Opinions of river tubing and snorkeling Champagne Reef (not necessarily together)

[Choozin Croozin]

I know I combined these but didn't want to make 2 separate posts.

 

1) I would like to know people's opinion of if it is safe and or appropriate for older in age (not feeble, just portly) folks? It must be somewhat ok as the cruise line still has it for a tour, but read one review that out of 6 people in the group, 4 were injured in various degrees.

 

2) What was you experience snorkeling at Champagne Reef? When I was there a few years ago I saw nothing but bubbles and trash in the water, and almost didn't make it back in (totally my fault:rolleyes:).

 

We are thinking of combining these 2 excursions with a private tour operator and we have friends with us that have never been there. They love to snorkel, but just wondered if other people had any different experiences.

Thank you

[TLCOhio]

1) I would like to know people's opinion of if it is safe and or appropriate for older in age (not feeble' date=' just portly) folks? It must be somewhat ok as the cruise line still has it for a tour, but read one review that out of 6 people in the group, 4 were injured in various degrees. [/quote']

 

As a late 60's male with some "heft" and at a height of 6' 2", I am not feeble. Maybe a little portly? BUT, I can speak to some of your concerns for doing such a river tubing "adventure". As detailed on my live/blog and on the "Dominica Love" thread on this board, we did and really enjoyed doing this excursion. Fun and interesting!!

 

There were sixteen of us and they had four agile young staffers along to help guide, unstick us, keep things moving, etc., along this scenic river route. As you can see in the pictures below, all wore a helmet. Fortunately!! There are real rocks in these rivers. My head is hard, but not that super solid . . . versus . . . one of these large, smooth stones in the river. I did have one time when things were really "rocking and rolling" where the back of head slammed against one of those smooth rocks in the water of this river. If I had not had that helmet on, it would have been a serious, major problem.

 

Things can move along in these rivers. Such tubes float along and things are not always tranquil and smooth. Nor, do you move forward in a precise, straight line, always facing forward. You will spring around at times. That's part of the fun for doing this trip. BUT, make sure the helmet is securely on your head and that you are not trying to do things in too wild of a manner.

 

Does this help? Added questions?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 32,439 views for these postings.

 

 

After being on very dry and river-less islands in the Dutch ABC's, we got to enjoy river fun in Dominica. Maybe I have too many pictures here to share, but it was nice to see some the wonderful trees, mountains, etc. Had a Nikon water and shock-proof model that worked very well . . . and survived. I was the first to tumble out of my yellow tube and get stranded in this wild and rocky river. For the sixteen of us, there were four very agile staff members to help us, keep us from serious injury, etc. Yes, we needed these protective helmets and vests.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Choozin Croozin]

Thank you very much and you are very helpful! I am really concerned about my husband He always seems to find a way to hurt himself. Fortunately he is only about 5' 8" so maybe the shorter stature and that big round ball in the middle will keep him secure. Lol:eek:

Did you book your tour privately or go with the ship's? Oh and do they have something in the bottom to protect your bottom?

We have 6 now, but we are cruising with a large group and it would be more fun with a group, I'm sure.

Thank you again.

Edited November 18, 2015 by choozin' cruzin'

[TLCOhio]

Thank you very much and you are very helpful! I am really concerned about my husband He always seems to find a way to hurt himself. Fortunately he is only about 5' 8" so maybe the shorter stature and that big round ball in the middle will keep him secure. Lol:eek: Did you book your tour privately or go with the ship's? Oh and do they have something in the bottom to protect your bottom? We have 6 now' date=' but we are cruising with a large group and it would be more fun with a group, I'm sure. Thank you again.[/quote']

 

Appreciate your follow-up and glad to be of help. Yes, we did our tour through the ship. Was easier and simpler in that way. Pricing, as I re-call, was not too bad with our ship tour. On my bottom "protection", I am "well covered" down there!! Lots of padding there naturally!! Seriously, the stones in the river are fairly smooth and there was not that much of an issue in needing much protection in that sense for this part of the body. It was kind of part of the "refreshing" aspect to be sliding over those various stones, getting free massages, etc.

 

With your husband not being as tall, that probably makes things a little easier. Just make sure to have the helmet on properly and chat with the staff to make sure they will be "escorting" people down the river, keeping an eye on people, etc. This excursion was a highlight on our cruise for this activity AND to have their Carnival parade in this town in the afternoon. Really loved Dominica. Very special and interesting.

 

Any other Caribbean questions? Good luck on your adventure!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 32,492 views for these postings.

