Barbados, St. Kitts and St. Lucia Ports & Excursion

[typea]

Does anyone know if you can only get off your ship if you book an excursion at the ports in Barbados, St. Kitts and St. Lucia? If not, are there any restrictions and can you just get off the ship and walk around on your own?

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

[typea]

Found my answer after posting, but had another question somewhat related. If you book an excursion on one of these 3 ports, are you escorted directly back onto the ship? Or is there the possibility that you'd be left and can wander off and walk around on your own?

 

If anyone has been to these ports since the cruises has started back up.

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

[dunedinmaiden]

Received an email from Royal with November protocols with a link within to:

[mets123]

Supposedly you could walk around the port area. But there are reports the rules are changing on October 31. Take anything you hear with a grain of salt.

[Chauncey Picklepants]

RC  told me yesterday no wandering on excursion only island,  that there are strict protocols being enforced by the individual island’s government health ministry.  Also, be careful, these excursions are selling out fast and they’re not adding additional excursions. So if you see a beach trip you want, book it.  These tend to be the cheapest therefore sell out the fastest. And once they’re gone, they’re gone.  The agent who cancelled my trip for me added there are no plans to add or alter currently offered excursions.  Ok Grim Reaper 😂
Also very important.  Make sure to confirm the start and end times before booking the excursion.  They will also tell you how many slots left.  Several on our sailing started at 8 am and ended at 11:30 am.  They should but do not include that important information. My wife has Parkinson’s and getting up and ready to go to the beach at 8 am is not doable as she needs to take her medication, etc. 

Edited October 27, 2021 by Chauncey Picklepants

[Psycho and Barb]

Some of the Royal tours seems to allow you to do some shopping on your own in these ports...From our 21 Nov 21 Explorer Cruise Planner.

 

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS

1.       Beach Hop Island Style – $49.00 – 4 Hours

Soak up the sun and sand as you spend a day along Bridgetown’s dazzling southern coastline while making your way around three spectacular Barbadian beaches. Hear island tales from your guide as you drive in an open-air jitney bus through historic towns. Stop in southernmost Dover Beach and stroll along the retail-lined St. Lawrence Gap. Enjoy lunch or a refreshing swim along Accra Beach’s popular shoreline. Then relax along Pebbles Beach’s sheltered stretch of sand

[Biker19]

33 minutes ago, Psycho and Barb said:

Some of the Royal tours seems to allow you to do some shopping on your own in these ports...From our 21 Nov 21 Explorer Cruise Planner.

That's probably just the "regular" description for the excursion - what happens in reality may be different.

[Psycho and Barb]

46 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

That's probably just the "regular" description for the excursion - what happens in reality may be different.

True…I guess we will have to wait and see

[Chauncey Picklepants]

There will be no self exploration shopping after November . The islands do not want cruise pax mingling with unvaccinated islanders. I would not count on shopping.  Also, if there are 75 people on the excursion, and 10 wander off and take too long to shop as Mrs Picklepants is known to do,  you end up waiting for them in a trolley. This is the excursion dilemma. Beach hop equates to very little beach relaxation. 

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, Chauncey Picklepants said:

10 wander off and take too long to shop as Mrs Picklepants is known to do,  you end up waiting for them in a trolley.

If RCI is as strict as MSC was in the Med, you may also be waiting at the pier as they deny you re-boarding.

[Chauncey Picklepants]

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

If RCI is as strict as MSC was in the Med, you may also be waiting at the pier as they deny you re-boarding.

I once left Mrs Picklepants at the open air market in St Kitts cruise port.  She and her girlfriend were dilly dallying around.  Last I saw them they were surrounded by monkeys. It was time for my nap and I was tired of waiting. Back on the ship I went. 

[Chauncey Picklepants]

*with her cruise card in my wallet.  She was none too happy being unable to stroll right into the ship with all her bags and no ID 😂

[Lou33]

56 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

If RCI is as strict as MSC was in the Med, you may also be waiting at the pier as they deny you re-boarding.

I think this situation is different.  In the Mediterranean, they were probably trying to protect the cruise passengers from getting infected on shore, where the vaccination rate may have been low at the time.  But in the Caribbean, the islands impose restrictions because of a perceived threat that the dirty cruise passengers will infect the locals.  

[Biker19]

53 minutes ago, Lou33 said:

But in the Caribbean, the islands impose restrictions because of a perceived threat that the dirty cruise passengers will infect the locals.  

It doesn't matter why the restrictions are in place - the issue is what is the penalty for not complying with the excursion rules and to what extent will RCI/tour operator enforce those rules.

Edited October 27, 2021 by Biker19

[Chauncey Picklepants]

11 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

It doesn't matter why the restrictions are in place - the issue is what is the penalty for not complying with the excursion rules and to what extent will RCI/tour operator enforce those rules.

I would hope if I paid $375 for Covid proctor test kits just to get on the ship with my family, that if a passenger strays and does their own thing -I hope there is strict enforcement.  48 hour Quarantine and a fine to pay for their retesting of their families whom they came in contact with.  I lost my trip in this mess,   I didn’t consider bucking the rules and play my own game because I’m not a gambler .  I’m sure there will be those who do not comply and I hope it’s dealt with. It’s like coming home after curfew, what will dad say and do? I hope dad gets out the belt. 

Edited October 27, 2021 by Chauncey Picklepants

[Lou33]

19 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

It doesn't matter why the restrictions are in place - the issue is what is the penalty for not complying with the excursion rules and to what extent will RCI/tour operator enforce those rules.

