sheilawigley

Thank you all!  Exactly what I needed and we are set. Not gonna worry about it now and look forward to next month!! 🙌🏻

Anyone stayed here or close to it?  I am reading conflicting info so would love some actual advice from someone who stayed here or close.  It sounds like elevators aren't too noisy?  But I'm concerned with solarium above.  Is it terribly noisy?  This is the GTY room and I am maybe regretting it?  Grrr...I took my chances and got both things I did not want.

Thanks so much!

Thanks.  I did know about US ports, but never could see where that was really including PR esp since the websites didn't show the requirement when booking like true US states did.  I am thrilled about it and can now get my $ back so perfectly fine with me.

When I booked in early Aug it was not required to be vaccinated.  Even up til a few weeks ago when I looked at booking the same cruise, nothing was stated (like the FL cruises did ).  I got an email a few hours ago saying that you have to be vaccinated.  I have not received anything prior to this.  Anyone have details??  Thanks!

Is San Juan considered a US home port?  I can't find anything confirming if san juan requires vaccinated or not.

I have a Nov cruise booked to S. Caribbean and it stops at USVI.  I assume it will get changed to vaccinated only like another cruise this week?  I guess there is always the chance USVI could change their protocols so is that why RC has not mandated it yet on this particular sailing?  Of course they could look at alternate port that day I  suppose.  Trying to gauge if this will be mandated, but again probably another guessing game for now.

Thanks!

Thanks!  I know it’s a guess these days but didn’t know if anyone was seeing any trends yet.  Biker19 you are right about the $$$!!

I know it’s all a guess but for those closely monitoring can you give any guidance?

I want to join in Nov or Dec and want to NOT select ones that seem high on the cancel list. 
 

Based on the latest cancellations, any particular ones to stay away from?  Ships or ports in US?

Thanks!!

On 2/5/2020 at 4:17 PM, reedprincess said:

May I suggest you first take a deep breath and relax. Then realize, you're simply not going to be able to "do it all" or even "see it all" in your very limited time.   I know it's tough, but 8 hours really doesn't give you time to see more than a few highlights. And St Lucia has a LOT of highlights!  

You could customize your day instead an hit a few wonderful spots that are less traveled so to speak 

Instead of hiking the Piton and that being your entire day, consider the Tet Paul trail instead - which is a 1 hour tops, walk/hike along the ridge above/between the Pitons. Absolutely stunning views, much quicker and leaves time to enjoy elsewhere.  

Hit that you, then a quick pass through the volcano, maybe a botanical garden or waterfall, and then the beach for a couple hours and back up to the port. 

If you left port by 8:30, you'd be to Tet Paul by 9:45 or so, all done and ready for more by 11, you can have a fantastic lunch right there by the trail, or somewhere in town, botanical garden for an hour, beach for an hour or so  and back to port by 4.  (Assuming an all-aboard of 4:30, as most ships are).  

The difficulty with St Lucia is simply the driving distances. While the island itself is quite small, only 27 miles top to bottom, it's takes a solid 60-90 minutes from Castries to Soufriere due to the winding narrow mountainous roads.  Stunning beautiful drive, but long.  Boat trio takes 45 minutes...

You could consider a water taxi to Soufriere and save even more time, then land portion to Tet Paul, and whatever else, then back into water taxi to the ship.  You could visit Sugar Beach and Anse Chastenet with it's black sand, or pull into Marigot Bay on the return for the gorgeous views. 

There is simply a ton to do, unfortunately  - you're going to have to narrow it down, and plan your return trip! Personally, hiking the Piton wouldn't be my first choice for a one  day trip - both because you'd miss out on lots of other sights and Experiences, and because it's fairly exhausting!! And you can get almost the identical views, etc from Tet Paul, plus some good history, info about the local flora, etc.  

Good luck with narrowing down what to do!!

Thank you so much!  The information is invaluable and exactly what I was looking for 🙂  I am going to look into all of this and plan the day like this versus the hike.  Appreciate you!!

10 hours ago, reedprincess said:

TBH- you're timings are more than fine. You have plenty of time to do the hike if that's what you want to do for the day .. the "truck" would be to find water transport. .  again, Shashamane, Israel, etc water taxis ..

 

Bit really, just depends on what you want to do whole here for the day.  There's so much you could do during the hours you have  - entirely depends on what you're interested in....  

I can't really help much without knowing what you're interested in....

There's a lot of great day trips....

 

Thank you!  I am looking at the hike with Treasure Tours or Solomon I believe.  have to go back in my emails.  TT is the last one I corresponded with.  I don't know why I am so conflicted.  My husband and I are in our 40s and both fit so I feel like we can do the hike in 4 hours or less.  Treasure Tours takes you by boat and then about a 20 min drive to start the hike so they seem good on time.

But on the flip side, then I wonder if we should do an overall St Lucia Land and Sea tour to see more of St. Lucia in general and not spend all the time hiking if that makes sense.  Get to see/hear more on history/culture.  I don't really have an interest in the mud baths or snorkeling (we are doing snorkeling in Barbados and have done in other places), but of course we can relax on the beach.  I wonder if just being between the Pitons and the views from the water are good along with other areas.  I have been wanting to go to St. Lucia for years so want to do so much lol. 

On 1/29/2020 at 11:52 AM, reedprincess said:

Actually, loads of people hike the Piton, pretty much daily. Not many from cruises, due to the Durance and time constraints - and cost. It's not really cost effective for tour operators for guest from cruise ships as it's generally 1 or 2 people, and the costs outweigh whatever miniscule profit they could make.  With the massive hike in trail fees, it pretty much wiped out the cruise tour option.. 

You can grab a cab, 90 minute one way drive to trail head, 4 hour round trip hike. Cab will run $180-200 round-trip, trail fee is $50 pp.

Or check Shashamane Water taxi, Israel's Water Taxi, Tribute to the Lion, Solomon's Water taxi, etc. 

Good luck. 

Reedprincess you seem very knowledgeable so do you mind sharing your opinion?  Do you really think there is enough time to do the Piton hike on a cruise stop?  We are in port from 9-6.  Even with a water taxi I am afraid now as Joy's told me they no longer offer because of the time constraints and "anything can happen".  I really wanted to do it, get some exercise, and see the beautiful views, but... thinking maybe now just do a land and sea combo.  We have never been to St. Lucia and I have always wanted to go.  I saw there are some rainforest hikes.  Are any of those worth doing?  I have looked for days on end at different tours and now feel even more confused lol.  I have all our other days planned but this one.  Thank you for your wisdom!

I am curious about this as well... not many offer the tour by boat versus road there and I had "Joe Knows" tours tell me today that they dont offer it because of the risk of getting back in time which now bothers me.  Grrr... So I was coming to post the same question myself.  I have searched a lot on here and not a ton about people hiking it in general and esp on cruise.

Thank you so much!! Makes sense. I will give it some more time!

Anyone have issues in getting a response back on questions?  I have read about some others that day a while, but it has been 2 days.  Not sure if this is the norm?  I sent Monday and then a follow-up today as I am really interested in booking, but have a few questions.  Just curious 🙂

Thanks!

Thank you so much!  I got a price back from Solomon and you are right, seems in line. His is less but I don’t think that includes the $50 per person hike fee and I think Joys does. I’m going to review again as well as check the others you mentioned. Thanks again so much!!

I see Spencer does not offer this any longer.  I found Joys, but it is $200 a person which seems steep.  Anyone use Solomon?  I have emailed them for a price.

We are coming in on a cruise and would prefer water transportation versus road to do that hike.  I am still debating on the hike, but think we can do it :-)

Thanks!