Questions about port and ship

[carma7007]

My daughter is going on the Davina next month on the Holistic Holiday cruise.  
she has never cruised this line

She is asking if anyone can give her some suggestions or comments such as

What I wish I knew about on the cruise that I learned later that I could have done/seen.

 

if you don’t book an excursion can you still go and explore the town , do they have shuttles?

 

any other suggestions?

they will be in San Juan Puerto Rico, 

Phillipsburg St Maarten and St Johns Antigua and Barbuda 

 

thank you

 

 

[blueslily]

She might enjoy reading through the trip reports on this boards. There is lots of info for a first time MSC cruiser. I'm booked on a cruise next month. First time with MSC and reading the live reports and reports after returning home were great for planning and knowing what's available. She can use the search feature to help her sort the postings. Some people say the search feature is frustrating for them, but I've used search within this forum option and it works just fine. Hope she finds the trip reports helpful. They include a lot of info! 

[QueenofEverything]

You don't need a shuttle for any of those ports.  In San Juan, the ship will dock right in the Old Town part of the city.  St. Maarten has a great port shopping area.  You can walk to town or better, take the water taxi right from the port.  In Antigua, also a nice shopping area right where the ship docks.  Check the ports of call boards on CC and you will see lots of suggestions for each of those ports.