Motorcycle Cruise?

[catsdinner]

We were on the eclipse when there was a group on board last January. I loved watching the bikes being taken off and put back on. All the bikes were searched when they came back and we saw them squirt something in each gas tank. We watched from our balcony most days and the days when we were on the opposite side of the ship I would usually go to the deck and watch. I especially loved watching them load the huge three wheeler bikes. They were always the first off and last on the ship. They were always met at the port by a local group and in one port, I think it may have been St Lucia they were escorted by police. Would love to go on another cruise when they were onboard. They are very well organized and the group leader appeared to be very well respected.

[I_Luv_Cruisin']

Just learned that our 2018 Silhouette cruise is being advertised by a special interest agency as a motorcycle cruise where cruisers can book space for their motorcycles and I assume do special group excursions, ,.,or ride on their own in various ports,

 

Just wondering if anyone has done such a cruise or been on board with such a group...We are mostly wondering how large a group this might be, as we do not like to cruise with big groups onboard...

 

Also would they have likeky have night time events that would affect venues on board...

 

Not planning on canceling but just want to get some basic info,..

Thanks...

 

 

 

Hi,

 

The company the organizes the Motorcycle Cruises is called "ETA Motorcycles Cruises". (website: http://www.cruise-eta.com/motorcycle-cruise/ ) They organizes cruises all over the Caribbean with the exception of the Bahamas I believe. We saw them when we were on Celebrity Silhouette on the cruise from New York to Bahamas last May. We would not have noticed them on the cruise had we not been trying to board at the same time. We had to wait until they drove all of the bikes back on. So we chatted with them and picked up information about the cruises.

[I_Luv_Cruisin']

[I_Luv_Cruisin']

I took these pictures in Bermuda as the motorcycles were re-boarding the Celebrity Reflection. I included a picture of the business card for the guy how organizes the trips. The company is ETA Motorcycle Cruises.

 

You will finds of pictures on their website: http://www.cruise-eta.com/motorcycle-cruise/

[I_Luv_Cruisin']

Hi' date='

 

The company the organizes the Motorcycle Cruises is called "ETA Motorcycles Cruises". (website: http://www.cruise-eta.com/motorcycle-cruise/ ) They organizes cruises all over the Caribbean with the exception of the Bahamas I believe. We saw them when we were on Celebrity Silhouette on the cruise from New York to Bahamas last May. We would not have noticed them on the cruise had we not been trying to board at the same time. We had to wait until they drove all of the bikes back on. So we chatted with them and picked up information about the cruises.[/quote']

 

Sorry - I meant we saw them on a Celebrity Silhouette going from New York to Bermuda. (Not Bahamas!)

[donaldsc]

We did a Bermuda cruise with a bike group on board. They did not create any problems and you hardly knew that they were on board. Not even a problem when they left the ship and came back.

 

Don't worry about it.

 

DON

[ghstudio]

No problems at all....very nice folks. The biker group price is steep....these aren't bike gang folks.

 

 

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[Onnie0047]

We are heading on a Bike cruse in March 2018 on the Reflection with ETA. My son found them on line after I mentioned to him I seen a group of bikes get off the Equinox on a cruise in 2016. After a bit of research we decided to book a cruise. Yes its more expensive, quite a bit more expensive, it has taken us over 2 years to pay for the trip and other than my son, I will know no other bikers on board. My son and I are both in the same Motorcycle Club and will be wearing our colors on the cruise. So the big question is do I have concerns about riding my bike on the islands? Why yes I do. First of all, I have about 60,000 miles under my butt, my son, 3/4 of that on his bikes. We are hard core bikers, and belong to a hard cord Motorcycle Club. We are not gangsters, hoodlums or crooks, we belong Military/Law Enforcement club. Yes even Cops and Military Veterans join Motorcycle Clubs. My bike costed me as much as some luxury cars do and my wife fondly refers to my bike, whom I named Mary Lou, as my bride since I am usually paying more attention to Mary Lou then to her. My bike is big and yes its a bit on the loud side. If have ever been sideswiped by a car driver who "never saw you", you will understand why most bikers prefer bikes a bit on the loud side. I am a bit sadden by the lack of videos of riders from the many cruises per year ETA puts up. Ive not seen any video, other than a few promotional videos that ETA put out. So either they no longer take videos (cant believe that) or the cost to buy one is way too much. Seeing what the wife and I paid for a 20 minute video on our last cruise in August of 2017(Dolphin experience), that I can believe, but again that just a wonder not a fact.

