Bonaire

[norwegianwood57]

I was very disappointed when Celebrity cancelled Bonaire in 2016 on our itinerary. Well we got to go this year.

 

What a dump!!!

 

Yes, I researched for the best beach, snorkelling. I even wrote to their tourist board. All said, Sorobon beach is the place to be.

 

If you are looking for a nice beach, snorkelling, dont go there.

 

It was mostly roped off, very murcky water, lots of seaweed. Now maybe that is due to some storm that may have happened.

 

It is described as a full facility beach, but turned out to be very substandard.

 

What is good there is windsurfing. But I am not into that.

 

So Celebrity, you were right to cancel it last year, could you please cancel it again for 2018, we will be back to that itinerary and would be happy not to have Bonaire again.

 

Yes , different strokes for different folks. Now we will probably hear from those who thought it was the best port of all.

I did see one donkey, a lot of pink flamingos, all from the window of the taxi as we sped past.

[Mynki]

Of the seven islands we visited on our exotic southern Caribbean cruise this year, Bonaire was the least enjoyable port of call.

[hcat]

We did not snorkel on Bonaire but enjoyed our stop there. We took a ship's tour around much of the island...saw many wild flamingos, salt flats, windmills and beautiful scenery. Agree that Sorobon Beach was not a big treat..seems to be a windsurfing beach.Had a great lunch in town at Krals, enjoyed a few shops along the water and the little flea market with local crafts, spices and salt..

 

Maybe a diff snorkel excursion would be better..our day there was odd..more wind in the port area..flat & calm at Sorobon.(told it is usually the opposite)

 

While we have no strong need to return we were very happy with our visit....after wanting that port for quite awhile...sorry OP was disappointed..

[norwegianwood57]

Saw the salt flats and flamingos. Next year, if Celeb does not cancel it, will just get off ship, walk around, look at the shops.

[dodger1964]

Had a friend that was there last week and said (Whatever beach they went to) was the best snorkeling they have ever done.

 

This about par for the course on CC. Best ever...worst ever...

 

Sorry you had bad experience.

[mom says]

A dump? Really? I suppose if your idea of an attractive Caribbean island is one that is packed with high rise resorts as far as the eye can see, casinos every other block, and the same old streets filled with jewelery and purse stores, then maybe Bonaire would fit that description.

 

However, we actually enjoyed seeing this island that has so far escaped those plagues on the landscape.

 

Denouncing an entire island because you had an unsatisfactory experience at ONE snorkeling spot seems extreme. Next time, choose a different spot. Make the trip over to Klein Bonaire. Or do something else.

 

Our boat excursion through the mangroves was a highlight of our cruise, with the bonus of a beautiful beach, seeing sea turtles and flamingos, and actually learning about the island and its efforts in maintaining the island and its waters in an unspoiled state. We'd return in a heartbeat.

[foodsvcmgr]

Fully agreed with Mom!

[jryan110]

Mom, can you tell me more about this boat tour you took? We're heading there in October and the boat tour you mention sounds very interesting.

[jagoffee]

I am sorry that the OP was disappointed in the Island of Bonaire. Although it is slowly changing IMO Bonaire is not a typical cruise stop port which is exactly why we like it.

 

The first time we took a snorkeling tour with 3 stops. In January we took a private whole island tour. Next year we will be doing a snorkeling tour. IMO the highlight of the island is the reef surrounding the island and the diving/snorkeling.

 

i do wonder if the OP has actually ever been to a dump because Bonaire is not even close.

[LuAnn]

After cruising in the Carib for many, many years we found it refreshing to have a new, unique island on our Equinox holiday cruise schedule..Bonaire!!!...we took an independent land tour and enjoyed seeing the pink salt flats, flamingos and trying the cactus liquor (not my favorite but at least fun to try). Our local guide said Bonaire is considered one of the top dive spots in the world..sorry you didn't enjoy it OP...but I would certainly not call it a dump in any way!! LuAnn

[hancock]

Don't go to a beach if you are interested in snorkeling. Book a sail on the Woodwind for the best drift snorkeling. All equipment provided with guides and lovely lunch, too. Can't rave more about this tour. Would do it again in a heartbeat. This is a private tour, not cruise tour.

[silkismom]

It's been several years, but we took a local shuttle boat to Kleine Bonaire, walked down the beach a ways and snorkeled back, saw more fish than many scuba dives in the Caribbean, did the walk, snorkel until we were exhausted.

[Olive1950]

Loved loved loved my second time in Bonaire.

