What to see it St. Kitts?

[Raycruise2010]

Hello fellow cruisers. My wife and I are on equinox and set sail March 16. We'll stop in St. Kitts. I've never been there ... For those who have, is there anything that's a must see or must do on the island? Thanks for your opinions!

[MrJulius]

Hello fellow cruisers. My wife and I are on equinox and set sail March 16. We'll stop in St. Kitts. I've never been there ... For those who have, is there anything that's a must see or must do on the island? Thanks for your opinions!

 

 

Probably better off asking this on the destination boards. We went last year and did a day pass at the Marriott. Nice resort, beautiful beach, light snorkeling by the rocks, swim-up bar, etc.

[Fixit2010]

The railway tour ($99/pp) was good. Air conditioned downstairs and open top upstairs railway train that tours the island and hands out free drinks and pina coladas throughout the ride. Full commentary and singing along the entire way and great scenery.

[espmass]

Depends on what you like to do. We got a cab at the dock area (sorry, don't remember what it cost) and took a tour of the island. The cab stopped to let us out at the Batik Factory, the fort, a scenic overlook, a beautiful park, and finally in town where we walked around the shops.

[TMaine]

The fort is really impressive if you like that sort of thing as well as the old sugar cane mill which is where the batik factory is.

[wvufan]

We toured with Royston and couldn't have had a better time.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE Baby :D:D Bob and Phyl

[hcat]

Brimstone Fortress, (interesting history & great views) Carabelle Batik & Gardens are both nice stops...also take time to wander around the port town itself-- there are some nice buidings...

 

we have done all that so we have also spent time at a resort. Frigate Bay resort-- They had a nice pool w/swim up bar , could walk down to the beach & had a great lunch...

 

and last time we just wandered the little flea market behind the mall at port--looked for local wares in the mall behind the port mall... at the flea market we enjoyed talking to the vendors & got a nice small sculpture from a local artisit & had lunch at the port mall overlooking the water..with a view of Nevis (maybe?) It was a VERY warm day so hard to traipse around!

 

next time we'll try the Marriott or Timothy Ranch..

[patca]

We went zip lining. Booked it when we got off the ship at the tour center - cost less than the cruise ship.

[texkan]

Brimstone Fortress is nice to explore and on a clear day can see Nevis, also the Batik Factory and gardens.

The market area is interesting. Lots of little monkeys in the area.

[jgnova]

Pretty much echoing what others have said here, see the Ports-of-Call board for more detailed discussion and recommendation. My recollection is that we were considering the train tour until we realized that the majority of comments on that indicated that it was fairly boring, reinforced by a discussion with a CC friend who had taken it.

 

We elected a tour with Rose & Jim and enjoyed it immensely. Click on our review and photo links for our December 2009 Mercury sailing in our signature below for more details and some photos. Several friends played golf at the Marriott and loved that. Last year we took a ship excursion to a nice beach - you can see that described and pictured in the December 2010 links below.

 

As others have said, Brimstone Fortress is amazing, especially if you can see some monkeys on the way. The Batik factory is a way to see some real local handcrafts - and walking around the section near the port. Besides some interesting flea markets and shops, there's a local version of Picadilly Circus.

 

j

[cruzeluver]

The zip lining in St. Kitts is one of the best we have done if you like that kind of thing.

[tserface]

I'll +1 for the train ride. It was really fun and you get a nice taste of island life and great commentary.

 

Tom

 

The railway tour ($99/pp) was good. Air conditioned downstairs and open top upstairs railway train that tours the island and hands out free drinks and pina coladas throughout the ride. Full commentary and singing along the entire way and great scenery.

[Cruiser 4 Life 66]

I recommend the train ride. I was up top for the first hour, then got hot and went down to the air conditioned lower level which has big viewing windows. It goes along the coast and also thru the interior, so you get great scenic vistas. Little kids run up to the train and wave, as you pass several small schools. You also can't beat the free unlimited rum punch and pina coladas :D

[lemons]

I recommend the train ride. I was up top for the first hour, then got hot and went down to the air conditioned lower level which has big viewing windows. It goes along the coast and also thru the interior, so you get great scenic vistas. Little kids run up to the train and wave, as you pass several small schools. You also can't beat the free unlimited rum punch and pina coladas :D

 

Did you sign up on the cruise or at the port? Thanks.

[blueboro]

Did you sign up on the cruise or at the port? Thanks.