 

I did watch the video where there was a bike accident of a biker and his rider. It was obviously the driver made a very serious mistake, I don't see where that was the fault of ETA. One of the requirements of ETA is you have to certify you have over a certain number of miles under your butt. Even extremely experienced bikers can make an error while riding. One post said there was no reason for 30 people standing around the people/accident area. He is correct as that could lead to a second accident or incident. Problem was the person "yelling". Yep I heard it too and no I did not like it. I do believe I recognized the voice from all the videos I seen as the owner. Ive watched him in many videos and IMO he is a pampas ass. Probably thinks he is all that and a bag of chips, again Just my opinion. But in defense of him, he needed to clear the area, need to give room and space to those at the scene working on and with the injuries parties. My understand is that both were hurt with the passenger being seriously injured, this was from an article I read quite some time ago. Could he have got the people moving with a bit more tact, probably, but from what I can ascertain this was in the early days of the company, so I hope after many, many more tours he is better at communications to his guests. Unfortunately the last videos of him I seen from 2013 says his still thinks the is still the king. I have not see another reports of accidents/injuries on any of his cruises. That does not mean there are none, I just have not see any. I plan on doing a very in-depth review of the cruise...many of my biker friends say sound interesting, but no way are they taking their bike on a cruise ship. I found it intriguing and exciting and I cant wait until March 2018.

Edited November 22, 2017 by Onnie0047

[dodger1964]

We are heading on a Bike cruse in March 2018 ...

 

Have a great cruise!

 

I don't know cost of this cruise vs a regular cruise, and also don't know how much it is worth it to you to have your own bike...but I would think for future reference to those that read this thread, maybe you could rent motorcycles at the ports and come out ahead???? (but I'm guessing that having your own bike makes it more special?)

[Onnie0047]

Have a great cruise!

 

I don't know cost of this cruise vs a regular cruise, and also don't know how much it is worth it to you to have your own bike...but I would think for future reference to those that read this thread, maybe you could rent motorcycles at the ports and come out ahead???? (but I'm guessing that having your own bike makes it more special?)

 

 

Thanks for the well wishes,

yes you can rent a Motorcycle at the ports. We've checked out Harley Dealers on several islands, the price was way out of my price range, one day of rental ($800.00 which included Fee, Tax, Licenses, fuel, etc, etc, etc) would pay for my motorcycle passage in the ship. Ive rented jeeps and quads numerous times on different islands, and to be honest they were well beyond being a death trap, the last two quads I rented did not even brakes that worked properly. Now I'm ok for an adventure every now and then, but not when I have someone riding with me. For the additional price of the cruise add an additional 40% give or take, guess that is ETA's take for doing all the foot work. Then there is an additional cost of $850 for insurance on the bikes, permits, and storage of the bike down below. All the numbers are approximately as the wife is the accountant and I don't have the actual figures in front of me. Is it more expensive? Yep without a doubt, but it really is at least for me a once in a lifetime trip. How much is it worth for me to have my bike with me. Just guessing but you probably don't ride. My bike is an extension of me. No other bike out there acts or behaves the way mine does. Your bike may look like mine, but she's not. My bike talks to me when I ride. She lets me know just how she is feeling and transmits that information to me via the vibrations on every curve, every straightaway and every stop sign. I might be able to rent the exact bike on any island, but she would not be my Mary Lou. How much is it worth to take my bike? Every dollar my wife is spending. lol:'). Will I do a second bike cruise....ill let you know in April 2018 when we get back!!!

[awhfy]

This was one of our favorite cruises. We enjoyed watching the bikes be taken off in the morning & ridden back on in the evening (some were much more proficient than others at this). It was great watching the local police (that rode with “our” bikers exchange patches, cards, phone numbers at the end of the day. You could tell it was the highlight of their season. On board we seldom saw them, one night in the photo gallery we ran into a group & my husband told them that he’d taken many pictures of them on the ship & around the islands (they seemed to follow us around). They were thrilled. We sent the pictures to them after the cruise & they were very appreciative. What a great group of guys & gals.

 

 

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