Southern Caribbean in Feb... Anything that is a "must-see"??

[SuperLarz]

We are taking our first cruise in February on the Caribbean Princess to the Southern Caribbean. Our itinerary includes: San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba.

 

I am going crazy with research, trying to decide what is the "best" way to spend each day in port, since it will be our first time there. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions of places or activities that are NOT TO MISS on this trip?? What are your very favorite things that you would highly recommend??

 

My hubby and I are mid-thirties and fairly active. We enjoy snorkeling, the beach, hiking, shopping, swimming, visiting historical sites, etc. Pretty much anything goes... except I don't want to just sit in a van or bus all day having a "tour" where we just look at stuff through the windows!

 

We are also considering taking a sailing/snorkeling excursion (at least one.) Which island would be the best for this, and which excursion company would you recommend?? Having an open-bar and lunch provided is a plus!

 

Thanks in advance for your suggestions! I will appreciate ANY advice you can give me!

 

Amy

[chrysalis]

Take the water taxi over to Kleine Bonaire when in Bonaire....it is a deserted island and the beach and snorkeling are fantastic.

[rcacace]

When stopped in St Thomas, take a tour to St Johns or do it on your own. Other than shopping, St Johns is much more beautiful for scenery, beaches & snorkeling.

[JerseyGuys]

We did this same cruise in November....great time. Our favorites were Dominica, Bonaire and St. Thomas

 

We did a private tour of Dominica which unfortunately I dont have the providers names.

 

Although a truly lovely island with a very rugged interior and rain forest, Dominica’s beaches are small, rocky and with black sand – not the best in the Caribbean - so for our excursion here we headed inland through the Rain Forest and banana plantations. Our first stop was Titou Gorge (as seen in Pirates of the Caribbean), where we swam for about 50 feet through a narrow cave-like gorge until we approached an opening to the lovely Trafalgar Falls… be prepared; the water is brisk, but refreshing! For me this is not to be missed. From here we went to Screw’s Mineral Springs, a series of 5 or 6 hot springs to soak in - it is said the mineral springs are great for drawing out toxins. Our tour also included trafalgar falls. It is a bit of a hike if you actually want to get to the base of Trafalgar falls but it is fairly easy. (I highly recommend it) Its easy going down but a little tiring hiking up. The rocks the closer you get to the base start getting a little slippery. Take the opportunity when you reach the base to take a quick swim in the water, that will refresh you for the walk back up. I think Trafalgar falls is a must see IMHO

 

Attached a site that give you some guidance as far as how strenuous the dominca sites are. Some good information http://www.visit-dominica.com/hiking.cfm

 

In St. Thomas we went on a private catamaran charter with Castaway girls. Really a first class operation. We sailed for about 30 minutes on a 70-man catamaran, bound for the great snorkeling at Buck Island National Park. This half-day excursion gave us plenty of time for magnificent underwater exploring as well as beach time. Follow the underwater trail with plaques to describe the marine life. We swam with Blue Tangs, Angelfish, Clownfish and also saw majestic sea turtles and spotted stingrays who eat the local wild sea grass. We were first time snorklers but it was an easy and

wonderful adventure. The crew on Castaway Girl are young and attentive. It also includes Beer and Rum bunch after your done snorkeling. Princess offers similar excursions through them

 

By far our favorite excursion was a Princess excursion in Bonaire

[JerseyGuys]

I had the opportunity to take the Day at the Beach Excursion in Bonaire. First time I had ever visited Bonaire. It was a beautiful day in Bonaire, very hot, unseasonably warm according to the people in Bonaire. A caution the sand beaches at this resort are crushed coral. You need water shoes while entering and exiting the water. It is not fine white sand that one normally expects at the beach

 

Picked up at the dock by a bus for the short ride to the Plaza Resort Bonaire. This was a welcome change as some other excursion we had been on required bus rides of 30-60 minutes. The resort is a large hotel complex with all the amenities, fresh water pool, snorkeling equipment, gift shop, volleyball area and a couple of bars and restaurants.

 

The staff gave a quick orientation to the resort and then escorted us to the beach. Beach was a long beach of white sand. Not a criticism but the sand in Bonaire seems more of a mix of crushed coral and sand, making aqua shoes a must. Plenty of lounge chairs area available as well as shade. The sun was very hot the day we visited, so make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen. The farther up the beach you go the more private the beach area becomes

 

Lots of rocks and coral when entering the water to swim or snorkel, but the water is beautiful and clear. Great opportunity for snorkeling. Most of the fish are relatively close to the shore. Beautiful views of boats sailing by all day long, as well as a great view of the Caribbean Princess at it's dock. Nice small bar right on the beach, very friendly staff, and some nice dutch beers. Staff at the resort are extremely friendly and helpful, and their dutch accents just add to the experience. Large number of european vacationers staying at the resort. For you aviation buffs the Bonaire airport is in view from Tipsy Seagull Restaurant. I had the opportunity to watch a KLM DC-10 approach from the ocean in the afternoon. Check your airline schedules if you like to photograph airliners.

