runnergirlcinci

Sorry Erniesband but I disagree with your comments. I did do research on their website before booking. Below is what the Eli Eco Tour website lists regarding snorkeling in their FAQs:

"On Eco we give you the opportunity to snorkel three times on the tour. The first is off the beach, and this is where we give our in depth snorkeling lessons for people who haven’t done it before or for people who need a refresher course. We then give you the choice of snorkeling again after lunch at Hell’s Gate Island , and one last time off Welch Rock before the trip home."

As for the type of catamaran, I never said the site erroneously described the boat. I said that I was personally disappointed to see it didn't have sails. I didn't say I was told it would have sails. Just that I was surprised it didn't. Of the 12 or so catamaran excursions I have done in the Caribbean this was the FIRST that had no sails.

To me, these boards are to help someone with making a decision on a tour. I wrote about my observations based on the website reading I did, previous experiences, and then what occurred. If you had different observations to provide I recommend you write about those.

I agree with Icequeen's review. We have done Paddles and Eli's Eco tour and would definitely pick Paddles. Enjoy!!

Iceman2a - This may seem like a silly question to ask, but 'why' is E438 priced as an obstructed view? Based on your picture, it looks perfect (especially versus some of the other OV cabins like E608 - night and day difference). Just wanted to make sure I didn't misunderstand something.

Yes there was a place to change and restrooms right at the beach. I think there may have been a shower too (but we just changed and immediately ate and went into the water).

Spencer's folks held onto our bag with clothes, towels and snorkel gear while we hiked. I had no concerns about it while we were gone.

We had about an hour+ to spend at the beach and have lunch. The snorkeling was surprisingly amazing. We snorkel a lot in the Caribbean and didn't expect much when we got there based on the size of the area to snorkel (there were swim markers for you to stay in). But there were so many different kinds of fish it was incredible. We could have stayed much longer if there was time.

Lunch was excellent - jerk chicken, rice, and some other items. They had packaged it up for us since we were hiking when the others ate lunch (we didn't get back until around 1:30). As for the rum punch - it was stronger than I expected. I would recommend drinking it in moderation, especially if you are dehydrated from climbing the mountain. Our guide carried a couple of bottles of water for us while hiking (from Spencer's boat driver) because we didn't have a backpack ourselves.

If you can, request Cameron as your guide. He was excellent. A 20 year old that essentially lives on the mountain. He was quiet at the beginning but we got to know him very well by the end of the hike and really enjoyed his company. I would highly recommend him. He was courteous and made sure to take breaks as we needed them even though we never asked, he's just sensed it.

Happy to answer any other questions,

Erica

I agree with the above post from Cruisin' kls regarding the Eco tour - it was just 'ok' and we had the exact same observations (crew not that engaging, snorkeling just OK, climb on Hell's gate was the highlight). The biggest disappointment we had was with the boat actually. We expected it to be a catamaran with SAILS. Boy were we surprised when we walked up to see an older powerboat catamaran. We actually thought about not doing the tour but 1) we had paid a significant deposit and 2) we didn't know what else to do for the day in Antigua. One of the things we really enjoy about a snorkeling tour is sailing on a catamaran and relaxing by lying on the front deck/nets. Eli's Eco Tour just has bench seats. A very different experience. The other misnomer is they talk about snorkeling in multiple spots. The first opportunity is at a beach where the crew said there was nothing to see and it was really just to get beginner snorkelers in the water. They recommended we just go in and swim. We had wanted a full day of snorkeling. This tour spent a lot of time doing other things. For us, we would not do it again. But it really depends what you are looking for - if you don't want a sailboat for relaxation/experience, want to learn a lot about the ecology of the area, and want to do some walking then it could be a match for you.

I too would recommend Calabaza. We spent the day with Gina and her crew last week while on a Princess cruise.

Crew was organized, professional and caring. They took the time to make sure everyone had fun, had the right equipment and enjoyed the day. Catamaran was in excellent shape and well maintained. Just a beautiful boat. Food was great and plentiful (and homemade). The crew took tons of pictures and provided a link for them (underwater and on the boat). Some places would charge for that. We stopped at multiple points to snorkel and each time there was something different to see.

