COZUMEL
Cozumel has some great shopping and is known for its snorkeling. In general, bargaining is expected on this island – know your prices to ensure that you don’t get taken advantage of.
There is more than one pier where cruise ships dock so transportation prices to a destination can vary depending on which pier your ship docks at. You can get information on the various piers and find out where your ship will be docking by visiting: http://www.cozumelinsider.com/cruiseships
MAPS OF COZUMEL
www.si-mexico.com/city_maps/cozumel_area_map.htm
This map shows all of the beaches and dive/snorkel sites on the island.
www.cozumel.net/1maps/citymap.htm
This map is of downtown Cozumel.
ATTRACTIONS
Chankanaab Park is a great place to visit. They have a pool, snorkeling, a dolphin swim and a manatee encounter. They only allow biodegradable sunscreen to minimize harm to the fish, dolphins and coral. A $12 cab each way (4 people) will get you there and admission is $19 for adults and $10 for kids. There is a $2 off admission coupon on their website ( http://www.cozumelparks.com/ ).
It is not extremely crowded and people say that the snorkeling is good. There was some damage during a hurricane a few years ago but the reef is starting to recover.
Mini-Golf - See website for location and pricing. www.eagleraydivers.com/minigolf.htm
Playa Del Carmen - you can take a ferry over to the mainland to Playa Del Carmen for the day. There are two ferry companies, Barcos Mexico and Ultramar, that take passengers between Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen. Round trip fare is about $15 per person and the trip takes between 30 and 45 minutes each way.
When you get off the ferry, you will be at the end of 5th Avenue, which is a pedestrian-only street lined with shops and restaurants. The beach runs right along the street so you won't have to go far to find what you're looking for. Walk to the north if you want to get away from the crowds.
You can also take a cab from there to the Xcarat Eco Theme Park or Tulum (Mayan ruins). Plan carefully and be aware of the time to ensure that you get the ferry back to Cozumel in time to be back on board for departure.
BEACHES
Most of the appeal of Cozumel is its beaches. There are beaches all along the coastline and the majority of them are associated with a beach club. All beaches in Cozumel are public and free to access but, if you want to use the loungers/umbrellas at the beach clubs, they will expect you to buy drinks and/or food. If you don't want to pay for access, just find a spot (not in front of the loungers), put your towel down and enjoy your day. I will summarize of few of the most popular beaches:
Paradise Beach – http://www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com/
This is an extremely popular option if you just want a fun beach day. It is a $12 cab each way (up to 4 ppl). At Paradise Beach, it is usually expected that you will buy about $10pp worth of drinks/food (I would say for adults…not the kids if they aren’t using the loungers). They have lots of water toys and things like water trampolines, etc. $10 pp for kids to use the water toys all day. There are larger toys for older kids and smaller toys for younger kids.
Playa Mia - is an all-inclusive day resort where many ship's excursions go for their 'beach break' tours...which means that there are lots of people and a party atmosphere. If that's your thing, then this is the place to go!! There are several package options that range in price from $16 up to $70pp. A cab ride takes 10 minutes and costs between $14-$16 for up to 4 people.
Nachi Cocom Beach Club - This beach club also operates like an all inclusive. You pay a flat rate for the day and have access to the amenities, drinks and food. For an extra cost, you can book a massage, a snorkel tour to the world-famous Palancar reef or even parasailing. They limit the number of people to 100 daily and rumour has it that it may be down to 80 people now, so it's best if you make your arrangements in advance. You can get more details and book your spot through Island Marketing at: http://www.cozumelcruiseexcursions.com/CozumelBeachBreak.htm.
Playa Palancar - The attraction at this beach is the nearby Palancar Reef which is world famous for its excellent snorkeling. They offer snorkel tours out to the reef for $35pp adult. This beach is a bit of a drive and is somewhat isolated so there aren't many crowds. A cab to the beach will cost you between $17-$20 each way for up to 4 people. They do have a website but it seems to have some technical difficulties and you can't always make the 'english' button work so everything is in Spanish. http://www.buceopalancar.com/index.html
Playa Uvas - http://www.playauvas.com/
This beach club has received excellent reviews in the past but since they now only offer their 'clear kayak' excursions for ship's tours, visitors are less than pleased with not having this popular activity available to them. Carmen and Eduardo appear to offer excellent customer service and go out of their way to ensure their visitors have a wonderful experience at Playa Uvas. They offer various package options for the day. You can find the options on their website. Click on 'full price list' for details and pricing. The snorkel tours get great reviews, as do the food and service. They have recently built a spa area for their popular massages!
Mr. Sancho's Beach Club - This is another beach club that offers an all-inclusive experience for the day. It is located just inside a protected marine park which means that they require you to wear only biodegradable sunscreen when swimming to ensure no harm comes to the fish and coral. They offer massages, shopping and a variety of water sports and activities. They also offer a horseback riding tour and an ATV tour along the beach.
Passion Island - This is a popular destination for those looking for a very quiet beach getaway with not a lot of activity. It is located on a private island off the coast of Cozumel. Food and drinks are included in the price. Lots of ship's excursions visit here, as well, so there are often lots of people around but there seems to never be a problem with finding a quiet spot out of the way. You can arrange this excursion in advance ($65pp online-adult) through many online tour operators or you can also book it at the pier for $45pp at a kiosk. It is cheaper to arrange it on your own than to go through the cruise lines. Some tours offer a 'twister' boat ride that takes you on a speedboat to the island and spins you around in circles along the way.
SNORKEL TOURS
The two outfits that receive excellent reviews online are:
Mystic Snorkel - Rave reviews for snorkel tours offered by Swiss-born, Rosi. The tours leave from Caleta Harbor which is about 10 minutes from port and costs about an $8 cab to get there. The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and visits 3 different stops (35-40 minutes each). The cost is $65 pp adult. You can get more info and an email contact for Rosi at: http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Pages/CozumelCruiseToursSnorkeling.htm
Eagle Ray Divers - http://www.eagleraydivers.com/index.htm
Enjoy all that Cozumel has to offer!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Belize
MAP - http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/central-america/belize/
This link will give you access to a map of Belize as well as links to maps of Belize City, Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.
BELIZE CITY
Most ships port in Belize City. Belize is a very poor country and Belize City is not going to compare to a North American city for sights and cleanliness. The boards are full of people who did not feel safe walking around town but we did not have that experience, personally. You just need to know what to expect and go with the flow. Expect the vendors to be quite aggressive when you first exit the Fort Street Tourism Village near the tender dock. There will be lots of yelling to get your attention, etc. Just say “No, thanks” and keep on walking past. If you are not an experienced traveler then you may feel unsafe and opt to stay within the confines of the Tourist Village but having traveled all over the Caribbean, we did not find that Belize was much different than other, less prosperous, ports. It is a very poor area and you need to take some basic precautions if you choose to tour around town. The best advice is to not walk alone, be aware of your surroundings, avoid wandering into uncrowded areas of the city, don’t wear expensive watches/jewelry and don’t carry a lot of cash! This is good practice wherever you travel : - )
I would definitely recommend an excursion of some type, at this stop, as there is not much of anything close to the pier. Most attractions are at least a ½ hour drive or more away from Belize City. Bugs can be bad here, so take bug spray with you.
An important issue to be aware of is that you always keep your watch set on ship’s time. Ship’s time and local time can vary significantly and the ship will always arrive and depart based on ship’s time!!
TENDERING
This stop requires tendering into Belize City. Ships dock a few miles out as the country is very vigilant about protecting the coral reef that runs along their coast. You will take a tender boat into the city from the ship. Be aware that most cruise lines fill their first couple of tenders with passengers who are booked on ship’s tour excursions. Some cruise lines require printed confirmation of a private tour in order to get you prioritized on a subsequent ‘early’ tender. You usually are encouraged to make arrangements for an early tender on the night before you arrive at a port or, sometimes, early in the morning. The tenders run constantly throughout the day but you would not want to go in and out too many times as travel time can take a good chunk of your day (usually around 20 minutes a trip). Some excursions, offered through the ship, will actually pick you up at the ship instead of having to spend the time tendering in and back out again, which is a bonus.
EXCURSIONS/ATTRACTIONS
The most popular excursions in Belize are the Mayan ruins, ziplining, cave tubing and snorkel tours. I usually don’t recommend taking ship’s tours since the prices are always higher than making your own arrangements however, I would make an exception at this port of call. I would recommend a ship’s tour if you are planning to go anywhere that takes a significant amount of traveling time. You don’t want to be worrying all day about whether you will get back in time for the last tender of the day. More than other stops, I have read a lot of accounts of nearly missing the last tender…or having to get a private tender out to the ship.
A. Mayan Ruins/TemplesThe three most well-known Mayan sites are:
Altun Ha – this site is the closest to the pier but is still about an hour’s drive to get there. These are the smallest ruins and are generally more crowded with tourists as they are closer than the others. You can only climb selected temples. Some excursions also combine a river tour with visiting the ruins and this tour gets great reviews. We really enjoyed our visit to Altun Ha.
Xunantunich – this site is about a 2 hour drive away from town. It boasts 26 temples, some of which you can climb, and is much larger and more impressive than Altun Ha. You will need the entire day for this excursion as it takes so long to get there. I would recommend a ship’s tour if you want to visit this spot.
Lamanai – this site takes about an hour and a half of travel time to get there. Reviews say about 45 minutes on the bus and another 30-40 minutes by boat. Visitors love the boat ride along the river to access the site as there is lots of wildlife to see. It is the largest site but has fewer temples than Xunantunich. Howler monkeys can be seen around the site. It is in the jungle and not as open to the sun as Xunantunich.
Take good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray! Some visitors wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts but we were fine in shorts and T-shirts. If you are really sensitive to bug bites, then you may want to cover up if the bugs are bad. The temperatures can get really high so make sure you keep hydrated.
B. Beaches
There are not a lot of beaches near Belize City and most require some travel time to get there.
Bannister Island – this is a private island that offers a quiet beach break and great snorkeling. If you want lots of activity and a party atmosphere, this isn’t the spot to go. You cannot get to this island on your own so you should book a tour with one of the tour companies. The two tour operators that have great reviews for this excursion are Coral Breeze and Eco Tours (see below for websites).
Cucumber Beach – is a man-made beach located at an attraction called Old Belize Adventure (http://www.oldbelize.com/). It is about a 10 minute drive from the pier and tends to be where the locals go when they want to go to a beach that is nearby.
C. Caye Caulker – http://www.gocayecaulker.com/ - This is an island off the coast of Belize that is well known for great snorkeling and scuba diving. “The Split” is a snorkel area that can be walked to from the water taxi pier. You can book through a tour company or make your own way there via water taxi (see water taxi info below).
D. Ambergris Caye – is another island a bit further up the coast of Belize. It also is known for great snorkeling and scuba diving offshore. The main town is San Pedro, which can also be reached via the water taxi. The trip takes around an hour and a quarter each way. You can get more info on the water taxi site (see water taxi info below). If you are a new cruiser, I would probably recommend a ship’s excursion or a private excursion to this spot due to its distance from port. Some outfits will even fly you over to the island, which makes timing much less of a factor.
WATER TAXIS
There are two water taxis that operate near the tender pier. One is the San Pedro –Belize Express (see http://www.belizewatertaxi.com/ for fares and schedules) which also makes a stop at Caye Caulker before proceeding on to San Pedro. Take a left outside of the Tourism Village and it is pretty much next door. The trip to Caye Caulker takes about 45 minutes. The trip to San Pedro takes 1 ¼ hours.
The other water taxi is the Caye Caulker Water Taxi which is about a 5 minute walk beyond the San Pedro pier. For fares and schedules, see their website at: http://www.cayecaulkerwatertaxi.com/. Fares are quoted in Belize currency which usually is about 1 US dollar for 2 Belize dollars.
For both water taxi’s, timing is very important on your return trip to ensure that you get a spot as ferries tend to get very full on return trips later in the day. I would not wait to get the last ferry out!!
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Belize Zoo - (http://www.belizezoo.com/)
City Tours - There are lots of local operators who can take you on a tour of Belize City, if that is your interest. You can find them just outside the pier area.
