Argh! Too many choices of good tours ... thoughts on which Serenity tour?

Between CruiseCritic and TravelAdvisor I'm overwhelmed with good reviews of St. Lucia tours. We should always have such problems.

I think we're settling on one of the Serenity tours. Does anyone have an opinion that that could help us decide between the Island Tour and the Land and Sea?

Also, is paying more for the private tour worth it?

Thanks in advance.

For my family of four it was easliy worth the extra money for a private tour.

It was not that much more (in my opinion)!

I would call or email John and he will help you choose which tour is best for you. They are very knowledgeable and professional.

We loved the volcano and hot springs, and banana plantation. And the creole bread!

I completely agree with CCK, go for the private tour!

It's alot of fun, John & Yola were really nice & friendly when we went.

We're going with the Island Tour. Worked out better for us. If it was our whole family travelling or us and some friends I'd definitely pick the private tour too. But dh said for just the two of us, he'd rather be with a group.

We booked the land and sea tour. It wasn't that much more than the land tour and included a buffet lunch. Just got to sail past the Pitons in a catamaran!

Do you get close enough for uninterrupted photos? I must have the pitons.

I read on one of the threads that you have lunch overlooking the Pitons and Volcano. Must be a great photo moment. I look forward to seeing them next time as we did the Ziplines which was on the total opposite side from the Pitons.

We wanted to experience the mineral baths, and the only way to do that was a private tour. I called and spoke with Carol, and she was very helpful (866-766-0794). It is a 7 hour tour,they pick you up at the ship & it includes many stops and lunch all for $250 for both of us.:)

Jan

I see Carnival has a tour that goes to the mineral baths where bathing for 1/2 hour is optional-Just curious-if you dont bathe what are the other options for the half hour

we took Serenity tours in Nov 07 will do so again this year in Nov 09.

I couldn't decide either so we decided to do a little bit of everything and had an awesome time. We did the volcano, the waterfall, snorkeled and had lunch at Ti Kaye resort. Along the way we stopped to get some fresh bananas from the locals, visited local store where they made kasava bread, learned how they made it and ate some fresh kasava bread while taking pictures of the Pitons in the background. We stopped at a "Kodak" stop for pictures of the bay and where we were docked. Also had some johnnycakes on our way leaving the waterfall. They also had a stocked cooler of drinks which we drank dry. THere was 4 of us and it was inexpensive for a private tour. We appreciated it once we saw the crowds at the waterfall and volcano. We weren't waiting on others and it wasn't like a cattle herd. It was an awesome deal and one of our best tours ever. It was so personal and our guide and driver were so friendly.

We were fortunate enough to have found John & Sherma of Serenity Tours when we were visiting St. Lucia in January of this year...they provided a personalized tour for us, as we were taking it, and never had a problem meeting our requests!

We had such a wonderful time with them that when we decided to take another cruise calling on St. Lucia in early September, I immediately contacted John asking for suggestions on something different for this visit.

Once again, Serenity provided us with a totally unbelievable day!

Sherma met us at the dock as we got off the ship and welcomed us with a warm smile and a big hug -- we were returning friends afterall. She then took us to a very nice dive boat - about 40' in length and extremely comfortable and sent us on our way. We took a 30 -45 minutes ride on the boat to the Ti Kaye resort where we were met at the dock and taken to the hotel office. The receptionist welcomed us to the property and gave us our day passes for the resort.

We were then escorted to a "lounge" (a type of covered deck perched on the side of the mountain) which provided unbelievable views of the ocean and warm calming breezes. After relaxing in the lounge for a short time, our escort returned to take us to the spa. We were given a choice of several massage oils and then directed to a room which had floor to ceiling windows overlooking the ocean and two massage tables. Our 'couples' massage started with a quick, soothing foot massage and ended with whole body massages lasting a bit over an hour. Ti Kaye thinks of everything: when lying face down on the massage tables, they even have mirrors for you to view the ocean with!!!

After our massages, we went to the restaurant where we had our choice of appetizer and main course or main course and dessert. We chose the appetizers, a seafood basket, and the largest hamburger I think I have EVER seen! Food was outstanding and sodas/water/tea were provided.

We then got to spend time on the private beach and did a bit of snorkeling. Chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, and snorkeling equipment is included in the day pass.

