Which Pearl Island excursion is best?

[BooBooMonkey]

H cruisers!

We are sailing on Carnival Celebration in November with a stop in Nassau. DH ans I have been there before and went to Rose Island. Would love to do that again, but it is only available through a private company. This time, we're with 3 kiddos-14, 13, and 9 years old. We're thinking it may be better to go with Carnival's excursions (don't want to get left behind or something with kids!). Plus, our ship docks at 1:00 pm, so private excursion options are very limited!

 

Carnival offers 2 excursions to Pearl Island. Not as good as Rose Island as far as beaches go, but looks like the next closest thing. I want a beach with nice sand ans calm water. DH and kids would like to snorkel a little from shore.

 

Our choices are:

The Yellowbird Party boat which is 3 hours for $33 per person. Advantage seems to be the free drinks. Disadvantages are potentially too much of a party atmosphere for kids and a relatively short (time) excursion. No snorkeling eqpt. included.

 

The Pearl Island Snorkeling which is $43 for 4.5 hours. Advantages are the longer excursion, but we would have to buy drinks at in inflated prices. Snorkeling equipment included.

 

What do you guys think?

 

C

[scubagirrl]

Just a comment about the Yellowbird. Although there is a band, and Dj, the crowd doesn't usually get too rough, They do line dances, the "dollar" song, and the limbo.

The boat is 3 stories and has plenty of nooks for getting away from the noise or party atmosphere. Additionally, you can rent snorkeling equipment on the island.

They stop serving drinks on the boat upon arrival, which means you have to pay the $5 prices on the island if you want to continue. They resume when you get back on the boat. Pearl Island is very small, it is nowhere near as big and lush as Rose Island, but it is a pretty little island with white sandy beach, calm waters, a beautiful lighthouse, Palapas along the pathways, and even stingrays to watch.

 

Here's a pic of the island

http://www.island-helicopters.com/photo/safari/1e.jpg