FOTS feb 14th- excursion help needed plz.

[eviledna]

Hi folks, as this is our first cruise, i would like to pose the question "is it a good idea to book RCCL excursions at our ports of call?? we dont want to miss "the highlights " of the places we visit but also on the same note don't want to be hearded not guided! any advice would be appreciated thanks Mandy.:confused:

[cb at sea]

Get a guidebook on your ports, so you know what's available in each place. Figure out what interests YOU--then you can decide if you need an excursion at all, and if it's better for you to book in advance, or if it's something you can "wing it" on....

 

Not every excursion is for everybody! They count on you NOT being informed about your ports...that's why so many 1st timers book ship excursions...because they know no better!

 

A bit of research will save you $$$, and make your stay in ports more enjoyable!

[tomko2]

Have you joined the Roll Call for your Sailing? Other cruisers on the same sailing may have some good suggestions about excursions.

 

Also, don't forget to sign up for the Meet and Mingle (see link right side of this page just about these posts).

 

We have sailed on the Independence and the Liberty (sister ships to the FOTS); had a wonderful time on them. Photos in the link below.

 

Have a wonderful crusie.

Kathy:)

[mrspjotter]

Hi EVILEDNA - you are getting on Freedom as we are getting off so I guess you are doing the Eastern Caribbean route - we did our first cruise last year on EOS and visited St Thomas and St Maarten which I think you will be visiting also.

 

We didn't book any RCI excursions but booked with tour guides on the islands after getting recommendations from the CC boards.

 

In St Thomas we got off the boat and got a taxi to take us to Magen's Bay for the whole morning (the most beautiful beach I have been to so far!) and then back to the boat for a late lunch and then as there is lots of shopping and the cable car within walking distance of the ship we walked out and spent a few hours near the port in the afternoon.

 

In St Maarten we hired a car and drove to Grand Case so the kids could do on the Seaworld Explorer and then stopped off at a couple of beaches on the way back.

 

We've done the same for the cruise this year - nothing booked through RCI just done through recommendations on CC. I guess it depends on what you want to do and if they RCI excursions work out better value book them I guess the downside of booking your own is the boat won't wait for you if you are late!

 

Hope you have a great time!

[eviledna]

Thanks peeps i suppose its up to us now eh :) but at least we should be happy in the knowledge that if others have done the "go it alone" thing then we could do the same!

[eviledna]

Clare have a wonderful time on your cruise!! where are you visiting whilst aboard?

[mrspjotter]

Hi Mandy - believe it or no we booked the day before the haiti earthquake and Labadee (RCI's private peninsula off of Haiti) is our 1st stop! We then go on to visit Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We are flying out a few days early and spending 3 nights at Universal before the cruise.

 

You will have a great time and no doubt you will be itching to book another one as soon as you get home.:cool:

[eviledna]

Oh i do hope so!! im 50 in November so bring on the next cruise lol. Have a wicked time!

[5521544]

We were on the Eastern Sailing on FOS in Sept. We did excursions through Royal Caribbean as we like to have a "plan" in place. We also like the security of knowing if something was to happen and we were delayed the ship would wait on us since it is a RCCL excursion. But it is a personal preference.

 

Cococay - Kayaking was Amazing. We loved it and you don't have to be experienced. We saw jellyfish, stingrays, starfish etc. It is a 2 person kayak.

 

St. Thomas- We took the 1/2 day Champagne Catamaran Sail to St. John. A little pricey but AMAZING worth every penny. We had a relaxing sail to St. John where we snorkeled and relaxed on the beach. The snorkeling is in a national park and we saw reef, fish, stingrays and sea turtles. On the sail back it is a party atmosphere with music, light snacks and unlimited alcohol (Champagne, Beer, Rum Punch, etc) The best excursion we have done!

 

St. Martin - We took the Sea and See Tour. Part of the tour is a guided tour bus tour of the entire island with time for shopping in a local market and the other is on board the Semi-Submarine the Sea World Explored for a nice sailing and viewing of marine life.

 

We were very happy with all of excursions. Have Fun!

[eviledna]

Hey thats quite spooky as the tours you've just mentioned were the two i had been looking at!! also id been looking at the Bimini breeze one but cant find it now :-(