Syesue Adventures - Griffith Eusey (syesue_bz@yahoo.com) gets great recommendations for his tours. One offering is a city tour that includes a visit to the zoo. Great for younger families as it isn’t a long outing. Contact him in advance to make arrangements. City tour price is around $50 per person.
Horse & Carriage Tours - You can also get a horse & carriage ride around the city. You can find the carriages just outside the Tourist Village and, with some bargaining, you should be able to get a tour for around $30 for an hour.
Horseback Riding – http://www.smugglersrunbelize.com/ – Smuggler’s Run Plantation is located about a ½ hour outside of Belize City.
TOUR OPERATORS
I have listed below, several tour operators that get good reviews on the discussion boards. This is not an exhaustive list of all tour operators…just the ones that appear most often and are recommended by other cruisers who have used them. They all offer a wide variety of excursions and all of their tours can be booked online in advance. Some operators also have a booth at the pier. I would encourage you to book in advance unless you are undecided and won’t be disappointed if a particular tour is already booked up when you get to the pier. The prices generally are the same on-line or at the pier.
NCQ Belize Adventure Tours - http://www.ncqadventuretours.com/ – husband and wife team, Nacho and Cynthia, are well recommended for their friendly service and personal attention to their guests.
Island Marketing - http://www.belizecruiseexcursions.com/ – this tour company operates at several destinations in the Caribbean and gets good reviews all over.
Fab Tours Ltd. - http://www.fabtoursbelize.com/ - tours can be booked online or at their bright yellow booth on the boardwalk by Terminal 3 at the Fort Street Tourist Village.
Coral Breeze Tours - http://www.coralbreezetours.com/ - tours can be booked online or at their booth at the pier, next to the Wet Lizard.
Ecological Tours & Services - http://www.ecotoursbelize.com/
Chukka Caribbean Adventures - http://www.chukkacaribbean.com/caves.php
This outfit runs a popular excursion called “Raiders of the Lost Mayan Cave”. It is getting great reviews from more adventurous cruisers but this outing is very active so you should be in relatively good shape to tackle it! It involves lots of hiking, crawling through caves, a suspension bridge, rapelling and a zipline segment. Visitors recommend long pants and bug spray!! It is about an hour’s bus ride and the last part of the ride is very bumpy. Sometimes this excursion may only be offered through the cruise lines so make sure to ask this question when inquiring.
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BOOKING AN EXCURSION
To make your excursion the best experience it can be, it is always helpful to ask some key questions in advance. This helps you better select a tour operator/excursion that will meet your expectations. Some people prefer smaller, more intimate groups. Others don’t mind a big crowd. Some operators tend to overbook their tours which can create delays and cut short your tour in order to get back to the pier in time to tender back to the ship.
How many people will be on this tour?
Is there a cap on the number of people?
How long of a drive is it to get where we are going?
Will we travel by bus or boat?
Is the bus air conditioned?
Is there an advance deposit required? How much?
If we are unable to make the tour, will you refund our money?
This link will give you access to a map of Belize as well as links to maps of Belize City, Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.
BELIZE CITY
Most ships port in Belize City. Belize is a very poor country and Belize City is not going to compare to a North American city for sights and cleanliness. The boards are full of people who did not feel safe walking around town but we did not have that experience, personally. You just need to know what to expect and go with the flow. Expect the vendors to be quite aggressive when you first exit the Fort Street Tourism Village near the tender dock. There will be lots of yelling to get your attention, etc. Just say “No, thanks” and keep on walking past. If you are not an experienced traveler then you may feel unsafe and opt to stay within the confines of the Tourist Village but having traveled all over the Caribbean, we did not find that Belize was much different than other, less prosperous, ports. It is a very poor area and you need to take some basic precautions if you choose to tour around town. The best advice is to not walk alone, be aware of your surroundings, avoid wandering into uncrowded areas of the city, don’t wear expensive watches/jewelry and don’t carry a lot of cash! This is good practice wherever you travel : - )
I would definitely recommend an excursion of some type, at this stop, as there is not much of anything close to the pier. Most attractions are at least a ½ hour drive or more away from Belize City. Bugs can be bad here, so take bug spray with you.
An important issue to be aware of is that you always keep your watch set on ship’s time. Ship’s time and local time can vary significantly and the ship will always arrive and depart based on ship’s time!!
TENDERING
This stop requires tendering into Belize City. Ships dock a few miles out as the country is very vigilant about protecting the coral reef that runs along their coast. You will take a tender boat into the city from the ship. Be aware that most cruise lines fill their first couple of tenders with passengers who are booked on ship’s tour excursions. Some cruise lines require printed confirmation of a private tour in order to get you prioritized on a subsequent ‘early’ tender. You usually are encouraged to make arrangements for an early tender on the night before you arrive at a port or, sometimes, early in the morning. The tenders run constantly throughout the day but you would not want to go in and out too many times as travel time can take a good chunk of your day (usually around 20 minutes a trip). Some excursions, offered through the ship, will actually pick you up at the ship instead of having to spend the time tendering in and back out again, which is a bonus.
EXCURSIONS/ATTRACTIONS
The most popular excursions in Belize are the Mayan ruins, ziplining, cave tubing and snorkel tours. I usually don’t recommend taking ship’s tours since the prices are always higher than making your own arrangements however, I would make an exception at this port of call. I would recommend a ship’s tour if you are planning to go anywhere that takes a significant amount of traveling time. You don’t want to be worrying all day about whether you will get back in time for the last tender of the day. More than other stops, I have read a lot of accounts of nearly missing the last tender…or having to get a private tender out to the ship.
A. Mayan Ruins/TemplesThe three most well-known Mayan sites are:
Altun Ha – this site is the closest to the pier but is still about an hour’s drive to get there. These are the smallest ruins and are generally more crowded with tourists as they are closer than the others. You can only climb selected temples. Some excursions also combine a river tour with visiting the ruins and this tour gets great reviews. We really enjoyed our visit to Altun Ha.
Xunantunich – this site is about a 2 hour drive away from town. It boasts 26 temples, some of which you can climb, and is much larger and more impressive than Altun Ha. You will need the entire day for this excursion as it takes so long to get there. I would recommend a ship’s tour if you want to visit this spot.
Lamanai – this site takes about an hour and a half of travel time to get there. Reviews say about 45 minutes on the bus and another 30-40 minutes by boat. Visitors love the boat ride along the river to access the site as there is lots of wildlife to see. It is the largest site but has fewer temples than Xunantunich. Howler monkeys can be seen around the site. It is in the jungle and not as open to the sun as Xunantunich.
Take good walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bug spray! Some visitors wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts but we were fine in shorts and T-shirts. If you are really sensitive to bug bites, then you may want to cover up if the bugs are bad. The temperatures can get really high so make sure you keep hydrated.
B. Beaches
There are not a lot of beaches near Belize City and most require some travel time to get there.
Bannister Island – this is a private island that offers a quiet beach break and great snorkeling. If you want lots of activity and a party atmosphere, this isn’t the spot to go. You cannot get to this island on your own so you should book a tour with one of the tour companies. The two tour operators that have great reviews for this excursion are Coral Breeze and Eco Tours (see below for websites).
Cucumber Beach – is a man-made beach located at an attraction called Old Belize Adventure (http://www.oldbelize.com/). It is about a 10 minute drive from the pier and tends to be where the locals go when they want to go to a beach that is nearby.
C. Caye Caulker – http://www.gocayecaulker.com/ - This is an island off the coast of Belize that is well known for great snorkeling and scuba diving. “The Split” is a snorkel area that can be walked to from the water taxi pier. You can book through a tour company or make your own way there via water taxi (see water taxi info below).
D. Ambergris Caye – is another island a bit further up the coast of Belize. It also is known for great snorkeling and scuba diving offshore. The main town is San Pedro, which can also be reached via the water taxi. The trip takes around an hour and a quarter each way. You can get more info on the water taxi site (see water taxi info below). If you are a new cruiser, I would probably recommend a ship’s excursion or a private excursion to this spot due to its distance from port. Some outfits will even fly you over to the island, which makes timing much less of a factor.
WATER TAXIS
There are two water taxis that operate near the tender pier. One is the San Pedro –Belize Express (see http://www.belizewatertaxi.com/ for fares and schedules) which also makes a stop at Caye Caulker before proceeding on to San Pedro. Take a left outside of the Tourism Village and it is pretty much next door. The trip to Caye Caulker takes about 45 minutes. The trip to San Pedro takes 1 ¼ hours.
The other water taxi is the Caye Caulker Water Taxi which is about a 5 minute walk beyond the San Pedro pier. For fares and schedules, see their website at: http://www.cayecaulkerwatertaxi.com/. Fares are quoted in Belize currency which usually is about 1 US dollar for 2 Belize dollars.
For both water taxi’s, timing is very important on your return trip to ensure that you get a spot as ferries tend to get very full on return trips later in the day. I would not wait to get the last ferry out!!
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Belize Zoo - (http://www.belizezoo.com/)
City Tours - There are lots of local operators who can take you on a tour of Belize City, if that is your interest. You can find them just outside the pier area.
Syesue Adventures - Griffith Eusey (syesue_bz@yahoo.com) gets great recommendations for his tours. One offering is a city tour that includes a visit to the zoo. Great for younger families as it isn’t a long outing. Contact him in advance to make arrangements. City tour price is around $50 per person.
Horse & Carriage Tours - You can also get a horse & carriage ride around the city. You can find the carriages just outside the Tourist Village and, with some bargaining, you should be able to get a tour for around $30 for an hour.
Horseback Riding – http://www.smugglersrunbelize.com/ – Smuggler’s Run Plantation is located about a ½ hour outside of Belize City.
TOUR OPERATORS
I have listed below, several tour operators that get good reviews on the discussion boards. This is not an exhaustive list of all tour operators…just the ones that appear most often and are recommended by other cruisers who have used them. They all offer a wide variety of excursions and all of their tours can be booked online in advance. Some operators also have a booth at the pier. I would encourage you to book in advance unless you are undecided and won’t be disappointed if a particular tour is already booked up when you get to the pier. The prices generally are the same on-line or at the pier.
NCQ Belize Adventure Tours - http://www.ncqadventuretours.com/ – husband and wife team, Nacho and Cynthia, are well recommended for their friendly service and personal attention to their guests.
Island Marketing - http://www.belizecruiseexcursions.com/ – this tour company operates at several destinations in the Caribbean and gets good reviews all over.
Fab Tours Ltd. - http://www.fabtoursbelize.com/ - tours can be booked online or at their bright yellow booth on the boardwalk by Terminal 3 at the Fort Street Tourist Village.
Coral Breeze Tours - http://www.coralbreezetours.com/ - tours can be booked online or at their booth at the pier, next to the Wet Lizard.
Ecological Tours & Services - http://www.ecotoursbelize.com/
Chukka Caribbean Adventures - http://www.chukkacaribbean.com/caves.php
This outfit runs a popular excursion called “Raiders of the Lost Mayan Cave”. It is getting great reviews from more adventurous cruisers but this outing is very active so you should be in relatively good shape to tackle it! It involves lots of hiking, crawling through caves, a suspension bridge, rapelling and a zipline segment. Visitors recommend long pants and bug spray!! It is about an hour’s bus ride and the last part of the ride is very bumpy. Sometimes this excursion may only be offered through the cruise lines so make sure to ask this question when inquiring.
QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BOOKING AN EXCURSION
To make your excursion the best experience it can be, it is always helpful to ask some key questions in advance. This helps you better select a tour operator/excursion that will meet your expectations. Some people prefer smaller, more intimate groups. Others don’t mind a big crowd. Some operators tend to overbook their tours which can create delays and cut short your tour in order to get back to the pier in time to tender back to the ship.
How many people will be on this tour?
Is there a cap on the number of people?
How long of a drive is it to get where we are going?
Will we travel by bus or boat?
Is the bus air conditioned?
Is there an advance deposit required? How much?
If we are unable to make the tour, will you refund our money?
Tortola/Virgin Gorda
Tortola is not as ‘touristy’ as some of the other islands. There are not a lot of attractions but it is a very relaxed island.
BEACHES
The two most popular beaches are Brewer’s Bay Beach and Cane Garden Bay Beach. Both of them can be reached easily by catching a cab (open-air safari bus) outside of the cruise facility. The cost is about $7 per person each way.