After about 7 hours, we got back on the dive boat to return to the ship. We returned to the cruise ship to be met by both John & Sherma. Throughout the day, Sherma called the resort to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and that everything was ok.

I have NEVER had such a relaxing, enjoyable, peaceful, SERENE day on a cruise in my life!!! Serenity has definitely outdone themselves this time -- you won't be disappointed with their spa/private beach package!!

Patti- That sounds wonderful! Just what i was looking for. I don't see that spa/beach package anywhere on their website (maybe missing it). It you tell me how you reserved it and the cost. Thanks

It's two weeks now and still no info as promised on site. Does anyone have current notes on the spa inclusive day pass?

HI,

I don't know the total included but I think it is lunch, beach facilities, couples massage and boat from the dock to the resort and back for $125 per person. The price is correct, not sure if anything else included besides above.

Melissa

Ok I am just foing to throw my 2 cents in and say if you want to save

money and who doesn't I would say go with Cosol for $60 pp he will take

you to all the sights and provide snacks along the way and he knows

the island like the back of his hand that way you can eat a big breakfast

enjoy the island and be back to the ship for a big buffet of your choice

and save $65 pp.

But if you are French then you might want to do it your way LOL

(Cosol will explain that ) LOL

I highly recommend Cosol as you can see and so have many others

if you read these boards.

If you do tell Cosol Charlie and Shirley from Illinois (ccawalleye) says

Hi!!!

Charlie

I have not posted on this board yet and only signed in to thank the many members who write their experiences. The multitude of us who simply read and write nothing do get much from all experiences. That said I am just back from our Southern Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Victory and wanted to add to the many who used Sherma and Serenity Tours. We were met on time at the ship port and started our tour before the cruise tours in a spacious van with 8 other people. I want to recommend the island tour to everyone. We read many reviews here and at the trip advisor site and settled for the Serenity Tour because they claim to be a "non crowded tour" . True to their word we were offered a money back guarantee and we enjoyed every moment. There is no need to pay for a private tour because we enjoyed everything promised and offered by other good operators who are also recommended here. Everyone on our bus agreed to do the Jalousie beach and the rum distillery and St. Lucia turned out to be the best stop on our cruise. Our host was Russel who I believe to be the most professional gentleman I have met. Very courteous and knowledgeable on the island history well cladded / uniformed. Lunch at the restaurant overlooking the pitons was the icing of the day with to much to eat. That was in addition to the all day bar and home made goods we feasted on all day all for $65. Be careful with the rum distillery, with 22 choices it's easy to get carried away serving yourself to all that booze. Try the island tour, you will surely enjoy it. It was quite a treat to meet the local artisans at the Livity Art Studios and engage in quite intelligent conversations with Sabi and his quiet but charming wife. The Islanders are generally very friendly and I recommend St Luca as a friendly destination.

Does Serenity have multiple vans? I booked the island tour with them this morning and am wondering if I should just pay the extra $20/person for the private tour (there are 7 of us).

I dont mind have other people with us (actually look forward to it), but I am wondering if we do the regular tour if we will wind up with multiple vans. How many guides to they have?

I want to have the ones that everyone has said so many good things about here!

I'll be in St. Lucia the week of Thanksgiving and have been looking at booking through Serenity Travel as well. It will be me, husband and 2 sons (24 & 21). We definitely want to do the zip line and I've heard about the Pitons, waterfall, banana plantation, etc. So, I was thinking of doing the Rocket Adventure - basically once we do the zip line we go all over the island. It sounds expensive but I think we'll get a lot for the money. Any opinions? I'm so excited!

We are booked on the Miracle in February. We spent alot of time checking reviews of both Cosol and Serenity. Both sound great and am sure both do a fantastic job. We ended up going with Serenity due to John's response to the questions we had about the island and tours. We're taking the 1/2 land, 1/2 sea tour.

Scott

We are booked on the Miracle in February. We spent alot of time checking reviews of both Cosol and Serenity. Both sound great and am sure both do a fantastic job. We ended up going with Serenity due to John's response to the questions we had about the island and tours. We're taking the 1/2 land, 1/2 sea tour.

Scott

After reading all the great reviews as well we opted for Serenity tours the number of telephone conversations we had with John and Carol before we arrived on the island really confirmed that they were the ones to go with. They were able to organise our zipline and beach tour beyond our expectation.If we do go back to St.lucia we will go with Serenity.