 

The excursion comes with free non-alcoholic fruit punch and water dispensers. A barbecue lunch is also included. Lunch was very good, salad, tuna/macaroni salad, grilled chicken and a couple types of fish. I'm not a fish lover but it two fishes served were very good. It's all you can eat so enjoy. Tables are set up under a canopy with plenty of fresh ice water.

 

At the conclusion of the day there are fresh water showers and restroom facilities to clean up or change before transportation back to the ship. We arrived back to the dock in plenty of time to spend a couple hours of walking around downtown and do a little shopping.

 

I thought the excursion was a great day at the beach very relaxing and a good first time excursion to Bonaire.

[psbtrvlr]

In San Juan go kayaking at a bio bay. It's a lot of fun and it's very interesting. This is who we used: Kayakingpuertorico.com

[PescadoAmarillo]

Champagne Reef on Dominica is a not-to-be-missed snorkel trip. Book it through the ship; they use a great and safe dive company to run the trips. Two years ago in January we had a school of dolphins play around our boat for 20 minutes or so.

[chrysalis]

Champagne Reef on Dominica is a not-to-be-missed snorkel trip. Book it through the ship; they use a great and safe dive company to run the trips. Two years ago in January we had a school of dolphins play around our boat for 20 minutes or so.

 

We had high hopes for that excursion a couple of years ago...but the reef was overrun with jellyfish whose stinging caused discomfort for about 50% of the people on the excursion. The other interesting thing that happened while anchored over the reef as we were getting instructions from the dive crew were the number of people who said "I can't swim....what am I going to do?"

[team486]

you must rent a jeep in aruba and drive the coast all the way around the island and stop at baby beach to snorkel in the best spot we have ever snorkeld. there are millions of beautiful fish and crystal clear water. and the coast line drive is wonderful too. take some dog biscuits to feed the fish while you snorkel. you get go over some rocks and hills on the other side of the island but it is fun and there is many people you can follow around the coastline. stop at the small rock bridge for pictures and then on to the larger one for a cold beer and a look around. but the large rock bridge was collapsed a few years ago buy a earthquake i think? all in all a wonderfull way to spend the day in aruba.

[PescadoAmarillo]

We had high hopes for that excursion a couple of years ago...but the reef was overrun with jellyfish...

I'm sorry you had that issue, because it really is a spectacular excursion. If you get back there, give it another try. I don't know if the month of the year makes a difference jelly fish-wise, but we went in January and had no issues. At first I was a bit disappointed, because the first part of the snorkel is just a good snorkel, but minimal bubbling. Then you migrate toward the Champagne Reef, and it was everything I had hoped for plus some.

 

Dive Dominica runs the ship's excursions, and they were very safety conscious. We didn't have any non-swimmers that I know of, but then, I would have missed them. I'm such a fish that I'm the first off and last back on the boat.

[SuperLarz]

Thanks everyone for your fabulous suggestions, and an extra bonus to JerseyGuys for the detailed descriptions!! I will definitely be looking in to these activities!!

 

Team486: I love your idea of renting a jeep in Aruba. We rented a convertible VW Bug in Cozumel and did the same thing. Drove around the island, stopped at the local "beach clubs" (some of them aren't much more than huts!) and snorkeled and sampled the local guacamole and margaritas! It was one of our favorite days in Mexico!

 

I'm considering a tour in Dominica that includes the Falls, the hot springs, and ends with the Champagne reef. I've seen a couple advertised, I thing all of those things sound amazing!

 

Hmmm... so now the question is this... On St. Thomas, do I take a catamaran tour, go kayaking, go to St. John, take a St. Thomas island tour, or head to Water Island for a quiet day on Honeymoon beach?? Still too many choices! ;) But I guess this is a GOOD problem to have!!

 

Thanks again for all of your help!!

[Jen_BC]

Another idea for Bonaire would be land-sailing - you can only go through a ships tour, but the track is not too far from the dock and it was a great morning out. The early time slots leave plenty of time to do other things as well.

[pepedoc]

Your intinerary sounds like mine with the Caribbean Princess.

 

I´ve planned the following this based on recommendations from friends.