TOURS
You can do a tour with any cab outside of the cruise facility. Make sure you negotiate your price, time frame and tour details before you get in the cab and do not pay until you return. Based on what I have read, you should be able to get a tour for $15 - $20 per person. They will take you around the island and also have a beach stop wherever you choose.
You can be on the lookout for African Pride Taxi (driver – Cumba) which has great reviews.
There are a couple of tour operators that have good reviews on the discussion boards:
Egbert - He can take you by speedboat to the Baths on Virgin Gorda for approximately $45 per person.
See the discussion thread below for further details:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1132792
Patouche Catamaran Tours - http://www.patouche.com/index.html
They come very highly recommend and can take you to the Baths and to a couple of snorkel spots. The cost is $80 per person.
You can catch the ferry just a 10 minute walk from the pier. There are two ferries: Smiths (http://www.smithsferry.com/) or Speedy’s (http://www.speedysbvi.com/). Check the website for departure times from both Tortola and Virgin Gorda. The ferry ride itself takes about 45 minutes so make sure you have lots of time when taking this option.
There will also be ship’s tours to this spot, but they are much more expensive!!
BEACHES
The two most popular beaches are Brewer’s Bay Beach and Cane Garden Bay Beach. Both of them can be reached easily by catching a cab (open-air safari bus) outside of the cruise facility. The cost is about $7 per person each way.
TOURS
You can do a tour with any cab outside of the cruise facility. Make sure you negotiate your price, time frame and tour details before you get in the cab and do not pay until you return. Based on what I have read, you should be able to get a tour for $15 - $20 per person. They will take you around the island and also have a beach stop wherever you choose.
You can be on the lookout for African Pride Taxi (driver – Cumba) which has great reviews.
There are a couple of tour operators that have good reviews on the discussion boards:
Egbert - He can take you by speedboat to the Baths on Virgin Gorda for approximately $45 per person.
See the discussion thread below for further details:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1132792
Patouche Catamaran Tours - http://www.patouche.com/index.html
They come very highly recommend and can take you to the Baths and to a couple of snorkel spots. The cost is $80 per person.
THE BATHS http://www.b-v-i.com/baths.htm
If you have enough time, I would definitely take the ferry over to Virgin Gorda and catch a cab to The Baths. They are massive boulders along the shoreline and you walk a trail through them. There are a couple of beaches -a smaller one at beginning of the trail and a larger one at the other end. There is also some fantastic snorkeling among the boulders.
You can catch the ferry just a 10 minute walk from the pier. There are two ferries: Smiths (http://www.smithsferry.com/) or Speedy’s (http://www.speedysbvi.com/). Check the website for departure times from both Tortola and Virgin Gorda. The ferry ride itself takes about 45 minutes so make sure you have lots of time when taking this option.
There will also be ship’s tours to this spot, but they are much more expensive!!
St. Kitts/Nevis
MAP OF ST. KITTS: http://www.skyviews.com/skyviews/maps/st-kitts/
MAP OF BASSETERRE: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/st-kitts-and-nevis/st-kitts/basseterre
Ships dock in the capital of St. Kitts, Basseterre. Sugar cane used to be the main industry on St. Kitts but most of the plantations have shut down and they are now focusing on tourism.
The island is fairly poor so keep that in mind when dealing with the locals. When you take an island tour with a reputable tour guide, they know what areas to stay away from on the island and you are generally safe. If you stick to the main streets in town, you shouldn’t have any problems either.
If someone offers to let you take a picture with them, a monkey or a bird…be aware that they expect a tip ($1-$2 at least) for the opportunity of doing so. Always ask in advance if they will charge a fee!
A craft market is located just to the left, past the cruise terminal shops. This is a great spot to buy souvenirs and, if your bargaining skills are sharp, there are some great deals to be had. Many of the vendors sell the same, or similar items, so if the price isn't right in one spot, you can probably find it in another kiosk.
In Basseterre, you should check out the 'Circus' area which is modelled on London's Picadilly Circus, to honor their British Colonial heritage. There are lots of shops and restaurants around the Circus. For those who are interested in history, you can also check out St. George's Anglican Church and Independence Square both within walking distance of the pier.
INTERNET CAFÉ – Sun Surf Internet Café at TDC Mall, Fort Street or ask around the terminal area as sometimes a new spot has opened up.
EXCURSIONS
GREG’S SAFARIS – http://www.gregsafaris.com/ - offers a wide variety of tours and gets great reviews on the discussion boards.
BRIMSTONE HILL FORTRESS – http://www.brimstonehillfortress.org/ - entry fee $8pp. It is a World Heritage site designed as a fortification by the British and built by African slaves. A great stop if you love history!!
ROMNEY MANOR AND CARIBELLE BATIK - http://www.caribellebatikstkitts.com/
An historic estate that boasts delightfully lush gardens and a batik factory where they use traditional wax and dye techniques to produce batik fabrics used in wall hangings and clothing. You can browse their gift shop for some unique batik gift items.
RIDE ST. KITTS - http://ridestkitts.com/ - enjoy touring the island on your very own scooter (one seater for $55US and two seater for $75US). You rent the scooter by the day and have the run of the island. Check out the fortress or stop at a beach. They will only rent to those who have had previous experience on scooters or motorcycles. There is one main road around the entire island and not a lot of traffic to deal with! We did this tour in Jan 2011 and had a fantastic time!! Daniela and Tim have a great set-up and give good advice and suggestions for your day on St. Kitts. We got a whole new appreciation for the island and the people by seeing it by scooter vs taxi.
ISLAND TOURS
Most island tours will take you to Brimstone Hill Fortress, Romney Manor and Black Rocks, which are large volcanic rock formations along the coast - beautiful!!!
THENFORD GREY – good reviews about the island tours offered by this gentleman. $40pp. Contact ‘thenang06@yahoo.com’ if you would like to book with him.
ILVA WALLACE – we took an island tour with this lady the first time we were on the island. She knows the island very well and is an excellent tour guide. She will stop wherever you want…and will take you to South Friar’s Beach for about an hour at the end of the tour. $40pp but you may be able to get $30pp if you bargain. Likely depends on demand. Contact ‘ilvawallace@yahoo.com’.
ROYSTON/ASHTON - Royston and his cousin, Ashton, get consistently high marks from past visitors for their great island tours. You can reach them at 'roystontours@hotmail.com'.
LIZ PEREIRA - http://lizpereirastourstore.shutterfly.com/ - Liz has taken over the old 'Tour Store' operation that used to exist on the island. She gets excellent reviews.
BEACHES
The beaches on St. Kitts are not the most attractive in the Caribbean. The sand has a high coral concentration and is a dirty beige color and quite gritty. At several beaches, there is usually a quick drop-off into the water that can be hard on your feet as there are tons of shells and coral bouncing around in the surf. Having said that, the water is warm and you can enjoy some great waves. If you collect shells, then you will love searching the water line for treasures. We have only been to South Friar’s.
TIP #1 – if you take a cab to the beach, the drivers will come back for you if you tell them a specific time. Do not pay for the trip until you are back at the pier. Most drivers won’t require payment because they want the fare both ways…but you should clarify before you get into the cab that he/she only wants you to pay on return and what the price will be.
TIP #2 – vendors can be quite aggressive at some of the beaches. You need to say a firm “no, thank you!”. If you start asking them questions, then they figure you are fair game. For example – some vendors patrol the beach offering massages with aloe vera. They will offer to give you a ‘free trial’ however, they won’t tell you when the ‘free trial’ part ends and the paid portion begins. After 25 minutes, they will ask for the money! Unless you are interested (and there are great reviews about the massages…if you decide to get one) don’t take the free trial. Cost is usually about $20 for 25 minutes.
COCKLESHELL BEACH – Cab $26 each way for 1-4 people. Chair rental $6. This beach has the best reviews…not generally very crowded as it is a bit of a drive to get there. Lots of nice shells to be found. The views are better down by the Lion’s Beach Bar. Wilbur the pig (700 lbs) can be found near one of the beach bars and there are usually a couple of monkeys around as well. Some pretty good snorkeling to the left end of the beach.
SOUTH FRIAR’S BEACH - $15 cab each way (1-4 people). Lots of shells. Not a very wide beach and drops off quickly at entrance to the water. We were at this beach in Jan 2011 and had a fantastic massage from 'Magic Fingers' and his mother, Laverne ($30 for 30 minutes - set your price and time at the beginning). Nothing could beat laying on a beach chair on a Caribbean island enjoying a fantastic massage!!
SOUTH FRIGATE BAY aka ‘The Strip’ – this is the beach closest to the pier so it is usually quite crowded. $10 cab each way (1-4 people). It has lots of restaurants and beach bars, bathroom facilities, places to rent snorkel equipment. You can rent chairs and umbrellas at Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack (not sure of cost but probably around $15 for two chairs and an umbrella). Lots of great comments about the massages offered by Dennis.
NORTH FRIGATE BAY – $10 cab each way (1-4 people) or you can walk about 30 minutes from South Frigate Bay across a narrow part of the island. Word is that the views of the Atlantic and Caribbean waters are fantastic and make for some great pictures. The Marriott hotel is on this beach and you can pay for a day pass to access their facilities.
MARRIOTT DAY PASS - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/skbrb-st-kitts-marriott-resort-and-the-royal-beach-casino/ - You can also spend the day at the Marriott Hotel property. A day pass costs $35pp or you can rent a room for $65 (plus tax/fees) if you want a place for you and your group to change or for the kids to have a nap. You get full run of the resort's beach and pool but drinks and food are extra. You don't have to make your arrangements in advance but if there are several ships in port, they may run out of available rooms.
NEVIS
On one of our stops to St. Kitts, we took the ferry over to the island of Nevis for a change of scenery. The ferry docks in Charlestown, the main town on Nevis. The ferry terminal is located, at most, a 10 minute walk from the Port Zante Cruise terminal (exit and walk to the left) and it costs $6-$8US pp each way and takes about 45 minutes to make the crossing. You also may have to pay a small customs fee (generally not more than $1). They say that they start selling tickets about a ½ hour before sailing but, when we were there, they only opened the ticket window right around when the schedule said the ferry would leave. There are two main ferries that cover the run to Nevis – the Carib Breeze and Carib Surf (sometimes the Carib Queen runs). Quite often, only one of them will run at a time and schedules can change so you should confirm schedules on leaving so you know for sure when the return ferries run. The general rule of thumb is to go over on the earliest ferry you can manage and return on the 1pm ferry if your ship’s ‘all aboard’ is before 5pm. This will generally give you about 3 hours on the island.
You can check the published ferry schedule here: http://www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com/st-kitts-nevis-ferry-schedule.html
Nevis is a beautiful island but there is not a lot of activity. You can take a tour by arranging with a cab driver at the ferry dock or just catch a cab to a beach on the island.
Check out this link for a list of sights to check out: http://www.nevisisland.com/Landmarks1.htm
There are several beaches on the island but the most popular beaches are Pinney’s Beach and Oualie Beach (Resort). Pinney’s is about 3 miles long and runs along the coast starting just outside Charlestown. You should catch a cab to Oualie. The beach is part of a resort but they are very welcoming of day visitors.
Your visit to St. Kitts/Nevis can be as busy or as relaxed as you want it to be!
MAP OF BASSETERRE: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/st-kitts-and-nevis/st-kitts/basseterre
Ships dock in the capital of St. Kitts, Basseterre. Sugar cane used to be the main industry on St. Kitts but most of the plantations have shut down and they are now focusing on tourism.The island is fairly poor so keep that in mind when dealing with the locals. When you take an island tour with a reputable tour guide, they know what areas to stay away from on the island and you are generally safe. If you stick to the main streets in town, you shouldn’t have any problems either.
If someone offers to let you take a picture with them, a monkey or a bird…be aware that they expect a tip ($1-$2 at least) for the opportunity of doing so. Always ask in advance if they will charge a fee!
A craft market is located just to the left, past the cruise terminal shops. This is a great spot to buy souvenirs and, if your bargaining skills are sharp, there are some great deals to be had. Many of the vendors sell the same, or similar items, so if the price isn't right in one spot, you can probably find it in another kiosk.
