Banana15 Posted July 20, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 20, 2017 We just booked a cruise on Celebrity Excursion for May. The cruise is set to go to Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, and Key West. I have read snorkeling in Bonaire is recommended, but what do you guys think? Any specific things to do?I am a beach/ocean girl, but I would like to see some of the island. Key West will likely be a trolley/walk around day. What about the others? Any places to ride horses on the beach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted July 20, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Port boards may give you more ideas or discuss with others on your roll call Many choices...on your own or ship's excursions..... all great ports, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy1975 Posted July 20, 2017 #3 Share Posted July 20, 2017 We had a lot of OBC so we did the excursion from Celebrity with Seacow and it was great. Woodwinds you can book on your own and I believe is #1 on tripadvisor (seacow is #2). This is for Bonaire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana15 Posted July 21, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted July 21, 2017 We had a lot of OBC so we did the excursion from Celebrity with Seacow and it was great. Woodwinds you can book on your own and I believe is #1 on tripadvisor (seacow is #2). This is for Bonaire. I've read a lot about the risk in booking outside the ship...is that a legitimate concern or not really? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete1681 Posted July 21, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I have booked many excursions from recommendations on trip advisor, never a bad experience.the last thing these tour operators want is a bad review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted July 21, 2017 #6 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I've read a lot about the risk in booking outside the ship...is that a legitimate concern or not really? Sent from my iPad using Forums In my opinion the risky excursions are the ones booked through the cruise lines. They are usually overpriced, overcrowded, inferior experiences. So long as you do a little research you can find reputable companies that will provide a better experience and usually save money too - without incurring any significant risk. The port of call boards and roll call boards here on Cruise Critic as well as Trip Advisor are great resources. The research really pays dividends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana15 Posted July 21, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I think my only concern is the whole "if you're not back when the boat leaves, oh well..." comments I have read. I imagine the excursions would be cheaper outside the ship, and probably a much larger selection...but am I risking not being back in time? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driveshaft Posted July 21, 2017 #8 Share Posted July 21, 2017 We just booked a cruise on Celebrity Excursion for May. The cruise is set to go to Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, and Key West. I have read snorkeling in Bonaire is recommended, but what do you guys think? Any specific things to do?I am a beach/ocean girl, but I would like to see some of the island. Key West will likely be a trolley/walk around day. What about the others? Any places to ride horses on the beach? Two Words Trikes Aruba:). We probably had some of the best giggles doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy1975 Posted July 21, 2017 #9 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I've read a lot about the risk in booking outside the ship...is that a legitimate concern or not really? Sent from my iPad using Forums Not in this case! Woodwinds reputation is very good and they fill up fast. I had reservation with them but decided to use my OBC instead. In this case, the excursion with Seacow was fantastic too. If you go with Woodwinds try to get in the AM group. If not space, get in the waitlist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captcrabby Posted July 21, 2017 #10 Share Posted July 21, 2017 golf carts in Bonaire. Great way to see the island and you can stop and go at your leisure Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana15 Posted July 21, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted July 21, 2017 golf carts in Bonaire. Great way to see the island and you can stop and go at your leisure Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app That sounds fun. Do you know how much that is? Is it through the ship or no? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana15 Posted July 21, 2017 Author #12 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Two Words Trikes Aruba:). We probably had some of the best giggles doing it. What is THAT?? Now I have to go look that up. Haha. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted July 21, 2017 #13 Share Posted July 21, 2017 That sounds fun. Do you know how much that is? Is it through the ship or no? Sent from my iPad using Forums Here is the info on the golf carts. We have this booked and cannot wait! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2423135 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazz Posted July 21, 2017 #14 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Two Words Trikes Aruba:). We probably had some of the best giggles doing it. I second Trikes Aruba! A great, fun way to see the island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guindalf Posted July 21, 2017 #15 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Sadly, the Trikes option gets booked up very early and is often not available. We booked our October cruise back in January and were already too late for it, so if you're interested, make sure you book early! As for ship's excursions vs. private, we've done both, many times. Comparing just one type, tours, our favorite one was in Falmouth where we joins some CC pals and toured the are with stops at Rose Hall and Montego Bay. It was a good price and a great tour, with a great local guide showing us around. The worst was a ship's excursion in Roatan which was part boat and part land. The