Southern Caribbean shore excursion suggestions

[4familycruise]

Looking for suggestions for CHILD friendly shore excursions for our upcoming Adventure of the Seas cruise. Our kids will be 7 and 9 at the time. We have already done Bernard's Tour on St. Maarten and are staying a few extra days in Puerto Rico and plan on El Yunque and the forts. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Ports of call are San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. John's, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[printingchick]

St. Maarten: Are you boaters? We rented a boat from Boathouse Rentals (formerly Turtles). It was reasonably priced and gave us the option to travel by water. If you know how to drive a small motor boat, it's a lot of fun.

 

St. Kitts: I HIGHLY recommend Royston. He won't provide tours on his Sabbath, so he is not always available, but we LOVED him. I've also used Rose and Jim's tours, which was good, but not as good as Royston. Thenford Grey is also highly recommended.

 

Antigua: I HIGHLY recommend Paddles. It's a land/sea/kayak/snorkeling tour that is amazing and very reasonably priced.

St. Lucia: Haven't been, but will be soon. Leaning toward Herrod's Land and Sea tour.

 

Barbados: Last time I was there, I did the Harrison Caves tour and really enjoyed it. It's good for your kids too. Beaches are all free in Barbados, although they will likely INSIST you rent a chair! I found beaches to be a bit pushy there - so many vendors trying to get into your wallet. There are several good catamaran options in Barbados, which would allow you to snorkel and swim with the turtles, without the hassle of the beach vendors.

[rummenroman]

St. Maarten: Are you boaters? We rented a boat from Boathouse Rentals (formerly Turtles). It was reasonably priced and gave us the option to travel by water. If you know how to drive a small motor boat, it's a lot of fun.

 

St. Kitts: I HIGHLY recommend Royston. He won't provide tours on his Sabbath, so he is not always available, but we LOVED him. I've also used Rose and Jim's tours, which was good, but not as good as Royston. Thenford Grey is also highly recommended.

 

Antigua: I HIGHLY recommend Paddles. It's a land/sea/kayak/snorkeling tour that is amazing and very reasonably priced.

St. Lucia: Haven't been, but will be soon. Leaning toward Herrod's Land and Sea tour.

 

Barbados: Last time I was there, I did the Harrison Caves tour and really enjoyed it. It's good for your kids too. Beaches are all free in Barbados, although they will likely INSIST you rent a chair! I found beaches to be a bit pushy there - so many vendors trying to get into your wallet. There are several good catamaran options in Barbados, which would allow you to snorkel and swim with the turtles, without the hassle of the beach vendors.

 

I would suggest taking a look around the Port of Call boards. Lots of information and suggestions for everyone.