Irish13

My family and I will be going to St Thomas on a RCCL cruise and I have heard amazing things about Trunk Bay and would like to go on our own. The excursions the ship is offering do not have great reviews.

So how do I get to where I would catch the Ferry ?

How much is the Ferry to St Johns ? And how long is the ride ?

Also is the ride to St Johns a very ruff ride I get motion sick?

Once I get there how do I get to the beach ?

Thanks !!!

How do you get to Trunk Bay ?

I see you catch ferry but where do you catch it and how long of a ride is it?

When you get off the ferry is the beach right there ?

It's not on St. Thomas...but St. John is freaking GORGEOUS! Best beach I've ever seen...and I grew up on a beach!

We had pretty much planned on Sapphire Beach but now after seeing your post I am not sure .. We have two young children.,

What has gone down ?

So the issue is that most cruisers choose to go to the most crowded and popular beaches (such as Magens Bay). There are quite a few smaller, less commercial, less crowded places (we gave up on the popular beaches over thirty years ago). So, if docked in Crown Bay we usually grab a taxi (although we have made the long somewhat dangerous walk) to Lindbergh Bay (also called Emerald Beach) where you can rent chairs, and they also have food. There is even some half decent snorkeling here (on the left side of the beach along the rocks) but you would need to have your own gear. If docked at Havensight, we normally go over to Morningstar which is a pretty quiet place.

 

We should add a minor warning about Lindbergh Bay. It is well known to cruise ship crews who routinely dock at Crown Bay...so you might see quite a few of the cruise ship staff also enjoying that quiet beach. We used to also like Saphire (if docked at Havensight) but the facilities have gone way downhill since the bankruptcy of the facility. That being said, we do love the natural beauty of Saphire.

 

Hank

How far is Valley Church Beach from the port ? and how much do you think a cab will cost there are 2 adults and 2 kids

Thanks

Can't help you with your search (we have always gone to Valley Church Beach), but how do you know how many ships will be in Port on your post days? I know there are a couple of websites with that info, but I'm having a senior moment, and can't remember what they are.

Is Trunk Bay on St. John, Antigua ?

It's not on St. Thomas...but St. John is freaking GORGEOUS! Best beach I've ever seen...and I grew up on a beach!

How far is Sapphire Beach from the cruise terminal ? I think that I have narrowed it down to this beach ? I am just not a fan of being in the cab for such a long time .. Also how much do you think the cab ride will be ?

I've been to airport beach, magens bay, sapphire, coki, secret harbor and a few others.

 

Just went here last December on a Celebrity excursion...it's the best beach in St Thomas, IMO:http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/article/Secret-Sands-Lindquist-Beach-St-Thomas

What do you think it will cost for a cab ride ?

Probably about 20 minutes from the cruise terminal - a few minutes more than Dawn Beach and a few minutes less than Orient - as the same road from the port leads to all.

Do you know how far Le Galion is ?

Divi is fine for kids - the chairs and umbrellas are $5 each at Divi.

So I am trying to decide which beach we should go to and I have narrowed it down to Le Galion and Divi Little Bay but after reading these post I am more confused .. It will be myself DH, DD 8, DS 5 initially I wanted to do Le Gailion but was told it could be rather hard getting a Taxi back but also I couldn't get a straight answer as to how far it is from the port. And we won't be having car seats either ? We will be there on a Tuesday if that makes a difference.

I like the idea that Divi Little Bay is so close just want to make sure it is good for kids and also what is that price of renting the chairs.

Thanks

If you are going to take a taxi why not go to Le Galion otherwise known as baby beach because its so calm and shallow and perfect for small children?

How far of a drive is it to Le Galion ? How much is the cab ? And does anyone have any pictures?

Sounds like a great place since we have two little ones but kinda scared about getting a cab back.

We did not purchase anything from the restaurant. However when we first arrived I went to the restaurant to pay for the umbrella and chairs we rental. The gentleman thanked me for coming up but said he would come down to us shortly.

 

The same gentleman came down the beach for us to pay for umbrella and chairs. This was the same person who we inquired about the taxi with each time.

 

Never really thought about us not using the restaurant, but I guess anything is possible.

We are docking at Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas how far would Emerald Beach be vs. how far Saphire Beach?

Also we have small kids do you think both places would be safe ?

Neither!

Megans is a tourist trap probably because it was voted best 10 beaches in the world. That was years ago. Now it is too crowded

Sapphire? Been there twice and never caught on to liking it

 

Here is where we go

 

How about a nice (usually quiet) stretch of beach with facilities, chairs for rent, food and bar?

Emerald!

Faster to get to also

Also where the ship's crew (singers and dancers) often go to relax

 

 

 

I did find the restaurant but what is the name of the actual beach

Did you manage to find it?

