Victory-Southern Need help with excursions!

[Conwaycruiser]

We just booked the Victory on 4/24/11! We've never booked last minute like this. Usually we plan for months and I spends hours researching the ports (whether to book excursions through Carnival or on our own). Most of the time we have done our own thing or booked through a tour operator recommended here. We are "beach people", not in to shopping, but do enjoy island tours. Any information, "must-see", or anything to skip would be appreciated. We have only been to St. Thomas and Barbados before and have never been to St. Kitts, St Lucia, or St. Maartin. Thanks

[ricew001]

We did the Victory in January and loved it. (See my review in my tag line.)

For St Kitts we enjoyed the train ride. We were able to see so much of the island that way! They served complimentary rum punch too. ;-)

In St Lucia, we got a pass to an adults only resort as a CC poster had recommended it and that was fantastic!

For St Maartin, we just did a little shopping. You have 3 weeks to do your homework. Read my review and this one: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1038334&page=6 for some ideas!

It's gonna be a blast!!

[sand_and_sun]

I would recommend Friar's Beach in St. Kitts. We took a cab from the ship, it was a short drive. The cab driver tried to get us to go to Cockshell Beach but I insisted on Friar's Beach. So glad I did. The beach has tiki huts instead of umbrella's, Shipwreck Bar & Grill had good food and good drinks, great snorkeling and beautiful scenery. It's casual and relaxing. I had heard so much about all of the wild monkeys on St. Kitts and around 2:00 in the afternoon they feed the monkeys. It was our favorite beach day. I wish I knew how to include pictures, I have great pictures of the beach. You won't be disappointed.

[luv cruising 007]

A MUST DO! COSOL TOURS in ST LUCIA an all day beach & island tour, you get to see a volcano, a semi private beach to die for(jelosey beach) a stop at his family's house lunch, & unlimited drinks! even island exotics like peanut rum, a local moonshine thing & more!! plus you dont pay unless you port! Thenford grey in st kitts! I have some pics of my cosol tour but not thenfords sry, hope this helps! grr I cant get my pics working but google pics, the pitons, jelosey beach, soulfire, drive thrugh volcano & great pics will pop up!

[Lyncoya]

We go on this cruise on May 1st. These are our plans

 

St Thomas...Godfrey tours $30 pp

St Lucia......Cosul tours $65 pp

Barbados....we're winging it :)

St Kitts......Thenford Gray tour $48 pp

St Marteen..We're winging it. :)

 

Please post a review when you return. :)

[luv cruising 007]

I think you have a great set up of tours so far! when you get to the port in barbados their are lots of tour companies & hire cabs their too!

[Lyncoya]

I think you have a great set up of tours so far! when you get to the port in barbados their are lots of tour companies & hire cabs their too!

 

Thanks!! That's what I am banking on. :)

[welldone60]

I think you have a great set up of tours so far! when you get to the port in barbados their are lots of tour companies & hire cabs their too!

 

 

And if you are lucky you can find Adrian. He is a great tour guide. We met him right as we walked through the tourist village.

[kathy370]

In St Thomas we used "Papa Bear" of Air Force One tours. He gave us a great tour of the island and then we picked the beach we wanted to go to. The other people that were scheduled didn't show up so my daughter and I got a private tour for about $30 each. And he was wonderful! In St Kitts I highly reccomend the railroad tour. I am 56 my daughter 29 and we both loved the train. I am one of the few who did not enjoy Cosols tour in St Lucia. It was too long in a van and I was not impressed with the beach we went to, although we did see some beautiful places. St Martin, Orient beach is great. But, you will see topless swimmers, so if that offends you you might not want to go there. I think Orient beach was my favorite beach of the cruise. Whatever you do have fun! I loved this cruise and am trying to figure out when I can go again.

[Conwaycruiser]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

[chrissy0022]

Thanks for starting this thread! we will be booking this cruise Oct 23 2011. Does anyone know the water temps for October? I went onm y first cruise 2 weeks ago.. The sensation March 20th.. Had a great time except for drinking about 60oz of the tap water in the Bahamas...

 

Tried to go snorkeling in Nassau but the water was still extremely cold... would like to know the water temp in those Islands..

[luv cruising 007]

hey I got too frustrated on loading pics on here grr sucks not being able to, I know its me the users fault hehehehe! but I made a photo bucket & uploaded cosols tour pics on there is you & anyone wants to check em out! http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j378/luvcruising007/victory%20southern%20carib/

[Vehorn]

I agree that Cosul Tours in St. Lucia and Thenford Gray in St. Kitts are great excursions that we thoroughly enjoyed. Also would agree on Orient Beach. it has separate beaches for topless and non topless. Would also recommend Calabaza Catamaran in Barbados. It is like being on a private sail since it is limited to 12 people. You get personal care from a great crew.

[smurfm69]

hey I got too frustrated on loading pics on here grr sucks not being able to, I know its me the users fault hehehehe! but I made a photo bucket & uploaded cosols tour pics on there is you & anyone wants to check em out! http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j378/luvcruising007/victory%20southern%20carib/

 

Very nice pics. We are doing the tour with Cosol in St. Lucia and Thenford Grey in St. Kitts. In St. Thomas we are doing the tour with Papa Bear and Air Force 1, and Glory tours in Barbados. In St. Matin, we're planning to head downtown for some shopping and then probably to Orient Beach.

