Thenford or Ilva?

[hollyanna]

:) ILVA WALLACE - excellent, had her last week 23rd March. Wonderful woman, very helpful and knowledgable. Wonderful with my kids. Would recommend her in a heartbeat. Hollyanna

[firefighterjake]

My wife and I recently came back from a cruise and on St. Kitts went with Thenford . . . which was one of the best tours we went on . . . if not THE BEST. Thenford is a gracious host, humorous and is a wealth of knowledge . . . you leave the tour feeling as though you not only saw sights of interest in St. Kitts, but you leave feeling as though you've learned something . . . he truly is one a great man and a wonderful teacher. Perhaps the best thing I can say about him and his tour is that you start out as a customer, but by the day's end you will leave feeling as though you've made a friend.

 

I can't speak to Ilva Wallace . . . but honestly from the reviews of both Ilva and Thenford it sounds like you can't go wrong with either choice.

[bear732]

Our group of 16 just returned from the Carnival Destiny. We booked with Thenford and all I can say is "WOW!" We had our own bus. He is extremely knowledgable about the island. Going with him we were able to see much more than if we had been on our own. We came away with a wealth of knowledge. He took us from one end of the island to the other. The only thing I can say is Coggleshell beach leaves something to be desired. It is extremely pricey and smells because of Wilbur, their pet pig.

 

If you are in St. Kitts definitely do a tour with him.

 

I can't say anything about Ilva because I have not researched her/him.

[Lmack]

We did a tour with Thenford in March while on the Explorer. We were somewhat disappointed because we didn't have many photo opts - kept having to ask the driver to stop - I can't remember if it was Thenford himself (great van). We were also taken to Coggleshell Beach which was a huge disappointment. Not a pretty beach. We saw Wilbur the pig as we left. We walked & stayed down at the other end of where Wilbur was since it was so dirty in that area.

 

We'll be in St Kitts again in early Dec so we're looking for something else to do.

[hcat]

What is the benefit of booking these in advance over just taking a tour once you get into the port? We have done the major sites --Brimstone fortress , Carabelle batik etc--

 

We just want to get a nice driver to cruise around with for mabe an hour or two for some beaches & nice views..none of the excursions from the ship are that appealing once you have seen the major stuff...

[woody14h]

What is the benefit of booking these in advance over just taking a tour once you get into the port? We have done the major sites --Brimstone fortress , Carabelle batik etc--

 

We just want to get a nice driver to cruise around with for mabe an hour or two for some beaches & nice views..none of the excursions from the ship are that appealing once you have seen the major stuff...

 

No benefit except some people need their security zone. We always use local guides for tours. Easy to control, negotiate, and find great dining venues. To each his own.

[Illini422]

DH and I just returned from the June 8 Carnival Destiny southern caribbean. While on St. Kitts, we toured with Thenford. He was very informative and answered all of our questions. He allowed us plenty of time at all of the stops with muliple photo opportunities. What was to be a 3-4 hour tour was a 6.5 hour tour. He has a lot of friends all over the island and made us feel like he knew us from the start.

[litlvxn]

For those that used Thenford Grey, did you take "The Tour" or the "Capital & Beach Splash" ? Any preference to either (and why) or regrets for taking one over the other? Thanks :)

[juniperia]

Just came back from a December 7-14 Celebrity cruise. Booked Ilva Wallace in St. Kitts and had a wonderful time!

 

We were supposed to be on a tour with another couple but they didn't show up, so it's like we had a private tour with her (people not showing up might be a reason why she sometimes asks for a deposit, but she didn't ask us for one).

 

Because she does a very small group, she's completely flexible with what we wanted to do. She even packs a cooler with some drinks for her guests! She told us on the rare occasion King does the tours for her - he seems like a cool guy and the people touring with him all seemed happy!

 

Ilva drove us around Basseterre and around the island, told us a lot of history, and visited the Batik factory, Brimstone Hill, and Frigate Bay.

 

While at the beach, she stayed in the van to watch all our valuables. She waited for us until we were ready to go.

 

Ilva is a lovely lady! I would DEFINITELY book her again the next time we visit the island.

[jegk1]

I've read great things about both. Who would you recommend and why?

 

I likewise read great things about both, but as a former Elementary teacher (as you are now), I would definitely reply that Thenford was one of the best tour guides we have ever had anywhere! We've driven all of our 50 states with 8 road trips across the USA, plus all of the continents, and 13 cruises- so are well-seasoned- and Thenford offered the most informative tour, along with his wonderful personality! He will show you, with such pride, his island and all the attractions it has to offer!

[JNCRUISEBUMS]

Hands down Thenford Grey is the BEST tour guide we have ever had. We just got off "The Connie" after a b2b, 3 weeks of pure heaven. I'm handicapped and use a scooter and Thenford made sure I saw everything and took such GOOD care of me. He is knowledgeable, knows his island and it's history and tells you the story in a way that makes it fun and interesting! Don't miss an opportunity to tour with Thenford, it's a true pleasure! Nancie and Jim Morgan

[jfadds@yahoo.com]

just spent a wonderful day with him last week. great tour on a large ,safe toyota bus. he even had water for us. do not miss his tour.

[airlink diva]

Just came back from a December 7-14 Celebrity cruise. Booked Ilva Wallace in St. Kitts and had a wonderful time!

