Excursions Help! B834 21st Dec 2018

Hello All!

This is my first ever post on CC so apologies if this question is answered elsewhere on a different thread. Myself and my wife are travelling on Britannia from 21st December for Christmas & New Year for our honeymoon! We're looking at all the available excursions but does anyone have recommendations or places to visit in particular St Lucia? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks :)

The most popular independent tour for St Lucia is Cosol Tours. We have done this, we booked on line before we left the UK and had a wonderful time.

The Caribbean is so easy to DIY and for less cost than ship tours.

There is a ports of call section of cruise critic which will cover all the islands you will visit.

Homepage/ports of call/caribbean..........then the island you wish to research.

Please look at these because your question has been answered in this section more than once.

Have a wonderful time, and I send you my best wishes for a happy married life.

:):)

:)

Hello All!

 

This is my first ever post on CC so apologies if this question is answered elsewhere on a different thread. Myself and my wife are travelling on Britannia from 21st December for Christmas & New Year for our honeymoon! We're looking at all the available excursions but does anyone have recommendations or places to visit in particular St Lucia? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks :)

Hi....It is so easy to do excursions out there, practically every Island has a taxi/minibus rank on the dock...just ask any driver where they are going ,,or where you want to go...if you have done research......He will tell you his price, if you agree then away yu go, sometimes with other passengers, even off other ships,,,but its great...and you don,t pay them until they pick you up for return journey...that,s standard practice....We are on Britannia from Dec 7th so will overlap.......A good beach in Barbados ...I assume you will have 2 nights there according to itinery.....its CARLISLE BEACH...a few bars along there but we can recommend PIRATES COVE.....great beds and sunshades really chilled out and extremely reasonable....and pretty quiet....St Lucia we did a catamaran cruise along the coast, beautiful...about 3 hrs ..back for lunch....hope you ENJOY

A post I have put on before when asked about Caribbean ports a few years old now so the prices may not be accurate

Any questions please ask, I have been lucky enough to go to the Caribbean many times over the last 10 years or so.

St Maarten

Port:

Catch the water ferry ($6for an all day wristband maybe a little more) to the beach from the cruiseterminal. Great place we have always stayed in the bay so can’t comment on theisland. It is very American lots of nice bars and the place to buy duty free,jewellery. Sunbeds and brollies on the beach usually in front of the beach barsso someone comes out and you pay them (I think it was $15 for 2 beds last yr) then they will run back and forward if you want drinks or snacks!

Ships excursions we have done here are the Golden Eagle catamaran lovely afternoon cruising down to‘airport’ beach watching the plane land, snorkelling off a lovely beach and loads of rum on the way back! I have also done the America’s cup yachting here a great experience.

Antigua

Port:

The first time we came hereit rained!! So we didn’t go anywhere but walked around the town and had coffee.There are a few nice arty shops if you like that as well as the usual touristyones quite a nice place for a wander.

We have also been kayakinghere out in the mangrove swamps! Also visited one off the small islands on theAtlantic side of Antigua, Bird Island the sea is very rough on that side notfor the faint hearted. It is a very beautiful island so probably a good islandto go out and about there are the English Harbour and Nelsons Dockyard, whichare popular places to visit. If you are a cricket fan there is a cricket touryou and do which visits the test ground and you meet one of the Caribbeancricket stars. We have used the local taxi’s here but do look after yourbelongings, as this is where our youngest son ‘lost’ or had stolen his iphone.Please don’t be put off by this, as 99% of the people on the islands arefriendly. On our last visit here we went on the Crusoe Island excursion this was fantastic, about 40 people on their own island for the day open bar, musicand lunch thoroughly recommend if you are a beach bum.

Dickinson beach break or Coconut grove, nice beach can get busy but big and long enough for all.

Dominica

Port:

There is a warehouse wherethe ship docks, the locals set up a market there so ok for a wander. The town is about a 20-minute walk away not very much there though. We have also docked right in Road Town right in front of the local market depends if there are two ships in port.

We have done the Arial Tram in the rain forest here I liked it. Great for seeing the rainforest, plants,trees and I did see hummingbirds don’t think P&O do this one anymore though.We have also been river tubing here three times we loved it but only great for those who love the water and getting wet. Tried the tubing on the Pagua River in the Carib territory but the journey there and back is very long and over very poor roads so if tubing on the Layou river is available this is a much better option.

