How to get to Captain Tony's Sand Dollar Cruise in Freeport

I've never been to Freeport and we are interested in taking Capt. Tony's Sand Dollar catamaran cruise.We are suppose to arrive atthe port at 7 am and we plan to be among the first people to disembark so we can get to Capt. Tony's well before the 9am cruise.

I've emailed him already for a "soft reservation" as he calls it.

My question: what is the best way to get there? Is transportation available right where the ship docks?

I understand a taxi is around $30 but a van is around $5 per person. There are 2 of us. Are we okay to get into a van and I assume wait for it to fill or are we better off springing the extra $$ and taking a taxi?

And what are the chances we might get there and find there are too many people who want to go? Does that often happen?

We went out with capt. tony last week.

check his website, you can print a map with directions.( I forgot them on the ship)

when you get off the ship and walk a little ways, you can't miss the fans lined up. You can also ask someone.

Dudley was our driver, I would highly recommend him. He did not make us wait to fill up the van and said he would meet us at 1pm. He was waiting for us. Ask him to take you to port lucayo, then follow your directions. Since we left our on the ship, we walked around a bit and someone helped us. Without her help, I honestly don't know if I would have found him. Bring the directions.

We had breakfast and made our way to the gangway around 8ish. My family seperated on the way from the lido. I went past our room, first floor even numbers and was able to walk right to the exit. My husband tried to take the elevators and stuck in a huge crowd. We waited for him for close to 30 mins. But still made it on time. Try my way!

When we met up with capt. tony, he told us that we were the only ones going out. We were 2adults, 2 teens and 1 child.

If you need any more help, go ahead and ask

Michele

My question: what is the best way to get there? Is transportation available right where the ship docks?

 

Yes. I'd guess it's about a 100 yard walk. There was a small straw market setting up at 8:30am when we walked to the taxis. At 7:30 I doubt there will be anyone setting up yet.

 

I understand a taxi is around $30 but a van is around $5 per person. There are 2 of us. Are we okay to get into a van and I assume wait for it to fill or are we better off springing the extra $$ and taking a taxi?

 

We were pressed for time, and paid $27.00 + tip for the cab ride. You should have plenty of time to find a shared van, assuming enough other cruisers are going to town. You can always get a private cab later, if for some reason a shuttle isn't filling up. When you get to the taxi area, there is a person coordinating the shuttles. He's a local, not a ship employee. He'll direct you to a shuttle, or call you a cab if need be. He called us a cab, the wait was less than 5 minutes. The ride was about 20~25 minutes, and Tony leaves at 9, so calculate in advance how long you will wait for a shared cab. I mention this, because we were first off our ship, and at 8:25 there was no one else waiting for a shuttle. Don't know how many other cruisers will be going your way at that hour. But you have a nice time cushion to work with.

 

And what are the chances we might get there and find there are too many people who want to go? Does that often happen?

According to what Tony told me in an email, slim to none. However, that was before the swine flu started diverting ships to the Bahamas from Mexico.

Hope you have fun. We high-tailed it over to Tonys even though the weather was iffy. We lost out, no snorkeling boat was going out due to the weather.

BTW the cab drivers like to try and talk you into pre-paying them for a ride back at a time you agree to. I think the cabbies are honest and will be there, but I don't see the need. It's easy enough to get a shuttle back to the ship. And if for some reason you have a hard time finding one, just walk across the street to the casino, the vans are coming and going constantly there.

Thanks for the tips. I have a file going with me and hopefully I'll remember to bring the directions with me. Since you have said something about forgoetting yours it will either jinx me :o or cause me to pay extra attention to remember them!

Thanks!!!

Thanks for the tips. I have a file going with me and hopefully I'll remember to bring the directions with me. Since you have said something about forgoetting yours it will either jinx me :o or cause me to pay extra attention to remember them!

 

Thanks!!!

Oh don't worry, I will definitely have my copy of the directions. I will probably print out 2 copies of them, just in case.

I just emailed for "soft reservation" - there are 8 of us, it would be great if we had it to ourselves.

Did you get back from the Pride yet? How did it go getting off to get to Capt. Tony's. Did you enjoy the ride and snorkling?? It's our first time snorkling so we are alittle apprehensive. Please write a review about the port and any tidbits you can give us to make our first cruise easier

Thank you

How did it go getting off to get to Capt. Tony's.

Did you enjoy the ride and snorkling??

Please write about any tidbits to make our first cruise easier

Thank you

First, Capt Tony was awesome, we had a great time with him! He has some cool ideas on his websites "Information" page that gives tips on how to get to-and-from the ship quickly. Highly recommended reading!!!

Now, here are a few things I wish I had known on my first cruise.

1. If there is more than 1 of you going, go to your local big discount store and buy a set of $50 2-way radios! The good ones work on the ship as well as on the shore and let you stay in communication. They will pay for themselves the first time you DONT spend 2 hours searching for your spouse on the beach after a quick snorkel (she went to get a drink) or the night when she wants to walk on the ship and you want to stay in the room but when she gets back you are gone (I had an ice cream craving). I think you get my drift.

2. The very best fish food to take with you while snorkeling is "EASY CHEESE" from your local grocery store...you know the squirting liquid cheese in a can. Fish love it and will swarm all around you. It’s not messy, works under water, fits in your pocket and lasts a long time (just be sure to dispose of the can properly, don’t drop it in the ocean when it’s empty).

3. Unless you are rich and famous (or stupid) when you get to your cabin ask the steward to empty the little fridge so you can fill it with your own favorite beverages and booty from home or your first port. The extremely high priced stuff in that little box can double the cost of your cruise!!

4. If you can live on fruit juice, tea, coffee or non-bottled water you will be fine, If you just cant live without soda or smoothies...buy a drink card if your ship offers one ( I hear there is even a line that has one for alcoholic beverages) Because I swear you will be offered a drink 50 times a day. Oh! and don't be fooled by the nice waiter on deck offering you the "complimentary-looking" BON-VOYAGE! drink, he will hand it to you smile and wait for you to take a sip then ask for your ships credit card and hit you with a $10 charge

5. The only thing they do more than offer you drinks is take your picture. GOOD GRIEF they are everywhere!!! And don’t try to dodge and duck them they are wily professionals, trust me, its much easier and quicker to just pose, smile, click and walk on.

6. Don’t feel obligated to eat in the dining room every night, try room service if you just don’t feel like getting all gussied up for dinner. Also don't feel obligated to stay at a table with others when you would rather eat alone or with different people, just ask the Maitride' (sp?) to be moved (to bow out gracefully, you can tell your old table mates you met some old friends and want to set with them)

7. Have a back up plan that is not affected by weather for every port, JEEP tours are always good to fall back on and usually go out in any weather.

8. Don’t let the little things ruin your vacation; I have seen many people dwell on trivial things that make themselves and those around them miserable... LIGHTEN UP! Even a bad day on a cruise is better than a good day at work! I always admire people who make the best of bad situations. You are on a beautiful ship away from work and the drudgery of home....... and you don’t even have to make your bed!!!!

Congratulations on your first cruise and may it be a wonderful and safe journey!!!

Take van to Port Lycaya(sp),,,@5 bucks per person,,,dont pre pay for a ride back,,there will be plenty of vans to take you back,same price. Tony and his guys are THE BEST,,tell them the Limo guy(Kevin) said so. They were very nice and also let my wife "drive" the boat!! She had a blast.