 

 

I just went on the link for the Scenic Railway and apparently you must book thru your cruise line unless you are staying at a hotel.

[Redtravel]

Not much to do on St. Kitts. Brimstone hill is fun. I'd stay on board. If you do venture out, be careful. Last year there were lots of crime. A tour bus was held up.

[bravostar]

We rarely book ship's tour however made an exception as this tour came with great reviews.

It was wonderful.

Do not be intimidated by the large amount of people. You are transported by bus to the train and the bus you are on is assigned a railroad car so there is plenty of room for everyone.

Watch the hostess on board blend frozen pina coladas which are delicious ,listen to the great commentary and enjoy the entertainment. You can sit up in the open air cars or retreat down at air conditioned tables if it get too hot.

We enjoyed it very much.

[Vol fan]

The zip lining in St. Kitts is one of the best we have done if you like that kind of thing.

 

I second the zip lining. We have done it twice and loved it. You get a little tour of the island on the way back also and stop at the Batik factory.

Carole

[buffi001]

We've been to St Kitt's a few times and, if you are beach people,

the facilities at the Marriott are great. There is a very nice Casino and bar

there, and we were able to use the lounge chairs and umbrellas on the

white sand beaches for free. I will tell you that this year there were signs that the cabanas were for hotel guests only, however no one seemed to care or

check the many cruise passengers that were there. I also received an hour

massage for $40 (bargaining is very acceptable. He started out at $70), and the masseuse told us that all you have to do is leave your very identifiable

cruise towel in your bag when you are not using it and no one will bother you.

[texkan]

We've been to St Kitt's a few times and, if you are beach people,

the facilities at the Marriott are great. There is a very nice Casino and bar

there, and we were able to use the lounge chairs and umbrellas on the

white sand beaches for free. I will tell you that this year there were signs that the cabanas were for hotel guests only, however no one seemed to care or

check the many cruise passengers that were there. I also received an hour

massage for $40 (bargaining is very acceptable. He started out at $70), and the masseuse told us that all you have to do is leave your very identifiable

cruise towel in your bag when you are not using it and no one will bother you.

 

Did you get a cab to the Marriott - price of fare? How long a drive? Did you need to purchase a day pass prior to arriving?

[MrJulius]

Did you get a cab to the Marriott - price of fare? How long a drive? Did you need to purchase a day pass prior to arriving?

 

A taxi from the pier will take you there. I don't recall the fare. Once at the hotel you can go right up to the registration counter and get your day pass. I believe it was $50 or so. This way you don't have to slink around like you are doing something wrong. :rolleyes:

 

You can relax in a lounge chair under a hut, swim in the pool and enjoy other amenities like you own the place...cuz for the day, you do :)

[cruiseaholic13]

The railway tour ($99/pp) was good. Air conditioned downstairs and open top upstairs railway train that tours the island and hands out free drinks and pina coladas throughout the ride. Full commentary and singing along the entire way and great scenery.

 

Did you book this through Celebrity? We are looking at the "Rail and Sail Tour".

[shellysh]

I too am interested in a St. Kitts tour. Is there any tour you would recommend on the Silhouette? Do they offer a catamaran tour?

Thanks

Shelly

[cruiseaholic13]

I recommend the train ride. I was up top for the first hour, then got hot and went down to the air conditioned lower level which has big viewing windows. It goes along the coast and also thru the interior, so you get great scenic vistas. Little kids run up to the train and wave, as you pass several small schools. You also can't beat the free unlimited rum punch and pina coladas :D

 

Did you book this through the cruise line or on your own?

[buffi001]

Did you get a cab to the Marriott - price of fare? How long a drive? Did you need to purchase a day pass prior to arriving?

 

Very close to the pier. If I remember correctly, the taxi fare was about

$10 (each way for the two of us). There is never a problem getting a taxi

back. the Marriott is the largest hotel on the island and cabs are readily

available. Don't get a day pass....you can use the facilities for free. The only

exception is that you can't use the pool. Although, the same masseuse I

mentioned said that if you slip a hotel employee $10 or $20 dollars they

will give you a hotel towel and you can then even use the pool. If you want to go that route (I didn't have any burning desire to use the pool), I would

go to the beach, and ask one of the masseuses (Our's was named Marques)

about it.

 

By the way, you can buy drinks, there are rest rooms where you can change, and the casino is very nice. We were there on a Sunday and they

had NFL games on a bank of 8 TVS in the casino sports bar.