[TortieGal]

I'm going to be another Debbie Downer as I did not enjoy Cosol's tour. I don't like spending my day being herded like a group of cattle. At Jalousie, the hotel security chased us off for apparently being too far on their property. I can completely respect not using their chairs but chasing us off for standing underneath a palm tree while deciding where to put our towels? It was a really long day of getting on and off the van. While it was nice to see the island, I was very thankful we had decided to do our next port as a beach day (St. Kitts). We did this itinerary when it included Dominica so we had no sea days.

 

With that being said, my most favorite excursion was on Barbados with Silvermoon and swimming with the turtles. It was a little bit more than the ship's price but we were on a catamaran with only 12 people. Great service and food.

 

In St. Maarten,we did a tour with Godfrey. Enjoyed that one as well. Had some time at Orient Beach, got to see the island and also got to see the planes at Maho.

 

St. Kitts and St. Thomas were beach days. Went to Cockleshell and just spent time at Reggae Beach Bar. St. Thomas we went to Emerald Beach but I didn't like it all that much.

 

Enjoy! This was my favorite cruise. :)

[luv cruising 007]

Very nice pics. We are doing the tour with Cosol in St. Lucia and Thenford Grey in St. Kitts. In St. Thomas we are doing the tour with Papa Bear and Air Force 1, and Glory tours in Barbados. In St. Matin, we're planning to head downtown for some shopping and then probably to Orient Beach.

 

Thanx for the comment on the pics sry I gave up & couldnt post em on here(plus & cant make a post random cruise vacation pics lol:p:D hehehe)! Isint orient beach a topless beach(so I heard havent been to st martin just hear it on here:eek:) wish I was in st. lucia right now! jelosey beach is so beautiful! try cosols "LOCAL cant say it here, had to edit my comment :( (the lil blue pill that starts with a V if you know what I mean, its there local saying on strong liquer) its just liquer" but its an overproof rum about as strong as moonshine hehehehe, they give you tiny but potent shots but thier tasty lol

[smurfm69]

Thanx for the comment on the pics sry I gave up & couldnt post em on here(plus & cant make a post random cruise vacation pics lol:p:D hehehe)! Isint orient beach a topless beach(so I heard havent been to st martin just hear it on here:eek:) wish I was in st. lucia right now! jelosey beach is so beautiful! try cosols "LOCAL cant say it here, had to edit my comment :( (the lil blue pill that starts with a V if you know what I mean, its there local saying on strong liquer) its just liquer" but its an overproof rum about as strong as moonshine hehehehe, they give you tiny but potent shots but thier tasty lol

 

Yes there is a section of Orient beach that is topless and "clothing optional". We were on the beach nearby where people were wearing clothes, although there was a random topless female or two passing through. lol

[nytonowhere]

Just did this cruise in March (see signature) but i would highly recommend Royston Tours in St. Kitts and have him take you to South Friars beach, and Jalouise beach between the pitons in St. Lucia, we took a Spencer Ambrose tour both tours perfect for beach people! There is a victory review every 5 minutes on this board...start reading.

[luv cruising 007]

Yes there is a section of Orient beach that is topless and "clothing optional". We were on the beach nearby where people were wearing clothes, although there was a random topless female or two passing through. lol

 

HAHAHA oh jeeze! Beautiful beach I heard! love coki beach in st. thomas as well!

[DaDivaMom]

St. Thomas- since you been before I suggest you take the ferry over to St. John and catch a cab up to Cinnamon Bay and enjoy the beach there for the day. Simply beautiful. You can arrange all this on your own with public transport.

 

St. Martin- we always just rent a car and drive since the island is so small and easy to navigate. For around 50 bucks you get full coverage insurance as well. We hit two or three beaches including Orient, Marigot for shopping and maybe a casino or two.

 

St. Kitt- we prefer Cockleshell beach and Lion's bar- authentic and beautiful.

 

Barbados- Shasa catamaran was terrific. Relaxing, only takes 12 passengers. Captain Jason is a native and knows his stuff.

 

St. Lucia- we didn't like the tour guide that we used and were not impressed with the other large groups either. The island itself is beautiful but not really a "beach" except for small areas.

[jjtimes6]

We just returned, and pretty much did our own thing. My review is linked in my signature, which describes every port with pictures. Here's the short version:

St. Thomas: cab to Secret Harbor beach

Barbados: public bus to Payne's Bay beach

St. Lucia: Capt. Mike's charter for whale and dolphin watching

St. Kitts: Royston tours all day (had Ashton)

St. Maarten: cab to Le Gallion beach

[kinabina]

May 1st will be our sailing and have booked following:

 

St. Thomas - Attending wedding; no excursions

Barbados - Jammin' Cats Catamaran Cruises

St. Lucia - Booking Carnival zipline excursion

St. Kitts - considering Friars Bay to relax on beach

St. Maarten - ATV adventure through Raslinks

 

Have fun on your sailing!

[BMFL Island Hopper]

St. Lucia Phillips Tours 25 Bucks ask for Jackson. Let him know what you are looking to do. Pigeon Island was relaxing.

 

St. Kitts Jim and Rose Taxi 41 Bucks great tour then end up at Beach.

 

St. Maarteen 6 Bucks take boat ride to beach.