I would definitely recommend Calabaza.

I also knew someone who was not getting email responses from Calabaza. She never figured out why but I had no problems with emails coming to my yahoo account. Anyway, she was able to get in touch with Gina via Facebook. For sure try that. It is WELL worth going with Calabaza. Don't let this deter you.

If you run regularly you will be fine. We run and bike but don't hike either and we did fine. But it will definitely count as your workout for the day! Will you be out of breath? Yes. But it is so worth it. No need for walking sticks, it's too steep of a climb. When you need it there are often handrails. Again, if you workout you should be fine. It's such an accomplishment when you get to the top!!

We did the climb and loved it!! But it is NOT for someone that doesn't work out regularly. It's not what I would call an 'easy' hike. Took us about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to the top and probably an hour and a half to get back down. The view from the top was incredible. You could see for miles.

Spencer took care of everything (transportation, guide, lunch once we were done).

We brought bug spray but had no issues with bugs.

Thanks for all of the advice here.

Wish I read 4Tacos post before this afternoon. We tried to go there today and all the taxi drivers at the port tried to talk us out of it. We got in a taxi that said he would drive by it when going from Red Hook to Coki so we could see no one was there. And I will say, when we drove by there was not a car in the parking lot and looked desolate. I wonder if he showed us some other entrance. Coki was great but we had been there before.

I didn't see the pre-dinner complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks specials listed as a platinum member benefit on the Princess website. We are cruising for the first time as platinum. Will there be information in our room about the benefits we should find while on board?

I have checked a case of bottled water the past few years in a row on Princess and have had no problems with it arriving in my cabin.

Unfortunately no response from Wadadli Cats. If anyone else heard something let us know!

Thank you. I just sent them an email to ask.

I was also interested in the same information. Any help would be appreciated.

We used a woman that ran a business called Water Island Adventures. She has a website. Very nice woman. I'd say the bikes are in 'decent' shape (not great but good for riding around an island). We loved it!

We used Furry a few years ago and loved it!! Definitely recommend. You will have a blast!

We rented bikes on Water Island last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. They were mountain bikes and we just rode around the island. A fun way to spend a few hours and then go to honeymoon beach before heading back on the water taxi.

Cincycruisincouple - Your pictures were great!! I saw them and signed up! John has already confirmed there is space available and arrange the taxi. We are going in mid-Feb so I don't think we will be the only ones there. Thank you for all the information and coming back to the board once you returned from your cruise.

Cincycruisincouple,

Thank you for the update. I was hoping you would come back on the board and let us know. This is exactly what I am looking to do as a surprise for my husband. Can you tell me how much the horseback ride cost? Also, I visualize the beach part being the most romantic and exciting portion of the ride. Were the two beaches just a small part of the 1.5 hours? Or is the rest of the trip just so beautiful and exciting that it's all romantic?!

On my last three cruises I have brought a case of water on separately (not packed inside luggage). I just stuck a luggage tag on the plastic wrap of the case and gave the case to the porter. It's shown up each time.

I have arranged the tour with Spencer Ambrose ($125/pp) and will add bug spray to my packing list. Thank you for all of the advice. My cruise isn't until February but I am really looking forward to this hike!

Thank you dz63 and reedprincess for the information! It's exactly what I needed. It looks like Spencer Ambrose is our best bet. Serenity TVL didn't have a sea option and I don't want to do 1.5 hrs by land.

I watched the video you put together, dz63. It looks just beautiful. And the link to gapearl's review was hilarious. I'd like to think we can make it to the top based on our workouts.

The one thing that struck me was the comment on the mosquito bugs that gapearl made in her post. Did either of you find that to be an issue?

I read on Trip Advisor about the hike up Gros Piton and the amazing views once you get to the top. It sounds like you need a guide to do it. Does anyone have any advice on how to arrange this? My husband and I are in our late 40s/50s and relatively in shape - bike and run regularly.

Thank you