 

9.02. St. Thomas US Virgin Islands - Rental Car

10.02. Dominica - Rental Car (Island tour on my own)

11.02. Grenada --> prebooked tour with Spice Isle Tours

12.02. Bonaire --> Water Taxi to Klein Bonaire

13.02. Aruba - trip with Jolly Pirates

Maybe you got some new ideas for your cruise ;-)

 

Greetings, Peter

[rdsqrl]

I love El Morro fortress in Old San Juan. In fact, I love Old San Juan. (I love all of Puerto Rico, come to think of it!) If you're into historical sites, I wouldn't miss it. There's also Castillo San Cristobal, which is closer to the ship -- it's neat but to me, El Morro is the better one to visit. The Pablo Casals Museum (not far from El M.) is interesting if you're a classical music lover, and the Cathedral of San Juan is beautiful. Then just wander the streets of OSJ enjoying the architecture (and averting your eyes from the encroaching U.S. chain stores -- although there is that Coach outlet. . . ). Drop into El Convento and have a cocktail at the beautiful bar there or slip into Barraachina, they claim to be the home of the pina colada and they do make a delicious one! Further out of town, El Yunque, the National Park Service's only rainforest, is beautiful. You'd need transportation there and back, but it's easy to tour on your own and their website has lots of helpful info.

[katieemily]

Thanks everyone for your fabulous suggestions, and an extra bonus to JerseyGuys for the detailed descriptions!! I will definitely be looking in to these activities!!

 

Team486: I love your idea of renting a jeep in Aruba. We rented a convertible VW Bug in Cozumel and did the same thing. Drove around the island, stopped at the local "beach clubs" (some of them aren't much more than huts!) and snorkeled and sampled the local guacamole and margaritas! It was one of our favorite days in Mexico!

 

I'm considering a tour in Dominica that includes the Falls, the hot springs, and ends with the Champagne reef. I've seen a couple advertised, I thing all of those things sound amazing!

 

Hmmm... so now the question is this... On St. Thomas, do I take a catamaran tour, go kayaking, go to St. John, take a St. Thomas island tour, or head to Water Island for a quiet day on Honeymoon beach?? Still too many choices! ;) But I guess this is a GOOD problem to have!!

 

Thanks again for all of your help!!

TripAdvisor gives top recommendations for all venues. Give it a try.

John

[SuperLarz]

Your intinerary sounds like mine with the Caribbean Princess.

 

I´ve planned the following this based on recommendations from friends.

 

9.02. St. Thomas US Virgin Islands - Rental Car

10.02. Dominica - Rental Car (Island tour on my own)

11.02. Grenada --> prebooked tour with Spice Isle Tours

12.02. Bonaire --> Water Taxi to Klein Bonaire

13.02. Aruba - trip with Jolly Pirates

Maybe you got some new ideas for your cruise ;-)

 

Greetings, Peter

 

 

Hi Peter! Yes, we are on the same cruise as you, Caribbean Princess, departing on Feb. 8th!

 

We actually have a "Roll Call" going for this sailing over in the roll call boards. Come check it out if you haven't already.

 

I still haven't decided on our island activities... too many choices!! But I think I'm getting closer!

Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions!

 

35 days to go...

[shashi883]

You have to go snorkeling in Bonaire. It is amazing.

[jfv379]

slip into Barraachina, they claim to be the home of the pina colada and they do make a delicious one!

 

For your second Pina Colada, have them pour Tia Maria in the straw.:confused:

 

In Jamaca they call this drink, "Lead in your pencil":eek:

 

That's really delicious:D

[cruzzers]

Definately don't miss the snorkeling in Bonaire! The entire island is surrounded by a National Marine Park and it is great snorkeling anywhere you put your head underwater. There are some private tours that are outstanding and the locals know the best places to take you. You can get off the ship and walk a few blocks to a wonderful beach to snorkel. The water bus is a good idea to Klein Bonaire as well. There is nothing on the island but sand but the water is beautiful. There is a rock ledge that drops off where the fish are plentiful.

[swom]

They had a power snorkel excursion in Aruba through the ship that was fantastic.

Look and see if Princess offers it and go for it. You won't regret it.

[mar1lyn27]

I just returned from this cruise 2 days ago; we took excursions in each port.

Hands down, the river tubing in Dominica was the best and most exciting! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[CarolinaColada]

I just returned from this cruise 2 days ago; we took excursions in each port.

Hands down, the river tubing in Dominica was the best and most exciting! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

Did you do the tour through Princess? We are looking to do this the end of Jan. Would love details of your excursion.

[kerryw29]

While in Bonaire last year - we went to a beach - I think called Bon Bini and loved it!!!

 

it was a taxi ride form teh ship = but was probably the most beautiful beach we have ever been to!