I must be missing something because I have tried looking up several ways Cecelia's Beach and I can't find anything. Do you have a link ?

Fair point, as in places, this could be the only slight negative for JO. Then, by the CC process of ellimination, it has to be Cecelia's as the number one choice. :)

Have 2 small kids just looking for a beautiful beach that is safe to spend the day not looking to rent jet ski's or any of that.

Oh and that is clean

what are you looking to do at the beach? Any water activities? Or just looking to relax?

 

This beach was beautiful! The waster temperature was perfect to just walk right in. Besides the encounter with the jetski, I would go here again... We rented 2 beach chairs and an umbrella for $20. Then there was also a bar and a restaurant there as well. We spent about $50 for a cocktail and 2 meals. There's a bathroom there as well with changing rooms.

What is your opinion of the beach I have read such mixed reviews

I say about a 20-30 minute drive.. We were the only ship in port so there were a lot of drivers trying to lower their price to get us to go with them. We ended up paying $32 for a round trip taxi for 2 people, without tip.

How far is Church Valley Beach from the cruise terminal and how much does it cost to take a cab?

What is the Puzzle Break Room ?

We just booked for Jan 2017 just starting to explore what this ship has to offer

I don't do this. Others have reported success. Just be prepared to be told that you have to carry it on yourself. (since it is spring break time, there IS a chance that it will be confiscated)

 

 

 

I wouldn't. There are issues of carbonation and explosion. If you really NEED an entire case, consider using an old-fashioned luggage cart thingie to carry it on with you.

 

 

 

 

Again, I didn't do this, but I have heard people report that they are there. If not, just toddle on over to the terminal and get checked in.

 

 

 

Depends on when they clear the previous cruise. Normally, 11:30-ish.

 

 

 

No. You must take a shuttle or a cab where you want to go. Or rent a car. I like to do that. The car rental shuttles pick up at the port. (Some people will tell you that you can walk to Jetty Park.)

 

 

 

They REALLY want you to succeed. They will give help, and even extra time, if they think that it will help. Yes, most groups succeed. (my group, of course, was one of the fastest ever ;) )

We were thinking of doing a day pass at Marriott but after reading the reviews on trip advisor I am really not sure. It mentions that the beach can be ruff and it is not clear because it is the Atlantic side .. If anyone has ever been there what was your experience ?? We have small kids who will want to be in the water we did Carambola last time we were there and it was really nice I just didn't like how the water dropped off as soon as you got in and the day we were there it was rather ruff but other than that we had a great day there.

I too would select the Marriott.

 

Keith

Do any of you have any other ideas I don't want to go shopping I want to tour the island and see the sea turtles... I found another tour that sounds amazing but for two adults and two small children it was $480 which I think is way too much for one day. So looking for other ideas ...

Yes, but there are 2 ships with different names. The other might be the Doubloon. Both owned by same company.

I looked at the excursion it is only 3 hours long and $69 a person which I think is rather expensive plus we will be there all day 9-6

Yes, but there are 2 ships with different names. The other might be the Doubloon. Both owned by same company.

Is this the pirate ship excursion RCCL offers ?

The Bones is offered on many ship excursions.

Can you give me more information on "the Bones" and who I can contact sounds like fun ..

Do you have any pics from you day

"The Bones"........snorkeling at Turtle Cove and BBQ on Honeymoon Beach....THE BEST excursion EVER!!!!!

Can you tell me a little more about the Turtle Snorkel I would love to do it but would prob have to go by myself since I have two smaller kids. Did you feel safe were there other people? How did you get to the snorkel site ?

Just back from the Boatyard and wanted to share..... entrance was $15.00 per person, which included beach chair, umbrella, complimentary cocktail and ride back to port. Do yourself a favor an do NOT mention to the guy at the entrance anything about a snorkel with turtle excursion as they will tell you that the only way you can do this once paid with wristband is to walk down the beach from shore. They told us if we wanted to do the snorkel excursion that we would have to do it BEFORE we bought our wristband and that it was against the law for vendors to sell on beach! This is not true! There are a ton of vendors walking up and down the beach selling everything from personal watercraft rentals to snorkel with turtles to massages. We were set on doing this excursion with Nevil and once into the Boatyard, simply asked the local vendors for his name. Within 30 minutes... Nevil arrived and he was amazing! Well worth the $15.00 per person we paid for the snorkel with turtle and shipwreck. Overall, the Boatyard was a lot of fun. Drinks were very reasonably priced. Good music and great day!

That's great ... More money to spend some where else lol..

I can't wait to go about 30 more days

Received confirmation today that it is still $15.00 per person ;)

Like 3 weeks ago

Melissa.... how long ago did you email them? I asked about the price and Sean at the Boatyard told me it was $20.00 pp. We are going next week :)