HarpHarp

If you have a National Parks pass, take it. You get free admission to Trunk with that.

We aren't beach people, so we really enjoyed this in Aruba. https://trikes-aruba.com/

The Banana plantation & tour in Puerto Limon was A++ and the train ride from Lake Gatun to the Miraflores visitors center was a highlight

Call the access desk for your cruise line. They should be able to tell you about the shuttle. E-mail or call Godfrey. Some of the tour operators excursion vans or safari buses would be very hard for your husband to navigate and much has changed since last year, so confirm everything directly with the operator.

In both St. Thomas and Tortola it is easy enough to do any excursion on your own. Walk off the ship & head for the taxi dispatcher & tell them what you are looking for & you will be on your way. In both places, you may have to make advance arrangements if you want a sailing/ diving/ snorkeling excursion..

All the beaches in St Thomas are public, and therefore free with the following exception. The two beaches that are part of the Magen's Bay Authority, Magens and Smith Bay Beach both charge a small amount. Coki & Sapphire should have chairs to rent and both have good snorkeling by the reefs at each beach. Maybe someone who has been there post hurricane can speak to the food/drink situation at Coki. I know food is available at Sapphire now.

Both Sapphire and Coki have decent off the beach snorkeling. You can take the ferry to St John & snorkel at one of the many beaches there, including Trunk Bay. Here is a Sapphire live cam https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/us-virgin-islands/st-thomas/east-end/saint-thomas-virgin-islands.html

I've taken my little harp on one cruise. I'd find a quiet corner & play, & I never had any problems. One of the on board muscians was quite intrigued. There should be plenty of quiet spots where he souldn't be annoying anyone. My husband plays bagpipes & that is a different story.

We've been on the Breakaway & went to Cuba on the Sun in May. I much preferred the pool deck on the Sun. The Sun never felt crowded and Havana was fabulous. Take in one of nightclubs or just go to Dos Hermanos very near the port.. The entertainment and activities were more extensive on the BA but things were often crowded and the BA class ships have way too small a pool for the # of people.

First of all the sunset times that close to the equator hardly vary, only about 50 minutes or so throught the year.

The biolumenescent bay can only be done at night & is highly recommended.

Key West debark was a disaster. Because they use the Navy pier, no walking. They tried to issue tickets for the shuttle at 11 am. The line was completely around the pool, in the hot sun. After waiting for our tickets & having lunch, we went to Bliss to wait for our number to be called. When they called our number we left the ship only to end up in another hot sunny long line for the shuttles to return.

We did have a standard hair dryer with a 220v plug that worked in the vanity outlet, in the vanity drawer. The circular shower curtain & bathroom layout was not nearly as nice as the Dawn/Star or the big guys Breakaway & Escape.

Just got home on Friday. The bathrooms do need re-done, but there was a hair dryer that fit the European outlet in the vanity drawer. Cuba embark was easy, just a look at the visa, scanning passport & visa, stamp & then on your way to the currency exchange. Getting transport off the Navy base in Key west was the real pain. Hope they have it figured out this week.

I was on the Sun for its first Cuba cruise that returned Friday. Though they sell cigars on deck 6, The Freestyle Daily says the only place to smoke pipe or cigars is on deck 12 aft.

My favorite place during the day inside is the District. Quiet, comfy couches with a great ocean view. The waterfront is the place outside. The thermal spa is my favorite place on the Escape overall.

We did the ATV jungle excursion and people on our cruise loved the cave tubing

I love the thermal spa with the pool

We really enjoyed Bruce Flamon. I know he's been quite active in the relief work going on, so I don't know if he would be able to help. Looks like his web site is down, but give him a call .

Flamon's Taxi & Island Tours

Visit: www.therealdealusvi.com

Contact or Call (340) 513-4041

Drake

Somehow I didn't see your wishlist posting before I posted VI Strong's. Small package coming your way, with more to follow, as soon as I have the $$$

Former Cruzan

Cindy

Here are a couple places to help. VI Strong is taking donations and has an Amazon wishlist

https://vistrong.org/

Adopt a family USVI- send priority mail boxes & they also have a wishlist

http://www.adoptafamilyusvi.com/

From a former Cruzan- Hang in there Drake

Cindy

Drake2014

Stay safe-remembering Hugo

Cindy- former Cruzan

I'm bad.:evilsmile: The first thing I thought of when I saw the OP was in Venice was "Grab a cheap duffle & head to the nearest shoe store". Italian shoes!!

Cindy

Charter member of the Imelda Marcos fan club whose DH swears I take an empty suitcase every time we go to Italy.

Sapphire is great and sure to be less crowded than Coki and the bar there is good too: Here's the web cam http://www.sapphireinthesun.com/

Another great place is Hull Bay Hideaway- right on the beach, http://adrianpo2.wixsite.com/hullbay You can get taxis between spots pretty easilybut each trip is going to cost and you may have trouble getting anyone to take you to Margaritaville from Sapphire or Coki, since they are very short trips. Bolongo Beach where Iggies is located is also nice.

Check with Bruce Flamon for a driver, http://www.therealdealusvi.com/

Former St Thomas resident here. Those places are pretty easily driveable so renting a car may be the easiest & least expensive. However, I wouls not want to try driving those windy roads on the left with a few drinks in me. I might be tempted to switch to Coki beach, very near Margaritaville, or grab food/ drink at Iggy's & then head to Smith Bay/ Lindquist beach.

Thank You. We'll be getting on when you get off. Glad I'll be better prepared.

Another problem :eek: I don't know if you've followed this, but you may need that passport to get on the plane. http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/pennsylvania-drivers-licenses-dont-comply-with-federal-real-id-act

Go Pens

Here we go Steelers

As a former St T resident & fellow Buckeye,I can say you've already hit my favorite beaches. I was going to suggest that you head to St John, until I saw your port time, so here are some on island suggestions

Secret Harbor is nice & there is some snorkeling

http://www.secretharbourvi.com/hotel/

If you haven't been to Magen's yet, your early port time might mean this is the perfect trip to beat the crowds. Not good for snorkeling.

Hull Bay is just past Magens has snorkeling & the coolest beach bar on the island. http://www.hullbayhideaway.com/

Have fun