I have been researching and booking excursions for some of the ports we will be visiting. I love doing this part! I get so excited reading about the excursions. It's up to you if you wish to book excursions through your cruise line or book independently. Often first time cruisers feel more secure booking through the ship. I feel comfortable now booking our tours independently, as we often see more and pay less than what the cruise line may charge. Many tours are geared toward cruise ship passengers. We have always made it back to the ship on time for sail away. There are many sites where you can research and read reviews of tours and tour companies, such as Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor. There are many others you can Google. So far, I have booked tours for St.Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada and Dominica. The links are attached -
St. Kitts - The Grand Tour -
http://www.thenfordgreytours.com/the-grand-tour-of-st.-kitts.html
St. Lucia - Full Day Tour -
http://cosol-tours.com/tours.html
Grenada- Island Tour - Garden Route -
http://grenadatours.com/half.htm
Dominica- River tubing & Emerald Pool -
http://dominicacruisesite.com/river_tubing
On the islands we will not be doing excursions, we will do beach days, such as in Aruba, Antigua, and Barbados.
In ARUBA, our plan is to go to Eagle Beach by local transit called Arubus. We did this the last time we visited Aruba and it was very easy. As soon as you head out the gate, walk to the main street and then cross the street and this is the bus depot. You catch the #10 bus which runs often. It heads towards the hotel area and runs along many of the beaches. The cost for bus fare is $2 each way or $4 for return fare. You can purchase your pre-paid bus ticket right at the bus depot. We usually get off at the Amsterdam Hotel across the street from the beach. You can rent chairs on the beach for $10 each. There is a beach bar there where you can buy drinks! Just cross the street to catch the #10 bus towards town to return to the ship .
When you get off at the bus depot in town, you can walk to Renaissance Mall! There's a Starbuck's there! Oh yes, always a great need for coffee! You can also buy ALOE products. There is a large aloe factory on the island. Not sure if the local grocery store carries it any longer, but check out the local store nearby for Aloe Vera products. I will write more about Aruba after our cruise!
In ANTIGUA- we have chosen 2 options:
1. To go to Fort James Beach. Taxi to here is $6 each. Candyland Restaurant is right across the street from the beach and the bar and facilities are Beach Bar Limerz. I hear the restaurant is lovely and the food is good here. They have shark & bake! Yum-my!! I fell in love with shark & bake in Trinidad! They also have free wifi.
2. Runaway Beach - close short cab ride from the pier
- ask to be dropped off at the beach bar ( Mystic Beach Bar? )
-quiet, clean sandy beach
-chairs & umbrellas for rent for $10
I will write about each island experience after our cruise.
BARBADOS - We have decided on several options:
1. Lobster Alive ( beside the Boatyard ). It is supposedly more quiet than the Boatyard and the beach is lovely. The cost by taxi is $5 per person. -To get there by taxi - exit the cruise terminal and past the port taxis to just outside the gate to the waiting taxis at the roundabout. Umbrellas and chairs on the beach are $5 each. Prices are a bit expensive to eat here, so we may go to Rollies Restaurant where prices are half the price than on the beach. It is right on the main road just off the port entrance.
2. Brandon Beach - near the port, $4-$5 per person, drop off at Weiser Bar which has food, drinks, chairs, umbrellas.
ST. THOMAS - We visit St. Thomas twice on this cruise. Our first stop will be at Havensight Pier or West Indian Company Docks. This is a shopping paradise is you love to shop! You can take a taxi or Safari Bus for $4 per person to town. There is a Kmart if you need to buy some essentials. Walk left off the ship down Rumer Drive, past Pueblo Supermarket past 1st Ave. & Kmart is just on the left.
Our second stop in St. Thomas will be at Crown Bay. Here we may catch the ferry to Water Island and go to Honeymoon Beach. The ferry leaves Crown Bay at 10am. Return ferry is at 2:30 & 3:30pm. Tickets are $5 per person each way or $10 return.
Must check out Heidi's Honeymoon Barbeque (Cantina) on the Honeymoon Beach. Good food, beer $4 each.
Another option at Crown Bay is Emerald Beach Club at Lindenburgh Beach. Walk through the shops to the taxi stands. Taxi to Emerald Beach Club is $4 per person and takes about 5 min. Hotel has chair rentals for $7 each. Nice restaurant, bathrooms, free wifi, shower.
BONAIRE- Our plan is to visit Klein Bonaire and No Name Beach. Klein Bonaire is a small island located just a short distance from Bonaire and accessible by water taxi. Water taxi is right near the pier. $15 per person return trip. No Name Beach is uninhabited. Has white sandy beach, great for swimming, walking, and has a great reef to snorkel! Bring your snorkel gear and sunscreen!
There are also a Craft Market set up on cruise days with handcrafted jewelry.
PRINCESS CAYS, Eleuthra, Bahamas -
This is Princess Cruises own beach. This a tender port. Lovely white sandy beach and shoreline, many beach activities available to rent, ie: banana boat rides, paddle boats, snorkel gear, aqua chairs, clamshells. Also many shops to buy your souvenirs. Princess has their own beach party with a BBQ included and drinks for purchase. There is also an observation tower to enjoy a great view!
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