseuse on our beach who is great, and a 70 minute massage was $35 w/tip. Now that the resort guests on either side of her have found and promoted her, she gets $35/30 minutes and they love that… As mentioned earlier, “our secret” beaches and places are going!

You probably meant “walk-in masseuse options? If so, yes, they are available at these beach clubs, but not at the prices you would pay on our “locals” beach in the RM.

Yes, with a 9AM start I’d suggest taking one of the 3 hour shared safari taxi island tours, or just taking a taxi to a beach and having an hour after around the port area. Tortola is a gorgeous, lush island with spectacular views of the bays and other islands from high above. You will see drivers offering tours, some with a short stop in CGB for beach time or to see the distillery. Or you can taxi to one of the popular beaches here. CGB is the busiest because there are several beach bars and amenities here. It is also the largest bay. When we stay at Myett’s or Quito’s and we are there when cruisers are dropped and picked up there are several 20+ safari taxis because of the number of people. Some go here on the ship excursion, but no need for that, just hop a taxi going there. The water can be rough or as calm as glass depending on find and sea conditions. If you would like a less busy vibe and an older Caribbean feel, Brewers Bay would be my suggestion. One beach bar and restroom and some lounges. Taxis return to both beaches, and the fare is ~$12/pp each way according to a recent report. Long Bay (Beef Island) is another option, not sure if you must take the ship excursion to get lounges and umbrellas… Getting off the ship for a 7 or 7:45 AM excursion to JVD which gives you only a couple hours there isn’t something we’d do. We love White Bay and Great Harbor, but more for afternoons when staying in the islands. And the Baths on Virgin Gorda - which are something I would recommend if you had more time - are an equally bad idea since you’d be there with so many of your fellow passengers… So on these NCL port times enjoying the beauty of Tortola (and the people) just makes sense! Enjoy whatever you choose!