Caribbean Excursions

[Katomerikaf]

We travel late December and I am trying to plan a few days that I am struggling to find info for so thought some of you fellow Marella travellers might be able to help.

We are fairly independent in so much as we like to jump on local buses to get a feel of where we are and also feel that sometimes ship tours are a bit of a rip off and too much like a conveyer belt. We prefer beaches that are fairly low key, we don't do sunbeds but would like to be able to grab a drink from a shop, vendor or bar.

We are struggling with the following ports of call -

 

Guadeloupe - we did the Deshaies trip which was excellent and wandered around town. What else is there to do ? Any nice beaches nearby? what is the museum like? Is the Hindu temple trip a good trip to go on/interesting enough?

 

St Barts - any ideas? I've heard that the locals don't seem to appreciate cruise ships/passengers.

 

Road Town- we have previously gone to Cane Garden beach and also on an island tour with the safari buses. Any other things to suggest?

 

Spanish Town BVI - looks quite small-any suggestions of places/beaches to walk to? Are the baths worth going to or are they just a few rocks in the sea?

 

Any ideas gratefully received!!

Edited November 11, 2018 by Katomerikaf

[Pensioncruiser]

Difficult to suggest anything as we did the Caribbean in March, our sixteenth cruise in the area, and found it very different after the disasters they had, can only suggest you do ship excursions. Hopefully things have improved and someone can give you better info. 

[Katomerikaf]

thanks Pensioncruiser !!!

Any more ideas anyone ??

[edinburgher]

If it isn't too late.

 

Just back a few days ago from the Caribbean on Explorer.

 

In Guadeloupe we did the only shorex we booked (elsewhere we had other plans)

 

It was Carbet Falls with an exterior view photo stop of the Hindu Temple (closed to the general public)

 

Really enjoyed this, but you need to be good on your feet as the walk to the Falls from the car park is fairly slippery and has a mix of surfaces although the pathway is generally good. It is the humidity in the rainforest which makes it slippery in places.. There are 365 steps round trip, but this is not one flight of steps.  The walkway meanders through the rainforest, sometimes going up, sometimes going down, so you don't notice it too much.

 

Within a National Park, we enjoyed the drive there and back, especially when we turned off the main road onto the National Park road as this is very scenic.

 

 

[Katomerikaf]

Thanks for the info edinburgher - it's not too late ! 

[edinburgher]

I would definitely do some kind of excursion here.

 

We suspected from port research before we went that the town offered little.

 

After the shorex and lunch, we went off for a short walk around town, which you will know is just across the street. Suspicions confirmed.  It was quite run down and poor looking with very little of any interest. We were out for barely an hour.

 

Very different from the town of Fort-de France, Martinique where we spent much longer ashore and enjoyed our time.

[Katomerikaf]

Our route has changed and Guadeloupe is now our first port of call so think we shall just have a quiet day with a walk down towards the museum for a couple of hours.

We enjoyed walking around the markets in Point-a-Pitre when we last there.

Still no ideas for St Barts though if any thoughts folks!!

[Pensioncruiser]

7 minutes ago, Katomerikaf said:

Our route has changed and Guadeloupe is now our first port of call so think we shall just have a quiet day with a walk down towards the museum for a couple of hours.

We enjoyed walking around the markets in Point-a-Pitre when we last there.

Still no ideas for St Barts though if any thoughts folks!!

We just walked along the prom past the marina and followed the signs to the beach, think it was shell beach. Small cafe but don't think they like cruisers🤔

[Katomerikaf]

Thanks Pensioncruiser  - had a quick look and seems to be a great looking beach !!

[chizzy369]

Hi Katomerif ??

What date do you actually sail ???

Regards

Neil

 

[newbiewaves]

Posting this due to relevant title...just a heads up that the 'Jeep and Beach' trip in St Lucia is a nighmareish bone shaker and only suitable for young thrill seekers with a desire to stare at trees in a rainforest dank and full of biting bugs when they reach the top. The roller coaster ride back down takes in a no through road/road closed route where half the road had fallen away over a precipice but the drivers sideways flare sees him through. Then fight your way through the bank of chargeable beach chairs for a 45 minute glimpse of beach bliss at Rodney Bay. We expect this trip to be modified after our groups white knuckle ride...