Well, I booked Serenity as well for me, husband and sons; ages 24 and 21. We're doing the Rocket Adventure which is basically the whole day! We'll do the zip line first then tour the entire island it seems, all the while having an open bar which frankly all 4 of us are excited about - especially my sons. I just might wind up being the "coolest" mom at the end of this trip. I'm really excited and will let you all know how it turns out. We'll be there in 2 weeks (the day before Thanksgiving).

Hello everyone, new to this forum and will be on our honeymoon. Went through serenity tours banner add above and saw the number of tours they are offering. Was wondering whether anyone have done the Grenadines tour while on cruise. It looks rather romantic and captivating, my partner and I are rather impressed with this tour. Is there a possibility of getting it done while on cruise? Can we guarantee we will return before our ship set sail or do we have to be on the island a couple of days for the Grenadines Tour. Would appreciate help from anyone who have done it. Thanks much.

I don't think the Grenadine trip is a wise idea while on a cruise. It is defineately for Hotel guest. Unless your cruise stays over night then it might be possible

Just returned from Carnival Victory Southern Caribbean. Our top three islands include St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and St. Thomas. Now why? We love the beauty of the Islands, snorkeling and top most those combinations combined with our tour guides.

So, if you are in St. Lucia, and you are looking for:

No crowds, customized tours with a very hospiteable, warm, knowledgeable guide with prior police force and forestry service work expererience.....

Very comforteable air conditioned large spacious van seating and great conversation. You will also leave gaining friendships.

Banana Plantations, knowledgeable stops with information and good laughs.

Maybe stop and see the monkey man with his 6 month old baby monkey in a baby diaper...pictures???

How about the guy with his large boa??? Pictures????

Hot warm creole bread, oozing in honey and peanut butter???

Fresh just sliced sugar cane that you snap and chew...UMMM nummy. Refreshing..

Coconut cookies and candies...

A great full Lunch stop with seasoned grilled chicken, rice dishes, potatoe salads...my memory is still lingering on the atmosphere of this really cool eatery.

Hillside drive and ride with total Island history...and many photo ops...

Onto Jalouise Beach and the greatest ride between the Pitons in a nice large boat. Not a lil dingy...and dockside entrance with a helpful hand to aid you out...This would be my new an friend for life...Spencer Ambrose...

You will come back with a very contented full tummy, warm heart, stories to share, pictures, memories, maybe a new friendship with the couple we toured with from England. It was just my HB and myself and Roger and Liz.

And we snorkeled where I saw some of my first very unusual day time species. I have snorkeled many locations.

Just look into all the wonderful entries on Cruise Critic for Spencer Ambrose. Avoid long lines, groups, waiting for the slaggers...get one on one attention with Spencer. I would bet money on it...everyone left in awe...

Spencer if you have time to read this...smooch!!!! You made my 7 night Island Intensive Southern Cruise the most memoreable and my most favorite.

By the way, he picks up all costs folks...we went to the Sulphur Pits or open volcano site as well. He arranged for a nice private tour with our own guide as well. She had alot of interesting history and personal stories to share also.

I wouldnt give my business to anyone else. When we return we are bringing pencils, papers, crayons, ect for the children that cannot afford school. Single parent families. No free education like we have in the states. His heart is for these children and thier education.

A great experience....what a wonderful man, he gave the 4 of us far more value in our money then he needed. He went that extra ++++ for his clients...

God Bless Spencer!!!!:)

Our trip with Serenity was fantastic! The zip line was so much fun and I'm so glad I did it! John was our guide and as soon as the zip line was done he had warm roasted bread with cheese waiting for us. Off we went to tour the island with a well stocked cooler of Piton Beer, Rum Punch, Water, etc. Our family was partial to the Piton Beer. There's not enough space to tell you everything, but worth every penny. My husband is ready for us to go back and we'll definitely call John again!

I am so happy you had a great time with Serenity. Almost all who have done tours with them rave about it. We did the ziplines as well to include beach and it was the greatest. You will not regret it.

Hi All,

I'm so hoping someone can give me an idea of what to do for a group tour. We have 34 in our group & I would love to put together a tour of St Luica. Ages 26-65. Land, Sea or both!!

We could snorkle, beach, island tour etc...

Please help! I have only 5 weeks till we set sail & I'm struggling to figure out what to do in St Lucia! I know it's a must see island & tour!!

Thanks in advance,

Sue