St. Thomas Excursions

[david59]

Since this is my first cruise come April 2, Zaandam, I was wondering about HAL excursions on St. Thomas.
My DW and I were interested in taking the historical tour that goes up to the top of the mountain(s).
However I have heard there may be other options. Does anybody have any suggestions?

david:cool:

[S.S.Oceanlover]

yes check out www.godfreytoursvi.com
For $20 you'll get dropped off for a couple hours of shopping, then an island tour which includes a trip to the top of the mountain, and a couple hours of swimming at either Megans, Coki, or sapphire beaches.

we didn't want to shop so we got picked later. My inlaws didn't want the beacj so they took them back to the ship. Godfrey is very friendly and accomodating.

Bill

[david59]

Thanks OceanLover for that info! :)

On the Godfrey tour, do they give you some historical info as you tour around?

I also found another tour group on St. Thomas.....Sunny Liston Tours.

Anyone heard or experienced that one?

David

[FoxyTerrier]

a couple hours of swimming at either Megans, Coki, or sapphire beaches.

Bill

Bill or anyone else-

We booked this last night but didn't realize their were beach choices - Which one is best and how are they different.

The price is great and this guy has great reviews.

Joni

[tlm]

We have done Godfrey's Tour twice and he is fantastic. He gives all kinds of historical information about St Thomas that you'll think you're in school! He is very knowledgeable.

As far as beaches, he will recommend the best one. We visited Coki the first time and the water was crystal clear. It was amazing. On our second trip this past January, there were eight ships docked the day we were there so everything was very busy. He took us to a private resort called Secret Harbour for those who wanted beach time. It was beautiful and not busy at all.

I highly recommend his tour.

Toni

[S.S.Oceanlover]

When we went last summer he took us to Coki beach first and said that it gets really crowded there and it's not that big. He recommended we go to Sapphire which was no problem for us since we went there the year before and loved it.

As for historical stuff, as Toni(Tim) said he is very knowledgable. Stopped many times to explain different plants, buildings, etc. Also stopped for many photo ops. I have NEVER read a bad thing about Godfrey online and for $20 you can't beat it. We gave him a very nice tip when it was over we had such a great time.

Bill

[FoxyTerrier]

I booked the Godfrey tour on 3/11 and was expecting some sort of confirmation. Can the people that have used him before please comment on this.

Also will he pick us up at the ship or do we have to go to him?

Thanks,
Joni

[Oceanwench]

I booked with him months ago for our 5/14 cruise and got a confirmation in a day or two.

Then I had to change it when HAL changed itineraries, and he was very accommodating abou that.

Yes, he picks you up by the dock.

[chieft26]

Normally, you'll get a confirmation back from him right away. We've used him twice and I've found that if you request your reservation, BOTH in the log and the reservation button on his website, you'll get an answer back quickly. Didn't do this the first time, only the reservations button and we didn't get a reply back in what I considered a timely manner. He'll meet you at the dock with a sign that has your name on it. You'll love him.

[FoxyTerrier]

Normally, you'll get a confirmation back from him right away. We've used him twice and I've found that if you request your reservation, BOTH in the log and the reservation button on his website, you'll get an answer back quickly. Didn't do this the first time, only the reservations button and we didn't get a reply back in what I considered a timely manner. He'll meet you at the dock with a sign that has your name on it. You'll love him.

If I don't hear from him today will try posting to the log.

Chieft26 - I see you are from Shalimar, FL. I grew up in Shalimar, FL in the Longwood area. Go Big Green Indians and Go 'Noles!!!!

[dinscoe68]

Hi Foxyterrier,


We have booked Godfrey's Tour for 9am that day in St. Thomas (we're on your roll call :) ). When he emails you, he will ask what time you want to be picked up. His email indicated he would pick us up at the ship.

Are you doing the Baths tour with the ship by any chance?

Dawn

[FoxyTerrier]

Hi Foxyterrier,


We have booked Godfrey's Tour for 9am that day in St. Thomas (we're on your roll call :) ). When he emails you, he will ask what time you want to be picked up. His email indicated he would pick us up at the ship.

Are you doing the Baths tour with the ship by any chance?

Dawn

Hi Dawn, Still no word from Godfrey - I'm starting to think he is all booked up. We are not doing the Baths tour we are doing the Virgin Island Sailaway Tour - I heard great things about both trips. We are also doing the Aquatrax at HMC - I have a feeling DH isn't going to like that one so much, but my son can't wait to try it. We also hoping to rent a Hobie for an hour or two. No cabanas for us either. We are so excited and it's getting close.

How much time elapsed from when you booked Godfrey until you heard back from him. Also how long ago did you book him?

Joni

[chieft26]

[QUOTE= I see you are from Shalimar, FL. I grew up in Shalimar, FL in the Longwood area. Go Big Green Indians and Go 'Noles!!!![/QUOTE]


You're the first one in 3 years that I've talked to who actually knows where Shalimar is. We live in Lake Lorraine, the other side of Shalimar.