guide we had was horrible, pointing out the fascinating sites as we drove through a town ('this is our local supermarket and over there is the clinic'!!), all in a flat, monotone voice. Not good! We have also had occasion where we took a tour we managed to arrange in port (Costa Maya) and were sharing the tour with people from the ship. Of course, we paid less than 2/3rds of the price for the same experience! All you have to remember is to make sure the private tour is well recommended on the boards(here, Yelp or similar) and watch the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSinPNS Posted July 21, 2017 #16 Share Posted July 21, 2017 We frequently book non-ship excursions primarily for the better experience that comes with a smaller group. Tender ports are often the exception. We had one vendor tell us that if he got us back to the ship late, he was out of business due to social media. Another related that it is far easier for a minivan to find alternate routes than a 50 passenger bus. Besides, if there is a traffic jam, you only need to be ahead of one ship's excursion bus. BTW, Woodwind is within walking distance of the dock and you can see the ship the entire time (except when looking down at the amazing views). Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplsmurf Posted July 21, 2017 #17 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I think my only concern is the whole "if you're not back when the boat leaves, oh well..." comments I have read. I imagine the excursions would be cheaper outside the ship, and probably a much larger selection...but am I risking not being back in time? We only book excursions through the ship in case something happens. We had a near disaster quite a few years back. Put it this way, if we wouldn't have taken a ship sponsored tour the ship would've sailed off with our 2 year old! Never again will I risk that happening....although he is now 18 😜. I know it can be a little cheaper booking outside of the cruise line, but I don't want to take the chance of missing the ship!..jmo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana15 Posted July 21, 2017 Author #18 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I just send in a reservation request to Trikes. Unfortunately, I requested the 9 AM tour and then realize that our ship doesn't come in until 11 AM. I sent an email requesting them to move us to the 2 PM one. It also shows that there is some availability for sunset tour. Which one did all of you do? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana15 Posted July 21, 2017 Author #19 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I think my only concern is the whole "if you're not back when the boat leaves, oh well..." comments I have read. I imagine the excursions would be cheaper outside the ship, and probably a much larger selection...but am I risking not being back in time? We only book excursions through the ship in case something happens. We had a near disaster quite a few years back. Put it this way, if we wouldn't have taken a ship sponsored tour the ship would've sailed off with our 2 year old! Never again will I risk that happening....although he is now 18 [emoji12]. I know it can be a little cheaper booking outside of the cruise line, but I don't want to take the chance of missing the ship!..jmo Yep, that is what I worry about. I guess I just have to make sure I'm not any place I could be stranded....so I could get transportation back. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captcrabby Posted July 21, 2017 #20 Share Posted July 21, 2017 That sounds fun. Do you know how much that is? Is it through the ship or no? Sent from my iPad using Forums I believe it was $90.00 for the day. They provided a map and pointed out points of Interest. loved being able to go at our pace and lounge whenever and wherever we wanted to. Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banana15 Posted July 21, 2017 Author #21 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I believe it was $90.00 for the day. They provided a map and pointed out points of Interest. loved being able to go at our pace and lounge whenever and wherever we wanted to. Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app That would be fun. So, can you take it to go somewhere to snorkel or is it more of a "sightseeing" type thing? I already reserved the trikes in Aruba, so I definitely want beach time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhcruiser Posted July 21, 2017 #22 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I second Woodwinds. They are fabulous. The private tours know when the ships are in and what time they leave. You will get back to the ship on time. Not in this case! Woodwinds reputation is very good and they fill up fast. I had reservation with them but decided to use my OBC instead. In this case, the excursion with Seacow was fantastic too. If you go with Woodwinds try to get in the AM group. If not space, get in the waitlist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjgdjg Posted July 21, 2017 #23 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I'm with Purplsmurf--there's a real risk to taking a non-cruise ship-sponsored excursion. Also worth noting is that very often, the ship's time is not the same as island time. - Musing About Cruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted July 21, 2017 #24 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Gotta disagree; much more risky taking a cruise ship excursion. Near 100% chance of overpaying. Near 100% chance of being over-crowded. Very high chance of an inferior experience. No chance to customize. Booking an independent tour with a reputable company results in a minuscule risk of missing the ship - on all my time on Cruise Critic I don't recall a single thread about someone on a private tour missing the ship (but have seen a thread where people on a excursion booked via the cruise line missed the ship). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 21, 2017 #25 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Bonaire is the port stop where you will want to snorkel for sure. (y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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