momsbusy Posted June 5, 2009 #1 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Hi, We are sailing the Victory to the Southern Carib, and I'm planning excursions. I'd love to hear what everyone's opinions are about the Best Beaches, the Best shopping, are there any "absolutely, do not miss this" things you recommend? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wentworth Posted June 5, 2009 #2 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Hi, We are sailing the Victory to the Southern Carib, and I'm planning excursions. I'd love to hear what everyone's opinions are about the Best Beaches, the Best shopping, are there any "absolutely, do not miss this" things you recommend? Thanks! Hi mom Go to the Port of Calls and look on each island. Much info there on all the excursions and beaches. Enjoy your cruise. We sailed on the Victory in March and it was our favorite cruise. Beautiful islands. Many ports and lots of choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiggerman101 Posted June 5, 2009 #3 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I went on it in March. It took a lot of "homework" and planning, but it made the time go by quicker. Just do the research and figure out what you want from each island. They are all beautiful places. Also get involved in your roll call. We had a great one and bounced a lot of ideas of one another. Plus you can always find a couple people to do tours with, etc. Check out my detailed review with a lot of pics in my signature. Have fun planning. I love that part of a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsbusy Posted June 5, 2009 Author #4 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Wow, I love your review and the pictures! Can't wait to read it all! Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green eyed lady Posted June 5, 2009 #5 Share Posted June 5, 2009 what ports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribeFan Posted June 5, 2009 #6 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I also just posted a review that was long on excursion info. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=997758&highlight= As already recommended, you need to visit the various POC boards and do some reading there to get an idea of what are the "in" things to do at the various ports. Visit the vendors' websites, too. Email them with specific questions. I would highly recommend every excursion operator I had on that cruise. They were all excellent. I spent hours and hours doing my research before I started booking the excursions. I'm afraid there's no shortcuts to be had. What one person thinks is important to see/do on a given island may not appeal to the next person. It just depends on what you want from this itinerary. Since all the ports were new to me other than St Thomas, I felt it was important to tour the islands to get a feel for the history and culture. I like to get to "know" the islands when I first visit. Then, if I get to return, I've seen the highlights and have a much better idea of what I think is best to do at that particular POC. I can't spend all that money and travel all that way to "just" go to a beach, but some people are fine with that. I feel compelled to do more. But 5 of the 6 excursions we took had beach stops. So, to me, we got the best of everything - islands tours with informative guides plus a little time for R&R on the beaches. If at all possible, I also highly recommend going to San Juan a day (at least) early, and staying a couple of days after. Old San Juan is a fantastic place to visit, and the post-cruise days were great to just rest after the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcs819 Posted June 5, 2009 #7 Share Posted June 5, 2009 read my review in my signature for the Norwegian Jewel, lots of pics, and valuable info there about excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aplmac Posted June 5, 2009 #8 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Go to the Port of Calls and look on each island. Much info there on all the excursions and beaches. . Here you go...http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587 Bottom Bay -Barbados! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aplmac Posted June 5, 2009 #9 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Wow, I love your review and the pictures! Can't wait to read it all! ===> You haven't seen this... Here too...http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=880248 Overlooking Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minoushka Posted June 5, 2009 #10 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I have been many times to the Southern Carib but I doubt it qualifies me as an expert ....HOWEVER ..here are my suggestions Kontiki Beach in Curacao after a walk in town -great shopping fun floating market Coki Beach in St Thomas -shopping in Havensight or Downtown Tortola - Ferry to Virgin Gorda and the Baths Antigua -Local bus to Darkwood Beach St Lucia -Marigot beach Grenada -shopping for spices Roseau -whale watching St Maarten -Shopping ...beach San Juan -Rain forest Aruba -local bus to beaches -walk in town Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grits53 Posted June 5, 2009 #11 Share Posted June 5, 2009 What is the itinerary? If you go to St Lucia, I highly recommend Cosol's tour. If you go to St Kitts, Thenford Grey's tour is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsbusy Posted June 5, 2009 Author #12 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Scream! I can't wait. You all are so much help, thanks! Our ports are San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts. We're staying in San Juan 3 nights prior to the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mysteriousbug Posted June 5, 2009 #13 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Hi! When are you going on your Southern Cruise on the Victory... We're doing the exact same cruise in July on the 11th - 19th:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAWS Posted June 5, 2009 #14 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Scream! I can't wait. You all are so much help, thanks! Our ports are San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts.We're staying in San Juan 3 nights prior to the cruise. We did this sailing this past March. It was a fabulous cruise. A couple of "must do" suggestions for you are: Dominica - Reyno's Tours (island tour) This tour is wonderful and they will take the whole day to proudly show you their island. This was the least touristy port and hands down it was our favourite. I think the pride of the residents was the thing that really put it over the top for us. Barbados - Silver Moon catamaran excursion. They offer 12 or 24 max people. We went on the 24 max one and there weren't 24 people on that catamaran. The boat was clean, the service extremely attentive and the crew weren't pushy at all. St. Lucia - Serenity Tours (island tour) Again just a simply wonderful and full day. I can't recommend Serenity highly enough. We saw so much and the island is stunning. Tour operator and driver were extremely proud to show their island and we have an unforgettable day. By the time we got to Antigua and St. Kitts we were happy to do beach days. It helped slow the cruise down a little and give us the much needed R&R that we needed by then. Have a great time! You've booked a super cruise. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbean dreams Posted June 5, 2009 #15 Share Posted June 5, 2009 We did this sailing this past March. . How was the weather in March?? I have sailed Southern Caribbean a few times but always in June, July or August, Just hoping the water will be as nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aplmac Posted June 5, 2009 #16 Share Posted June 5, 2009 - sailing away from the island? Carnival Victory . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsbusy Posted June 5, 2009 Author #17 Share Posted June 5, 2009 We sail July 26th. For the tours, did you book directly with the operator, such as for Dominica and St. Lucia, or with Carnival? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAWS Posted June 5, 2009 #18 Share Posted June 5, 2009 How was the weather in March?? I have sailed Southern Caribbean a few times but always in June, July or August, Just hoping the water will be as nice. The weather was absolutely perfect. The only day we had any rain was in St. Thomas and I was firmly stuck in a jewellry store so didn't care! LOL The rain cleared up throughout the day though and we still were able to do our tour and beach break. We always sail mid March because dh is a teacher, and we've always had wonderful weather in the Caribbean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAWS Posted June 5, 2009 #19 Share Posted June 5, 2009 We sail July 26th. For the tours, did you book directly with the operator, such as for Dominica and St. Lucia, or with Carnival? We booked directly with the tour operators. Just google the tour operators that I mentioned and you'll easily find them. Private excursions are usually cheaper with less people in them and much more attentive. I only book cruise excursions if my time is extremely tight or I can't get the tour I want independently and the cruise line is the only place to get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbean dreams Posted June 5, 2009 #20 Share Posted June 5, 2009 The weather was absolutely perfect. The only day we had any rain was in St. Thomas and I was firmly stuck in a jewellry store so didn't care! LOL The rain cleared up throughout the day though and we still were able to do our tour and beach break. We always sail mid March because dh is a teacher, and we've always had wonderful weather in the Caribbean. Thanks, glad to here that, of course i am always hoping there wil be no rain but atleast I won't have to worry about Hurricanes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PaddleAddict Posted June 5, 2009 #21 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Scream! I can't wait. You all are so much help, thanks! Our ports are San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Kitts.We're staying in San Juan 3 nights prior to the cruise. Wow, this looks like a stellar port line up. I am jealous! In Dominica, I can't say enough wonderful things about Bumpiing Tours (yes, it's spelled correctly). They took us hiking to see incredible waterfalls, swimming in a natural gorge and soaking in natural hot springs. Simply incredible, great price, only four of us on the tour, wonderful tour guide and this is probably one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen. In Antigua, I also highly recommend Eli's Eco Tour. Amazing snorkling and hiking and cruising through the mangroves. It was excellent with an excellent lunch. Those two tours are the best I have done on all my cruises. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
green eyed lady Posted June 5, 2009 #22 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Barbados - SilverMoon Catamaran St. Lucia - zipline - booked with Frank (google St. Lucia Frank) We did 3 days post cruise in San Juan. Where are you staying? We did the ATVs in the rainforest with Hacienda Carabali...lots of fun! We also did the Segway tour of Old San Juan. Southern route was our favorite :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsbusy Posted June 5, 2009 Author #23 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Ok, I am so appreciative of all the ideas, keep them coming. For our San Juan stay, I'm still up in the air between the Hilton Caribe or the El Conquistador. My itinerary says we don't depart San Juan until 10pm. Does this mean we'll be able to board and then get back off to explore Old San Juan all day? Does the Silver Moon Catamaran on Barbados take you to swim with turtles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribbean dreams Posted June 5, 2009 #24 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Ok, I am so appreciative of all the ideas, keep them coming. For our San Juan stay, I'm still up in the air between the Hilton Caribe or the El Conquistador. My itinerary says we don't depart San Juan until 10pm. Does this mean we'll be able to board and then get back off to explore Old San Juan all day? Does the Silver Moon Catamaran on Barbados take you to swim with turtles? Yes, you may board the ship, put your carryons in the cabin and leave the ship again. When i go to San Juan, i always stay right in Old Town, there is so much to do and see and everything is in walking distance, we even walk from our hotel to the ship (no taxi needed) (if you are on a carnival ship) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDSue Posted June 5, 2009 #25 Share Posted June 5, 2009 - sailing away from the island? Carnival Victory . You killing me! I need to get on a ship right now:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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