We have also visited the waterfalls here and then went to a black sand beach (Mero) for a couple of hours. Not an island for beaches it is a very much a tropical rainforest island with small narrow roads, mountains and valleys you do need to get out of the port to experience it but I would probably always do a ship excursion here due to the roads and terrain if you are late back on a ship tour the ship will always wait for you!

Barbados

The actual cruise terminal has lots of shops etc but walk (about 15mins) or taxi it to Bridgetown a lot more here. As far as beach you could get a taxi to Malibu on Brighton Beach itis about 10 mins from the ship the distillery tour and beach club has now closed but Mount Gay distillery is close by. There are beds and a bit of shade on the beach it is an absolutely beautiful beach

If you take a taxi anywhereon most islands you only pay the driver when he returns to take you back to theship just give yourselves plenty of time to get back before the time they wantyou back onboard. There are lots of things to see and do in Barbados depending on whether you are beach fans, like the fauna and flora things or getting out on the water. My favourite time here was on a catamaran sailing down the coast stopping at Sandy Lane beach then out to a reef to swim with turtles. Most times here though we just walk into Bridgetown then out the other side onto Carlisle Bay for a swim and a beer. (Check it out on Google earth)

St Lucia

We have always gone outhere, there are two cruise terminals the one on the right side of the bay does not have much, on the left side it is much better with shops and bars. Lots of taxi’s offering trips

We have visited Pitons and the volcano. The last couple of times we have got a taxi to Choc beach. There is a small Sandals resort at one end but it is quite quiet there is never that many people there. Unfortunately now this beach is only half as lovely as our first visit as during one rainy season a river overflowed out into the bay, and a lot of sand and palm trees got washed away. We have on our last couple of times gone up to Rodney/ Reduit Bay gets very busy if there area couple of ships in port but it’s a nice beach plenty of bars, shops if you want to wander off the beach. For a first timer in St Lucia I would probably visit the Pitons and the volcano whether you do it in an organised excursion or take one of the local taxi’s maybe share with someone else from the ship. A great independent tour operator is Cosol tours checkout the web page thoroughly recommend it about $75 for the day.

Aruba

On our first visit here ourfriends got married so our day was spent at their wedding! We did go to abeautiful beach for photos after it is an island much like Barbados of whitepowder sand beaches and resort hotels. Our last couple of times here we havecaught the local bus to Eagle beach its only about 5 US dollars return for both of us! The sunbeds and straw umbrella cost us over $20 on the beach and a couple of beers were expensive at $6 dollars each though.

Bonaire

Went to a coral beach (Edenbeach) for snorkelling as the reef is very close to the shore amazing for this as this island is one of the top dive sites in the world, beach shoes are agood idea as the sand is crushed coral We walked off the ship in the afternoon,as there is a small market and craft stalls set up on the quayside and few barsand a couple of drinks in one sharing the table and nearby tree with come ofthe largest iguanas I have ever seen!

Recently we have taken one of the ‘Chiva’ buses around the island seeing the flamingos, salt lakes and the slave huts then stopping off at a lagoon/beach for a couple of hours.

Curacao

First time we visited wedocked right inside Willemstad the floating bridge was opened to let us passthrough. We took a taxi to Sea Aquarium beach nice sandy beach quite close to Willemstad for a couple of hours, although if there are other ships in port this can get quite busy. Then spent a couple of hours in Willemstad across the floating bridge is a nice shopping area, restaurants and bars. Second time here we docked at the Mega pier just outside Willemstad the cruise terminal area has nice bars and shops and you can walk into Willemstad in about 10 minutes. We did a beach transfer here to a beach just a little further up from the Sea Aquarium beach. There is a highly recommended local bus company called Irie Tours, which have a tour, stop at the Curcao distillery, and an hour or so at the beach admission price included all for $20 (also beer and soft drinks!) .

Grenada

The water taxi’s directly next to the ships pier will take you to Grand Anse beach and bring you back again, think the last time we used them it was $5dollars each way? Might have gone up to $6 now, make sure you get some small $bills when getting your holiday money. The water taxi’s run all day every 15 minutes or so. Grand Anse beach is huge so if you are looking for a quiet spot don’t take the first sun beds offered walk further along the beach. There is a market area where sovenirs, cold drinks, food and toilets are available. We no longer go to this beach having found our ‘ideal’ beach a bit further a field the name of which I have been asked not to say!! Grenada is the spice island of the Caribbean so a place to taste and buy the wonderful spices available here we usually go home with a few but jerk chicken is probably the only thing we have cooked at home!