In Basseterre, you should check out the 'Circus' area which is modelled on London's Picadilly Circus, to honor their British Colonial heritage. There are lots of shops and restaurants around the Circus. For those who are interested in history, you can also check out St. George's Anglican Church and Independence Square both within walking distance of the pier.
INTERNET CAFÉ – Sun Surf Internet Café at TDC Mall, Fort Street or ask around the terminal area as sometimes a new spot has opened up.
EXCURSIONS
GREG’S SAFARIS – http://www.gregsafaris.com/ - offers a wide variety of tours and gets great reviews on the discussion boards.
BRIMSTONE HILL FORTRESS – http://www.brimstonehillfortress.org/ - entry fee $8pp. It is a World Heritage site designed as a fortification by the British and built by African slaves. A great stop if you love history!!
ROMNEY MANOR AND CARIBELLE BATIK - http://www.caribellebatikstkitts.com/
An historic estate that boasts delightfully lush gardens and a batik factory where they use traditional wax and dye techniques to produce batik fabrics used in wall hangings and clothing. You can browse their gift shop for some unique batik gift items.
RIDE ST. KITTS - http://ridestkitts.com/ - enjoy touring the island on your very own scooter (one seater for $55US and two seater for $75US). You rent the scooter by the day and have the run of the island. Check out the fortress or stop at a beach. They will only rent to those who have had previous experience on scooters or motorcycles. There is one main road around the entire island and not a lot of traffic to deal with! We did this tour in Jan 2011 and had a fantastic time!! Daniela and Tim have a great set-up and give good advice and suggestions for your day on St. Kitts. We got a whole new appreciation for the island and the people by seeing it by scooter vs taxi.
ISLAND TOURS
Most island tours will take you to Brimstone Hill Fortress, Romney Manor and Black Rocks, which are large volcanic rock formations along the coast - beautiful!!!
THENFORD GREY – good reviews about the island tours offered by this gentleman. $40pp. Contact ‘thenang06@yahoo.com’ if you would like to book with him.
ILVA WALLACE – we took an island tour with this lady the first time we were on the island. She knows the island very well and is an excellent tour guide. She will stop wherever you want…and will take you to South Friar’s Beach for about an hour at the end of the tour. $40pp but you may be able to get $30pp if you bargain. Likely depends on demand. Contact ‘ilvawallace@yahoo.com’.
ROYSTON/ASHTON - Royston and his cousin, Ashton, get consistently high marks from past visitors for their great island tours. You can reach them at 'roystontours@hotmail.com'.
LIZ PEREIRA - http://lizpereirastourstore.shutterfly.com/ - Liz has taken over the old 'Tour Store' operation that used to exist on the island. She gets excellent reviews.
BEACHES
The beaches on St. Kitts are not the most attractive in the Caribbean. The sand has a high coral concentration and is a dirty beige color and quite gritty. At several beaches, there is usually a quick drop-off into the water that can be hard on your feet as there are tons of shells and coral bouncing around in the surf. Having said that, the water is warm and you can enjoy some great waves. If you collect shells, then you will love searching the water line for treasures. We have only been to South Friar’s.
TIP #1 – if you take a cab to the beach, the drivers will come back for you if you tell them a specific time. Do not pay for the trip until you are back at the pier. Most drivers won’t require payment because they want the fare both ways…but you should clarify before you get into the cab that he/she only wants you to pay on return and what the price will be.
TIP #2 – vendors can be quite aggressive at some of the beaches. You need to say a firm “no, thank you!”. If you start asking them questions, then they figure you are fair game. For example – some vendors patrol the beach offering massages with aloe vera. They will offer to give you a ‘free trial’ however, they won’t tell you when the ‘free trial’ part ends and the paid portion begins. After 25 minutes, they will ask for the money! Unless you are interested (and there are great reviews about the massages…if you decide to get one) don’t take the free trial. Cost is usually about $20 for 25 minutes.
COCKLESHELL BEACH – Cab $26 each way for 1-4 people. Chair rental $6. This beach has the best reviews…not generally very crowded as it is a bit of a drive to get there. Lots of nice shells to be found. The views are better down by the Lion’s Beach Bar. Wilbur the pig (700 lbs) can be found near one of the beach bars and there are usually a couple of monkeys around as well. Some pretty good snorkeling to the left end of the beach.
SOUTH FRIAR’S BEACH - $15 cab each way (1-4 people). Lots of shells. Not a very wide beach and drops off quickly at entrance to the water. We were at this beach in Jan 2011 and had a fantastic massage from 'Magic Fingers' and his mother, Laverne ($30 for 30 minutes - set your price and time at the beginning). Nothing could beat laying on a beach chair on a Caribbean island enjoying a fantastic massage!!
SOUTH FRIGATE BAY aka ‘The Strip’ – this is the beach closest to the pier so it is usually quite crowded. $10 cab each way (1-4 people). It has lots of restaurants and beach bars, bathroom facilities, places to rent snorkel equipment. You can rent chairs and umbrellas at Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack (not sure of cost but probably around $15 for two chairs and an umbrella). Lots of great comments about the massages offered by Dennis.
NORTH FRIGATE BAY – $10 cab each way (1-4 people) or you can walk about 30 minutes from South Frigate Bay across a narrow part of the island. Word is that the views of the Atlantic and Caribbean waters are fantastic and make for some great pictures. The Marriott hotel is on this beach and you can pay for a day pass to access their facilities.
MARRIOTT DAY PASS - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/skbrb-st-kitts-marriott-resort-and-the-royal-beach-casino/ - You can also spend the day at the Marriott Hotel property. A day pass costs $35pp or you can rent a room for $65 (plus tax/fees) if you want a place for you and your group to change or for the kids to have a nap. You get full run of the resort's beach and pool but drinks and food are extra. You don't have to make your arrangements in advance but if there are several ships in port, they may run out of available rooms.
NEVIS
On one of our stops to St. Kitts, we took the ferry over to the island of Nevis for a change of scenery. The ferry docks in Charlestown, the main town on Nevis. The ferry terminal is located, at most, a 10 minute walk from the Port Zante Cruise terminal (exit and walk to the left) and it costs $6-$8US pp each way and takes about 45 minutes to make the crossing. You also may have to pay a small customs fee (generally not more than $1). They say that they start selling tickets about a ½ hour before sailing but, when we were there, they only opened the ticket window right around when the schedule said the ferry would leave. There are two main ferries that cover the run to Nevis – the Carib Breeze and Carib Surf (sometimes the Carib Queen runs). Quite often, only one of them will run at a time and schedules can change so you should confirm schedules on leaving so you know for sure when the return ferries run. The general rule of thumb is to go over on the earliest ferry you can manage and return on the 1pm ferry if your ship’s ‘all aboard’ is before 5pm. This will generally give you about 3 hours on the island.
You can check the published ferry schedule here: http://www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com/st-kitts-nevis-ferry-schedule.html
Nevis is a beautiful island but there is not a lot of activity. You can take a tour by arranging with a cab driver at the ferry dock or just catch a cab to a beach on the island.
Check out this link for a list of sights to check out: http://www.nevisisland.com/Landmarks1.htm
There are several beaches on the island but the most popular beaches are Pinney’s Beach and Oualie Beach (Resort). Pinney’s is about 3 miles long and runs along the coast starting just outside Charlestown. You should catch a cab to Oualie. The beach is part of a resort but they are very welcoming of day visitors.
Your visit to St. Kitts/Nevis can be as busy or as relaxed as you want it to be!
Nassau, Bahamas
There are lots of things to see in Nassau (downtown). When you get off the ship, there is a straw market near the end of the pier with typical tourist souvenir offerings and knock-off purses. Definitely negotiate for the purses. I think Customs only allows one knock-off purse per person on return to the US. There are horse & buggy rides available just outside the pier gates. If you walk around Nassau, be aware that the roads and sidewalks are very uneven so watch where you’re walking.
There are tons of options available, which is great because you will be there two different times. There are forts, a pirate’s museum, Ardastra Zoo, National Art Gallery, Slave Museum, Queens Staircase, jet ski, parasailing, snorkeling, golf, deep sea fishing, private islands, dolphins, sea lions, etc.
BLUE LAGOON ISLAND
This is a really popular spot for a day visit. We visited this island on our very first cruise in 1993 but it has definitely expanded since then.
http://www.bahamasbluelagoon.com/
Although Pre-booking (via website) is the only guarantee to get on the boat, you can appear at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal about 30 minutes before any ferry and purchase a beach pass if they are not full. Beach is closed Thursdays and Sundays.
The Paradise Island Ferry Terminal is on Paradise Island. A quick $5 cab ride from the dock.
Ferries leave at 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Ferries return at 11am, 2pm and the last boat back is at 4pm.
They now offer dolphin and sea lion encounters on Blue Lagoon Island. It is through a locally-owned company. Dolphin swim is $185pp, Dolphin Encounter is $98pp and Sea Lion Encounter is $80pp. Go to http://www.dolphinencouters.com/ for details or to book.
ATLANTIS RESORT
Another popular option is to catch a cab over to Atlantis and just walk around and enjoy the areas that have free access (hotel, restaurants, casino) or you can buy a day pass. During the winter months, the pools, beaches and slides close at 5pm, in the summer 6:30/7pm.
Nassau Atlantis Property Tickets purchased at Atlantis: These packages are not sold in advance but may be purchased from any of the cashier stations located in the Lower Lobby Royal Towers, the Lower Lobby Coral Towers; and the Temple of the Moon in the Casino. I have pasted the day pass from the Atlantis site below:
- Discover Atlantis Aquaventure Package:. Adult Price: $110.00 . Children (ages 4-12) Price: $80.00 . Included: Access to the Dig (aquarium) and other marine habitats, beaches and water park including: slides, pools, river rapids & private lagoons . Not included: meals . Availability: limited based on guest occupancy; sold on first come, first serve basis
- Discover Atlantis Beach Day Package:. Adult Price: $65.00 . Children (ages 4-12) Price: $30.00 . Included: The Discover Atlantis Aquarium Tour, access to west beach and all marine habitats. . Not Included: access to pools, slides and private lagoons, meals . Availability: limited based on guest occupancy; sold on first come, first serve
- Discover Atlantis Aquarium Tour:. Adult Price: $35.00 . Children (ages 4-12) Price: $26.00 . Includes: access to predator lagoon, the dig, ruins lagoon . Not included: access to beaches, pools, slides and private lagoons, meals
- Lockers: In addition to these packages; guests can also rent lockers at the Day Visitor Center, located at the rear of the Mayan Temple. Guests will be charged $50 for any unreturned locker key (room charge or credit card only for lockers). . Small Locker: $5.00 . Medium Locker: $7.00 . Large Locker: $10.00 Day visitors who choose not to participate in the water attractions or tour are welcome to enjoy our fantastic restaurants, duty free shopping, and world class casino.
NOTE: Bring your own water as purchasing water at Atlantis is very pricey!!
BRITISH COLONIAL HILTON
You can purchase a day pass at the Hilton to enjoy their pool and facilities. The pass is $40pp and includes a $30pp food voucher. It is 2 blocks from the pier and within easy walking distance.
TOURS
Island Marketing - http://bahamascruiseexcursions.com/NassauExcursions.htm
This company offers all sorts of tours around Nassau. The “Taste of Nassau Island Tour” is $30pp.
BEACHES
Two beaches that get good reviews on the discussion boards are:
Cable Beach and Cabbage Beach (no bathrooms) – both on Paradise Island. You should be able to catch a cab to either. Going price is around $4pp or there are local jitneys (vans) that cost around $1.25pp.
OTHER OPTIONS
FLYING CLOUD CATAMARAN tours: http://www.flyingcloud.info/Half day cruise – leaves at 9:30am and 2pm for 3.5 hr cruise and snorkel. $70 pp
SNORKEL TOURS - http://www.stuartcove.com/ $52 adult (pre-booked) or
http://www.blueholewatersports.com/ Snorkel tour $40 adult
GOLF
Check out info on two of the golf courses in (or near) Nassau : Paradise Island Golf Course and Cable Beach Golf Course.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/bahamas/0205020113.html
There are tons of options available, which is great because you will be there two different times. There are forts, a pirate’s museum, Ardastra Zoo, National Art Gallery, Slave Museum, Queens Staircase, jet ski, parasailing, snorkeling, golf, deep sea fishing, private islands, dolphins, sea lions, etc.
