sugarbird

QUOTE=maryann ns;47657462]You will not have enough time in Hanoi to make it worthwhile as it is well over a three hour drive each way.

If you are overnighting you have enough time for a trip. The 3 hours each way is correct---we have done this 2 times---if you are overnighting then why not overnight in Hanoi--gives you much more time. It is a long and interesting ride but very much worth the time. I would use the ships overnight excursion---because on your own if you miss the ship for any reason, you will have a major problem.

Trails of Indochina is a very good tour operator, but probably not cheaper than the ships own excursion.

My wife and I stayed in the walled city for 4 nights about a month ago--and felt safe everywhere we went. In most cities the port area is an area of caution.

Alomost everyone who lives in the Virgin Islands uses At&T--My wife and I have owned a 2nd home here for 35 years--AT&T treats this as if you were in an other state--local and calls to the continental USA are included in your plan--no roaming or extra charges for text messaging.

I think Sprint has recently started this also.

My wife and I have owned a 2nd home on St. John for 35 years--Our very favorite snorkling spot is the " Indians " off of Norman Island in the BVI. They are rocks sticking out of the water that look like Indian Heads--The reef there is fantastic--however this is not an easy spot to go to from a cruise ship. You need to go on a small boat and it may be too much trouble for one day.

If that is the case your options are limited to places like Coki on St. Thomas and almost any beach on St. John---I prefer Hawknest or Francis Bay.

My wife and I just finished 4 days in Cartagena--not on a cruise--and felt safe everywhere. We stayed in a the walled city at a wonderful 8 room botique hotel--Quadrifolio--and enjoyed "great" food at Carmen's and Montmartre. Juan Valdez shops are great for Starbuck's- like drinks.

We found the city especially the old walled city safe at all hours that we were out walking or touring..

We have felt more on edge in Salvador and Recife, Brazil or in Belize City or on Las Ramblas in Barcelona. There are clearly some areas to avoid but they are generally away from tourist areas. In many cities, it is unwise to walk to or from the port area--since the areas near the port are poor and crime can occur.

I think Colombia has improved significantly in the last 10 years--but it is still a poor country so normal precautions should be observed. The history of the port including the gold museum are fascinating.

My wife and I have owned a 2nd home on St. John for 35 years--so we are very familiar with the island.

Tha closest point for taxis to drop you is by Annaberg Ruins on St. John--It is about a 1 mile walk from there to the closest spot to swim by Waterlemon Cay. Taxis can wait for you--but may be reluctant to do so-- or you can arrange a pickup time. Taxis arrive there frequently in the morning-- with cruise ship passengers on a tour of the island--not to look for passengers.

Also you should be careful of the strong currents arround Waterlemon Cay--someone renting our house drowned there several years ago.

I think snorkling there is best left for a St. John vacation.

Do we need water shoes for cinnamon or Trunk Bay?

Water shoes are never necessary for Trunk or Cinnamon beaches.

My wife and I have owned a 2nd home on St. John for 35 years and have never needed water shoes for any beach there.

We are looking at going to Honeymoon beach, but due to health issues I am a little concerned about the hike to the beach from where they drop you off.

 

Has anyone been there that could tell me about the walk to the beach? is it flat? doable with flip flops?? :-)

 

Trunk Bay is my other choice. read a lot about being crowded..we are the only ship in port that day (Freedom). will crowds be ok?

 

how is transportation back from Honeymoon? will Taxi's be waiting?

 

Thanks[/quote

My wife and I have owned a 2nd home on St. John for 35 years.

Honeymoon Beach is a downhill walk from the main road and there are rarely any taxis there--Trunk Bay is a much longer beach with easy access and there are always taxis there.There are also bath rooms and changing rooms as well as food.

With only 1 cruise ship the beach there should be no problem--it is a very long wide beach--and considered to be one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. I would strongly recommend it over Honeymoon.

My wife and I just returned from Bangkok--not off a cruise. We have been going to Thailand for almost 10 years.

I always recommend staying by the river--The Shearaton is nice!! If you can afford it the Shangri La is a great hotel right by the river and a Sky Train stop.

It's not free, you will either be charged AT&T/Verizon roaming for text/talk/data or you will have to pay for an International Package which has a one-time monthly charge so you can't prorate it. If you want free, your best bet is to find/ask around for free wifi, which isn't totally free as it comes 'with purchase'.

This is not true!!! ATT treats the US Virgin Islands like you were on the mainland USA--no roaming or extra charges. Verizon charges you.

I own homes in Florida and St. John and never have extra charges for local or calls to continental USA.

Virtually everyone who lives here has ATT for this reason!!!

As far as beaches go, I would choose Sapphire over St. John. I would also choose Lindqvist over Trunk or Cinnamon. But that is just my opinion--I think they each have their own special something that makes them unique. They are all beautiful and you can't go wrong with any of them.

I would agree that they are all great!!! We can all have different opinions--but most travel magazines, experts, etc would disagree with choosing a St Thomas beach over any beach on St. John.

Also most residents ans frequent visitors to St. John don't go to Trunk or Cinnamon beaches--others are better and less crowded.

Bottom line is I agree anyone should enjoy any of the St. Thomas or St. John beaches---they are one of natures great gifts.

