Why Tortola and not St. Kitts

[Bermuda2]

Anyone know why RCCL mainly Explorer 12 day cruises dropped St. Kitts for Tortola?

Curious as we are taking a 12 day in Mar 2010 and would have probably enjoyed St Kitts more

[Mark_K]

Anyone know why RCCL mainly Explorer 12 day cruises dropped St. Kitts for Tortola?

Curious as we are taking a 12 day in Mar 2010 and would have probably enjoyed St Kitts more

Celebrity's Equinox will be stopping there beginning late 2009, maybe they needed to open a spot for it.

[nosmothj]

Having been to St Kitts we are looking forward to going to Torola, only wish we stayed longer. Leave at 1PM.

[philnpen]

I don't know if any incentive is offered, but one of the cruise lines built a pier in Tortola that can handle three ships and up to 5,000 pax. Other lines can use it also and maybe the local gov't has found out about all the free spending tourists on cruise ships and are offering (can bribe be used?) incentives to ships stopping there. Before, Tortola was a place for great diving but one had to fly there or sail on a smaller boat.

 

We are scheduled for a Grandeur out of Tampa in Nov that has San Juan, St. Maartin, Antigua, St. Kitts, and Tortola as scheduled stops. Looking forward to this cruise.

[SusieV]

St Kitts is boring. Tortola is amazing! I'd be thrilled with the change.

[tssace]

We loved Tortola - I wouldn't be sorry to stop there! We've been twice and I'd return in an instant. St. Kitts didn't seem to have as much to offer cruise ship passengers - I think it is a better stay-island.

[Davey Interweb]

I'd take a stop in Tortola over one in St. Kitts in a heartbeat. The Baths are one of my favorite ways to spend a day.

[negc]

We only recently visited St. Kitts on a cruise. It was our first visit and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. However, we have yet to visit Tortola and would really like to do so on a future cruise. Perhaps, after visiting both ports we might have an opinion as to which port of call we like better, but we also understand that there can be any number of changes that require a change in itineraries - available docking facilities, distance and time between ports of call, passenger surveys, port charges and related fees, and probably a dozen others that only those who have the responsibility for establishing itineraries would be familiar with. If another itinerary suits you better perhaps you should investigate the possibility of changing cruises. Or, you can stick with this cruise and you might find things about Tortola which will make your stop there worthwhile.:) There have been so many complaints that RCI only offers standard itineraries and doesn't include new or different ports of call. In the last year or so, however, they have added a number of less visited islands to their Caribbean itineraries and I think that they should be encouraged to continue doing so. :rolleyes:

[Bermuda2]

Thanks everyone. Seems like what I'm hearing I'm going to love Tortola

[The Flying Pirate]

Tortola is an amazing port. If you are a SCUBA diver don't miss the wreck of the RMS Rhone, it is an awesome dive site not to be missed. For the non diver, Tortola has a lot to offer, including a side trip to the famous Baths of Virgin Gorda. We loved Tortola and can't wait to go back.

[wvufan]

We love Tortola. The Baths are spectacular, and Brewer's Bay is a great place to snorkel.

 

One of the reasons we selected the Explorer for a future cruise was that it stops in Tortola.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE:D :D Bob and Phyl

[aqhacruiser]

Anyone know why RCCL mainly Explorer 12 day cruises dropped St. Kitts for Tortola?

Curious as we are taking a 12 day in Mar 2010 and would have probably enjoyed St Kitts more

 

We went to St. Kitts on the 12/2 southern last year and we liked it very much but this Nov. on our 12 night we will visit Tortola for the first time so looking forward to that. But on our 4/26/09 13 night southern we get to go to both St. Kitts and Tortola! :D

[chopper825]

It is so nice to have some different Caribbean ports besides the same old standards. I can't wait to go to Tortola. Only problem is the half day we will be there.

 

Hey WVUfan - I am also a WVU fan. My son just graduated from WVU and my best friends two daughters are there. We are big WVU sports fans. Sorry, I know it's off topic but I couldn't let it go.

[2boyzmom]

Don't miss Sebastians in Tortola. Great beach and great "pain killers" :)

St.Kitts is an island I would not return to if I had a choice...

[itsajoke]

I spent a week in Tortola nine years ago in Cane Garden Bay and it was one of my very favorite vacations.

 

The island is beautiful, the people are friendly and they have some spectacular beaches.

 

It's too bad the ships don't stay in port longer, because it is really a great place!

[onelegcraig]

We were in Tortola this March, and jumped on that sailing when RCI switched from Antigua to Tortola. Tortola is now our most favorite island, and we are planning to go back for a week soon. A day just wasn't enough. LOVED Savannah Bay, and my wife and son still talk about The Baths. The people were about the friendliest we've met anywhere, and we felt very safe.

[seatraveler24]

Hello, I'm sure it has to do with port scheduling and available births. In my humble opinion I liked Tortola much Better. St Kitts has 1 beach that was recommended. If you don't want to stay in Tortola while your there,take a ferry over to Virgin Gorda ($30) round trip on Speedy's ferry service. We went to the Baths National park. It was one of the most beautiful places that I have been in 34 cruises. It's only about a 30 minute ferry ride. St. Kitts is really just starting to get many cruise ships. I was surprised at what little was developed. There were about 30-40 shops at the pier and that's about it. There was a resort/casino being developed when we where there in January.It is inland as we saw it while doing the double decker train around the island.Hope this helps. David

[High C's]

Our stop in Tortola is scheduled from 7 am to 1 pm. Will that be enough time to visit the Baths? If not, what is the SECOND best place to visit in Tortola????

[39august]

We also had limited time in Tortola in Jan. Just take the ship's tour to The Baths. That way you are guarenteed to return to the ship on time. I certainly wouldn't want to try it on my own in that time frame!

[Host Kewlguy]

Our stop in Tortola is scheduled from 7 am to 1 pm. Will that be enough time to visit the Baths? If not' date=' what is the SECOND best place to visit in Tortola????[/quote']

 

Brewers Bay.

[Host Kewlguy]

We were in Tortola this March, and jumped on that sailing when RCI switched from Antigua to Tortola. Tortola is now our most favorite island, and we are planning to go back for a week soon. A day just wasn't enough. LOVED Savannah Bay, and my wife and son still talk about The Baths. The people were about the friendliest we've met anywhere, and we felt very safe.

 

We enjoyed our day in Antigua as well as Tortola. Antigua has some beautiful beaches.

[sea-cruise]

Before, Tortola was a place for great diving but one had to fly there or sail on a smaller boat.

So true! We visited 29 of the Caribbean & Bahama Islands and snorkeled many of them when the ships were smaller and able to get into unique ports. Everything is very commercial now.