Paddles of Antigua - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

[Susan B]

I know there are other posts, but I wanted to give an update as we just got back from the Serenade and took this excursion (booked directly with Paddles). It was an amazing day...lasts about 5 hours. You are escorted right from the boat (with those folks who paid much more money through the cruiseline for the same thing), taken on a short bus tour to the other side of the island. You then meet Jennie and her parrot Sweet Pea, and board some fast power boats to where your kayak awaits. After some fun kayaking (with instruction!) and a 'race' back to the boats, you are taken to Bird Island for a short hike up to some amazing views of Antigua. This is followed by some snorkling over reefs, and the boat ride back, where you are met with punch, banana cake, and a refreshing towels for your face and scented water to rinse your feet. I can't imagine a more perfect excursion and extremely reasonable! Check out http://www.antiguapaddles.com. Highly recommended! And it's not all day, so you have time to shop and do something else if you wish.

[MOMofONE]

Thanks for posting Susan; leaving in 12 days, have this booked and SOO looking forward to it!

Question - did anyone get dropped off, or request to be dropped off in town or at a beach instead of the pier?

Thanks - Tina

[rebeljohn]

Susan......I just wanted to second your recommendation for Antigua Paddles. We were on the 11/16 Maasdam cruise, and booked with them for our day in Antigua, prior to leaving on the cruise. They treated us like family. An escort picked us up at our cruise dock. They had a larger group from another cruise ship, but kept our group nice and small(9 of us). The kayaking, snorkeling and stop for a hike up Bird Island was fabulous! The banana bread, rum punch and COLD towels were a welcome treat at the end of our tour.

 

THANKS.................JENNIE!!!!

[mrszahm]

We just returned from the Golden Princess and also did the Antigua Paddles tour! What a wonderful excursion! I will second the statement about feeling like family. Of all of the tours that we went on, this was certainly #1 !! (my husband and I won the kayak race) Don't hesitate to book this wonderful experience. Our ship did not offer it...we booked it online at www.antiguapaddles.com Not only was it wonderful, it was very reasonably priced. I believe that the driver would drop you off anywhere you chose to be dropped off. They aim to please. Their property is filled with wonderful flowers, colorful birds and they ooooze hospitalitiy from the minute you meet the driver until they bring you back to the ship. Thanks Conrad and Jennie....we loved it!

 

Ron and Mitzy Zahm

[DancerOT]

I have contacted Antigua Paddles, but they have yet to email me back in response. Any thoughts? How were you able to book? Please help!

[DancerOT]

Just to let all know - I have heard from Jennie and we will be all set to go on Antigua Paddles. I cant wait!! Opinion from those who have gone before. My mother recently had back surgery and is concerned about how bumpy the motor boat may be. Any thoughts?

[nerak]

I just booked also for the Christmas cruise. Jennie has been awesome responding and offering info as to what it will be like in Antigua at Christmas time. If she is any preview of what the trip will be like, it should be wonderful!

[DancerOT]

Nerak - what day are you there? We may be there the same day!

[shipper]

I have been to the Caribbean many times and this is the best excursion that I have done, every detail was attended to I felt like a personal guest of Jennie. One of the wonderful little details were the pans of water with the flower petals placed on the steps to wash our feet off and the cool washclothes to freshen our faces when we returned from our absolutly wonderful adventure. I even received an email from Conrad when I returned home.

[Cruzan Again]

Thanks for posting Susan; leaving in 12 days, have this booked and SOO looking forward to it!

Question - did anyone get dropped off, or request to be dropped off in town or at a beach instead of the pier?

Thanks - Tina

Jennie arranged for us to take a tour around the island after Antigua paddles. Myson took us to see Devils' Bridge, Shirley Heights, Long Bay Beach, where ever we wanted to go. Was the best excursion, best day of our Carnival Liberty cruise last month.

[cruise-aholicRN]

While in Antigua, my friend and I did the Paddles Kayak excursion. I nod my head in agreement with all the other positive reports of this excursion. My friend and I had never used a Kayak before. We weren't very good at paddling straight, we fell behind the more experienced group......yet someone was always right nearby to help if needed! We had so much fun!

I highly recommend this activity.

T.J.

[DancerOT]

Jennie arranged for us to take a tour around the island after Antigua paddles. Myson took us to see Devils' Bridge, Shirley Heights, Long Bay Beach, where ever we wanted to go. Was the best excursion, best day of our Carnival Liberty cruise last month.

 

Did you arrange with Jennie to do the tour ahead of time or once you got to Antigua? We (6 of us) are doing Antigua Paddles and would like also see some of the sights. Thanks for any info!

[mrszahm]

I'm not the one that did the trip, but I would suggest that you ask her before you go. She is awesome and will answer every email...never pushy...always just kind and informative. You won't be sorry...

Mitzy Zahm

[augirl427]

I have recently returned from the Liberty and took the excursion offered by Paddles. It was the BEST excursion we had all week. I promised them I would post this and recommend them to everyone. You will not be disappointed!!!

[josplu1]

Does anyone or could anyone tell me how much paddles is if you book right from them?

[weloverunning]

Jos: Their website is www.antiguapaddles.com . All the info is there. Jennie will be quick to get back to you if you have any questions.

[geoherb]

We just got back this week from our Maasdam cruise. Our experience with Paddles Antigua was great. If anyone goes and has the chance to be in Anthony's boat, you'll have a great guide.

 

On our excursion, we went snorkeling before kayaking. I think the order depends on how many different boats they use. We met the bus driver/guide at the dock outside of the area where NCL and RCI ships were docked. (Our ship was at the other pier, about a block away.) We had two full buses--primarily filled with cruisers from the other ships. There were a couple of other independent travellers who had not booked through the cruiselines. The other busload of passengers went kayaking first.

 

Jennie was a treat. We requested and received individual kayaks.

[josplu1]

rpbcouple

 

thanks for the info i'll go to the site and check it out!

[kawgirl]

what is the best (safest) way to book this and other excursions on my own? should I fax CC#, send CC# in 2 seprate emails, or call and give CC info? have already been in contact with Jennie but do not know which method is best. thanks!

[weloverunning]

I called Jennie to give her our cc information instead of giving it through email. I believe the charge was 10-11 minutes to 1 on my calling card. Therefore, if I spoke 2 minutes they took 20 minutes off my balance on my calling card. Considering it is 3.4 cents per minute, I felt safer spending the 68 cents to use the telephone.

[Looking for Sunshine]

I looked at the web site but I don't see any rates posted!

[nerak]

We did this excursion last week. I booked through the net for $50 pp (which was $20 pp cheaper than on the ship...and we went with the people who booked through the ship) and it was more than worth it!!! We loved the trip and our guides were fantastic. I am definately open to more kayaking and more adventure in Antigua...more so than our previous trip there. Jennie and 'family' will show you an awesome time!!

[weloverunning]

Look at page 5 under FAQ

[weloverunning]

We just got back from the Jewel yesterday. Just a quick note to say this was our best excursion by far. Jennie and her family made us feel at home. Her son did the kayak portion and had many interesting tales to tell and was very entertaining. The entire staff was wonderful. We had a great time. All was great right down to the scented towels, home-made banana bread, and punch upon our return to the dock/house.:D

[dean45]

Hi there, Can anyone tell me i hear that the ship uses this excursion does this mean there are a ton of people? We prefer small groups - no buses also we are going in March is it generally calm ad easy to paddles at that time? thanks, Debbie