[Choozin Croozin]

Thank you again! Carnival must've been awesome. We were in Dominica a few years back and did an intense hike and tour with Bumpiing tours. Such a beautiful island. I contacted him to see if he could take us to the river tubing and the hot baths, which I think we're at Trafalgar Falls? He said the hot baths were no longer due to the last tropical storm that hammered them. So sad.

Happy travels !

[BarbaraM]

Not sure if you have left for your trip or not, but we did the river tubing a couple of weeks ago. We booked privately through Antours, but the river experience is the same, in fact it looked like Antours was running the ship excursion.

 

Please be aware that your experience may vary from ours based on how high the river. Our guide made a few comments on the height of the water, and also made a comment about "it will be a very fast ride" there were 2 couples on this tour, and 2 young guides in the water with us. The recent hurricane was devastating to this area, and you will see evidence on your trip. Many roads were washed out.

 

The river has many boulders, as you may see from the photos posted here. In our case the water was running over them, which created hazard spots. I never fell over, but came close a couple of times. The current was strong, and it was not possible to do much other than hold on. It's common to get stuck on a rock or tree, the guides will push you off. I think I floated backwards a good portion of the trip. It is not 100% Rapids, but at least 30%(seems like more!) we were not injured, but I could see where it would have been easy to! I consider myself fairly fit for my age, and was surprised to talk to others on our cruise to find those in their 70's did this tour. There were reports of injuries, but this was second hand.

 

Hope this helps.

[Choozin Croozin]

Not sure if you have left for your trip or not, but we did the river tubing a couple of weeks ago. We booked privately through Antours, but the river experience is the same, in fact it looked like Antours was running the ship excursion.

 

Please be aware that your experience may vary from ours based on how high the river. Our guide made a few comments on the height of the water, and also made a comment about "it will be a very fast ride" there were 2 couples on this tour, and 2 young guides in the water with us. The recent hurricane was devastating to this area, and you will see evidence on your trip. Many roads were washed out.

 

The river has many boulders, as you may see from the photos posted here. In our case the water was running over them, which created hazard spots. I never fell over, but came close a couple of times. The current was strong, and it was not possible to do much other than hold on. It's common to get stuck on a rock or tree, the guides will push you off. I think I floated backwards a good portion of the trip. It is not 100% Rapids, but at least 30%(seems like more!) we were not injured, but I could see where it would have been easy to! I consider myself fairly fit for my age, and was surprised to talk to others on our cruise to find those in their 70's did this tour. There were reports of injuries, but this was second hand.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We don't leave until March, so your report is most helpful. Here all this time I was worried about us "oldsters" but when I ran it by my ds and ddil I found out that my dil is concerned because she is maid of honor in a wedding when we get back and she doesn't want to chance an injury or big bruises. I understand where she is coming from so we're probably not going to take this tour. Good to have this information though and maybe helpful to others. Maybe next time.

Edited December 28, 2015 by choozin' cruzin'

[BoopTennis]

we just got back, did this tour last week . It was awesome. good fun ride, good rapids. you get very wet but no one got hurt. wear water shoes. There are LOTS of guides in the river helping everyone keep away from rocks. if you fall out of your tube the water is not too deep to stand up. there are rapids that are fast and fun and then calm water for awhile for everyone to rest a bit and get the whole group back together again.

 

one couple even had a baby that looked about one year told or less! not what i would suggest but the dad carried her while they did the ride and she made it thru ok

 

i am sure things can happen and i can certainly understand not wanting something to mess up a wedding, that is much more important!

 

but i felt safe with these guys (we used AnTours)

[Choozin Croozin]

we just got back, did this tour last week . It was awesome. good fun ride, good rapids. you get very wet but no one got hurt. wear water shoes. There are LOTS of guides in the river helping everyone keep away from rocks. if you fall out of your tube the water is not too deep to stand up. there are rapids that are fast and fun and then calm water for awhile for everyone to rest a bit and get the whole group back together again.

 

one couple even had a baby that looked about one year told or less! not what i would suggest but the dad carried her while they did the ride and she made it thru ok

 

i am sure things can happen and i can certainly understand not wanting something to mess up a wedding, that is much more important!

 

but i felt safe with these guys (we used AnTours)

 

Thank you. I am so torn.

[mrobstad]

Having read your original post, id say make it a day at sea. im still sore from this excursion.

[Choozin Croozin]

Having read your original post, id say make it a day at sea. im still sore from this excursion.

 

Thank you. I think we have nixed the idea. Our dil is in a Wedding the Sat after we get back and didn't want to take a chance. This sure is a tough island when you've been there done that already. We already have 4 sea days so we want to do something. Hmm