I need some knowledge and opinions.

[Topdog52]

Out of these 5 ports, does anyone know if you can get off the ship and walk around instead of taking an excursion? Sometimes the towns are very 

close to the terminal and you can shop and sight see without getting an excursion. 

Royal Navy Dock Yard in Bermuda

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

St. Thomas, Virgin Island

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

[BklynBoy8]

15 minutes ago, Topdog52 said:

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

St. Thomas, Virgin Island

San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

St Maarten - Our ship does dock and the town a bit of a walk is near the dock for walking around.

 

St. Thomas, VI - Some ships dock and some tender into the mid town area along the Main Street.

Havensight is a docking like Crown Bay. Those are a bit of a distant from the Main Store Area. Havensight and Crown Bay does have mini malls with shops available.

 

San Juan, PR - Shops are in walking distance. But the Old Town is a climb to get to that area.

[Joebucks]

3 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:

San Juan, PR - Shops are in walking distance. But the Old Town is a climb to get to that area.

 

Disagreed. This make it sound like a generic port. The big city is completely within walking distance. Maybe to get to ALL of it is a climb.

[BklynBoy8]

1 minute ago, Joebucks said:

 

Disagreed. This make it sound like a generic port. The big city is completely within walking distance. Maybe to get to ALL of it is a climb.

Disgreed...

There is the Port Side area  and the Old Town area which for some that may have ADA issues a bit of a Climb...

[bonsai3s]

San Juan, PR: A short walk into Old Town San Juan...lots of shops, restaurants, and the forts.

 

Phlipsburg, St. Marteen: There's a shopping area at the terminal. Town can easily be reached via shuttle or ferry...or walking. (We walk to and from town for exercise...go outside the terminal, turn left...about a 15-minute walk. Beach, shops, restaurants, and casino.)

 

St. Thomas: Shuttle to town ($4)...or shuttle to beaches.

 

Bermuda: Local buses are cheap and fun to use.

 

Try www.whatsinport.com

Happy sailing!

[BklynBoy8]

6 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

St. Thomas: Shuttle to town ($4)

 

That is from Havensight and Crown Bay........Not if you are tendered to the area in front of and along Veterans Drive as our Ship does. You are in the heart of the shops, restaurants and even near the Post Office - Outdoor Market

Edited July 12, 2023 by BklynBoy8

[BklynBoy8]

9 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:

and the Old Town area which for some that may have ADA issues a bit of a Climb...

[Essiesmom]

37 minutes ago, Topdog52 said:

Out of these 5 ports, does anyone know if you can get off the ship and walk around instead of taking an excursion? Sometimes the towns are very 

close to the terminal and you can shop and sight see without getting an excursion. 

Royal Navy Dock Yard in Bermuda

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

St. Thomas, Virgin Island

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

All are walkable.  In St. Thomas it is easier if your ship docks at Havensight instead of Crown Bay.   In San Juan port calls dock right downtown.  There is a free Ho-Ho that comes by the piers.  
St. Maarten has a shopping area right by the pier, but it is not too bad a walk to the main town area, or you can take the water taxi.  Have not been to Puerto Plata, so it depends on whether you are going there or next door to Amber Cove.  EM

[mrgabriel]

We usually just walk around in ports unless there's something really compelling.

 

Royal Navy Dock Yard in Bermuda - yes - you can walk around. There's a nice museum to visit (fee) and some shops and restaurants. There is also a small beach that you have to pay to access. There's a ferry to other areas which we didn't really investigate. 

 

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten - we usually take a taxi to Divi Little Bay (about $7) and rent chairs on the beach. 

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico - absolutely lots to do/see walking. We have only once taken an excursion and that was a Segue tour up to the fort. Yeah, it's a hike up to the fort but if you want to burn off some of the excesses of time on the ship, it's exercise - lol

 

[JRG]

31 minutes ago, mrgabriel said:

San Juan, Puerto Rico - absolutely lots to do/see walking. We have only once taken an excursion and that was a Segue tour up to the fort. Yeah, it's a hike up to the fort but if you want to burn off some of the excesses of time on the ship, it's exercise - lol

 

Yes but it is much more than a fort.  You can position yourself in the exact same position that was used when the cannons were used to defend the port and the entrance to the new world and the islands of the Carribbean and beyond.

 

These places like this in the world, like the Rock of Gibraltar,  have to be appreciated for their military significance and the history that occured here.    I always wondered about the precision factor,  how these crude canons could hit a ship in the distance,   understanding how they did this can better be understood by standing in the places where the soldiers stood.

 

The fort is a good learning place and I believe it is a National Park too, maybe,  but I can't remember for sure.

 

And the hike is fun and not long up and around the same kind of hills where the Flying Nun used to do her thing on the TV show.

 

 

[Charles4515]

Bermuda, the Dockyard is walkable and has some shops but you really want to get out to other places in Bermuda and see the island. The ferries are right therein the Dockyard and run to Hamilton and St. George. There is easy minibus transportation to Horseshoe beach. Also public buses. Abundent taxis. There is no need to do an excursion. 

