Decisions! Decisions! Decisions! Please Help!

[kadey]

We originally planned a ship excursion to the Baths in Tortola. .After seeing private day sails to the Baths it seemed it was more to our liking.Less people,arrive via water and swim in ( as the ship excursion brings us in by land)and a snorkel stop! Unfortunately,most private daysails are not going there the day we are or the one company I found that's available cost time and a half of the other charters. A few charters have offered us wonderful schedules at a reasonable cost,but no stops at the Baths.

We have never been to Tortola before and I have no idea where future cruises will take us! Is the Baths a "must see" or more a tourist area that we can live without seeing? Is my time in Tortola better spent seeing other beautiful areas and snorkeling in their beautiful areas?

We love to travel and see different sites.We love being on boats and are "water people." It will be myself,DH,college age DD and her boyfriend (do I call him DBF!!?)

I'd appreciate your thoughts and past views from past experiences.
Thanks-Kad

[champagne lover]

We went to The Baths on Virgin Gorda as a ship excursion a couple of yeras ago and absolutely loved it. If we ever return to Tortola on a cruise this is one trip we would definately do - just amazing.

[sunnysask]

we also did a ship excursion and it was amazing, the walk down through the rocks is incredible and we were given plenty of time at the beautiful beach.

[lmitchell6195]

Hi Kad - have you tried www.tortolacharters.com?

Lori

[Coral]

I did the ship's excursion and really enjoyed it. I am definitely glad I saw it as there isn't anything else similar to this in the Caribbean that I have seen.

On a side note, some friends did the private boat ride over and they all left their cameras on the boat as they didn't want them to get them wet on the swim over. Needless to say, I got some great pics of the place and they didn't.

We had way more time at the Baths verses my friends who did a private trip. Not sure if that is true with every trip or not.

If you can't get a charter - I would encourage you to go with Princess.

[toberman]

Glad to see you're making all the right efforts to get an answer... see you've posted on the Tortola boards as well - great place to start.

As for 'The Baths' - amazing!! Be forewarned, they don't have loungers, or any kind of 'service' available on the beach. They do have a restaurant, and 'facilities' up top. It's a bit of a hike down to the beach and back up!! Good walking shoes are a must - plus, to get to one part of the beach you have to go thru a cave that is hard walking if you don't have beach shoes (lots or rocks to navigate). But worth it if you do it!

As for private or ship-sponsored tours... I've always been leary about going on my own if I have to leave the island the ship is on. Ferries, or just about any kind of boat you could be on can break down. Or weather gets bad. If you're on a ship-sponsored tour, the ship will wait (as long as possible) for you... If you go on your own and are late getting back... See you at the next port!!

Good Luck

[sydneyboy]

Just logged in to see what you have been up to , and find your off on another cruise! Have fun and tell us all about the Southern Caribbean. Sydneyboy and wife are stuck at home keeping the wheels of industry turning.

[kadey]

Sydneyboy and wife!!!! It's so wonderful to hear from you! I actually woke Dh to tell him about your post! He sends his warmest regards to you both! Yes,we are off on another trip.We really did this one so we could take our kids with us and try to enjoy some family time before they get too old and too busy to do this. Well it turns out our son is too busy with law school to go during his spring break.Lots of assignments due when he gets back. Somehow we have picked up our daughters boyfriend! It should be an interesting trip! We hope all is well with you both and your family.thanks for coming on this board to look for us.we will give you a shout out when we return!((((((( )))))))