BLUE LAGOON ISLAND
This is a really popular spot for a day visit. We visited this island on our very first cruise in 1993 but it has definitely expanded since then.
http://www.bahamasbluelagoon.com/
Although Pre-booking (via website) is the only guarantee to get on the boat, you can appear at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal about 30 minutes before any ferry and purchase a beach pass if they are not full. Beach is closed Thursdays and Sundays.
The Paradise Island Ferry Terminal is on Paradise Island. A quick $5 cab ride from the dock.
Ferries leave at 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Ferries return at 11am, 2pm and the last boat back is at 4pm.
They now offer dolphin and sea lion encounters on Blue Lagoon Island. It is through a locally-owned company. Dolphin swim is $185pp, Dolphin Encounter is $98pp and Sea Lion Encounter is $80pp. Go to http://www.dolphinencouters.com/ for details or to book.
ATLANTIS RESORT
Another popular option is to catch a cab over to Atlantis and just walk around and enjoy the areas that have free access (hotel, restaurants, casino) or you can buy a day pass. During the winter months, the pools, beaches and slides close at 5pm, in the summer 6:30/7pm.
Nassau Atlantis Property Tickets purchased at Atlantis: These packages are not sold in advance but may be purchased from any of the cashier stations located in the Lower Lobby Royal Towers, the Lower Lobby Coral Towers; and the Temple of the Moon in the Casino. I have pasted the day pass from the Atlantis site below:
- Discover Atlantis Aquaventure Package:. Adult Price: $110.00 . Children (ages 4-12) Price: $80.00 . Included: Access to the Dig (aquarium) and other marine habitats, beaches and water park including: slides, pools, river rapids & private lagoons . Not included: meals . Availability: limited based on guest occupancy; sold on first come, first serve basis
- Discover Atlantis Beach Day Package:. Adult Price: $65.00 . Children (ages 4-12) Price: $30.00 . Included: The Discover Atlantis Aquarium Tour, access to west beach and all marine habitats. . Not Included: access to pools, slides and private lagoons, meals . Availability: limited based on guest occupancy; sold on first come, first serve
- Discover Atlantis Aquarium Tour:. Adult Price: $35.00 . Children (ages 4-12) Price: $26.00 . Includes: access to predator lagoon, the dig, ruins lagoon . Not included: access to beaches, pools, slides and private lagoons, meals
- Lockers: In addition to these packages; guests can also rent lockers at the Day Visitor Center, located at the rear of the Mayan Temple. Guests will be charged $50 for any unreturned locker key (room charge or credit card only for lockers). . Small Locker: $5.00 . Medium Locker: $7.00 . Large Locker: $10.00 Day visitors who choose not to participate in the water attractions or tour are welcome to enjoy our fantastic restaurants, duty free shopping, and world class casino.
NOTE: Bring your own water as purchasing water at Atlantis is very pricey!!
BRITISH COLONIAL HILTON
You can purchase a day pass at the Hilton to enjoy their pool and facilities. The pass is $40pp and includes a $30pp food voucher. It is 2 blocks from the pier and within easy walking distance.
TOURS
Island Marketing - http://bahamascruiseexcursions.com/NassauExcursions.htm
This company offers all sorts of tours around Nassau. The “Taste of Nassau Island Tour” is $30pp.
BEACHES
Two beaches that get good reviews on the discussion boards are:
Cable Beach and Cabbage Beach (no bathrooms) – both on Paradise Island. You should be able to catch a cab to either. Going price is around $4pp or there are local jitneys (vans) that cost around $1.25pp.
OTHER OPTIONS
FLYING CLOUD CATAMARAN tours: http://www.flyingcloud.info/Half day cruise – leaves at 9:30am and 2pm for 3.5 hr cruise and snorkel. $70 pp
SNORKEL TOURS - http://www.stuartcove.com/ $52 adult (pre-booked) or
http://www.blueholewatersports.com/ Snorkel tour $40 adult
GOLF
Check out info on two of the golf courses in (or near) Nassau : Paradise Island Golf Course and Cable Beach Golf Course.
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/bahamas/0205020113.html
Dominica
Dominica is one of the less ‘touristy’ islands in the Caribbean. Its claim to fame is its natural beauty and rainforests. The beaches are black volcanic sand, which can get very hot in the sun, and the water is not the typical crystal blue Caribbean color because of the dark sand. Having said that, you do not want to miss the natural wonders of Dominica!
There is not much shopping to be found here although there are some local shops and a market down near the pier. Note that wherever you go on the island, it will cost you $1 to access a bathroom!
Most ships dock in capital of Roseau. This island is a very poor island and tourism is one of their top income sources.
MAP - http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/lgcolor/dmcolor.htm
INTERNET CAFÉ – The Cornerhouse (King George V St) or Marpin Internet Café - turn left outside the pier and proceed down the front street about two blocks.
There are many sights to see:
EMERALD POOL – a beautiful grotto in the rainforest reached by a short 10 min hike. It has a small waterfall and you can take a swim in the jewel green waters…beware…it is chilly! It takes almost an hour's drive to get there but there are some other sights along the way which will break up the drive. Entrance fee $5pp.
TRAFALGAR FALLS - These famous twin waterfalls are a 20 minute drive from Roseau. A bit of a hike takes you from the Visitors Centre to a good viewing platform; the more adventurous can continue on to swim in the refreshing waters of the smaller waterfall or find the hot springs of the tallest fall. Bring good walking shoes! Entrance fee $5pp. There are guides there as well but I can’t remember if the $5 fee includes the guide or is extra??? We didn’t use a guide and we had no problems.
MR. NICE’S FRUIT STAND – Mr. Nice does not ‘sell’ fruit. He makes a show of peeling and serving samples of the various fruits on Dominica. He does look for tips though : - ) You have never tasted fruit like this in Canada!
CHAMPAGNE REEF – this popular snorkeling spot is located off a very rocky beach to the south of Roseau. Its attraction are the bubbles that come out of the volcanic air pockets on the ocean floor. As you snorkel, the bubbles rise around you as you swim among the tropical fish and check out the coral. I believe there is a small entrance fee - maybe $2pp? Not worth the visit unless you are planning to snorkel as you need to be in the water to experience the bubbles and the 'beach' is mostly rocks and is not comfortable for sunbathing.
WOTTEN WAVEN SULPHUR SPRINGS – take a dip in natural hot springs with lots of minerals to soothe your skin and muscles.
RIVER TUBING
Wacky Rollers – 3 hours, $50pp, http://www.wackyrollers.com/tubing.htm
Antours – http://www.antours.dm/home.htm - 4-5 hours $50-$57pp (see below) which offers various tours, including river tubing from further upriver, which is a bit more exciting than just doing the lower part. It costs $50pp for river tubing that also includes a stop at Mr Nice's Fruit Stand. An extra $7 will also get you to Emerald Pool. We did river tubing with Antours on our recent visit to Dominica and it was so much fun that I will do it each time I am in Dominica! They generally run a 50% off sale between Christmas and New Year’s and you can get 50% off the price, if you pay up front. If there has been a lot of rain and it is unsafe to tube or if the ship skips this port for some reason, they will refund your money.
ISLAND TOURS
I would really recommend a tour on this island, especially if it is your first time visiting. An outfit with excellent reviews and a reasonable price is Reyno’s Tours. You can contact them via email at ‘reynotours@hotmail.com’. You will likely be in a van with several other people. The cost is about $40pp and it will stop at all of the prime sites plus a couple of extras.
You can also ‘wing it’ and hire a taxi once you get to the island. Based on my research, you should be able to get a taxi to take you wherever you want to go for the day for $20pp, if you have 4 people or more. You will have to negotiate both the itinerary and the price BEFORE you get into the cab. Sometimes you get the better rates if you by-pass the cabs that are near the front of the line. You may have to speak to a few cab drivers to get one who will give you this rate…don’t settle!! You will need to polish up your negotiating skills.
We have been to this island several times and have always enjoyed it and never felt unsafe but, on our recent visit in March 2010, I felt a bit more uncomfortable walking around town. There are a lot of 'entrepreneurs' who will offer you anything from drugs to women while you are strolling down the street. There are warnings on the discussion boards to not wander around alone in downtown Roseau but, if there are a few of you then you don’t need to be as concerned. You can be taken advantage of easily unless you know the price of things. Be wary about people offering to let you take their picture, pose with a parrot, etc. They will let you take the picture and then ask for money. Always ask the cost before you do something.
Best to make your arrangements for this island before you get there…then you will be less likely to run into problems!
You can find more info on: http://www.visit-dominica.com/index.cfm
Barbados
Barbados is an incredibly picturesque and prosperous island, in comparison to other Caribbean islands. The beaches are all incredibly beautiful with white/pink sand and gorgeous turquoise water. The snorkeling is great in several areas.It doesn't seem like the vendors outside of the cruise terminal are willing to haggle over the price of souvenirs. Once you are away from the city, you may have better luck but we usually don't buy any souvenirs on this island. Educate yourself, in advance, on the prices of taxis, tours, etc. as you can be taken advantage of quite easily.
If you are paying cash for souvenirs or food on this island, be aware that most prices are quoted in BD$ (Barbados Dollars)- $2BD = $1 US. Everyone will accept American money, but will usually give you change in BD$ so try to pay exact change or close to it. Just ask if the price shown is US or BD currency.
Locals on the discussion boards encourage you to not get a cab inside the cruise line terminal area. We usually walk out past the terminal entrance, through the guard gates and either deal with the taxis outside the gates or head to the local bus terminal down the road. Sometimes cab drivers have ‘deals’ with some of the beach bars and get a kickback if they take tourists there so they will try to convince you that the beach you want to go to isn’t clean or the waves are too big…know where you want to go and be firm! Don’t be shocked by cab fares…they are very pricey on this island. We usually travel by bus.
If you want a tour of the island, it is best to make arrangements for a tour before you arrive...then there are no surprises to deal with.
INTERNET CAFÉ – you can buy internet access time at the booth just inside the cruise terminal. Last time we were there in March 2010, it was the first kiosk located in the center of the terminal.
BEACHES
Barbados has some of the most beautiful beaches of any of the Caribbean islands. There are simply way too many gorgeous beaches to mention them all. Every beach we have ever been to has been gorgeous white or pink sand with crystalline blue waters. The entire west coast is a stretch of beaches...one after the other. I have pasted a thread below from a discussion board that has compiled all sorts of information on Barbados that you can browse through at your leisure.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1071747
I will mention a couple beaches that we have personally been to:
ACCRA BEACH – this is on the south coast (pictured at right). It is a gorgeous light pink sand beach with gorgeous water and (usually) not high surf. We caught a local bus there for $0.75 and caught a cab back. It is at least a half hour ride.
MULLINS BAY BEACH – we have been to this beach twice. It is on the west coast, where most of the best swimming/snorkeling beaches are found. Once we took a cab and another time we took the bus. Also about a half hour ride.
ATTRACTIONS
HARRISON’S CAVES – these are underground caves located in the center of the island. It is a 30 minute cab ride ($23 US for up to 4) and a $20pp entrance charge for approximately an hour’s tour down into the caves. You can also take a local bus there for about $0.75. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
FOLKSTONE UNDERWATER PARK – this is a protected snorkeling area with lots of fish and coral to see. It is on the west coast in Holetown and is easily reached by cab or local bus. It does not have a wide beach area so it isn’t a spot you would go to spend the whole day sunning. You can reach wider beaches by walking up or down the coast as most of the popular beaches are located along this west coast stretch.
PAYNE’S BAY BEACH – this is the beach that you can go to if you want to swim/snorkel with sea turtles. The area where the turtles are is a few hundred metres off shore and you can take a glass-bottomed boat for around $15pp out to the area. It can be quite crowded when the ship’s tours are in the area. We stopped at the ‘turtle spot’ last year on our catamaran tour! Saw two or three sea turtles…a great experience! If I recall correctly, there are also other boats at the Underwater Park that come looking for tourists who want to go out.
