ymillo

Thank you for your review. We are higly considering booking the epic for March of 2014 in may and Ive been reading as much as I can. Never cruised NCL before only carnival so it can get a little overwhelming as there ares so many things I dont know about:o

The epic looks amazing!I think im want to try it:)

Me too, Briitini!!!:D:D:D

Are you on the 13th sailing?

Cannot wait!!!!!

hi Cruisebug, we are on the april 13 sailing on the breeze:D yayyy cant wait!!!!!!:)

Thanks. I am enjoying writing it and reliving my trip.

Go to puerto rico day trips dot com. all one word

 

then type /el-yunque-trail-map/

 

Hope this works for you. That site is great for info about PR.

 

 

Connie

 

PAST CRUISES:

 

Celebrity Solstice 6/26/09 Eastern Mediterranean

Carnival Conquest 08/10/10 Eastern Caribbean

Carnival Victory 06/10/12 Southern Caribbean

Youre great thanks soo much:)

The Yunque Mar Beach Resort included breakfast. We had a few things to choose from. Fried eggs, scrambled eggs, egg sandwich, pancakes. Juice and coffee were also offered. We had a nice breakfast after my sister and I took a long walk on the beach just after sunrise.

 

 

After breakfast, DH and I headed to Walgreens to get some snacks to take with us on the ship for port days. After checking out, we drove the short distance to El Yunque National Rainforest.

 

 

I had printed a map before leaving home outlining all the stops along the road and trails and observation towers. We stopped at the information desk anyway since they offered a map for a few dollars. Turns out mine was more detailed than theirs. We had a few older folks with us and knew some of the hikes were not going to be possible but we did a couple short walks. The screnery was sensational and the waterfalls were breathtaking.

 

 

The kids loved climbing on the rocks as did DH

 

 

It was a bit crowded for being early in the day but not unreasonable. We got to see enough to see all we wanted to and enjoyed out time there. It was definitely worth the time. I probably will go back some day and spend more time hiking there.

 

Hi Cojuqui,

is there anyway you can let me know of the website where you printed out the map with the trails and details of el yunque? we are visiting in august and are also doing pre cruise renting a car and im having such a hard time even finding the exact addresses. This map would be of great help once we are inside atleast. Thanks! and im loving your review i Cant wait to read more:)

great!!Cant wait for the rest of your review:) we sail on the victory august 19 and are also doing precruise in PR:D

Hi. You will have a GREAT time! Yes, the taxis show up at Sapphire about every 15 minutes. No worries at all getting back to the port. Paradise is RIGHT ACROSS the street from the port basically. (If you are docked at that port...you didn't say). You just go to Paradise and then walk across the street to the port. No problems.

 

If you are on the Oasis or Allure, they park at a different dock, so you would have to catch a cab. You would also do that by either hailing a cab at the street (where you get on the tram to go up the mountain) or simply walk across the street to the port and there seem to be tons of taxis hanging around that area. Plus there is always someone at the ports that could call you a taxi if needed.

 

Enjoy your time and let me know how it went. :)

Thank you so much for your reply! it looks like we finnaly decided its gonna be sapphire beach! Btw we are on the carnival glory I think it docks in havensight?? ill make sure to take lots of pics and post them up once we are back;):)

St Thomas

 

I was really skeptical about this island due to all the negative news reports after the shooting of the teenager from the cruise ship a few months ago and all the gang related violence taking place on this island. However, I’m SO glad I decided to go ahead with my plans for the island.

 

 

We knew before going on our cruise that we wanted to go places on our own by taxi instead of a tour service. Our plans were to visit Paradise Point first for pictures, then on to Sapphire for some snorkeling, then on to Maggens for a short period before heading back to the ship.

 

 

When we arrived at Paradise to get on the skylift, they were not open yet to my surprise. They did not open until 9am. It was only 8am. I was not only disappointed but shocked knowing that the ships come in this early, you would think that they would be open this early to make more money. We did buy our tickets on the ship (which is actually CHEAPER than purchasing them at the skylift box). Our cruise line also offered your money back if you didn’t use the tickets. WOW. The only time you would ever see that happen.

 

 

So, we decided to walk back to the port and catch a cab and go on with our plans to Sapphire Beach. A lady was there to take us to the beach. She waited until that van was OVER PACKED and people sitting on laps before she would leave. People in the van where complaining and saying “seriously you think you are going to fit more people in here-no way” only for her to get more people in the van. 4-5 people in a 3 person seat!

 

 

The driver was very talkative and talked about the island. She told us how they basically only rely on the cruise ships coming in to make a living. She stated how much it hurt them if a ship didn’t come in that day or rearranged their schedule. She told us that living in the “ghetto” would cost you no less than $250,000 per house and above. She said the nicer homes would cost you an average of 1 million. WOW.

