Southern Caribbean on Princess- shore excursions

[prb]

We have never been on a cruise before, but have taken many vacations where we have booked independent operators to tour local areas.

 

Does anyone have have recommendations for our ports? ...St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada and Bonaire. Have already been to Aruba so know what to do there.

Any advice appreciated.

[Caribbean Sunsets]

We have never been on a cruise before, but have taken many vacations where we have booked independent operators to tour local areas.

 

Does anyone have have recommendations for our ports? ...St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada and Bonaire. Have already been to Aruba so know what to do there.

Any advice appreciated.

 

We usually book our tours independently, too. Last month while on the Emerald Princess, we did book the St. Johns Trunk Bay Snorkel through Princess. While we wished we had more time on the beach, it was a very nice tour. St. John's was beautiful!

[cb at sea]

What things would you like to do?

[PrincessE]

We have never been on a cruise before, but have taken many vacations where we have booked independent operators to tour local areas.

 

Does anyone have have recommendations for our ports? ...St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada and Bonaire. Have already been to Aruba so know what to do there.

Any advice appreciated.

 

My husband and I did this cruise in Feb 2009. In Dominica we HIGHLY recommend the river tubing excursion. That is the most fun I've had EVER on a cruise. What a blast. We took the excursion through the cruiseline. Actually, we take all our excursions through the cruiseline.

 

In Bonaire we did the Dutch sailing ship - what a blast. My husband helped sail it - he had the time of his life.

 

Grenada we just did an island tour. We saw a lot and had a good time. They took us all around the island - to the fort, to see cliff divers, did some shopping for spices, etc. Grenada has the best rum, FYI. ;)

 

As for St. Thomas, we've been here quite a bit. We did take the Megan's Beach / Drake's Seat / Amber Factory / Black Beard's Castle excursion. It was fun. We had a great time though just eating cheeseburgers and drinking Monkey's Uncles at a pub/bar called Coconuts in the shopping district.

 

Have fun!

[John Bull]

We've done the Dominica river-tubing. Yep, its a blast - but don't expect to retain your dignity :)

It's a group thing, I suspect it can ONLY be done by ship's excursion.

Alternatively a van tour up into the rain-forest (waterfalls etc).

The town is a dump.

 

Grenada- you can fix a taxi or van tour at the quayside, about $25 pp. Up into the rainforest, spice stops on the way, back via Fort St George (overlooks town & ship), then get the driver to drop you at Grand Anse beach - from here you can get the water taxi back to your ship at $6pp.

Spice market is on level ground & an easy walk from the ship, but best visited early in the day. The rest of the town is pretty, but very hilly.

 

Bonaire - the island itself is small & rather limited, IMHO not worth a tour. Best go for an activity. Mebbe on the water, or snorkelling from Little Bonaire (via water taxi from adjacent the ship), or quad-biking to the rugged coast on the other side of the island.

 

John Bull

[prb]

Thanks for the comments. Mainly concerned about taking ship excursions because we don't like going with a large group of 30 or 40 other people. Would prefer something smaller like a van.

 

Thinking about the following:

St. Thomas- maybe just a tour around the island

Dominica- maybe the 4WD tour

Grenada - 7 Sisters Falls

Would like to snorkel at least once- thinking about Klein Bonaire because it looks a bit less commercial.

Probably snorkel in Aruba too near the Attila wreck.

 

Any other thoughts?

[paul929207]

Have you joined the Roll Call for your cruise? That is where you can meet others sailing with you. Sometimes people there are planning private tours and looking for others to join them.

 

To join, go to the Boards Menu, Scroll down to Roll Calls, click on your cruise line, Click on your ship. Find the thread for your sailing.

[Caribbean Sunsets]

If you haven't already checked out the Ports of Call board, here is the link. You'll find lots of information on independent tours.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587

 

Also, you should check out the Roll Call for your sailing where other cruisers on the same voyage would be discussing excursions and possibly looking for others to join them.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106

 

Good Luck!

[John Bull]

I'm no great fan of ships' tours either, but many ships' tours in the Caribbean, incl Dominica & Grenada, are in vans or midi-coaches or open trucks because the roads are unsuitable for full-size coaches.

But still better & cheaper to tour privately, either pre-booked or fixed-up on-the-spot at the pier

JB

[Sheffie]

For Dominica, check out Wood's tour. It is wonderful. He only takes a few people, and goes to the rainforest, as well as to beaches. http://woodydominica.shutterfly.com/

 

Other thoughts: In St. Thomas, I would do a beach day. The beaches there are wonderful, as are the beaches on the neighboring St. John (our favorite).