anybody know about...

[nycglitter]

Looking for suggestions on excursions to take with my family in San Juan, St. Thomas, Tortolla. Can anybody suggest excursions, and the best way to book them?

[GoinCruisin]

You might want to check out the ports of call forums...lots of good info there.

[robintennis]

The best family excursion, in my opinion, on Puerto Rico is the El Yunque rainforest. Took my kids a couple of times, and had a blast. Lots of walking and you will get wet, maybe even soaked, but it was fun. There are waterfalls as your reward for a nice long hike. A very good interpretive centre as well. There are varying degrees of hikes. Some short/some longer. Take the ship's excursion, because the traffic is brutal, as there seems to be just the one good road. We have had many pre- & post-cruise vacations there.

When visiting St. Thomas I would recommend some of the snorkelling excursions to St. Johns with the kids. It is a quick ferry ride and some very nice beaches to snorkel at. There is also a National Underwater Park with placards describing some of the coral formations and fish, that you snorkel around. Good fun for the family. Plus St. Johns is less rowdy than the larger, more populated St. Thomas.

Tortolla is just a very sweet island. The people are honest and extremely polite. I have only ever done "beach day there".

Robin

[nycglitter]

Thank you so much robin big help

[63galaxie]

Originally Posted by nycglitter

Looking for suggestions on excursions to take with my family in San Juan, St. Thomas, Tortolla. Can anybody suggest excursions, and the best way to book them?

I "second" the comments about St. John. We rented a car on the island. It's very easy to drive and breathtakingly, drop-dead gorgeous. We even found "our own beach." It was the best cruise day we've ever had.

We're going to San Juan next Saturday. You should look into the Biolum. Kayak tour. Imagine swimming with glowing water dripping off of your arms! The kids would love it!
Bon Voyage.
Karen

[nycglitter]

Thanks Karen for your thoughts! Very helpful. I know I have quite a ways to go before the cruise, but I am getting very excited planning.
Enjoy Puerto Rico!

[canovanas]

hey this is just an fyi but I don't think the ship excursions that go to the biobay have swimming as an option. you take a 1 1/2 hour or sometimes 2 hour ride to the east side of the island where you meet up with your tour operator. They give you a 10 min or so orientation, you kayak into the lagoon where they give you a brief commentary and then you kayak back so that you can be whisked away back to San Juan to board your ship. Remember the tour runs on a time constraint because of how far out you are going, so most of the time is spent on the bus. This excursion may not be worth what the ship sells it for.

[nycglitter]

OK, Thanks. I will do some pricing before I commit to the ships excursions.

[dmac41]

Just came back from both San Juan & St. Thomas:

San Juan - highly recommend the El Yunque Rainforest tour - we had limited time at the island, and this seemed like something different to do. we booked it through the cruiseline, RCCL, and we had a great time. nice family-esque trip, even though it was just me & my girlfriend...our tour operator was great, talked the entire time about the various plants, animals, history, etc. of the rainforest. it's about an hour ride to and from the port area, but even during that time she told stories and gave general information about the history of Puerto Rico.

St. Thomas - we booked independent tour through Sunny Liston - for $25 he takes you sightseeing, shopping, and drops you off at the beach area of your choice. He runs a very fun tour, again there were lots of families and I noticed them all enjoying it.

whatever you end up doing, hope it's memorable!!

[texancruzer]

Originally Posted by nycglitter

Looking for suggestions on excursions to take with my family in San Juan, St. Thomas, Tortolla. Can anybody suggest excursions, and the best way to book them?

Gee..... could we get some more info..... how old are your kids ? What are their interests....what are your interests...... how long will you be in San Juan ???

We stayed 3 days/2 nites precruise in San Juan.... explored all over the place...... depending on the age of your kids.....El Morro is one place to go..... also other sites in Old San Juan are pretty neat too.... shopping for Mom and great cafes for a nice lunch and cool drinks.... I would entertain the idea of "theme" day with play swords and Spanish conquistador helmets for the kids - mix in some history and they will learn something too. Also many locals head to the park area surrounding El Morro and fly kites.... somedays you will see tons of them

On St. Thomas we headed straight for St. John - it is 2/3 National Park and very pristine and as posted before drop-dead gorgeous. A snorkle at Trunk Bay or Cinnamon Bay is a must !! There is also some old plantation ruins there.... don't miss a burger from Woody's right down from the ferry landing....

Tortola is still on my list of places to go.... our cruise did not stop there.

[Oaktree]

Check out the Tortola POC for lots of information. I was there quite a few
years ago and loved Cane Garden Bay for the day. Beautiful beach, food,
a few booths with jewelry (I still wear earrings from there!), paid for use
of hotel bath house which was very nice. Always wanted to go back for a
long stay.

[nycglitter]

This all really great information. Keep it coming!