What to do on which island?

[Justabitoff]

For our upcoming cruise, we want to keep things pretty varied. Basically, we don't want to spend 5 days snorkeling in 5 different ports, but we also don't want to miss out on snorkeling in the best spot. We're 99% sure we're doing the Celebrity Cruise through the Southern Caribbean, so these are our stops:

 

Embarking/disembarking from San Juan

Tortola, BVI

Dominica

Martinique

St. Kitts

St. Thomas

 

What's the don't miss attraction on each of these islands? What's the best of the best?

 

Our port days seem pretty long at 8-5pm. Our wish list includes: snorkeling, hanging out on the beach, hiking, rum distillery, zip lining and maybe another historical /cultural site or two depending on what's recommended. We don't really want to go shopping. We don't mind making a quick stroll through town after an excursion, but that won't be our main activity.

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited December 12, 2015 by Justabitoff

[Keith1010]

This is going to take some work on your part but you really should be asking on each of the ports of call boards on your list. There are separate ports of call boards. Also, if you read many of the posts on those boards you will get a lot of information.

 

Take the time to do the research.

 

Keith

[OCruisers]

As Keith mentioned above .... You would find it very helpful to check out each of your port stops here on the Ports of Call board.

[zoncom]

Go to it. Wonderful Caribbean port books by Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet and DK Eyewitness Guides and more.More planning equals a better experience.

[Justabitoff]

I have been researching. For quite awhile. And I've determined that you can snorkel, hang out on the beach, take an island tour, on every Caribbean island. Obviously some islands, like Dominica, are more obviously unique. I thought this particular board would be helpful in receiving feedback about how the islands compare to each other. Apparently not...

[blue_water]

For our upcoming cruise, we want to keep things pretty varied. Basically, we don't want to spend 5 days snorkeling in 5 different ports, but we also don't want to miss out on snorkeling in the best spot. We're 99% sure we're doing the Celebrity Cruise through the Southern Caribbean, so these are our stops:

 

Embarking/disembarking from San Juan

Tortola, BVI

Dominica

Martinique

St. Kitts

St. Thomas

 

What's the don't miss attraction on each of these islands? What's the best of the best?

 

Our port days seem pretty long at 8-5pm. Our wish list includes: snorkeling, hanging out on the beach, hiking, rum distillery, zip lining and maybe another historical /cultural site or two depending on what's recommended. We don't really want to go shopping. We don't mind making a quick stroll through town after an excursion, but that won't be our main activity.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Tortola is a beautiful island and drivers at the port offer nice island tours at reasonable rates that include a beach stop and a tour of the oldest continually operating rum distillery in the Carib. Another option is a ferry to Virgin Gorda and a visit to the Baths. You can YouTube for more info. Nice beaches on Tortola include Brewers Bay (also good snorkeling), Cane Garden Bay which is the busiest beach with several beach bars, Long Bay which has a restaurant and is a nice, picture postcard beach (literally), or the more isolated Smuggler's Cove with no amenities. As noted, you will find much more detailed info on the specific destination forums.

 

If you choose the Baths option from Tortola St Thomas also offers great snorkeling, either off the beach or by daysailing. For St Kitts consider the cat to Nevis option. A tour of Dominicais a must, just hook up with aguide when you arrive.

Edited December 13, 2015 by blue_water

[MAGNUM PI]

I have taken seven southern Caribbean cruises.

 

DOMINICA: For a truly unique experience, do what we did. Hire a private guide, and visit the Carib Indian Territory. We purchased wonderful handmade, items, such as small baskets,..one of a kind-at very reasonable prices. Excursions don't go there; great sightseeing of the island, on the way!

 

ST THOMAS: Do IT Yourself Excursion to ST JOHN.

Take ferry from St Thomas to St John.

Most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.

Cinnamon Bay is awesome, few people

there.

[blue_water]

If we had to choose the "best of the best" for each destination we'd do:

The Baths on Virgin Gorda

Join a guide at the dock offering an island tour

Nice beach day

Cat to Pinneys Beach on Nevis

Taxi to Red Hook, ferry to Cruz Bay, and taxi to Waterlemon Cay for the best snorkeling; or take the Yacht Nightwind or High Pockets daysail to the days off St John, or contact Breakaway Charters for a great day in the BVI

[cruiseapril]

We were glad we booked excursions for Dominica and Martinique.

 

In Dominica, it is important to have a good driver as the roads are narrow.

We went on the Layou Valley tour which stopped for native dancing and then went through the beautiful Rain Forest.

 

In Martinique, we took a ship's bus tour with an excellent guide who spoke French and English. We went to St. Pierre, through the Rain Forest and to Balata Gardens.

 

We would snorkel from other ports.