What to do in these ports?

[RevCindy]

Hello all,

 

We're going on our first cruise in Nov/Dec 2017. I'm trying to figure out what to do where.

 

Here's where we're going:

St. Thomas

Dominca

Barbados

St. Lucia

St. Maartan

Puerto Rico (only have a few hours between 3pm and 8pm)

 

Here's what we want to do:

Snorkel

Zip Line

Hike

ATV/Jeep/Rhino tour

Shop (men's watch and local specialties)

Not just lay on a beach

 

The trip is 3 adults. One is a scuba diver and he and myself have snorkeled in Belize so we're spoiled. But my son, 26-years-old, really wants to and we want him to have a good experience. He was looking at those underwater motorized bike thingys. In St. Maartan, we've done the America's Cup Racing experience, which we loved but don't want to repeat.

 

If we were to take a limo from the port to an excursion, which port would be the most reliable for that?

 

Also, can you really just walk of the ship and grab excursions? I don't want to overpay on the ship, but I AM a planner and am nervous about this part of our trip. (NCL Jade, staying in the Haven).

 

 

 

Thanks!

[Vineyard View]

Responded on your Barbados port post

[CruiseGal999]

I don't know your time frame in St. Maarten. We owned a Tshare there and had 2 weeks back to back. We have been on these catamarans MANY times and have LOVED it each and every time. IMHO

 

Lambada & Tango

 

 

446 Reviews

#10 of 39 Tours in Simpson Bay Outdoor Activities, Boat Tours & Water Sports, Tours

 

Pelican Marina, Simpson Bay, St. Maarten-St. Martin

+1 721-544-2640

[leighuf]

We've only once grabbed a tour on the fly in port. Otherwise we have always booked independently (after 1-2 cruises of ship-tours). I prefer looking on TA for ideas.

 

In St Thomas, I'd recommend hiring a captain and a boat to go explore the area (St. John, BVIs etc). You can snorkel, beach it, grab lunch at one of the legendary spots on Jost. It is a bit expensive, so it may be your splurge excursion. It'll easily run $600 for 1 boat.

 

In St. Martin/Maarten, we booked a group excursion with Billy Bones BoatCharters. We snorkeled, made a beach stop at Pinel Island, ate lunch on the French side, and watched a huge plane fly over us at the airport beach. A great value and a favorite excursion of our last S. Carib cruise. Only 5 others with us on the tour.

 

For St. Lucia, many operators do the same the trip (snorkel, pitons, bats, mud etc). Check TA for those with the best reviews. Def book with someone that uses a boat.

 

I'd avoid cruise ship tours... unless you like tons of people with you.