[bepsf]

You can always just take a taxi to Megan's Bay - $6/pp from Charlotte Amalie to get to the beach where they charge you $3/pp entry fee. ($15/pp total R/T) If you ask the driver nicely, he'll stop near the top for photos and can tell you about some of the sites along the way.


Incredible, beautiful beach w/ clean flat golden sand - walk to the far left to get away from the crowds. Bring your snorkel gear and see tons of fish - friends even saw a sea turtle out by the rocks! Even if you don't swim, wear polarized sunglasses so you can stand in the water and see the fish swimming around your legs, and watch dozens of pelicans and other seabirds diving into the water for these fish!

When you get back to Charlotte Amalie, try Cuzzin's at 7 Back St - some of the best authentic Caribbean/Soul Food ever!

[FoxyTerrier]

You're the first one in 3 years that I've talked to who actually knows where Shalimar is. We live in Lake Lorraine, the other side of Shalimar.
I know Lake Lorraine quite well. My parents bought a lot there in the late 60s or early 70s on the golf course - never built on it as my dad fell in love with Rocky Bayou CC. He finally got his dream and built a house on #1 green in 2000. Our family moved to the area in 1959 (Air Force) and retired there.

Still no word from Godfrey.... I think we need to make alternate plans for St. Thomas.

Joni

[tlm]

Joni

Have you emailed him back? I know he was off the island a week or so ago because of a funeral he had to attend.

Both times I booked with him he was very prompt in getting back to me. Also if he is booked, he has a friend Peter who will do the tour along with him. That's what happened in January when we went. Because it was so busy there were two buses on the same tour.

I would try him again

Good luck :)

Toni

[dinscoe68]

Hi Dawn, Still no word from Godfrey - I'm starting to think he is all booked up. We are not doing the Baths tour we are doing the Virgin Island Sailaway Tour - I heard great things about both trips. We are also doing the Aquatrax at HMC - I have a feeling DH isn't going to like that one so much, but my son can't wait to try it. We also hoping to rent a Hobie for an hour or two. No cabanas for us either. We are so excited and it's getting close.

How much time elapsed from when you booked Godfrey until you heard back from him. Also how long ago did you book him?

Joni

Hi Joni,

I agree with the other poster. Try emailing Godfrey again. It took 3 or 4 days before I heard back from him. We booked him about 2 months ago.

We aren't getting cabanas either. I don't think it is worth the extra expense, especially if the weather is mild, which I expect will be the case this time of year. Maybe in the heat of the summer.....

What is "aquatrax"? I haven't heard of that.

It is getting close. I can't believe next Friday at this time, I will be getting ready to go to the airport. We are going a day early so we don't have to stress the morning of departure. We are on the Rotterdam deck, which one are you on?

Dawn

[FoxyTerrier]

Hi Joni,

I agree with the other poster. Try emailing Godfrey again. It took 3 or 4 days before I heard back from him. We booked him about 2 months ago.

We aren't getting cabanas either. I don't think it is worth the extra expense, especially if the weather is mild, which I expect will be the case this time of year. Maybe in the heat of the summer.....

What is "aquatrax"? I haven't heard of that.

It is getting close. I can't believe next Friday at this time, I will be getting ready to go to the airport. We are going a day early so we don't have to stress the morning of departure. We are on the Rotterdam deck, which one are you on?

Dawn

I heard from him about 10 minutes ago - he was away off island so we are set - just need to figure out what time he should pick us up. I'm thinking 10 would be good for us. 2 hours of shopping for a 17 year old is enough. :)

The aquatrax is like a wave runner personal water craft. We were at HMC 2 years ago over spring break and the weather was nice and the water not too cold.

We are leaving Saturday morning - air booked by HAL cause we couldn't find anything reasonable - we were late booking the cruise. We are on the Upper Prom Deck - 4180.

Joni

[dinscoe68]

Hi Joni,

You're probably right about the shopping time. We have an 11 yo son, but I didn't want to be rushed walking around the shopping area.

Do you know how much the aquatrax is? It sounds like fun.

Dawn

[FoxyTerrier]

Hi Joni,

You're probably right about the shopping time. We have an 11 yo son, but I didn't want to be rushed walking around the shopping area.

Do you know how much the aquatrax is? It sounds like fun.

Dawn

The aquatrax is about $55-$60 per person. I tried to look it up online on HAL.com, but the excursions are closed for our cruise already. I do believe it said you had to be 16 and have a driver's license to do this.

On a side note - our cruise docs arrived today and the aquatrax is not mentioned in the excursion booklet so I'm guessing it is new.

I actually wanted to have Godfrey pick us up at 9, but DH said he thought 10 would be better - last thing I want is a cranky DH and DS. :)

Joni

[SeaYa52]

Hi Joni - We're booked on the Virgin Island Sail Away too - I've started packing.

Sandy