Since the islands are paranoid about having cruise passengers there in the first place, can't imagine that enforcement of the rules would involve leaving you at the dock.  The islanders wouldn't be happy with that.  They want the cruise passengers off their island.  Maybe the penalty would involve forcing you to sit through an art auction.  🙂

[beshears]

I did not read all the post, but we are to do the Explorer of the Seas the 9th of January. I was very "concerned" about all the postings of NOT being able to visit these ports, and many people canceling out, so I decided to contact my cruise agent. She informed me that she was on RCL in September, and a RCL representative was just at the agency, and "said", as long as  a person is vaccinated, and has proof, you should be able to get off the ship at these ports, and don't necessarily have to use RCL tours.  The main reason they WANT you to use their tours, which I DO understand, they want to make sure you are back on the ship on time, as they will NOT wait for your return!

[GEORGIEGIRL]

17 minutes ago, beshears said:

I did not read all the post, but we are to do the Explorer of the Seas the 9th of January. I was very "concerned" about all the postings of NOT being able to visit these ports, and many people canceling out, so I decided to contact my cruise agent. She informed me that she was on RCL in September, and a RCL representative was just at the agency, and "said", as long as  a person is vaccinated, and has proof, you should be able to get off the ship at these ports, and don't necessarily have to use RCL tours.  The main reason they WANT you to use their tours, which I DO understand, they want to make sure you are back on the ship on time, as they will NOT wait for your return!

I noticed you used the word "Should" in your post. If you look ay RCCL's latest information it clearly states "will require" when referring to excursions at certain specified ports of call. I'm not sure which cruise agent you are using (please don't reference them specifically) and which RCCL rep was just in the agency. They are both saying things they want you to hear, not facts in print. However, that being said protocols are changing all of the time. For full disclosure I will be on the "Explorer of the Seas" B2B November 28. 2021 -  December 12, 2021 and I will be dealing with the same excursions issues as you referenced and am planning on going with what RCCL just sent to it's customers directly as compared to what "someone" says.

[mpdog42]

So how would you do any shopping in the nice Bridgetown port?That area has some nice shops,and a nice bar where you can drink a Bank's beer and relax...Is that out now as well??

[mets123]

It depends on what month you are going, and what the Barbados government says for that month. My crystal ball isn't working very well today. Therefore, I don't know.

[Chauncey Picklepants]

3 hours ago, beshears said:

I did not read all the post, but we are to do the Explorer of the Seas the 9th of January. I was very "concerned" about all the postings of NOT being able to visit these ports, and many people canceling out, so I decided to contact my cruise agent. She informed me that she was on RCL in September, and a RCL representative was just at the agency, and "said", as long as  a person is vaccinated, and has proof, you should be able to get off the ship at these ports, and don't necessarily have to use RCL tours.  The main reason they WANT you to use their tours, which I DO understand, they want to make sure you are back on the ship on time, as they will NOT wait for your return!

You didn’t read all the posts is quite evident.  And you’re  being misled and spreading untruths. And your main reason is fine if it’s 2019 and there’s been no worldwide pandemic.
 

Explorer of the Seas hasn’t even had its first sailing yet. These protocols are in black and white print and were very clear.  You do excursions from the ship or you don’t get off. Full stop.
 

 But please, when you stroll down with your beach towel and tote bag telling ship security your cruise agent said an RCL representative was just at the agency, and "said" you should be able to get off- please have someone take a video and post it here 😂😂 I’d love to see it. Thanks for the chuckle. 😂😂

Edited October 28, 2021 by Chauncey Picklepants

[CaribbeanLover22]

".......with the exception of those listed below, which will require tours for all guests who wish to go ashore, regardless of their vaccination status."

It doesn't say a tour has to be booked through Royal, all it says is "require tours". Will you have to have a tour booked through Royal? Or can you book a third party tour as long as you have a tour booked? 

[Chauncey Picklepants]

12 hours ago, CaribbeanLover22 said:

".......with the exception of those listed below, which will require tours for all guests who wish to go ashore, regardless of their vaccination status."

It doesn't say a tour has to be booked through Royal, all it says is "require tours". Will you have to have a tour booked through Royal? Or can you book a third party tour as long as you have a tour booked? 

It does say exactly that vaccinated or not, if you want off the ship you must book a ship excursion. On four islands:  St Lucia, Barbados, St Kitts and Antigua. You quoted in purple Paragraph 2 which assumes you read Paragraph 1.   Thru November. 

Edited October 29, 2021 by Chauncey Picklepants

[CaribbeanLover22]

3 minutes ago, Chauncey Picklepants said:

It does say exactly that vaccinated or not, if you want off you ship you must book a ship excursion. On four islands:  St Lucia, Barbados, St Kitts and Antigua. You quoted in purple Paragraph 2 which assumes you read Paragraph 1.   Thru November. 

Yea, I have read it multiple times. it just says "tour" for vaccinated to go to those 4 islands. But for families with unvaccinated children it says specifically "tour through Royal Caribbean" which is why I asked. 

[Chauncey Picklepants]

10 hours ago, CaribbeanLover22 said:

Yea, I have read it multiple times. it just says "tour" for vaccinated to go to those 4 islands. But for families with unvaccinated children it says specifically "tour through Royal Caribbean" which is why I asked. 

You’re putting some question in a non-question policy.  Before I cancelled, I asked specifically what you’re casting some doubt on. 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Chauncey Picklepants