luvsun22

Is it easy once we exit the cruise ship to grab a taxi to a beach?  Will they drop off and come back for you?  We are thinking of Blue Bay Beach or Casa Abao.  

We’re on the AmaLea from Vilshofen to Budapest beginning 10/29.  Scrolling through posts it seems like every one else is going the opposite direction. 
 

Any reports on what’s happening with those heading down river? Where are they being bussed to and from? 

We’ll be on the AmaLea, Vilshofen to Budapest in late October. I know it’s a long way off, so I’ll be checking back regularly for updates.

What are the beach options in Progreso?  Are taxi's readily available to get you to a beach and are any beaches recommended? Thanks!

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

Ravenna is absolutely worth a day, especially if you've been to Venice. It's a small city, the center is very walkable. There are 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites -- all of them inscribed because of their FANTASTIC mosaics. They are beyond gorgeous, the finest I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of mosaics in my time lol).  You can buy a ticket that includes 5-6 of the sites, all of them reachable on foot.

 

The food in this area of Italy is also wonderful, so you can count on a great dinner as well.

Thank you! I will definitely check further into staying there. 

Has anyone stayed in Ravenna the night before a cruise? We’ve been to Venice and while I’d love to visit again, we only have the one night and are considering going to Ravenna direct from the airport to see someplace new. 
 

If anyone has stayed, what do you think? Is it worth it or should we just stay the night in Venice and transfer in the morning? 

2 hours ago, jean87510 said:

that's why I said a private tour might be better.  I'm just going by my personal experience a couple of weeks ago.  And try to get at the front of the line when they start lining up for the rocks.  

I would have booked a private tour, but I couldn’t find one. If anyone knows of a private vendor selling this excursion, I would love the info.  For now we are booked with Celebrity and hope for the best. We will definitely stick to the front of the line. You are the 2nd who recommended this. 

4 hours ago, Homosassa said:

Make sure everyone in your party can swim.

 

If the tide is in, there will be a section you will have to swim a short  distance to continue.

 

 

Thanks for the info, we are all swimmers. 

4 hours ago, cw2go said:

 

 

Hope no one was snoring?!? 😂

 

Honestly just teasing! I didn't snorkel but some did a little ways out in the ocean. 

 

Patty 

LOL, guess I should have proof read. Stupid phone is always second guessing what I want to say!  

2 hours ago, Fivelinks said:

Good point! I forgot we took a dry bag with the bare minimum. It worked nicely and functioned as a cool flotation device while I snorkeled. 

Is there snoring the beach?

Thanks everyone! We’ve decided to book the Celebrity tour. Thanks for the tips as well! 

We will be in Tortola on a Sunday when the ferry from Road Town to Virgin Gorda does not run, so we are unable to go to the Baths on our own.  I'm looking for opinions of the cruise line excursion to the Baths. We're trying to decide if it's worth booking with Celebrity or finding something else to do. 

I posted in the Tortola forum, but have not received an answer yet, so posting here as well. 

Has anyone done the Baths with Celebrity?  If so, what are is your opinion? 

On 10/18/2022 at 4:46 PM, junglecat said:

I'm curious as to where you are staying.  We too do not arrive until nearly midnight.  The thought of $300 or more for a few hours of what I hope is sleep is killing me.  I'm almost to the point of just hanging out in the airport and getting transportation to the port from there.  

Sorry just seeing this.
 

We stayed at The Element Miami Airport. I ended up ordering my wine from Total Wine. It worked out great! 

I have been planning to visit the Baths on my own via a ferry and taxi, but just realized that the ferry service doesn't run on Sundays when we will be in Tortola. Is there another option aside from a cruise ship excursion?   If we don't see the Baths, what else is recommended aside from Jost Van Dyke?  

On 10/18/2022 at 9:50 AM, blue_water said:

Nice longer day in port, many who cruise on NCL have a very limited time here…
I often recommend the Baths to folks who have at least 10 hours in port, simply because that can give you enough time to avoid the larger groups going from your ship. If you go on your own you can hook up with a taxi driver at the marina and have him/her help you coordinate stops at Savannah Bay, the Top of the Baths, and a lunch spot. You can also rent a car, but taxi fares are reasonable in the Valley and that would be a better choice for a short day visit.

 

Jost is mainly a beach/beach bar day, so you could taxi/ferry there on your own, and still have some time to see Tortola.

 

Tortola is a beautiful island, with magnificent island views from the mountaintop, gorgeous beaches, and wonderful people. Many miss the beauty of Tortola because they head straight to the Baths or to White Bay and the Soggy $ Bar.

 

Another option is an independent catamaran daysail, private or shared. Most charters (Aristocat, Kuralu, Patouche for example) offer excursions to Jost and Sandy Spit, or to the east with snorkeling at Norman Island Caves and a stop at the Bight, Cooper island, or Peter Island. 
 

Anything sound like you?

Thank you for the detailed response. I’m leaning toward going to the Baths, although until I started researching what to do I didn’t realize that they are not on Tortola and never having been, an island tour also sounds beautiful. I’ll have to discuss with my husband and the other couple traveling with us.  
 

If we go to the Baths on our own do we take a ferry over, then get a taxi? Any way to set it all up prior to arrival? 
 

Also, I realized I somehow got the date and time wrong! Not sure how I managed that. We’ll be there on the Celebrity Millennium Sunday,  2/12/23 from 8 am - 5 pm.

9 hours ago, blue_water said:

Your time and date in port can make a big difference on recommendations…

Wednesday 2/11/23 from 8 am to 6 pm.

Wednesday 2/11/23 from 8 am to 6 pm.

We have a stop here on the Celebrity Millennium next February and we’re trying to decide where to spend our day. We’ve never been to the BVI and both places look wonderful! Any thoughts on which to choose for a first time visitor.  We often choose active excursions, but also love a beach day with good food a drinks.

I’d also appreciate any recommendations who to book with other than the cruise line.
 

Also open to suggestions for anything else we might consider! 
 

On 10/13/2022 at 9:28 AM, FreestyleNovice said:

 

 

Poster provided you with a link, click on the underlined word Yes. 

Thanks, I didn’t noticed that. In any case, I’ve decided to order from Total Wine. Most of the suggestions given aren’t really on my route and it’s just easier to have it delivered. 

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

I have discovered that I can order from Total Wine and have it delivered to my hotel, so that’s likely what we will do as long as I can get a delivery time in the morning before we leave for the port.  

2 hours ago, Oviedo32765 said:

Yes.

Do you have a specific place you know of?

21 minutes ago, Corby114 said:

Any Publix Supermarket has a decent selection of wine available for sale. There are literally one hundred  locations all over Florida.  

I’m aware, just wondering if there is a Publix or any place that is super close. Otherwise, we’ll have the driver stop somewhere on our way. 

We arrive in Miami late the night before our cruise and staying near the airport. We are sailing on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady. Is there a convenient place near the port to stop for a couple bottles of wine before we board?

Has anyone rented a car In Antigua? We will be there on 1/20/21 and Considering this to see more of the island. If so what company did you deal with/good experience/must see places? TIA