[Szt]

In Puerto Plata we walked through the tourist shops where only cruise guests are allowed and found cars waiting to take people on tours. We paid $100 (or $150 I can't remember) and had our own personal tour guide. He took us to a fantastic lunch at a real locals place, introduced us to owners who sat down and ate with us. He took us to all the historical and scenic sights, all while sharing the local perspective on politics and culture of the island. He even took us to a hidden spot next to a river where he picked pineapples for us to munch. He took us to a roadside fruit stand where we tried several fruits we have never heard of. The shop owner didn't want to charge us to taste the fruit but we insisted. He also took us to shops off the beaten path where prices were significantly less and quality more. It was one of the best days we have ever had on a cruise. If you're like us and want to experience the local culture, food and expand your world prospective this is the way to go. We also like that the money we spend goes directly into the local economy. Just be aware, they only take cash. And don't pay till the tour is over. Be sure have enough to tip your driver if he does a good job. 
There are drivers waiting at almost every port I've been to. Sometimes they are not allowed in the entry area. So you may have to walk a bit to find them. I think you are safe doing this almost anywhere in the Caribbean. But it's always good to check boards like this for each port, as you have done. Have a great time!

[navybankerteacher]

3 hours ago, Topdog52 said:

— 

Royal Navy Dock Yard in Bermuda - a large tourist trap, with a fair amount to waste time on, but the rest of the island is worth getting to.

 

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten- a 15/20 minute walk to Phillipsburg where there are lots of shops and a pretty decent beach.

 

St. Thomas, Virgin Island- depends on which facility , but the island is pretty much a big shopping mall - here is where I would spring for a tour over to St. John.

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico - a beautiful old Spanish Colonial city with great 16th Century harbor fort - up hill walk, but they might still have the free trams I used last time I was there.

 

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic- not been there, but I think it is just a beach area for cruise ship passengers.

 

[Topdog52]

43 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Thank everyone!! There are some great ideas here.

 

[slidergirl]

3 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

Then you should have said you thought it may be an issue for some.  You made it a blanket statement. 

[dolittle]

5 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

Bermuda, the Dockyard is walkable and has some shops but you really want to get out to other places in Bermuda and see the island. The ferries are right therein the Dockyard and run to Hamilton and St. George. There is easy minibus transportation to Horseshoe beach. Also public buses. Abundent taxis. There is no need to do an excursion. 

The mini buses to Horseshoe beach are cheap, clean and the drivers are pro's . 

[Hlitner]

Lets deal with a basic question.  Folks can get off ships in just about any port of the world and do their own thing without excursions.  We routinely do this with dozens of ports a year...all over the world!  So the answer to the OP's specific question is YES, you can get off at any of those ports and do your own thing without an excursion (or tour).  Some ports are easier in that they are located close or in town.  Consider that in St Maarten, you can walk from the expansive port into town, or just take a water shuttle that runs between the port and two docks in nearby Philipsburg.  St Thomas has two cruise ports and they each have their own issues,  From Havensight, it is possible for a good walker to walk from the port around the harbor and into downtown Charlotte Amalie.  There are also inexpensive shared taxis to just about anywhere on the island.   San Juan is somewhat dependent on your actual docking position, but most are within walking distance of downtown San Juan.  I cannot speak to Puerto Plata since we have not been there on a ship (have been to the DR for all-inclusives).

 

Hank

 

 

[new_cruiser]

There are forums for these ports in the Ports of Call section of these boards. That's the best place to research whether an excursion or a DIY exploration of the town is a better fit for you.

[janetz]

Yes to all 😊

[lenquixote66]

We prefer the ferry in Bermuda to the local bus.

[Mum2Mercury]

On 7/12/2023 at 12:01 PM, JRG said:

Yes but it is much more than a fort.  You can position yourself in the exact same position that was used when the cannons were used to defend the port and the entrance to the new world and the islands of the Carribbean and beyond ...

 

The fort is a good learning place and I believe it is a National Park too, maybe,  but I can't remember for sure ... 

RP has several old forts to visit.  Two of our four girls used what they learned at these forts for school projects later.  

 

Yes, the most common forts are National Parks, and you can get in without charge if you have the America The Beautiful pass.  We did a driving trip focusing on America's national parks one year, and that pass was a big money saver ... the next summer we used it (just before it expired!) at the PR forts.  Excellent value.  

On 7/12/2023 at 7:14 PM, Hlitner said:

Lets deal with a basic question.  Folks can get off ships in just about any port of the world and do their own thing without excursions. 

Yes, cruise passengers aren't prisoners!  

[AKJonesy]

Upvote #18.  

[Lois R]

On 7/15/2023 at 1:00 PM, janetz said:

Yes to all 😊

I agree......I have never been to the last port but I have been to others and in my opinion, you don't need to take an excursion in any of those as they are all walkable.