Tortola

We have visited several times here is a brief over view of the excursions we have done as value for money the Tortola excursions are cheaper than the other islands.

Beach transfer – this is usually to Cane Garden Beach a lovely beach but can be crowded if more than one ship is port. This is easily available by local open sided buses and cheaper than the ship excursion costs just allow plenty oftime to get there and back. (Once our buses gear box fell out!! Had to wait forhis mate to come and pick us up luckily it was on the way there so we had allday)

Virgin Gorda – have done this twice it is about a 45 minute ferry or fastmotor boat ride across but it is an amazing place. It does involve quite a bitof walking and if you wish to go to Devils Bay you have to climb up rocks,steps etc, go in water up to your knees and be able to bend down quite low.Again if there is more than one ship docked or a ship tendering off VirginGorda it can be busy. The first time we went here we were lucky enough to bethe only visitors apart from the yatchs and private motor boats, last time itwas very busy as two ships were docked in Tortola and a Silversea cruiser wastendering locally.

Jost Van Dyke – a 45 minute motor boat ride through Sir Francis DrakeChannel takes you to an island on the other side of Tortola where you have acouple of hours on a fine white sand beach White Bay. There are a couple ofbars here and you get a snack and a drink included in the price. Good value anda nice excursion.

Virgin Island Sailaway – did this last time unfortunately we did not havethe greatest of weather quite showery and overcast the whole time. A catamaransails you to Peter Island where you have chance to snorkel. I did enjoy this wesaw rays and an abundance of fish. A stop on Norman Island at a beach club fora drink you can also buy lunch here, the beach is not great but then we did nothave the weather that day. An ok excursion good for a bit of snorkelling and asail on a catamaran (obviously the poor weather made it less enjoyable forus)

Skyworld and Cane Garden Beach – great value if you have not been toTortola you see the island have a great photo opportunity (Skyworld is in facta resturant in the middle of the island where you can go on the roof and seefor miles on a clear day) then go to Cane Garden Beach for lunch and time onthe beach.

St Vincent – not a favourite port the town is quite run down and not agreat deal to do locally. There is a water taxi on the pier which will take youround to Villa beach a narrow beach with a few bars etc can become crowded iflots go there.

Have done the Waterfall and Coast excursion which will take you to the filmset from pirates of the Caribbean, after about an hour or so in a bus so yousee a bit of the island, lunch at a resturant then a cruise back to the port.

Escape to Bequia – a catamaran across to Bequia where you have some time onthe beach and lunch onboard. I loved this as it was very much real sailing as it can be quite gusty and choppy sailingacross but those who don’t have verygood sea legs did find it a problem as it is quite a long way, (my husbandwould not do it again).

Hope you find this useful.

WOW! vizzog that's what I call a comprehensive and excellent reply. I am off to the Caribbean over Christmas and New Year sailing on the Arcadia. So thanks for your views on the islands

A post I have put on before when asked about Caribbean ports a few years old now so the prices may not be accurate

 

Any questions please ask, I have been lucky enough to go to the Caribbean many times over the last 10 years or so.

 

St Maarten

Port:

Catch the water ferry ($6for an all day wristband maybe a little more) to the beach from the cruiseterminal. Great place we have always stayed in the bay so can’t comment on theisland. It is very American lots of nice bars and the place to buy duty free,jewellery. Sunbeds and brollies on the beach usually in front of the beach barsso someone comes out and you pay them (I think it was $15 for 2 beds last yr) then they will run back and forward if you want drinks or snacks!

Ships excursions we have done here are the Golden Eagle catamaran lovely afternoon cruising down to‘airport’ beach watching the plane land, snorkelling off a lovely beach and loads of rum on the way back! I have also done the America’s cup yachting here a great experience.

 

Antigua

Port:

The first time we came hereit rained!! So we didn’t go anywhere but walked around the town and had coffee.There are a few nice arty shops if you like that as well as the usual touristyones quite a nice place for a wander.