TOURS
SHASA CATAMARAN – http://www.shasacatamarancruises.com/ - catamaran tours are usually very pricey but we found a relatively reasonably priced one and splurged in 2009. This is a small outfit run by Jason and his wife, Tess. We paid $80pp and there were only 8 of us on the catamaran. The larger catamarans from the ship’s excursion had up to 60 people on them. Jason was a fantastic guide and stopped at a couple of different snorkel sites (turtles, underwater shipwreck) and they also provide a delicious catered lunch which you eat while anchored in a gorgeous turquoise bay. Well worth the money if you want to do it! You should make your reservation in advance and Tess will pick you up at the terminal and drop you back there at the end.
LAND TOUR WITH CAMERON REID
http://www.scenicbarbados.com/
I have read very good recommendations about this gentleman on the discussion boards. He is very friendly and knowledgeable about the island. You can contact him at ‘camireid@yahoo.com’ to arrange for a private tour. It looks like he charges $135 for a 3-4 hour tour (for up to 4 people) which works out to about $33.75pp and $34 per hour after that. He takes you to all sorts of attractions and scenic spots on the island and can also take you to Harrison’s Caves (although you still need to pay the entrance fee).
The problem with this island is that you will have a hard time deciding between all of the appealing options!
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie is the name of the town near where the ships dock. There are two piers where cruise ships dock.
Most ships dock at the West Indian Company Dock in Havensight, but you may also dock at Crown Bay Dock or, when all berths are full, you may anchor in the harbour and tender into Charlotte Amalie.
Havensight is about a mile from Charlotte Amalie and take about 20 minutes to walk or you can take a cab for around $5pp. There are tons of shops in the Havensight Mall to browse through. There is not much around the Crown Bay Dock so you will need to take a cab into town (around $4pp) as the walk is a long one. Cabs are usually open air 'safari' trucks and wait until they get full before they leave. Leave yourself time for this delay!
St Thomas is a great place for duty-free shopping with lots of jewelry and electronics buys to be had. Know your prices before you go and you may find some great deals. Bargaining is a way of life here so be prepared to sharpen your skills.
There is a vendor’s market near where the cabs drop you off downtown. It sells t-shirts, jewellery, knock-off handbags, souvenirs, clothing, etc. You can get some great bargains if you hang in and negotiate awhile.
There are also local taxis called “dollar taxis” that can take you most places on the island for about $2pp. You need to walk to a bus stop and flag down the $ taxis. They also look like big 'safari' trucks so it is sometimes difficult to distinguish them from regular open air cabs. The bus stop will be the identifying factor! This may be a bit intimidating to first-timers but it is a cheap way to get around the island. There is a bus stop near the Kmart which is down the road, to the left, of the Havensight pier. A bit of a walk will get you there. The dollar taxi routes don't go as close to the Crown Bay dock so a cab is your likely choice there.
The regular taxi fares are regulated and fixed based on the destination.
INTERNET CAFÉ – Beans, Bytes and Websites – downtown Charlotte Amalie in the Royal Dane Mall – ask locals or shopkeepers for directions when you get to the mall as there are many little alleyways to go down. It is not like our North American malls. All shops are off the quaint little alleys which are beautiful but can be confusing.
ATTRACTIONS
A couple attractions of interest would be:
SkyRide to Paradise Point which is an aerial cable car that takes you to 700 feet above sea level for a panoramic view that can’t be beat. There are shops and a bird show so you can spend some time wandering about. Round trip fare is $21 per person.
Coral World Ocean Park (at Coki Point) which has an observatory 15 feet under the water where you can view coral and sea life. The park is open Saturday to Wednesday from 9am – 4pm and the entrance fee is $21 per person. Coki Beach is right next door if you want some beach/snorkel time as well.
We haven’t been to either of these attractions but we know people who have gone and they enjoyed them. There are also lots of historical sights to see on the island. Go here for more info: http://www.vinow.com/stthomas/attractions_stt/
BEACHES
I have not listed all of the beaches as there are a lot of them. We have been to all of those listed below, except for Emerald Beach.
Magen’s Bay Beach – this is the best known beach on the island of St. Thomas. It is one of
the top beaches in the world (according to several travel magazines). $8pp cab ride, $4pp entrance fee. You can rent chairs and umbrellas if you like but there are lots of trees that can provide shade. Depending on how many ships are in port (I will have this info as we get closer to cruise time) the beach can be quite crowded with cruisers, but the water is gorgeous and warm. This is a great option for first-timers!
Emerald Beach (aka Lindbergh Beach) – is another beach that has excellent reviews. $6-7pp cab, $7pp chair rental, $10 chair + umbrella, near Best Western hotel, shade available, beach bar, bathrooms under construction, not very good snorkeling, no vendors to bother you. It is generally quiet but it is near the airport so around 12pm-2pm there are several jets passing over.
Coki Point Beach - $9pp cab, food/drink, chair rentals, vendors on beach can be bothersome, good snorkeling, outside beach area is a bit run-down but you can get out at the entrance and catch a cab back from the same spot without wandering too far away. UPDATE: After the death of a 14-year old tourist who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting, this beach was removed as a ship excursion destination early in 2010. The government has said that they have implemented several projects to make the area safer and cleaner but just be aware of this issue when choosing your beach destination.
Trunk Bay – this beach is one of the top 10 best beaches in the world. It is located on the island of St. John, which is able to be reached by ferry (see schedule below) from either Red Hook at the east tip of the island or downtown Charlotte Amalie. You can take a cab to Red Hook, catch the ferry to St. John (20 min ride), then a cab to Trunk Bay or you can catch a cab downtown and take the Charlotte Amalie ferry (45 min ride). Both of these options will cost in the range of $40 per person. There is some great snorkeling around a little island just off of Trunk Bay where there is a marked underwater trail highlighting the coral and fish of the area. Make sure that you return in early afternoon (2-2:30pm) as after 3pm, the locals start filling the ferries when they get off work. We have done this trip several times and Trunk Bay is one of our favorite beaches. It just involves a lot of time, attention to timing and is a bit costly.
TOURS
Island tours are available. Most run in the $25 - $30 per person range. The person that I have read the best reviews about is Henry Christopher who charges $25 pp for a 2 hour island tour. At the end, he will drop you at a beach of your choice for 2 hours and then deliver you back to the ship. Check out his website at: http://www.eeetours.com/index.html
OTHER OPTIONS
Water Island is a small island off the coast of St. Thomas that can be reached by ferry from the Crown Bay marina (the other cruise ship dock). Water Island is designated as the fourth Virgin Island - joining St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
You can take a small ferry over to the island and you will have a bit of a walk to get to Honeymoon Beach, but it will be worth it to enjoy this tropical gem of a beach!! Not many cruisers know about this spot or make the effort to get there, so it is very quiet and uncrowded. Some of the 'party boat' charters stop there around noon or so and it can get a bit crowded for about an hour until the party boats leave. There are some basic bathroom facilities but they may not open until the lunch bus arrives mid-morning. If you dock at the Havensight dock, a cab to the Crown Bay dock should cost you around $5pp each way. Ask to get dropped off by Tickles Restaurant or you will need to walk over to the small marina to the left, if the cab drops you where the cruise terminal is located. You should confirm the return times when boarding. The ferry holds about 25 passengers and costs $12 pp round trip. Tickets are sold by the captain once on board.
You can check out the ferry schedule and fare prices at the site below. It also has schedules for other ferries leaving from St. Thomas to St. John, Tortola and St. Croix:
http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/#Water%20Island%20Ferry:%20Crown%20Bay%20to%20Phillip
You can check out “http://www.vinow.com/stthomas/ “ if you want more info on attractions, beaches, etc.
You can also find some great info on http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=17
Most ships dock at the West Indian Company Dock in Havensight, but you may also dock at Crown Bay Dock or, when all berths are full, you may anchor in the harbour and tender into Charlotte Amalie.
Havensight is about a mile from Charlotte Amalie and take about 20 minutes to walk or you can take a cab for around $5pp. There are tons of shops in the Havensight Mall to browse through. There is not much around the Crown Bay Dock so you will need to take a cab into town (around $4pp) as the walk is a long one. Cabs are usually open air 'safari' trucks and wait until they get full before they leave. Leave yourself time for this delay!
St Thomas is a great place for duty-free shopping with lots of jewelry and electronics buys to be had. Know your prices before you go and you may find some great deals. Bargaining is a way of life here so be prepared to sharpen your skills.
There is a vendor’s market near where the cabs drop you off downtown. It sells t-shirts, jewellery, knock-off handbags, souvenirs, clothing, etc. You can get some great bargains if you hang in and negotiate awhile.
There are also local taxis called “dollar taxis” that can take you most places on the island for about $2pp. You need to walk to a bus stop and flag down the $ taxis. They also look like big 'safari' trucks so it is sometimes difficult to distinguish them from regular open air cabs. The bus stop will be the identifying factor! This may be a bit intimidating to first-timers but it is a cheap way to get around the island. There is a bus stop near the Kmart which is down the road, to the left, of the Havensight pier. A bit of a walk will get you there. The dollar taxi routes don't go as close to the Crown Bay dock so a cab is your likely choice there.
The regular taxi fares are regulated and fixed based on the destination.
INTERNET CAFÉ – Beans, Bytes and Websites – downtown Charlotte Amalie in the Royal Dane Mall – ask locals or shopkeepers for directions when you get to the mall as there are many little alleyways to go down. It is not like our North American malls. All shops are off the quaint little alleys which are beautiful but can be confusing.
ATTRACTIONS
A couple attractions of interest would be:
SkyRide to Paradise Point which is an aerial cable car that takes you to 700 feet above sea level for a panoramic view that can’t be beat. There are shops and a bird show so you can spend some time wandering about. Round trip fare is $21 per person.
Coral World Ocean Park (at Coki Point) which has an observatory 15 feet under the water where you can view coral and sea life. The park is open Saturday to Wednesday from 9am – 4pm and the entrance fee is $21 per person. Coki Beach is right next door if you want some beach/snorkel time as well.
We haven’t been to either of these attractions but we know people who have gone and they enjoyed them. There are also lots of historical sights to see on the island. Go here for more info: http://www.vinow.com/stthomas/attractions_stt/
BEACHES
I have not listed all of the beaches as there are a lot of them. We have been to all of those listed below, except for Emerald Beach.
Magen’s Bay Beach – this is the best known beach on the island of St. Thomas. It is one of
the top beaches in the world (according to several travel magazines). $8pp cab ride, $4pp entrance fee. You can rent chairs and umbrellas if you like but there are lots of trees that can provide shade. Depending on how many ships are in port (I will have this info as we get closer to cruise time) the beach can be quite crowded with cruisers, but the water is gorgeous and warm. This is a great option for first-timers!Emerald Beach (aka Lindbergh Beach) – is another beach that has excellent reviews. $6-7pp cab, $7pp chair rental, $10 chair + umbrella, near Best Western hotel, shade available, beach bar, bathrooms under construction, not very good snorkeling, no vendors to bother you. It is generally quiet but it is near the airport so around 12pm-2pm there are several jets passing over.
Coki Point Beach - $9pp cab, food/drink, chair rentals, vendors on beach can be bothersome, good snorkeling, outside beach area is a bit run-down but you can get out at the entrance and catch a cab back from the same spot without wandering too far away. UPDATE: After the death of a 14-year old tourist who was caught in the crossfire of a shooting, this beach was removed as a ship excursion destination early in 2010. The government has said that they have implemented several projects to make the area safer and cleaner but just be aware of this issue when choosing your beach destination.
Trunk Bay – this beach is one of the top 10 best beaches in the world. It is located on the island of St. John, which is able to be reached by ferry (see schedule below) from either Red Hook at the east tip of the island or downtown Charlotte Amalie. You can take a cab to Red Hook, catch the ferry to St. John (20 min ride), then a cab to Trunk Bay or you can catch a cab downtown and take the Charlotte Amalie ferry (45 min ride). Both of these options will cost in the range of $40 per person. There is some great snorkeling around a little island just off of Trunk Bay where there is a marked underwater trail highlighting the coral and fish of the area. Make sure that you return in early afternoon (2-2:30pm) as after 3pm, the locals start filling the ferries when they get off work. We have done this trip several times and Trunk Bay is one of our favorite beaches. It just involves a lot of time, attention to timing and is a bit costly.
