blue_water

If nothing materializes, you can also post this question on the TripAdvisor Tortola forum just in case someone who visits the islands frequently can offer more…

Some of the independent outfits that provide shared excursions like Patouche - and possibly Kuralu and Aristocat - may offer excursions to the Baths either on a cat or on a smaller power boat. Try contacting them for options. If you need more people to get a decent price look for others on your Roll Call. We’re doing that to take advantage of a custom private cat sail on our day in St Lucia. There are also private charters line www.sunshinepowerboats.com that can take you to the Baths. And Speedy’s Ferry has private options that you could check out.. Sorry no easy answer, but some options to check into 😄

Yes, that is a newer excursion. Spring Bay is home to a condo/apartment property but has never had any amenities for visitors. The topography is somewhat similar to the Baths, but the experience in the boulders is not as, dramatic, say, as the Baths. Did the cruise line provide any kind of amenities for your time in Spring Bay? Or did you walk to the Top of the Baths or Mad Dog’s for that?

That is a newer excursion. Spring Bay is home to a condo/apartment property but has never had any amenities for visitors. The topography is somewhat similar to the Baths, but the experience in the boulders is not as, dramatic, say, as the Baths. Did the cruise line provide any kind of amenities for your time in Spring Bay?

But the uber option also sounds like a winner, with no others to worry about..

Thanks for the suggestions! We’d be looking for more of a casual place, cafe, or even a food stand for a bite, nothing fancy… I’m sure there are many options right in town…

If you decide to stay on Tortola, there are drivers at the dock offering shared island tours of Tortola, some with a beach stop. You can inquire at the info center or just ask the taxi coordinator when you arrive…The beach would probably be Cane Garden Bay since there are several beach restaurants there…

You can check other threads in regards to driving VG, for a short time we’d just suggest working with a taxi driver if you want to hit a couple spots. Spring Bay is flatter but has a similar topography as the Baths although not as dramatic. Devil’s Bay is on one side of the Baths. We’re not avid snorkelers, but I know folks more familiar with snorkeling Vg prefer a snorkel trail at Savannah Beach. You can find more expert snorkeling advice on the TripAdvisor VG forum… The ultimate snorkel experience may be one of the cat sails that hit the Indians and Norman Caves, like Aristocat, Kuralu, and Patouche.

I don’t really know…Often there are two ferries, either one after the other, or at different times. We’ve seen them lined-up at Spanish Town, one may have been for the ship excursion folks… It’s just harder to enjoy the Baths when a ferry arrives…

If calm water is the biggest consideration then Magens or Secret Harbour. Sapphire can be wuite calm or rougher depending on the wind and sea conditions.. Having said that, in April we would definitely choose Sapphire. Just nicer island views, still a gorgeous beach and water colors, and better food options…

We want to avoid the long bus/van ride or overcrowded cats so we’re looking at private excursions through the options @reedprincess shared, some that include water taxis… Some private cats as well if you gather others through your roll call to get the price down..,

Yes from YouTube videos and other reviews we realized it’s just too darn crowded for us…Better options for sure…

Were you looking at any specific excursions? Tortola is one of the best ports for a catamaran sail. No crowds, and some amazing snorkeling, or amazing beach stop on Jost…

What are your port times & date?

Yes too tight to enjoy. A self-excursion would be on the 9:30 Speedy’s ferry over and their 11:30 return, giving you just a few minutes at the shore. Ideally you’d arrive at the VG marina at ~10, have a 10-minute RT taxi + the walk down to the Baths and back up. Not sure if the cruise line offers a better option. But yes very tight, we’d enjoy beautiful Tortola and perhaps Brewers Bay for a nice beach…

If you peruse the many threads on this topic you’ll find the answers are typically, no, you will not have an advantage either way, precisely because of your short time in port. You will be fighting your fellow passengers while at the Baths, there’s no good solution there…sorry 😔

Thanks, great idea!

Great! Thanks! 🙏

Ok thanks… I am surprised to learn that! We’ve not used a drink package before, and I guess I thought with so many choosing the packages it would be a server’s nightmare during dinner… May I ask what “Elite Happy Hour” is? Just starting our research for a cruise one year from now, and have not come across that yet…

Yes a personal tour is sooo much nicer! We are working with 5 operators mentioned by @PORT ROYAL and @reedprincess about a slightly shorter tour that involves Castries, Marigot Bay, and Soufriere but not the volcano or other sights outside Soufriere. But we do want to get at least a quick look at the area with lunch while looking at the Pitons if possible… Thank you for the suggestions, we will report back after our visit in 369 days! 🙈🙏

The drink package does not cover drinks in the main dining rooms, I assume, and you purchase drinks or wine while dining?

Thanks! Luckily I love Red Stripe and Guinness (and Jameson), and my wife drinks Tito’s. I understand the menus change, and we’ll see what’s what next year!

Helpful thank you! New to Celebrity, and this is our first cruise with a drink package. Classic package is included… Is the per drink $ limit $10? That is, looking at the wine lists, anything on the wine lists @$10 or less is covered in the Classic package, is that correct? And if we want an $11 beer on the Premium package we pay an additional $1 + that gratuity? Thanks so much for clarifying!

Great choice! Sapphire is Paradise on St Thomas! The only beach we love even more is Lindqvist (Smith Bay Park). But we take towels to lie, on, and grab a couple baguette sandwiches and drinks at Moe’s Market in Red Hook on the way. But for a beautiful beach, with gorgeous “sapphire” shades of water, and amazing views, Sapphire is it! We’ve stayed at SBRM multiple times, no place compares for sea-front accommodations! 😉

We will definitely keep Jasmine’s Food & Culture tour in mind, sounds like a perfect way to enjoy part of our day - thank you for the suggestion! 🙏 We would love to hear of any favorite taxi drivers or smaller tour operators who we could work with for a mini-tour, including a stop at Jambe de Bois. We share our favorite, trusted driver with visitors to Mexico, and having that option here would be wonderful! The typical excursions through COSOL are just too big or crowded, I’ve not yet looked at Island Man and Fram tours which are suggested in another thread…