 

We were supposed to be on a tour with another couple but they didn't show up, so it's like we had a private tour with her (people not showing up might be a reason why she sometimes asks for a deposit, but she didn't ask us for one).

 

Because she does a very small group, she's completely flexible with what we wanted to do. She even packs a cooler with some drinks for her guests! She told us on the rare occasion King does the tours for her - he seems like a cool guy and the people touring with him all seemed happy!

 

Ilva drove us around Basseterre and around the island, told us a lot of history, and visited the Batik factory, Brimstone Hill, and Frigate Bay.

 

While at the beach, she stayed in the van to watch all our valuables. She waited for us until we were ready to go.

 

Ilva is a lovely lady! I would DEFINITELY book her again the next time we visit the island.

I have to agree!! I had a tour with Ilva in October and I felt like a friend visiting a friend instead of a tourist. Ms. Wallace greeted me with a warm smile. I was her only person that day and my island tour was set to what I wanted to do and how long I wanted to stay at various stops. I also really enjoyed having lunch at a local diner. I requested to eat somewhere with a local flavor. Ms. Wallace escorted me to the diner,introduced me to the owner and told me take my time. The owner explained what all the local dishes were (the food was great!!). I had a wonderful lunch on the outside patio.

I know that next year that St. Kitts is on my list and I will once again book with Ms. Wallace.

[pierces]

Big vote for Thenford Grey!

 

Knowledge, courtesy, punctuality...all 10 out of 10.

 

We were on St. Kitts from the Solstice on December 4 and we now know more about the history of that island than we do about the town we live in!

 

He was also very polite about my lagging a bit too long for photos...

 

 

St Kitts Photos - Click here

 

Dave

[parrottfam]

We toured with Thenford Gray off the Carnival Miracle on Friday, Dec. 12th, and we couldn't have been more pleased. The day before we toured St. Lucia with Cosol, which was very good. But for the money, Thenford's tour of St. Kitts was a much better value, and I can't say enough about how knowledgeable he was about the island and how professional he was as a tour guide. His bus was bigger than we were used to on an island tour, but the opportunity for pictures was much better than in the smaller vans, and he answered any questions we had for him. Even though I've already taken his tour, I would not hesitate to take it again if I visit St. Kitts again. Best bang for the buck, and 1st class all the way!!! Tipped him after the tour, and well worth it!!!!!!!

Thanks for everything, Thenford!!!!!!!!!!!

[darkauf]

Have to agree - Thenford was excellent when we used him last year.

 

Darlene

[ellbon]

Thenford

[Loki_77573]

Dave,

 

I just spent the day looking at your pictures of the Solstice. Your pictures are fabulous and the captions are entertaining. All I can say is WOW! I now truly am counting the days before I can walk in your footsteps. Thanks for the mini vacation.

[kcgozs]

I would like to have the phone numbers or e-mail addresses for Thenford and Ilva. If someone could supply those, I would be very appreciative.

[shay204]

E-mail for Ilva

mailto:ilvawallace@yahoo.com

Thenford Grey website

Just type Thenford Grey (St Kitts) as a search in your browser

[Grammar Goddess]

DH & I stopped in St. Kitts while on the QM2 December 30. I had booked Ilva Wallace MONTHS ahead, and she had quoted $40 pp for her tour, which she was vague about, to say the least. We got off the ship, asked the security there where she'd be, and about 10 minutes later, I spotted her, carrying a sign that said "Cruise Critic". She waved a list of names, said they were booked with her, too. After about five minutes of waiting,[never saw the others] she palmed us off on another driver, Jonathan. :(

We walked down the street with her, and she waved him down. As we drove off with Jonathan, she said, "Just pay him what we agreed." Oh, that I had had the presence of mind to say OUT LOUD, "Yes, Ilva, $40 each."

Jonathan was quite a good tour guide with a clean van, and he took us, I assume, to the places that Ilva would have--Caribelle Batik, Brimstone Fortress, Black Rocks. We never saw her or her van again.

When our island tour was over, he said, "Did Ilva tell you $135?" We said, "No, she quoted us $40 apiece." He was very upset; we ended up giving him $100. :confused:

I don't know whether Ilva overbooked, which she surely would have known ahead of time, or whether she was just trying to help out a fellow driver. Needless to say, we will never use her again. Jonathan gave us his card, but all it included was a telephone number, so no way to get in touch with him, either.

I'm sure Ilva's tours are all that everyone says they are. She seemed very personable, cheerful, and helpful in her own way to us. We've taken six cruises, all of which included guides we booked privately. I've never had anyone in any port decide not to take us after all! Also, I've never had anyone so vague about what exactly the tour might include!

I want to say that St. Kitts exceeded our expectations--especially liked the Caribelle Batik at Romney Gardens, and I'm not a shopper! :)

We're planning to be back at St. Kitts on a Princess Cruise next Christmas vacation, but think we'll probably try to spend our time in Nevis. I'll be posting another time to find out how we might do that.

Hope this helps.

 

GG

[paul58]

Getting to Nevis will involve one of the ferries. There are several to choose from. The ferry ride is about 45 minutes each way. Depending on your ships arrival & departure times it can be done with some time on Nevis.