Just Got Back

[Boltonmusicman]

First time cruiser returned from Sea Princess Caribbean 31st Jan to 14 Feb.

Some useful info hopefully.

Firstly get a local map from the Tourist Office, usually close to ship.

Grand Cayman.

Not particularly pretty, a bit flat. 7 mile Beach beautiful. Took taxi $4 one way and walked back to ship. Easy and took about 1 hour strolling.

Aruba.

Oranjestaad very pretty, worth looking round. Some expensive shops. Took independent trip for 1 hour at $10pp . Went to lighthouse and to beautiful Eagle Beach.

Bonaire.

Not as commercial as Aruba. Did independent tour to National Park for 2 hours £25pp. Recommend you book these independent tours as soon as your disembark. We waited until after lunch and there was less choice and you have to wait until the taxi has sufficient clients.. Good trip. Saw flamingos, wild boar, birds, driver very informative. Pretty colourful fish in harbour near ship.

Isla Margarita.

Large Island with green and mountainous interior. Decided on Princess tour here as dock is miles from anywhere. There is a small beach easily reached from ship. Not the best beach but acceptable. 5 hour trip took us to the National Park with a Marine Biologist guide. Very informative. Went to Marine Museum, wildlife park and boat trip on Mangrove Swamps. Did not see independent operators here.

Grenada.

One of our favourite islands. Green and mountainous. Famous a spice island. Lots to buy. Easy water taxi trip to Great Anse Beach only $4pp each way. Regular taxi costs $15pp each way. Great Beach.

Barbados.

Another favourite. Went on independent tour $20 for 2 hours. Informative guide. Saw lots of sugar cane plantations and local history.

Dominica.

Another favourite. Volcanic Island with 365 rivers. Not good for beaches. Mountainous, rain forest interior. Had $20pp 2 hour trip with independent guide to rain forest, hot springs and water falls. Need good shoes here and perhaps a light waterproof as it rains every day in the mountains but does not last long. Also walked to Botanical Gardens just 10 min from ship. Very interesting.

Antigua.

Get a local map from the Tourist Office near port

Another great place. Caught local bus Number 17 from West Bus Station to Nelsons Dockyard. $3 for both of us each way. About a half hour ride. The best bargain of the week. Bus stops outside dockyard about every 15min. Lots of interest here. Spent about 3hr and had a walk to headland. $5 each admission.

St Maarten.

Beach very handy to walk from ship or take water taxi.

St Thomas.

Not keen on this especially as it was not on our original schedule. Had to get out of bed at dawn to go through USA immigration procedures. Not happy about this.

Town mainly about Jewellery and Watches. Cable car at Paradise Peak a rip off at $21 pp. Did not bother as it was only a small hill.

If you go here better to book Cruise Line Tour. No local beach.

Samana(Dominican Republic)

Quite pretty but not much there. Hassled a lot by children selling shells and shoe shine and local taxis.

Went on independent whale watching ride with Amilka Tours. $45 pp for about 2 hours. Given lifejackets and seem a reputable firm. Saw quite a few whales but be prepared for a white knuckle ride to the whale area, the a lot of wallowing about in high seas when the whales are spotted. Don’t eat before this trip.

Montego Bay.

Book a Cruise Line tour here. Not safe to walk about. Guards everywhere round the port.

[hon2u]

First time cruiser returned from Sea Princess Caribbean 31st Jan to 14 Feb.

Some useful info hopefully.

Firstly get a local map from the Tourist Office, usually close to ship.

Grand Cayman.

Not particularly pretty, a bit flat. 7 mile Beach beautiful. Took taxi $4 one way and walked back to ship. Easy and took about 1 hour strolling.

Aruba.

Oranjestaad very pretty, worth looking round. Some expensive shops. Took independent trip for 1 hour at $10pp . Went to lighthouse and to beautiful Eagle Beach.

Bonaire.

Not as commercial as Aruba. Did independent tour to National Park for 2 hours £25pp. Recommend you book these independent tours as soon as your disembark. We waited until after lunch and there was less choice and you have to wait until the taxi has sufficient clients.. Good trip. Saw flamingos, wild boar, birds, driver very informative. Pretty colourful fish in harbour near ship.

Isla Margarita.

Large Island with green and mountainous interior. Decided on Princess tour here as dock is miles from anywhere. There is a small beach easily reached from ship. Not the best beach but acceptable. 5 hour trip took us to the National Park with a Marine Biologist guide. Very informative. Went to Marine Museum, wildlife park and boat trip on Mangrove Swamps. Did not see independent operators here.

Grenada.

One of our favourite islands. Green and mountainous. Famous a spice island. Lots to buy. Easy water taxi trip to Great Anse Beach only $4pp each way. Regular taxi costs $15pp each way. Great Beach.

Barbados.

Another favourite. Went on independent tour $20 for 2 hours. Informative guide. Saw lots of sugar cane plantations and local history.

Dominica.

Another favourite. Volcanic Island with 365 rivers. Not good for beaches. Mountainous, rain forest interior. Had $20pp 2 hour trip with independent guide to rain forest, hot springs and water falls. Need good shoes here and perhaps a light waterproof as it rains every day in the mountains but does not last long. Also walked to Botanical Gardens just 10 min from ship. Very interesting.

Antigua.

Get a local map from the Tourist Office near port

Another great place. Caught local bus Number 17 from West Bus Station to Nelsons Dockyard. $3 for both of us each way. About a half hour ride. The best bargain of the week. Bus stops outside dockyard about every 15min. Lots of interest here. Spent about 3hr and had a walk to headland. $5 each admission.

St Maarten.

Beach very handy to walk from ship or take water taxi.

St Thomas.

Not keen on this especially as it was not on our original schedule. Had to get out of bed at dawn to go through USA immigration procedures. Not happy about this.

Town mainly about Jewellery and Watches. Cable car at Paradise Peak a rip off at $21 pp. Did not bother as it was only a small hill.

If you go here better to book Cruise Line Tour. No local beach.

Samana(Dominican Republic)

Quite pretty but not much there. Hassled a lot by children selling shells and shoe shine and local taxis.

Went on independent whale watching ride with Amilka Tours. $45 pp for about 2 hours. Given lifejackets and seem a reputable firm. Saw quite a few whales but be prepared for a white knuckle ride to the whale area, the a lot of wallowing about in high seas when the whales are spotted. Don’t eat before this trip.

Montego Bay.

Book a Cruise Line tour here. Not safe to walk about. Guards everywhere round the port.

 

I like your short, sweet and honest opinion. Thanks! :D

I cannot believe so many have read with no response! I appreciate anyone that takes time to post! Cheers! :)

[jtsbusiness]

Hi Boltonmusician. Can you remember any of the independent tours that you took - eg who with etc? We are doing this cruise soon, and it would be a great help.

Thanks

[PortHarry]

Sounds like a detailed critic. I'll not be able to sahre something like this just yet. Glad to see you had a great time.

[Kittycat]

hi Boltonmusic man, we will be in Dominican Republic in February and are interested in the whale watching trip - would you recommend it? Did they pick you up from the ship and what were the arrangements for payment. Sounds like you had a great trip - hope ours is as good.

[chachi]

Sounds like a great itinerary!

[samavarcruiser]

Thanks for sharing :D