Rookie-Cruisers

I would reserve. I heard many people calling around at the last minute trying to find someone. Some postings pointed out that full operators would refer you to someone who was not. The pier I left from did not have a dedicated area where you could find a boat. We left from the Marina where the boat is slipped.

We hit two snorkeling spots on ours which was a four hour. They served us food on the way in.... The food was fine but your going for the snorkeling. If it were me, I would definitely do the four hour. You will want to be snorkeling as long as possible...

Yes, saw the flying fish and a whole lot of others. If I go back to the Southern Caribbean, I am definitely going to Bonaire...

We were on Calabaza March 15, 2015 and we were the only boat around the turtles. There were three turtles and a huge Manta Ray when we were there.

We went with Calabaza two weeks ago and it was excellent. There were only twelve on board, the boat is incredible, the food is excellent and the crew makes the difference. As far as getting to the sea turtles, we were the only boat there on our trip. She was very organized when we dealt with her. We booked it, she responded to our questions, the taxi driver picked us up in the designated spot in the terminal on time and took us back.

My wife was initially nervous about not booking through Royal Caribbean but our two best excursions (Woodwind in Bonaire and Calabaza in Barbados) were both booked on our own.

As the other poster said their is no reason to take a large amount of cash or valuables. I had a bag we left on board. It is all out in the open and no one is going to go rifling through a bag when it is so visible to others and the Captain who stays on board.

You are in for an awesome experience.

Snorkeling in Bonaire was the highlight of our southern Caribbean cruise. We were there on March 13, 2015 and had signed up for the Woodwind catamaran cruise based on reviews. This was the best $65.00 I have ever spent. I have snorkeled a lot of places and nothing was as good as the snorkeling off Klein Bonaire island.

We met up with a man who took us to the boat just outside the terminal gate. (Not the most personable individual.) It was a small hike through an old resort to the pier. They have seats for 24 people, (eight on a side) and they are extremely organized.

It was a short ride to the island and it was all up from there. The snorkeling equipment is excellent (I brought my own but others in our party used theirs). My wife is not a big swimmer but we went together in groups of 8 with a guide and could explore at will. The water is so clear and amazing you can have an outstanding experience just looking down from the surface of the water. My wife got a flotation belt and had no issues.

You and the boat drift with the current allowing you to cover a bunch of area with minimal effort. When we got to the end of the drift area, the picked us up and took us to a second spot for more drift snorkeling. Anyone who has any desire to snorkel where it looks like your going through a salt water aquarium will not be disappointed. Thousands of colorful fish, lots of interesting coral, saw a couple of sea turtles and a barracuda.

Looks like we are doing the Lobster cruise too. I have no problem with sea sickness but others in the party are susceptible. I guess you can't go wrong with a nice sail and some lobsters.

Thanks for the input...

I second the question. Those are the same two we are trying to decide between...