Dominica port stop. Will there be a beach to go to that's not destroyed?

[maggie cruises]

Hi all. I'm posting on the celebrity page because the Dominica ports of call page is all but non existent

 

I'm debating between rccl FOTS which goes to st marten and the ABC islands and X Summit that goes to st croix Barbados Grenada and Domenica. Somewhere else too I believe but can't recall

 

We are wary of the smoking issue on FOTS so that why I'm giving X serious consideration

 

Both ships sail from SJU

 

The cruise is april 2019 so plenty of time to rebuild these devastated ports as well as plenty of time for another hurricane season to destroy them again.

 

We just did the western Carib on getaway and loved the ports but we cruised without our asthma sufferer so we just dealt with the smoke no issues and really don't need to go back to the western ports this soon

 

We likes lots of ports so these 2 ships fit the bill

 

So has anyone recently been to domenica? Is it functional? I read on the DomenicaUpdate website that it's still 75% without power and beautiful beaches are no longer there

 

Tour operators there are just so-so as to if they can accommodate pax

 

I get the "let's spend $$$ to help their economy" thing but I don't want to be stuck and unable to get a taxi nor am I interested in an island or rum factory tour. Nor do we want a desolate island with desperate people. Also, I'm guessing there could well be health concerns from various sources. Just a fact of life after a devastating hurricane of course but I'm not the one to solve their problems..nor should I be. Just being honest so no judgement calls please.

 

We want a nice clean beach with chairs and civilization and taxis with no fear of being in danger. I've read that Grenada water taxi operators (another port on the X summit) are not so honest and that kids have been seen going thru beachgoers belongings and turning over the booty to the water taxi operators

 

 

 

Take that as you will but our preference is to feel safe and enjoy the Carib islands as we always have in the past so please don't suggest we just not cruise

 

So anyone recently back from Domenica? Any inside info to share? What's available?

 

TIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited June 7, 2018 by maggie cruises

[Mr. Click]

We were there a few years ago on the RC Serenade of the Seas, as I recall Dominica was not much on beaches then. The big things to do were tubing on the river and tours of the island and its natural beauty....so if you are looking for a beach day, Dominica is not your answer but choosing between Celebrity and Royal? Celebrity any day for us.

[myfuzzy]

I agree with Dominica not being a "beachy" island. You want beaches, try for a line that ports at Antigua...it boasts 365 beaches, one for every day of the year.

[snyniew]

Dominica isn't know for their beaches but one of the better stops I've been to. My nieces loved it and it was their favorite stop of the cruise. If you do go there look up Bumpiing Tours with Levi Baron. He offers a bunch of different ones and runs a very nice tour.

[Barwick Cruiser]

Dominica isn't know for their beaches but one of the better stops I've been to. My nieces loved it and it was their favorite stop of the cruise. If you do go there look up Bumpiing Tours with Levi Baron. He offers a bunch of different ones and runs a very nice tour.

 

That's the same company we toured with when we were in Dominica and we loved it!! Great snorkelling and lots of lush scenery. If I was to go again, as the OP is thinking of, I'd either book a tour with this same company or just make it a ship day and enjoy the pool and my bev package! If doing the X ship, I'd save my beach days for Grenada and Barbados. Of course, by the time OP goes, the beaches in D could be restored to their original condition but time moves slowly on some of these islands!

[maggie cruises]

Thanks all. While I'd prefer X for the non smoking casino we are probably going to try rccl and do the abc islands. Will decide next week. Until then it will be back and forth between summit and FOTS.

 

I think I'll just do a little more port research.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Nemanoxer]

Not much of a beach focused destination.

 

However, I remember the place to be one of the greenest destinations I have ever been to. And one of those few not too tourist infested (except when cruise ships in port...).

 

I would go back there in a second, but one should be aware that the place is not the most comfortable destination. And that is a positive in this case.

[Champagne Cruiser]

There are no beaches with sand in Dominica. It is a very poor third world country, beautiful scenery but that’s about it. The fact that there are no major hotel chains on the island should be a clue, because those hotel chains can create beaches where there are none. Great snorkeling but only from a boat.

[myfuzzy]

The first time we were there, we got off the ship, walked across the street, down that side to the fish market and back to the ship. Gave me this......I really didn't want to be there......feeling

[Purplsmurf]

Thanks all. While I'd prefer X for the non smoking casino we are probably going to try rccl and do the abc islands. Will decide next week. Until then it will be back and forth between summit and FOTS.

 

I think I'll just do a little more port research.

 

Did you know that Celebrity goes to the ABC islands?

[PROCRUISE]

Thanks all. While I'd prefer X for the non smoking casino we are probably going to try rccl and do the abc islands. Will decide next week. Until then it will be back and forth between summit and FOTS.

 

I think I'll just do a little more port research.

 

Did you know that Celebrity goes to the ABC islands?

 

 

Indeed - will be doing the ABC ports of call (my favorite in the Caribbean) on the Celebrity Reflection, February 2019.

[hcat]

Dominica....a lush beautiful unspoiled island.( other than by Natural Events..)..waterfalls, natural pools, gardens, black sand beach???......good for hiking...hope it comes back soon!

[OCruisers]

Beautiful island ... but not good for beaches.

[newfiegirl4]

Dominica was such a beautiful unspoiled island. While the lush vegetation and beautiful tours up in the mountains, there most certainly are beaches. I was to a black sand beach called Mero beach a few years ago. Had such a lovely day there.

I certainly hope they are able to rebuild their beautiful island.

[BeckyTim]

Has anyone been to Dominica in the last couple of months and done the river tubing excursion? We were supposed to go there on a Princess Cruise in January, 2018, but the stop was changed to St. Kitts. Our future cruise on the Crown Princess in November of this year has a stop there. Was wondering if has been there and can tell me how things looked.