Best Shore Excursions for Eastern Caribbean???

Nassau, St Thomas, St. Maarten on the Dream -May 2011

Group of about 20 of all ages.

Do you recommend booking outside of Carnival excursions?

Any help would be GREAT!

Thanks!!

I think the best eastern excursion we have done was one to St John from St Thomas. Wonderful beach.

Experienced cruisers will usually book privately.

Must be careful that you get back on time so make sure if you do so pick reliable tour guides that are well thought of on here.

Go to port of call pages and read up on others experiences and than decide what to do.

Man I love the Eastern itinerary and partly because you can safely book your own excursions.

St MAarten - my favorite stop. Get off the ship, walk to the water taxi and for $5 you can ride it all day. Its only a short trip to the beach and for $25 you can get 2 chairs, umbrella and a bucket of beer. Best thing is, the town is directly behind you. You can do a little shopping, swimming and at lunch hop the water taxi back to the ship. Grab some lunch, fresh towels and back to the beach. Don't forget to visit the Belgian Chocolate Shop and the Guavaberry store.

St Thomas - normally I'd say head out to Coki beach but with the unrest in that area, I guess you should head to Magen's bay. Just grab a cab to this really nice beach. I'd go out in the morning if its nice and then do some shopping downtown or if you're docked at Havensight do some shopping there.

Nassau - We usually go to the public beach on Paradise Island. Just grab a cab outside the terminal and tell him you want to go to the beach on Paradise Island. You might also consider Cable Beach. Either way, just do a cab. We usually do that in the morning and then wander around town for the afternoon.

Nassau, St Thomas, St. Maarten on the Dream -May 2011

Group of about 20 of all ages.

Do you recommend booking outside of Carnival excursions?

 

Any help would be GREAT!

Thanks!!

In St. Maarten, grab a couple of taxis and head to Orient Beach for the day. Lots of activities for all ages, plenty of food and drink too.

In St. Maarten, grab a couple of taxis and head to Orient Beach for the day. Lots of activities for all ages, plenty of food and drink too.

That's the, ahem, clothing optional beach. Not sure if there's kids in that group of 20 or not but just so you know . . . .

That's the, ahem, clothing optional beach. Not sure if there's kids in that group of 20 or not but just so you know . . . .

LOL!! Thanks for the heads up nbsjcruiser!! Yep, definitely have some kids in our group.

And thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions...I plan to look into each and every one. :)

Astropilot, Thanks for the tip!

So I see this will be your second go 'round on the Dream? I hear she is a beautiful ship.

I cant wait!!

In St Maarten we booked Bernard's tour - it was awesome, and way less than the one from the ship - I can't say enough great things about Bernard's!

Nassau, St Thomas, St. Maarten on the Dream -May 2011

Group of about 20 of all ages.

Do you recommend booking outside of Carnival excursions?

 

Any help would be GREAT!

Thanks!!

We always visit Gladys Cafe in St. Thomas. It's in a very old but quaint area. The "mall" was built in the 1700's and has cobbled streets. There's a chocolate shop down a few alleys that is wonderful. We take private taxis to take us around. You can get the taxis right at the pier and bargain with them. We have never gone wrong this way. Some taxis will give full one or two hour tours, or they'll take you to one location. It's up to you.

This is all very helpful, especially as this is our first cruise. We will be on the Carnival Glory in the Eastern Caribbean. The cost of everything on the ship and the excursions is a bit overwhelming:confused:. I am excited to see that there are alternatives, as suspected.

Do any of the beaches offer massage?