Caribbean Cruise Excursion Tips?

Question

My husband & I are leaving June 1 for our first cruise. We're going to the following Caribbean ports and are wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what to do or not do at any of them (excursion wise or any thing else).

San Juan/Puerto Rico

Barbados/Bridgetown

St. Lucia/Castries

St. John's/Antigua

Philipsburg/St. Maarten

Saint Thomas

Thanks!

Answer 1

there are so many things to do at every single one of ur stops....but all expensive.....i would go on expedia.com or orbitz.com and search for ur cruise....there will be a list of excursions.....when at the port leaving for ur cruise make sure u get there early because it will get crowded and may be a huge pain to get onto the ship

Answer 2

The only tip I have is that you may be better off booking through the cruise line.  When we were in Cozumel last year, someone on our ship took a tour with a local they met on the dock.  He took them to the middle of the island, and would not bring them back to the ship unless they paid him $150 each.  You need to be very careful that any tours are by a sanctioned individual, not someone trying to scam you.

Answer 3

On St. Martin, my dad can't stop talking about the sailboat race he went on.  It's the American Cup's retired sailboats and they actually have two boats that race for a couple hours.  Everyone gets a "job" while on board and you race eachother.  Someone is a bartender, someone else handles a jib rope, another the mailsil...etc., or you can elect to just sit and cheer your mates on for the win.  Everyone gets a tee-shirt and there's lots of close calls as you round around a bouy to tack back and forth with the other's sailboat.  It's about $70 a per person, but all I hear is how fun it was.  

As for San Juan...not much there if you ask me, but I think if I went again, I'd go on a kyack tour instead of walking around the creepy city streets.

St. Lucia, go visit the volcano or try and find the catamaran / snorkel tour we went on that also brought you to the volcano.  Very pretty there.

St. John's...I think I'd opt for the snorkel tour that heads to block island.  I've done a few things, and that was fun.  

St. Thomas...hop on the boat to St. John's, or shop around their downtown.  Although I do remember the folks who went on the booze cruise out of St. Thomas seemed to have wayyyy more fun then I did snokeling those days.  :)

St. Martin...go to the nude beach.  There's lots to do, like rent jet skis, sip rum runners down nearby the beach, jump off of floating docks and slides...or go for a walk and go sightseeing down the "other" end of the beach. ;o)

Now...to save money.  Buy your snorkel gear here at home and bring it with you.  Then do a lot of snorkeling.  All you have to do is get off the ship, walk to the first taxi you see, and ask him to bring you to a beach that has the best snorkeling...or a private beach, or a beach with a bar, or a beach for nudes, or whatever your wishes are, and he'll bring you there.  He'll also need money, therefore, will be there to pick you up when asked, too.  You'll have lots of fun.  Promise.

Also, the ships will make up a "lunch bag" for you to bring to the beach too.  Just ask, or go pick up the food you want at breakfast time and bring yourself some lunch bags.  Even if it's an apple and some oranges, this way you can eat a big breakfast and the food should last the day off the boat, so when you return, you can go grab a hamburg.  I'd also make sure you're on the last dinner seating too, so you can spend most of the day on the island.  You'll have plenty of ship time at night.

Oh, and my last thought...since you're leaving so soon.  Call the cruise line directly and ask if there are any free upgrades for your cabin.  :)  The closer to the top and mid ship is best.  There might even be a balcony room for about another $100 if that interests you?  

I hope this helps!

Enjoy your cruise!

Answer 4

I've been on 2 caribbean cruises and i have to tell you that the first time we went snorkeling and it was just awesome.  They are very expensive - but honestly - when will you ever be able to do those types of things at home in the states.  My advise is to save for what you think you might want to do.  It's worth it.  Have fun... and don't forget to take lots of pictures.

Answer 5

Excursions sell out so I always try to book before I even leave home, that and I know its paid for and not another expense on the ship. Also if the excursion runs over the cruise line knows where you are and wont leave the port without you. I have been on 4 cruises and try to do something different at each port. I loved snorkeling in St Thomas ( we took a catamaran which was a blast) St Maarten has Orient beach but they do tend to go topless( which my 17 year old thought was great) Puerto Rica has an excellent historical tour. There is limitless thing to do and try so try something different than you would normally try. It only lasts a few hours if you hate it but can lead to new interests if you love it.Have fun

Answer 6

St. Thomas has the best shopping and I absolutely love it. Their is also really good snorkeling. I love that place and its so beautiful and clean and the water is crystal clear and is amazing. In St. Maarten/St. Martin I would take a tour that goes to both the french and the dutch side of the islands and I'm pretty sure the ship docks on the dutch side and the island is divided in the middle so its all really cool but it migth help to know some french because most people on taht side dont speak english and their are some nude beaches so beware of that. San Juan you dont usually get to until nigth so you can see the fort or you can take this tour that takes your downtown at nighttime and lets you go shopping. Either tour is nice but its going to be nighttime so be cautious of that and if you wonder off make sure you know your way back and keep track of time even though the ship at night is lit up so its really nice looking and its amazing to look at. St. John's is just kind of an island really its an optional tour instead of going St. Thomas or St. Maarten so if you want to get off you can but its nothing really that spectacular because its just some villages and some older buildings and thats about it. The other two I havent been to so I would jsut pick something that you like. A highlight tour or snorkeling if you know how is always a great choice.

Answer 7

I have been to St. John, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.

Trunk Bay on St. John is a must see...  beautiful snorkeling and just an incredible beach experience.

Pinel Island on St. Maarten was nice, some good snorkeling

There is another beach on St. Maarten that was nice (some nice waves) I think it was called Orient Beach or something - careful its a topless permitted beach

St. Thomas - Meghans Bay is incredbly beautiful.

Have a great time!