TOURS
Island tours are available. Most run in the $25 - $30 per person range. The person that I have read the best reviews about is Henry Christopher who charges $25 pp for a 2 hour island tour. At the end, he will drop you at a beach of your choice for 2 hours and then deliver you back to the ship. Check out his website at: http://www.eeetours.com/index.html
OTHER OPTIONS
Water Island is a small island off the coast of St. Thomas that can be reached by ferry from the Crown Bay marina (the other cruise ship dock). Water Island is designated as the fourth Virgin Island - joining St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
You can take a small ferry over to the island and you will have a bit of a walk to get to Honeymoon Beach, but it will be worth it to enjoy this tropical gem of a beach!! Not many cruisers know about this spot or make the effort to get there, so it is very quiet and uncrowded. Some of the 'party boat' charters stop there around noon or so and it can get a bit crowded for about an hour until the party boats leave. There are some basic bathroom facilities but they may not open until the lunch bus arrives mid-morning. If you dock at the Havensight dock, a cab to the Crown Bay dock should cost you around $5pp each way. Ask to get dropped off by Tickles Restaurant or you will need to walk over to the small marina to the left, if the cab drops you where the cruise terminal is located. You should confirm the return times when boarding. The ferry holds about 25 passengers and costs $12 pp round trip. Tickets are sold by the captain once on board.
You can check out the ferry schedule and fare prices at the site below. It also has schedules for other ferries leaving from St. Thomas to St. John, Tortola and St. Croix:
http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/#Water%20Island%20Ferry:%20Crown%20Bay%20to%20Phillip
You can check out “http://www.vinow.com/stthomas/ “ if you want more info on attractions, beaches, etc.
You can also find some great info on http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=17
Monday, March 8, 2010
St. Martin/Sint Maarten, Netherland Antilles
St. Martin/Sint Maarten's nickname is 'the friendly island' and is the smallest piece of land shared by two countries. It is only 37 square miles. The largest part of this island is owned by the French (St. Martin) with a population of around 35,000 and the smaller portion is owned by the Dutch (Sint Maarten) with a population of around 45,000. English is widely spoken around the island. You can freely cross the border between the two holdings without passports or checkpoints. Most cruise ships usually dock at Philipsburg (Dutch side) but some smaller ships may dock at Marigot (French side). All of the information in this post will be assuming your ship is docked in Philipsburg.
MAP
GETTING AROUND
WALKING
From the cruise terminal area, it is about a 10-15 minute walk into Philipsburg. There is a walkway along the 'highway' that is protected by barriers. You will see a sign (below) for a shortcut over a little bridge that will lead you to another Water Taxi stop, along the Boardwalk and to Front Street. Front Street is the main shopping 'drag' and it is the first paved street away from the beach. It is lined with shops, restaurants, bars, etc. There are also shops along Back Street as well.
 |
| Sign for shortcut |
WATER TAXI
You can also catch a water taxi from the cruise ship pier into town. The cost is $4pp one way or $6pp if you buy an all day pass that allows you to use the water taxi as many times as you want throughout the day. It is a beautiful ride across a gorgeous turquoise bay to the downtown pier. The only negative is that the lines for the water taxis are often really long and you need to decide if you want to waste precious beach/shopping time waiting in line. The water taxis drop off and pick up at three spots: the cruise ship pier, Bobby's Marina and the downtown pier. They run this route all day. I've read that there is a new water taxi stop at the far end of the Boardwalk just past the Sea Palace Hotel as well. I will be confirming this on our next stop in St. Martin.
TAXI CABS
The taxi fares on this island are regulated and all fares are posted at the taxi stands. No matter which cab you take, the price should be the same! Prices are subject to change from time to time and I will attempt to keep them as current as possible. There is a taxi stand at the cruise ship terminal.
Posted Taxi Fares (one way) from the cruise ship pier:
To downtown - $3pp
To Little Bay - $4pp
To Orient Beach - $18(1-2 people), $7pp (3-5 people), $6pp (6 people +)
To Dawn Beach - $15(1-2), $7pp (3-5), $6pp (6 people +)
To Mullet Bay/Maho Bay -$18(1-2), $8pp (3-5), $7pp (6 people +)
To Marigot - $15(1-2), $7pp (3-5), $6pp (6 people +)
To Pinel Island - $25(1-2), $9pp (3-5), $7pp (6 people +)
Obviously, it is much more cost effective to find some others who are going the same spot you want to go.
BUSES
A thriftier option is to use the local "buses" that charge around $2.00 per person, depending on where on the island you are going to. They are primarily used by the local workforce to get to and from work so they don’t provide service to many of the regular tourist spots. They don't service the beaches on the east coast (Dawn Beach, Orient Beach, Pinel Island) but have great routes to the west coast (Marigot, Mullet Bay Beach, Maho Bay). Most are white mini-vans with the destination name printed on a large sign in the front window. Check to make sure the license plate starts with ‘BUS’ as some taxis (license plate starts with ‘TAXI’) look exactly the same. You can catch the bus at the bus stop on Back Street in P’burg (right at the end of Old Street which runs between Front and Back Streets) or you can flag them down. On your return trip, simply go back to the area where you were dropped off and flag down another one. They will not stop if they are full, but wait a bit and another one will soon come along. It is polite to greet those in the bus when you get in. Feel free to ask for help from the driver. They are generally friendly and helpful to let you know when to get out. You can double check that they are going where you want to go but don’t ask them to drop you back at the pier as buses do not go to the pier and they will charge you regular cab fare. Sometimes they will offer to drive straight to a destination instead of stopping along the route to pick other passengers up. This option will then change your fare so make sure you settle on the fare before you accept this option. On our trip in March 2010, the bus driver drove the 8 of us directly to Mullet Bay Beach for $3 per person and arranged to pick us up again later in the afternoon at Maho Bay Beach and take us back to the ship for $3pp. Not all drivers may make this deal so discuss this before you get in the bus. If you go the regular route (stop to pick up passengers along the way) then the fares can be different depending on where you get dropped off so ask what the fare is when you get on the bus and have it ready to pay to the driver on exiting. Having small bills and coins would be a good idea! For those who may have concerns over safety, all I can say is that we have used this option many times and have never felt unsafe or had a bad experience.
INTERNET CAFÉS
As with many business, internet cafés tend to come and go. There are usually several in Philipsburg. Just ask a local shopkeeper for the nearest spot.
An internet search indicates that there is a spot called Cyberlink which is located on Front St across from Little Switzerland. It has about 20 computers, serves coffee, espresso and cold drinks and also has a mini-mart. Cost is $3 per hour.
BEACHES
There are so many beautiful beaches on this island that it would take too long to provide information on all of them. I have tried to summarize info on the most well known spots. Remember that this island has a very European culture so most beaches you will go to will have topless bathers and some beaches will have a clothing-optional area.
Great Bay Beach - this beach is right along the waterfront in Philipsburg. It is within easy walking distance of the cruise ship pier and is a low maintenance option if you don't want to travel too far to get to a beach. It has lots of spots that rent loungers and umbrellas and offer food and drinks. It is a great beach for sunning but the water quality of the bay is not the best so locals don't recommend swimming in the water.
Orient Beach – this is the best known beach on the island and is located on the French side. It is a prime destination for many cruisers and has tons of bars and restaurants. Club Orient is the nude portion of the beach and it is located at the far end of the beach (to the far right of where the cabs drop you off). Most beaches on the island are topless and a few are clothing optional. You will be likely to see topless women all along Orient Beach and sometimes you will spot a nudist strolling up the beach from Club Orient. It is a beautiful white sand beach with crystal blue waters and usually has pretty good waves. Beware if the waves are really high as the undertow will be strong. The beach is generally very crowded when there are several cruise ships in port so if you are looking for a quiet beach, this would not be the spot to go.
The beach is lined with bars/restaurants which also offer loungers and umbrellas. You cannot sit on a lounger without paying for it and staff take exception if you lay your towels down in front of the loungers. The cheapest spot for renting loungers/umbrellas seems to be ‘Le String’ at $8 for one lounger and umbrella, a drink and access to their bathrooms. There aren’t easily accessible public bathrooms unless you purchase one of these packages from one of the bars along the strip.
There is a grocery store located behind the ‘Bikini Beach Bar’ where you can pick up some snacks, drinks, etc. We have rented a chair/umbrella but most times we walk down the beach a way until we find a spot that is not in front of the bars/restaurant and put down our towel. If you plan to spend most of the day there, it is worth it to get a lounger and umbrella.
Dawn Beach – the discussion boards are full of good comments about this beach. It is about a 15 minute drive from downtown P'burg and is located just down the coast from Orient Beach. Restrooms are available as well as a restaurant. A beach resort and the Westin hotel are located on this beach and you get a great view of St. Bart’s in the distance. The surf can get quite rough which means this beach is not well suited for little ones. You can rent 2 lounge chairs with an umbrella for $15. You can also get a massage with aloe for $20 for 20 minutes. Snorkeling is pretty good as there is a coral reef offshore, but you will have to swim a bit to get there.
Le Galion – also known as 'Coconut Grove' or 'Baby Beach'. It is located between Dawn Beach and Orient Bay and is much quieter than the others. There is a coral reef just offshore which means calmer waters, especially nearer the North end of the beach. There is a slow drop-off into the water which makes it perfect for families with small children as you can walk out a good distance without getting into deep water. It has facilities and a place you can get something to eat. You can rent beach chairs and some water toys/gear are available for rent.
Pinel Island – this island is just up the coast from Orient Beach. A cab will cost around $7pp (one way) from P'burg. The island is reached by a ferry (actually a small boat with an outboard motor) and costs $7pp round trip. It is a lovely small island with white sand beaches. This is probably one of the better snorkeling spots on the island but St. Martin is not best known for its snorkeling. There are some touristy shops and bars as well. Generally not too crowded and is quiet because it involves a bit more effort and cost to get to it.
Maho Bay - this is a small beach located near the Princess Juliana airport. Its main attraction is that the airport runway is directly behind the beach so that when the planes land, you are incredibly close to them. The Sunset Beach Bar is located at one end of the beach. It offers a good view of the planes landing and broadcasts the air-traffic control chatter. Plan to buy at least a drink in order to have a seat in the bar.
Here is the link to the airport arrival/departure schedule: http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByAirport.do?airportCode=SXM&airportQueryType=1
Mullet Bay Beach – This is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach located just a short walk up the coast from Maho Bay. Its active surf means it is popular with surfers. It can range from calmer waves to very large waves and the riptide can get dangerous when the waves are really big. Swim with a buddy if that's the case! Not likely a great option for families with younger children. You can snorkel near the rocks at either end of the beach. It doesn't offer all of the amenities of Orient Beach but does have a couple of spots to grab something to eat and, in front of the hotel, you can rent loungers and umbrellas. We quite often will take the bus to Mullet Bay and enjoy some beach time...then walk down to Maho Bay around 1pm so we are in time to see some of the larger planes land at the airport.
Baie Rouge - this beach got its name from the soft, lightly tinted, 'pink' sand found there. It is quite isolated and extremely quiet, except maybe on weekends when locals come out to enjoy this spot and things get a bit busier. The farther away from the entrance you go, the less clothing people will have on. The far West end of the beach is clothing optional. Some good snorkeling toward the east end along with a swim-through cave. There is a sharp drop-off a bit offshore so walk carefully. There are a couple of snack shacks available.
TOURS
Island tours are available. I have never taken an island tour so my information has been gathered by researching recommendations given by other travellers on discussion boards. My goal is to simply advise you of some options that have had very positive feedback and is not intended to be a personal recommendation.
Bernard's Tours - Private tour runs $350 total for up to 10 people on the van, which works out to $35 pp which is very reasonable for several hours seeing the island sights. http://www.bernardstours.com/
Joyce Prince - This lady is well-known around the island. If you have ever seen the "Feasting on Waves" series on the Food Network, Joyce is the guide that took Alton Brown around St. Martin. Her website is http://www.princepersonal.com/
Victor Bryan - gets excellent reviews - email at victor.bryan@wanadoo.fr
You can also get off the ship and head to the taxi stand. A ‘circle island’ tour (which would take you around the entire island) would be about $25 pp if over 8 people…however, I do not know if they would tailor your tour and stop wherever you wanted to???