 

A group of us took the electric car (Twizy) excursion; it was a hoot and a half!!! I had a very nice Canadian chauffeur (thanks, Randy!!). The tour ended at a nice beach with drinks before we headed back to the ship.

 

Sorry you didn't enjoy yourself....

[norwegianwood57]

Of the seven islands we visited on our exotic southern Caribbean cruise this year, Bonaire was the least enjoyable port of call.

 

well Mynki, as you can see we have been thoroughly put down...so much for expressing an opinion....

 

should we put down those who expressed theirs...I think not...waste of time...yes that IS CC.

[richsea]

So the entire island is a dump because you did not like the snorkeling. Thanks for the heads up.

[dkjretired]

well Mynki, as you can see we have been thoroughly put down...so much for expressing an opinion....should we put down those who expressed theirs...I think not...waste of time...yes that IS CC.

Actually I was going to thank you for telling me of somewhere not to go when we are there in September. Also, looks like some good research will be in order.

[Olive1950]

well Mynki, as you can see we have been thoroughly put down...so much for expressing an opinion....should we put down those who expressed theirs...I think not...waste of time...yes that IS CC.

 

 

Just because our opinions differ on Bonaire doesn't mean it was a put down.

 

But feel free to call it what you want. There are probably lots of places we disagree on; so what!!!

 

And, as my buddy jfer8580 would say ; HA!!!

[OCruisers]

We totally LOVE <3 having a port stop in Bonaire! Fantastic snorkeling! (y)

[tnfcruise]

After cruising in the Carib for many, many years we found it refreshing to have a new, unique island on our Equinox holiday cruise schedule..Bonaire!!!...we took an independent land tour and enjoyed seeing the pink salt flats, flamingos and trying the cactus liquor (not my favorite but at least fun to try). Our local guide said Bonaire is considered one of the top dive spots in the world..sorry you didn't enjoy it OP...but I would certainly not call it a dump in any way!! LuAnn

 

 

LuAnn, did you contact the independent driver/tour operator ahead of your visit? If so, would you pass along contact info? The two things I want to get to, when we stop there a month from now, are the Salt Flats and Cadushy Distillery. Thanks!

Tina

 

 

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[mom says]

Mom, can you tell me more about this boat tour you took? We're heading there in October and the boat tour you mention sounds very interesting.

I'd be happy to! This was the first ship excursion we've taken in a long time, and we both thought it was worthwhile and a good value. The ship actually has 2 tours: the Mangrove Eco boat tour, and the Mangrove Eco boat tour by RHIB(rigid hull inflatable boat). We took the second one. It's limited to small groups.

 

You're picked up in an open sided truck for the drive to Lac Bay. Part of the way is along a rutted dirt road, but the driver aims for the least bumpy part of the road, and goes slowly, taking pity on those of us with arthritic backs. We stopped for a few minutes near a very large flock of flamingos - they weren't more than 50ft. from the truck.

 

At the lagoon you store your shoes and bags in their lock box (don't forget your hat and camera!) before putting on life jackets and getting seated along the sides of the boat. Then your guide takes you along the canals among the mangroves, explaining this fascinating ecosystem and pointing out the wildlife. Later you'll go out into the open lagoon and hopefully see some of the many sea Turtles.

 

Back ashore, you'll have some free time to swim before the ride back to the ship.

[itzmered]

We have specifically picked itineraries so we could go to Bonaire for the world class snorkeling. It's my favorite port in the Caribbean

 

 

[tnfcruise]

We have specifically picked itineraries so we could go to Bonaire for the world class snorkeling. It's my favorite port in the Caribbean

 

 

 

 

Wow! Double wow! These photos make me want to take up snorkeling again...haven't done it in forty years.

 

 

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[OCruisers]

So agree with you! Bonaire is FANTISTIC place to snorkel! (y)

 

We have specifically picked itineraries so we could go to Bonaire for the world class snorkeling. It's my favorite port in the Caribbean

 

[mkbruce]

Bonaire was one of the first places to institute a protected marine park. With most scuba tour operators, divers have to prove their ability to maintain correct buoyancy and some other basic skills before being allowed to dive. Operators take this seriously and it shows in the conditions of the reefs. They're in much better shape than most other places.

 

I was there in 1991 or so and dove all week. Really looking forward to a one-day visit on the Equinox this week.

[jagoffee]

well Mynki, as you can see we have been thoroughly put down...so much for expressing an opinion....should we put down those who expressed theirs...I think not...waste of time...yes that IS CC.

 

 

Perhaps insulting the island and by extension the lovely people of Bonaire by calling it a dump was not appropriate?

 

An honest review of the stop whether positive or negative is certainly appropriate IMO.