mom2kids00

I've been to the fish fry a few times but haven't been back there in a few years.  I heard about Potters Cay under the bridge to Paradise Island and wonder if that's better?  

Isla Verde is closer to the airport and has more hotels & restaurants to walk to but is MUCH busier than Condado. Condado is really nice and has more of a laid back feel rather than the hustle and bustle. Both places area very safe. Either way you'll have to get a cab in order to get to OSJ.

Bodden or Dilbert Tours. They both offer the same thing (zipline, monkey farm and beach) for about the same price. I've used Bodden before for a private tour and they were amazing.

Is everything in decent shape? Do they clean the snorkel gear after each use? Seems like a really good deal at $25 pp for the day.

Traveling with my teenage boys and elderly mom. Wondering if there are any carriage rides or tours right from the pier that aren't super expensive. We don't arrive until 7 PM.

Not much to do in Grand Turk except M'ville and the pool. Excursions are ok. Did a segway, and while fun, not much to see. This is our family's least favorite port. If you take a right at the end of the pier and walk that beach, it's pretty quiet and the farther down you go, there are lots of conch shells.

Didn't book an excursion through ship, but there were lots of buses in port of Aruba that would take you on an island tour. It was safe and we got to see the entire island and hear some history. Curacao we just walked into town.

I would seek out private excursions in Aruba and Curacao and spend your money on something fun in those places. Use Grand Turk as a place to just chill out.

Does anyone know how much renting the kayaks or a sunfish cost? I saw a price list on a forum but that was back in 2013 so was wondering if there have been increases?

Anyone tried one of these tours? If so, what company did you go with and would you recommend?

Thanks Tumblew! Great info. Will be there in 42 days!

Bummer to hear all these comments. This will be my third time in the Bahamas on a cruise. Yes, it's pretty dumpy in both ports but you have to make the best of it.

In Nassau I typically head right for Junkanoo Beach, sit there for a while and work my way down to the Fish Fry. Have a few drinks and a snack and head back to the ship.

In Freeport, like everyone else, I get on a bus and head to the other side of the island. The beach is clean and the little straw market is much cleaner and safer than in Nassau.

That is one thing I remember about Aruba. Driving across the island they are all over the houses there. I'm sure they are available for purchase somewhere but we didn't do much shopping.

Our guide stayed with our things on the beach. I believe they will also lock things in their trunk if that makes you more comfortable.

Let's face it, the people who actually work for a living on these poor islands want to make sure they keep their jobs as they must not be easy to come by. I believe that they are trustworthy because they want to keep them. I'm sure if word got around that they were a thief, especially a small place like that, they would have a hard time getting another one.

Maybe I'm just overly trusting too. Anyway, have a great time there. We did!

Nope, no bus problems...... thank god!!! With the way the roads are that's all I kept thinking.

We didn't even have time to have the lunch that was included in our tour. As soon as the bus got back, we pretty much ran for the tender.

We lucked out. I had booked the Fun N Sun but ended up getting a private tour as it was just our family. Big Al was our guide and he was awesome! Took us to Monkey Business first as he knew it wouldn't be too crowded. When my youngest son asked what kind of money they used, he took two $1 bills and gave them to my kids to keep. He even pulled off the road and bought us some fruit to eat.

He heard that Bananarama Beach was rough that day so he took us to a private club where it was so calm and pretty much deserted. We ate and drank and then he got us back to port with enough time for us to do a little shopping.

We had a horrible experience with Island Marketing in Belize. What was supposed to be a 40 minute bus ride to Altun Ha, took 2 hours. The way back to port was no better and we caught the LAST TENDER back to the ship. M&M, our guide kept telling us, 'oh don't worry, I've never been late before'. This would be the last place I'd want to be stranded in.

We are using Island Marketing but it's for Altun Ha only and not the river. It is much cheaper than booking through the ships and you also get lunch.

I've not used Island Marketing before but they seem to have excursions on many of the islands that cruise ships stop at so hopefully all will go well.

Cruise Envy, where are you from in NC? We are driving down from Apex, just outside of Raleigh. It's my kids 11&13 and my parents who live in Wilmington. I understand about making sure everyone is taken care of. What excursion are you doing with Bodden?

What is a must-have in Roatan? I've heard the mahogany, but anything else. I want to bring home something memorable.

What is a must-have souvenir in Belize? I want to take home something special.

Cruisetobeaches, I just noticed we are going to be on the same cruise.

I asked John Heald for the recipe for the chocolate chip cookies. He said they are not made on the ship.

And that's the reason they taste soooooo good!

Thanks so much.

Does anyone know if there is shampoo and body wash in the showers? Some ships have them and some don't. Leaving in 13 days!!!!

I will be on the Legend in January with my two boys, 11 and 13 and my parents (in their 70's). Trying to please everyone so I would love to know which is the better choice.

No, I meant the actual website for Gumbalimba Park. They have a header for 'Cruise Arrivals' but it says to go through your ship. Wonder if they get a kickback?

http://www.gumbalimbapark.com/index.html