blue_water

Sure! That’s something I had shared with friends who were staying on the island and had more time to hit several beaches… Just head north and you’ll find beaches!

Sometimes there are internet problems that delay responses, but 2 weeks is not typical… I would definitely call - 1(284)340-0550

Thanks all!

Ok I was just curious how busy a day it is, looks like NCL Escape is also in port with another 4,000+ passengers. Doesn’t really matter to us as we’d head to Smuggler’s. Just a gorgeous bay, and vendors are selling drinks and food (double check with the drivers at the dock). Fewer fellow passengers there, although I’m reading one cruise line is offering a Jeep excursion to Smuggler’s, so if true that bites. Brewers is quite beautiful as well, and still not as corded as CGB of course. So you cannot go wrong with either one. We stay on the island, and SC is our first choice…

Port times and date there? Are you familiar with these two beaches from reading here?

On their site I see a price of $15/day (for March, 2025). That is the pay in advance price you are talking about, versus paying upon arrival? Thanks!

Any hotel recs in the Las Olas area or other with nice pool, nearby restaurants? Pros/Cons of hotel shuttle vs Park n Go?

“Then head west and up Windy Hill Rd and then down into Cane Garden Bay.” that should be “east”…

The flat roads are indeed flat and very drivable; the roads traversing the spine of the island are indeed VERY steep and winding. Most are in fine shape, you just have to watch carefully at turns for oncoming traffic, especially at switchbacks, and watch for goats in the road. On the steeper roads, when it has rained recently you will find slippery and muddy conditions from the runoff on the hill. The toad to a couple beaches (Smuggler’s Cove, for example) is unpaved and bumpy. So a Jeep or other4x4 is your typical rental. Most turns are marked, but not all. We’ve only missed our turn a few times while staying on the island though. We try to avoid “the Elevator”, one of the steepest roads on the mountain… If we were doing a beach hop, we’d head west along the NorthShore Rd to Zion Hill Rd, and at the south shore take a left and head to Smuggler’s Cove. Then stop at Long Bay, West which you pass on the way to SC. Long Bay is the picture postcard beach we’ve all seen in magazines, etc. Then head west and up Windy Hill Rd and then down into Cane Garden Bay. On the way up the hill stop by Bananakeet for a drink and the spectacular panoramic view. Leaving CGB head over to Brewer’s Bay. Then if time permits you can drop into Josiah’s Bay, or drive to the east end of the island and see beautiful Long Bay, Beef Island. From there Trellis Bay is very close, or just head back to Road Town!

Yes the NCL Tortola port times are often disappointing…

1. Yes, we would be fine with that. 2. Yes, and no…I’m reading there are now cruise line excursions to SC that include a Jeep tour? So not happy to see that, but still a great choice…

Thanks…I was asking about FLL to Riverside, @antmaril had mentioned $20 by taxi, but I see now others were talking about the hotel shuttle vs taxi from the Riverside to the ship…😄 We have friends driving in to sail with us, and they will likely use the Park n Go as that looks like a very popular choice for folks with vehicles… We’re used to staying in the Danai Beach area and that is less expensive. But the Las Olas area and Riverside looks like a nice option!

So even with the $12/pp fare, you may have to wait for others going to the hotel?

I’d suggest a more personal experience with a respected driver. Our favorite trusted taxi/excursion driver just took 3 girls from Cozumel to the Tulum ruins and other spots for their day in the Riviera Maya. And others to Chichen Itza. I wouldn’t want to do that on a shared bus…

Thank you guys! As beautiful as I remember! 🙏

Meant to add the risk is if you cannot get there and you reserve a tee time, with a cancellation within 14 days you forfeit the entire $$ payment. You can email just prior to your cruise and ask if you can just show up if not a busy day too…Or reserve last minute after checking the weather…

Yes Hard Rock in Playacar is your best bet. Great 18-hole course just a 5 - 10 minute taxi from the PDC ferry terminal. All-inclusive price (green fees, cart, food and drinks) is $250/pp. Add $50/pp for club rental, $15/pp for shoes. Bring your own balls, gloves, and tees. https://hotel.hardrock.com/riviera-maya/world-class-golf.aspx Great course and you will enjoy your day. The ferry crossing can be rough, just depends on the conditions. When conditions are extreme (a Norte coming through) the ports and ferries are closed, as has happened twice this year. Other than that we’d have no concern with this self-excursion, as long as your port times are long enough? Taxi would be ~$150 pesos each way…

Is there a less expensive transfer from FLL to Riverside? We’re meeting friends at the hotel pre-cruise who will be using the Park n Go for parking so we won’t need a transfer between the hotel and cruise terminal…

Long Bay, Beef Island was the last beach with no amenities, and popular with locals and land visitors with cruise ships in port. A very beautiful, natural beach at the end of an easy to miss dirt road, close to Trellis Bay and the airport. I remember @crewsweeper had posted some time ago that there were lounges/umbrellas there, if I recall correctly the cruise line had started offering an excursion there then? Now there are food vendors and it sounds like it’s lost its charm as a “getaway beach”, but the islands are indeed getting smaller as more and more enjoy cruising. Would appreciate any photos or videos of this bay today!

To add, 17th Street and the Riverside Hotel come up often. For any hotel recs I know I’d need to check prices on their airport shuttle for our flight arrival and departure. If the Park n Go is the best choice for long-term parking and shuttle to terminal 25, hotel parking would not be a question of course…

We are two couples, one flying/out of FLL, the other couple driving in and parking for ~12nights… Celebrity 10-night cruise is not until 3/25, just starting to research early…We cruised out of PE 12 years ago and stayed in Danai Beach then. This cruise we’d like to stay closer to the port, I think, reading in other threads about favorite hotels closer to the port area where it sounds like more restaurants and shops are. Any recommendations there would be appreciated. We used Priceline successfully years ago when cruising from Miami, and plan to try that option when we are able to book if that makes sense here? Thank you for any suggestions and guidance…

I’d just take a jitney (small bus) to your restaurant of choice and enjoy the ride. $1.25/pp each way, exact change appreciated. We took the #10 jitney to the Twisted Lime in Sandyport, Poop Deck is also there. Just ask drivers at the Bay St/Frederick St bus stop which bus to hop on! Much more interesting than a taxi as you meet some of the wonderful people of the island! 👍 You can also switch buses if interested and take a ride through the nicer neighborhoods.. We also really enjoyed dining at Johnny Canoe’s off Cable Beach near Baha Mar. great burger, as well as grouper dishes. You can also go to the Baha Mar casino if you want…

Just info for anyone following! 😉

That should be “Chez Bamboo” in Spanish Town ☺️

We’d definitely choose the Sensations 8:30 ferry over, and the Speedy’s 3:30 return. Hook up with one of the taxi drivers and use him/her to help make your day an enjoyable one! Savannah Bay is gorgeous, and one of the last remaining beaches not yet invaded by cruise line excursions. The driver can tell you the best time to head to the Baths. Have a bite Mad Dog’s after, or stop in Spanish Town and relax at aches Bamboo before boarding the return ferry. Another great option is renting a car from Mahogany, but using a driver gives you an edge, and taxi fares within the Valley area are just $5 - $6/pp… Another poster has less time in port, and so cannot take advantage of this amazing day!