We have also been kayakinghere out in the mangrove swamps! Also visited one off the small islands on theAtlantic side of Antigua, Bird Island the sea is very rough on that side notfor the faint hearted. It is a very beautiful island so probably a good islandto go out and about there are the English Harbour and Nelsons Dockyard, whichare popular places to visit. If you are a cricket fan there is a cricket touryou and do which visits the test ground and you meet one of the Caribbeancricket stars. We have used the local taxi’s here but do look after yourbelongings, as this is where our youngest son ‘lost’ or had stolen his iphone.Please don’t be put off by this, as 99% of the people on the islands arefriendly. On our last visit here we went on the Crusoe Island excursion this was fantastic, about 40 people on their own island for the day open bar, musicand lunch thoroughly recommend if you are a beach bum.

Dickinson beach break or Coconut grove, nice beach can get busy but big and long enough for all.

 

Dominica

Port:

There is a warehouse wherethe ship docks, the locals set up a market there so ok for a wander. The town is about a 20-minute walk away not very much there though. We have also docked right in Road Town right in front of the local market depends if there are two ships in port.

 

We have done the Arial Tram in the rain forest here I liked it. Great for seeing the rainforest, plants,trees and I did see hummingbirds don’t think P&O do this one anymore though.We have also been river tubing here three times we loved it but only great for those who love the water and getting wet. Tried the tubing on the Pagua River in the Carib territory but the journey there and back is very long and over very poor roads so if tubing on the Layou river is available this is a much better option.

We have also visited the waterfalls here and then went to a black sand beach (Mero) for a couple of hours. Not an island for beaches it is a very much a tropical rainforest island with small narrow roads, mountains and valleys you do need to get out of the port to experience it but I would probably always do a ship excursion here due to the roads and terrain if you are late back on a ship tour the ship will always wait for you!

 

Barbados

The actual cruise terminal has lots of shops etc but walk (about 15mins) or taxi it to Bridgetown a lot more here. As far as beach you could get a taxi to Malibu on Brighton Beach itis about 10 mins from the ship the distillery tour and beach club has now closed but Mount Gay distillery is close by. There are beds and a bit of shade on the beach it is an absolutely beautiful beach

If you take a taxi anywhereon most islands you only pay the driver when he returns to take you back to theship just give yourselves plenty of time to get back before the time they wantyou back onboard. There are lots of things to see and do in Barbados depending on whether you are beach fans, like the fauna and flora things or getting out on the water. My favourite time here was on a catamaran sailing down the coast stopping at Sandy Lane beach then out to a reef to swim with turtles. Most times here though we just walk into Bridgetown then out the other side onto Carlisle Bay for a swim and a beer. (Check it out on Google earth)

 

St Lucia

We have always gone outhere, there are two cruise terminals the one on the right side of the bay does not have much, on the left side it is much better with shops and bars. Lots of taxi’s offering trips

We have visited Pitons and the volcano. The last couple of times we have got a taxi to Choc beach. There is a small Sandals resort at one end but it is quite quiet there is never that many people there. Unfortunately now this beach is only half as lovely as our first visit as during one rainy season a river overflowed out into the bay, and a lot of sand and palm trees got washed away. We have on our last couple of times gone up to Rodney/ Reduit Bay gets very busy if there area couple of ships in port but it’s a nice beach plenty of bars, shops if you want to wander off the beach. For a first timer in St Lucia I would probably visit the Pitons and the volcano whether you do it in an organised excursion or take one of the local taxi’s maybe share with someone else from the ship. A great independent tour operator is Cosol tours checkout the web page thoroughly recommend it about $75 for the day.

 

Aruba

On our first visit here ourfriends got married so our day was spent at their wedding! We did go to abeautiful beach for photos after it is an island much like Barbados of whitepowder sand beaches and resort hotels. Our last couple of times here we havecaught the local bus to Eagle beach its only about 5 US dollars return for both of us! The sunbeds and straw umbrella cost us over $20 on the beach and a couple of beers were expensive at $6 dollars each though.

 

 

 

Bonaire

Went to a coral beach (Edenbeach) for snorkelling as the reef is very close to the shore amazing for this as this island is one of the top dive sites in the world, beach shoes are agood idea as the sand is crushed coral We walked off the ship in the afternoon,as there is a small market and craft stalls set up on the quayside and few barsand a couple of drinks in one sharing the table and nearby tree with come ofthe largest iguanas I have ever seen!

Recently we have taken one of the ‘Chiva’ buses around the island seeing the flamingos, salt lakes and the slave huts then stopping off at a lagoon/beach for a couple of hours.

