Carnival - Ultimate Island Experience

[TKE cruiser]

Has anyone been on Carnival's "Ultimate Island Experience"? Sounds like a great time!

[pythia]

We did this one last year. It WAS a good time. I had never been to St. Thomas before and I thought it was a good way of sampling the island. There was a lot of time on the safari bus, up and down the mountain, but worth it. Our guide, Tufiest, took special care of his passengers, answering questions, taking pictures for us, and pointing out things you won't find in the guidebooks. We stopped at all the great photo op spots, Magen's Bay wasn't crowded (go left down the beach past the bathhouse - everyone else goes right) and was spectacularly beautiful (it rained a little, but we were already wet), Blackbeard's Castle was fun - the rum was good - and there are a lot of interesting things to see on the grounds (climb the tower if you're able - the view is worth it!). Stop in the historic houses on site (it's cooler in there) and explore the amber museum. And, when they say "99 Steps" they mean it (but at least it's down, not up...):D.

[TKE cruiser]

Thank you for the information. This will be our first time to St. Thomas and wanted to find an excursion that will show us a lot of the island and also have time on the beach. After reading your information, I feel this excursion will be perfect.

[meatloafsfan]

We had a great time on this tour. One thing we found though is the water taxi back to the ship area left at 1:30, 2:30, 4:30 and 5:30 (no 3:30pm). The guy at Blackbeards was trying to tell us at 2:30pm that we'd be better to wait for the 4:30pm water taxi than to take a regular taxi back to the ship. We ended up taking a taxi back for $4 per person (because it was just too long of a wait).

[TKE cruiser]

Thank you for letting me know! We can't wait

[meatloafsfan]

Just thought I give the link to part of my review where I covered the Ultimate Island tour (in case you want a sneak peak).

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=28697255#post28697255

[TKE cruiser]

Perfect, Thank you!

[laser110]

We had a great time on this tour. One thing we found though is the water taxi back to the ship area left at 1:30, 2:30, 4:30 and 5:30 (no 3:30pm). The guy at Blackbeards was trying to tell us at 2:30pm that we'd be better to wait for the 4:30pm water taxi than to take a regular taxi back to the ship. We ended up taking a taxi back for $4 per person (because it was just too long of a wait).

 

 

Water Taxi? The VI Taxi Commission does not allow water taxi's as it takes away business from those on land. You can get a private water taxi from St. Thomas to St. John.

 

Regular ferry service also runs between St. Thomas and the BVI as well as to St. Croix

 

A few years ago there was pirate themed 'ride" that would pick up passengers at the WICO and take them to town and did the same at Crown Bay. They were essentially a water taxi service, masquarading as a priate adventure ride with dressed up crew and supposedly told stories during the brief trip. The Taxi Commission forced them to close after a few months in business.

 

Can you explain more?

[meatloafsfan]

Water Taxi? The VI Taxi Commission does not allow water taxi's as it takes away business from those on land. You can get a private water taxi from St. Thomas to St. John.

 

Regular ferry service also runs between St. Thomas and the BVI as well as to St. Croix

 

A few years ago there was pirate themed 'ride" that would pick up passengers at the WICO and take them to town and did the same at Crown Bay. They were essentially a water taxi service, masquarading as a priate adventure ride with dressed up crew and supposedly told stories during the brief trip. The Taxi Commission forced them to close after a few months in business.

 

Can you explain more?

 

From the end of the tour description:

 

Your St. Thomas tour concludes with duty-free shopping on Main Street. Search for bargains on artwork, Caribbean handcrafts, electronics, fragrances, leather goods, linens and luxury items such as jewelry, watches, crystal and china.

When you’re ready to return to your “Fun Ship” at the end of the day, a short harbor cruise will take you back.

 

I guess I just assumed that it was a "water taxi" versus the "harbour cruise". We took a land taxi back for $4 per person instead of waiting for the "harbour cruise".

[kcbutterfly]

We will be doing this excursion on our Liberty cruise in a couple of weeks. :) I have a silly question for those of you who have done it - Did you just keep your bathing suit on (with a coverup of course) for the second part of the tour (Blackbeard's, etc.)?

[pythia]

We will be doing this excursion on our Liberty cruise in a couple of weeks. :) I have a silly question for those of you who have done it - Did you just keep your bathing suit on (with a coverup of course) for the second part of the tour (Blackbeard's, etc.)?

 

There are changing facilities at Magens Bay (outdoor shower for rinsing, toilets, and changing cubicles). They are primitive, but adequate.

[pythia]

At the bottom of the 99 Steps you've got a couple of blocks of shops between you and where you catch the "harbor cruise". They'll give you a wristband when you get to Blackbeard's Castle that will also get you on the harbor cruise (which really is more like a water taxi, no matter what name they give it). It takes you from one end of the city directly to the cruise pier. From there you can either get back on your ship or go back into the Havensight shop area.

[meatloafsfan]

We will be doing this excursion on our Liberty cruise in a couple of weeks. :) I have a silly question for those of you who have done it - Did you just keep your bathing suit on (with a coverup of course) for the second part of the tour (Blackbeard's, etc.)?

 

We kept our bathing suits on - there are also several pools at Blackbeard's as well if you want to go for a swim.