 

 

 

She took us to Sapphire and dropped us off. Upon entering this beach area, all I can say is WOW!!! I had found Paradise finally! The beach was absolutely beautiful. The beach was lined with natural shade grape trees, clear blue water and white sandy beaches. We quickly put out things under a tree and claimed our area then headed out to the water. Instantly fish greeted us. I didn’t realize just how many where under there until I put on my mask and went under. They were SURROUNDING ME! They followed us all over the place. They were very friendly and would get right up in your face. I couldn’t believe it. We swam over to the shaded area that we knew were coral and started investigating. When my husband went under the first time, right in front of him was a jelly fish. I ran back and got my camera and started taking pictures. I found it very hard to focus on something that clear in clear water to begin with. It was a task and I wasn’t very happy with the results, but continued on exploring for fish. They were everywhere. So many different species, colors and types of fish and coral everywhere. We were absolutely amazed at this place.

 

 

 

I ran up and grabbed the box of fruit loops I had brought with me and began feeding the fish. They became our friends the rest of our visit and even took the food right out of my hand. It was amazing. We swam over to the right (in front of the Sapphire Beach Resort) and found even more types of fish. We snorkeled nonstop for hours only getting out a select few times to rest for about 10 min. When we did get out, we were exploring the sand and trees that were full of huge Iguana’s at that point looking down on us and watching us like a hawk. How amazing was that! The best of both worlds-sand and water animals!

 

 

 

I have to say hands down, this was the absolutely BEST beach I have ever been to. We decided right then and there that we not only wanted to come back someday soon, but we wanted to actually stay on the island for an extended visit (not just on a cruise ship). I was that impressed with this beach.

 

 

We had brought our own snorkeling tube and goggles, but I was having a problem with my goggles fogging up for some reason. My husband did not. We were also lacking the fins to be able to adventure out deeper. So we decided to rent the entire snorkeling package (which included everything you needed) and it was only $7. The hut also sold ice cold pop and beer that hit the spot. I mean ICE COLD. We spoke to the workers there for awhile and they commented on how much they LOVE their job there at the beach hut. What a wonderful way to spend your working day.

 

 

 

We snorkeled for awhile longer and decided that we had better head back toward the port if we wanted to try to squeeze in our trip to Paradise on the skylift. (As much as we hated the thought of EVER leaving this paradise)!!!

 

 

We quickly caught the skylift up to Paradise Point after only having to wait for 1 round of trams to pull in (there are 3 together-one set going up while one set comes down). It was beautiful up there. Breath taking. However, I was very disappointed that I had my camera on for HOURS non stop taking fish, beach, and Iguana pictures that my battery was now dead. I managed to get it to come on long enough to snap a picture, then it would die, then another picture, then it would die again. I did this several times before it would no longer turn on. We then order the famous Bushwacker drink. We were going to order food, but the waitress was taking FOREVER 1) giving us a menu 2) coming back for our drink order 3) coming back with our actual drinks then 4) coming back again to see what we wanted to order. This process was about ½ hour already. So we told her to forget the food, we’d just have our drinks. She acted very disturbed about this and rolled her eyes and walked away. It took another 15 minutes for me to flag her down to tell her we were still waiting on our check for the drinks. Then another 10 minutes to come back with the bill. Geesh. Either they need more help or different people. I did not find them friendly at all.

 

 

There was some type of parrot/bird show going on up there, but we did not have time to watch it since we had spent so much time just taking care of the drink situation. It was time to head back to the port and catch a few stores along the way before boarding again. The ride back down did take a little longer. We caught the 3rd tram that came up. But, they run every 7 min (the guy up at the top said 5 min to us so I’m not sure). Either way, it didn’t seem too long. Each lift holds 8 people per cabin. We noticed only 6 per cabin seem to be getting in. Had people been filling them the way they should, we would have been on much sooner.

 

 

All in all, we didn’t find really GOOD prices on tee-shirts there or any good discounts you would normally see in tourist spots. We got a tee for $18.99 and sun glasses for $20 (since my husband accidentally broke mine the first day on the cruise). We stopped in the jewelry stores to find that the prices they quoted us were outrageous compared to those on the ship.

 

 

My final conclusion: St Thomas is by far is a beautiful island of Paradise. I hate the thought of everything bad going on at the island and hope that things continue to improve in the months and years to come. It would really be ashamed if cruise ships stops coming to such a beautiful place. I really hope to visit again soon and actually stay on the island. I would still like to visit Maggens Bay. But if you want to go somewhere with excellent snorkeling and beautiful beaches, I highly recommend Sapphire!!

 

 

If you have any questions that I might be able to answer, I'd be happy to try.

 

 

Here are some picture I took while I was there. Enjoy!

 

 

http://kimbakerphotography.smugmug.com/Vacation/4th-day-St-Maarten-1/13875332_BZdcm#1017703050_nhpoV

Hi mitsugirly,

I know this is an old review but I really enjoyed it this was exactly what I was hoping to read to convince me to go to sapphire beach. We cruise in 16 days and can not wait. I was a little scared going into st.thomas with all the problems going on with killings on the island:( but im hoping to enjoy the day there and have a great time. My bf and I will also venture out on our own on a taxi. My plans are beach and paradise point. I know you mentioned it is easy getting a cab to take you to the beach but my main concern is heading back to paradisepoint. Are there taxis waiting in sapphire beach to take you back?? Gosh i really hope you reply lol this being so old :D thanks!