SHOPPING
There are lots of shops in Philipsburg. Jewelry and electronics are usually very well-priced here. Sint Maarten being a Dutch holding, they also have gorgeous tablecloths, linens and Delft pottery. Again, know your prices at home so you can be sure you are finding a good deal.
There is an outdoor shopping market in the French town of Marigot, which is a bit of a drive up and around the coast. Marigot is the most popular town on the French side and has a lot of upscale shops and restaurants but you can grab something to eat on the waterfront from one of the local lolo BBQ's, on the boardwalk, for a reasonable price.
There is a shop called Rima’s, in Philipsburg, which seems to be where most of the island vendors buy their wares (or so goes the rumour). It is a big store with lots of beachwear, souvenirs, cheaper jewelry, etc. at prices that are usually better than beach vendors or at the market. Rima's is located at 41 Pondfill Road right beside the Salt Pond. A good stop to pick up your souvenirs. It is a good walk to get to or you could get the bus to drop you there on your return to town.
OTHER OPTIONS
CAR RENTAL – There are many car rental spots on the island. They have most of the usual spots (Hertz, Budget, etc) plus a few local spots that receive good reviews. Arthur's Car Rental is a local business that has some very good prices and is not far from the pier. http://www.arthurscarrental.com/
Make sure you check with your insurance carrier or your credit card company (if it provides coverage) about whether you are covered on St. Martin as it appears that North American insurance companies may not provide coverage there.
The streets of Philipsburg are very narrow and can be difficult to navigate as there is generally bumper-to-bumper traffic downtown. If this stresses you out, choose a cab or bus. No need to get your blood pressure up while on vacation ☺
Once out of Philipsburg, it isn't very difficult to navigate your way around the island as there is really just one main road to follow that travels in a circle around the island (see map near top of post). Most arteries are off this main road.
IMPORTANT TRAFFIC WARNING!! One thing to bear in mind is that there is a drawbridge at Simpson Bay, which is on the way back from Maho Bay/Mullet Bay. It opens to let big yachts pass through and brings traffic to a standstill at those times. Depending on how many ships are docked, you could run into some major delays. The schedule can vary but the usual problem time is in late afternoon so we usually try to head back to the ship by 3pm, at the latest, to be back on board by 5pm. Whether you rent a car, take a cab or take the bus....keep this issue in mind!
ATTRACTIONS /EXCURSIONS
I have tried to provide an overview of available attractions and excursions on St. Martin/Sint Maarten. This is not intended to be a personal recommendation of these companies (unless otherwise stated). My goal is simply to list the most popular excursions and outings that I have come across in my research and to provide a link for you to get more information for any item that you may be interested in.
Loterie Farm Treetop Adventure – http://www.loteriefarm.net/ . This is an aerial obstacle course and zipline adventure. It also has a couple restaurants and hiking facilities.
The Butterfly Farm – http://www.thebutterflyfarm.com/ . This is a large attraction filled with hundreds of species of butterflies. You can feed them and they will land on your hands. Entrance fee $12pp.
Lord Sheffield's Tall Ship Adventures - http://www.stmaarten-shoretrips.com/lordsheffield/
Captain Morgan's Day Charters - http://www.captainmorgan-daycharters.com/. Spend a delightful time sailing on a 65 ft schooner.
Rhino Riders - http://www.atlantisadventures.com/stmartin/rhino-rider-double/. Captain your very own 10 foot inflatable motor boat.
Bayside Riding Club - http://www.baysideridingclub.com/. Horseback riding on the beach. There is another stable on the island however, reviews have stated that they appear to put a priority on cruise tours and if you arrange this one on your own, you may be left waiting while cruise tours go first.
Segway's on the Boardwalk - There is a stand on the boardwalk where you can book a segway tour or you can email 's.duinkerk@hotmail.com to make a reservation in advance. $60 for an hour and 15 minutes or $30 for a half hour.
America's Cup Yacht Racing - http://www.12metre.com/ - race an America's Cup yacht in a recreation of the famous yacht race. This excursion can be a lot of work as guests are responsible for certain tasks associated with racing the yacht. If you do this, you will not get to relax or enjoy the scenery very much. I believe you can just choose to be a viewer as well but you should check this out if you don't want to work very hard. A great excursion for those who love to get active and feel the wind in their hair.
Enjoy all there is to enjoy on this beautiful island!!
Dawn Beach – the discussion boards are full of good comments about this beach. It is about a 15 minute drive from downtown P'burg and is located just down the coast from Orient Beach. Restrooms are available as well as a restaurant. A beach resort and the Westin hotel are located on this beach and you get a great view of St. Bart’s in the distance. The surf can get quite rough which means this beach is not well suited for little ones. You can rent 2 lounge chairs with an umbrella for $15. You can also get a massage with aloe for $20 for 20 minutes. Snorkeling is pretty good as there is a coral reef offshore, but you will have to swim a bit to get there.
Le Galion – also known as 'Coconut Grove' or 'Baby Beach'. It is located between Dawn Beach and Orient Bay and is much quieter than the others. There is a coral reef just offshore which means calmer waters, especially nearer the North end of the beach. There is a slow drop-off into the water which makes it perfect for families with small children as you can walk out a good distance without getting into deep water. It has facilities and a place you can get something to eat. You can rent beach chairs and some water toys/gear are available for rent.
Pinel Island – this island is just up the coast from Orient Beach. A cab will cost around $7pp (one way) from P'burg. The island is reached by a ferry (actually a small boat with an outboard motor) and costs $7pp round trip. It is a lovely small island with white sand beaches. This is probably one of the better snorkeling spots on the island but St. Martin is not best known for its snorkeling. There are some touristy shops and bars as well. Generally not too crowded and is quiet because it involves a bit more effort and cost to get to it.
Here is the link to the airport arrival/departure schedule: http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByAirport.do?airportCode=SXM&airportQueryType=1
Mullet Bay Beach – This is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach located just a short walk up the coast from Maho Bay. Its active surf means it is popular with surfers. It can range from calmer waves to very large waves and the riptide can get dangerous when the waves are really big. Swim with a buddy if that's the case! Not likely a great option for families with younger children. You can snorkel near the rocks at either end of the beach. It doesn't offer all of the amenities of Orient Beach but does have a couple of spots to grab something to eat and, in front of the hotel, you can rent loungers and umbrellas. We quite often will take the bus to Mullet Bay and enjoy some beach time...then walk down to Maho Bay around 1pm so we are in time to see some of the larger planes land at the airport. Baie Rouge - this beach got its name from the soft, lightly tinted, 'pink' sand found there. It is quite isolated and extremely quiet, except maybe on weekends when locals come out to enjoy this spot and things get a bit busier. The farther away from the entrance you go, the less clothing people will have on. The far West end of the beach is clothing optional. Some good snorkeling toward the east end along with a swim-through cave. There is a sharp drop-off a bit offshore so walk carefully. There are a couple of snack shacks available.
TOURS
Island tours are available. I have never taken an island tour so my information has been gathered by researching recommendations given by other travellers on discussion boards. My goal is to simply advise you of some options that have had very positive feedback and is not intended to be a personal recommendation.
Bernard's Tours - Private tour runs $350 total for up to 10 people on the van, which works out to $35 pp which is very reasonable for several hours seeing the island sights. http://www.bernardstours.com/
Joyce Prince - This lady is well-known around the island. If you have ever seen the "Feasting on Waves" series on the Food Network, Joyce is the guide that took Alton Brown around St. Martin. Her website is http://www.princepersonal.com/
Victor Bryan - gets excellent reviews - email at victor.bryan@wanadoo.fr
You can also get off the ship and head to the taxi stand. A ‘circle island’ tour (which would take you around the entire island) would be about $25 pp if over 8 people…however, I do not know if they would tailor your tour and stop wherever you wanted to???
SHOPPING
There are lots of shops in Philipsburg. Jewelry and electronics are usually very well-priced here. Sint Maarten being a Dutch holding, they also have gorgeous tablecloths, linens and Delft pottery. Again, know your prices at home so you can be sure you are finding a good deal.
There is an outdoor shopping market in the French town of Marigot, which is a bit of a drive up and around the coast. Marigot is the most popular town on the French side and has a lot of upscale shops and restaurants but you can grab something to eat on the waterfront from one of the local lolo BBQ's, on the boardwalk, for a reasonable price.
There is a shop called Rima’s, in Philipsburg, which seems to be where most of the island vendors buy their wares (or so goes the rumour). It is a big store with lots of beachwear, souvenirs, cheaper jewelry, etc. at prices that are usually better than beach vendors or at the market. Rima's is located at 41 Pondfill Road right beside the Salt Pond. A good stop to pick up your souvenirs. It is a good walk to get to or you could get the bus to drop you there on your return to town.
OTHER OPTIONS
CAR RENTAL – There are many car rental spots on the island. They have most of the usual spots (Hertz, Budget, etc) plus a few local spots that receive good reviews. Arthur's Car Rental is a local business that has some very good prices and is not far from the pier. http://www.arthurscarrental.com/
Make sure you check with your insurance carrier or your credit card company (if it provides coverage) about whether you are covered on St. Martin as it appears that North American insurance companies may not provide coverage there.
The streets of Philipsburg are very narrow and can be difficult to navigate as there is generally bumper-to-bumper traffic downtown. If this stresses you out, choose a cab or bus. No need to get your blood pressure up while on vacation ☺
Once out of Philipsburg, it isn't very difficult to navigate your way around the island as there is really just one main road to follow that travels in a circle around the island (see map near top of post). Most arteries are off this main road.
IMPORTANT TRAFFIC WARNING!! One thing to bear in mind is that there is a drawbridge at Simpson Bay, which is on the way back from Maho Bay/Mullet Bay. It opens to let big yachts pass through and brings traffic to a standstill at those times. Depending on how many ships are docked, you could run into some major delays. The schedule can vary but the usual problem time is in late afternoon so we usually try to head back to the ship by 3pm, at the latest, to be back on board by 5pm. Whether you rent a car, take a cab or take the bus....keep this issue in mind!
ATTRACTIONS /EXCURSIONS
I have tried to provide an overview of available attractions and excursions on St. Martin/Sint Maarten. This is not intended to be a personal recommendation of these companies (unless otherwise stated). My goal is simply to list the most popular excursions and outings that I have come across in my research and to provide a link for you to get more information for any item that you may be interested in.
Loterie Farm Treetop Adventure – http://www.loteriefarm.net/ . This is an aerial obstacle course and zipline adventure. It also has a couple restaurants and hiking facilities.
The Butterfly Farm – http://www.thebutterflyfarm.com/ . This is a large attraction filled with hundreds of species of butterflies. You can feed them and they will land on your hands. Entrance fee $12pp.
Lord Sheffield's Tall Ship Adventures - http://www.stmaarten-shoretrips.com/lordsheffield/
Captain Morgan's Day Charters - http://www.captainmorgan-daycharters.com/. Spend a delightful time sailing on a 65 ft schooner.
Rhino Riders - http://www.atlantisadventures.com/stmartin/rhino-rider-double/. Captain your very own 10 foot inflatable motor boat.
Bayside Riding Club - http://www.baysideridingclub.com/. Horseback riding on the beach. There is another stable on the island however, reviews have stated that they appear to put a priority on cruise tours and if you arrange this one on your own, you may be left waiting while cruise tours go first.
Segway's on the Boardwalk - There is a stand on the boardwalk where you can book a segway tour or you can email 's.duinkerk@hotmail.com to make a reservation in advance. $60 for an hour and 15 minutes or $30 for a half hour.
America's Cup Yacht Racing - http://www.12metre.com/ - race an America's Cup yacht in a recreation of the famous yacht race. This excursion can be a lot of work as guests are responsible for certain tasks associated with racing the yacht. If you do this, you will not get to relax or enjoy the scenery very much. I believe you can just choose to be a viewer as well but you should check this out if you don't want to work very hard. A great excursion for those who love to get active and feel the wind in their hair.
Enjoy all there is to enjoy on this beautiful island!!
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