Every hour on the hour for the most part. The times that don't adhere to that schedule are before or after cruise ships come and go.

As someone who has owned a 2nd home on St. John for 35 years, I would tell you that the ferry schedules have nothing to do with cruise ship schedules!! They adhere to a "legal" schedule approved by the local government for the convenience of residents and tourists. That schedule does not vary except for weather and mechanical problems.

Forgot to add that Sapphire also has abundant natural shade while most other beaches do not. So Sapphire is a great beach for those who just want to relax and enjoy the views while enjoying the shade too.

 

Webcam and drone video of Sapphire -

http://www.sapphireinthesun.com

As someone who has owned a 2nd home in St. John for 35 years, no one would chose Sapphire beach over a trip to St,.John. Sapphire is a nice beach --but does not compare to the St. John beaches --- St. John is a special place--mostly (2/3) national park. If you just want to enjoy a beach and have limited travel time go to Sapphire. If you want to see one of the world's special places --go to St.John

We are landing at the airport at 2:30 the ship leaves at 5:00 - is there enough time?

 

 

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Yes---BUT--you are cutting it very close. Also there are 2 docking areas in St. Thomas--Crown Bay and The West Indian Company Dock.

Any recommendations for a tour guide in Koashiung? We will be there in April 2015 on the Millennium and I have searched for a reputable guide to no avail. The ships tour did not look too appealing.

What did everyone do when they were in Koashiung? Suggestions/recommendations are welcomed and appreciated.

We were there about 3 years ago. We hired a taxi from the dock area for the day.There were 4 of us--the cost was about $50 each-the taxi driver had a list of recommended places and we had read about what we wanted to do.

You can't go in China without a visa. In this case, you had a group visa.

I thought this is what I said!!! Most hotels in Hong Kong will arrange this "GROUP" travel. It works well for 1 day---and you must stay with the group!!!

The one we did went by hydrofoil and returned by train.

We can visit there for 1 day if part of a group tour --out of Hong Kong--without a visa.

Most hotels travel desks can arrange this. Since no visa is required, you must travel with and stay with the group. My wife and I did this 2 years ago and really enjoyed the day long visit.

We will be cruising next April on the Radiance of the Seas with stops in Picton and Wellington. We are wanting to see all we can while there, preferably a van type of tour.

 

Can anyone recommend tours of this type? Any "must sees"?

 

Thanks!

Picton is near Blenheim which has wonderful wineries like Cloudy Bay.

In Wellington visit Victoria Park--and walk along the waterfront.

Something has changed in St. Thomas. Even the main street downtown has mostly tourist shops.

I used to love shopping there. I wonder if it is their economy or if passengers are less likely to spend money on the island.

Havensight has stores also closing? I am sorry to read this; it has been one of my favorite islands.

I have owned a home on St. John for 35 years. The shops on main street in St. Thomas have always been tourist shops. When a day occurs without any cruise ships--most of them are closed. Most of the main shops--AH Riise, Royal Caribbean, Mr table Cloth,Little Switzerland, etc have been around for years and years.

The street around Havensight has been undergoing extensive widening--but most shops have been there a while and continue. The new shopping area near Havensight named Yacht Haven Grande is very nice.

Crown Bay Marina was needed because of the number of cruise ships during the winter season. It has not been great for shopping IMHO--but it is an easy taxi ride downtown.

[quote=bohaiboy;43673907

Have been on several SS cruises now and I find the shore excursions reasonable. There is an itinerary that we like from Oceania but when I previously have looked at O their S.E. seem really expensive. Any comments from those that may have traveled on O?

My wife and I have done 6 Silversea Cruises and 5 on Oceania--we find that Oceania shore excursions are more expensive and therefore we tend to arrange private tours--- see the boards here--or get other couples and hire a van.

Oceania is an excellent cruise experience like Silversea---but we think their weakness is shore excursions,

Do you remember how much you paid for the buggy in Natal?:o

My wife and I and 3 other couples did the dune buggy ride 3 years ago--It was $65 per person for about 4 hours. I booked it based on an internet search and emails.

PS---Our cruise line wanted over $300 per person.

Be careful in Salvador old city--it has a lot of petty crime.

Olinda and the beach in Recife are nice.

We did Buenos Aires to Manaus on Seabourn a few years ago. We did not take any malaria medication--no one we met from USA did--but a lot of Canadians did. Check with you doctor.

While I'm here, let me post some links to earlier threads on these ports.

 

Aomori: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=34939636&highlight=aomori#post34939636

 

Hakodate and Kushiro: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=34282627&highlight=hakodate#post34282627

 

Kagoshima: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=34198733&highlight=kagoshima#post34198733

In Hakodate the fish market is wonderful and a must!!! Relax at the Starbucks by the waterfront and shopping.

The 2 best hotels in Bangkok are the Peninsula and the Mandarin Oriental.

It is more fun to stay on the river. The Shangri La is also an excellent choice.

How do car rentals work in St. Thomas? Do we need an international driver's license? Or just our US license? Is the driving and parking reasonable? Any other tips?

St. Thomas is a US territory and a US Drivers license is all you need. Driving is on the left side of the road--like Britain--but the car's steering wheel is on the left side--so the driver is by the edge of the road. Be careful at corners if you are turning.