 

Curacao

First time we visited wedocked right inside Willemstad the floating bridge was opened to let us passthrough. We took a taxi to Sea Aquarium beach nice sandy beach quite close to Willemstad for a couple of hours, although if there are other ships in port this can get quite busy. Then spent a couple of hours in Willemstad across the floating bridge is a nice shopping area, restaurants and bars. Second time here we docked at the Mega pier just outside Willemstad the cruise terminal area has nice bars and shops and you can walk into Willemstad in about 10 minutes. We did a beach transfer here to a beach just a little further up from the Sea Aquarium beach. There is a highly recommended local bus company called Irie Tours, which have a tour, stop at the Curcao distillery, and an hour or so at the beach admission price included all for $20 (also beer and soft drinks!) .

 

Grenada

The water taxi’s directly next to the ships pier will take you to Grand Anse beach and bring you back again, think the last time we used them it was $5dollars each way? Might have gone up to $6 now, make sure you get some small $bills when getting your holiday money. The water taxi’s run all day every 15 minutes or so. Grand Anse beach is huge so if you are looking for a quiet spot don’t take the first sun beds offered walk further along the beach. There is a market area where sovenirs, cold drinks, food and toilets are available. We no longer go to this beach having found our ‘ideal’ beach a bit further a field the name of which I have been asked not to say!! Grenada is the spice island of the Caribbean so a place to taste and buy the wonderful spices available here we usually go home with a few but jerk chicken is probably the only thing we have cooked at home!

 

 

Tortola

We have visited several times here is a brief over view of the excursions we have done as value for money the Tortola excursions are cheaper than the other islands.

Beach transfer – this is usually to Cane Garden Beach a lovely beach but can be crowded if more than one ship is port. This is easily available by local open sided buses and cheaper than the ship excursion costs just allow plenty oftime to get there and back. (Once our buses gear box fell out!! Had to wait forhis mate to come and pick us up luckily it was on the way there so we had allday)

Virgin Gorda – have done this twice it is about a 45 minute ferry or fastmotor boat ride across but it is an amazing place. It does involve quite a bitof walking and if you wish to go to Devils Bay you have to climb up rocks,steps etc, go in water up to your knees and be able to bend down quite low.Again if there is more than one ship docked or a ship tendering off VirginGorda it can be busy. The first time we went here we were lucky enough to bethe only visitors apart from the yatchs and private motor boats, last time itwas very busy as two ships were docked in Tortola and a Silversea cruiser wastendering locally.

Jost Van Dyke – a 45 minute motor boat ride through Sir Francis DrakeChannel takes you to an island on the other side of Tortola where you have acouple of hours on a fine white sand beach White Bay. There are a couple ofbars here and you get a snack and a drink included in the price. Good value anda nice excursion.

Virgin Island Sailaway – did this last time unfortunately we did not havethe greatest of weather quite showery and overcast the whole time. A catamaransails you to Peter Island where you have chance to snorkel. I did enjoy this wesaw rays and an abundance of fish. A stop on Norman Island at a beach club fora drink you can also buy lunch here, the beach is not great but then we did nothave the weather that day. An ok excursion good for a bit of snorkelling and asail on a catamaran (obviously the poor weather made it less enjoyable forus)

Skyworld and Cane Garden Beach – great value if you have not been toTortola you see the island have a great photo opportunity (Skyworld is in facta resturant in the middle of the island where you can go on the roof and seefor miles on a clear day) then go to Cane Garden Beach for lunch and time onthe beach.

 

St Vincent – not a favourite port the town is quite run down and not agreat deal to do locally. There is a water taxi on the pier which will take youround to Villa beach a narrow beach with a few bars etc can become crowded iflots go there.

Have done the Waterfall and Coast excursion which will take you to the filmset from pirates of the Caribbean, after about an hour or so in a bus so yousee a bit of the island, lunch at a resturant then a cruise back to the port.

Escape to Bequia – a catamaran across to Bequia where you have some time onthe beach and lunch onboard. I loved this as it was very much real sailing as it can be quite gusty and choppy sailingacross but those who don’t have verygood sea legs did find it a problem as it is quite a long way, (my husbandwould not do it again).

 

Hope you find this useful.

What fantastic and comprehensive advice! Thank you very much. We have printed your entire post and will be taking it with us on our cruise for reference !