Cruise Suggestions - Eastern Caribbean - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Patios · October 2, 2005, 07:41 PM

Hi all,

My wife and I are new to cruising and will be taking a 10 day Holland America cruise this December to the Eastern Caribbean (San Juan PR, Tortolla, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay). Does anyone have suggestions or ideas on "things that shouldn't be missed" while in these locations? Would you suggest booking the excursions through the cruise line or work with a travel agent or book things online? Are there any items that we shouldn't forget to bring?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. We can't wait to go.

Pat

grest · October 3, 2005, 06:43 AM

You might go to the boards at www.cruisecritic.com
Lots of invaluable information on all these ports and shore excursions. Have a great trip!
Connie

Judy · October 4, 2005, 10:03 AM

In San Juan, see the fort. At the Tortolla port, I would suggest going to the baths on Virgin Gorda. Since you're new to cruising, if you aren't familiar with the ports, I think the ship's tours would be a good idea. They'll probably cost more than doing it on your own, but you won't waste time trying to find your way around and you're guaranteed not to miss the boat.
Have fun!

dive-in · October 7, 2005, 01:24 PM

The Eastern Caribbean is a shoppers paradise but don't miss the beauty. We've always shopped on St. Maarten and gone to St. John on the St. Thomas stops. St. John is beautiful any time of year. Around 2/3 of it is a National Park. It's probably best to do an onboard excursion. If you go on your own and miss the ferry from St. John back to St. Thomas, they won't wait. It's about a 45 minute ferry from Charlotte Amalie. Shorter to Red Hook but you still have a Taxi from there. The onboard excursions they wait for. You can always hit the shopping at the docks when you return from your excursion to St. John. The beaches on St. John are awesome and usually not crowded.

The one thing I enjoyed on St. Maarten was the America's Cup Regatta. You race with other boats while acting as the crew on yours. You can do as much or as little as you want though. They have jobs to pass drinks to those who are really working.

Patios · October 11, 2005, 08:20 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions. They are very helpful.... Pat

labguides · October 12, 2005, 01:07 AM

Let us know how the cruise goes.

frenchieinme · October 12, 2005, 09:57 PM

You can shop for jewelry REAL inexpensive like in St. Thomas. A $1000 diamond in the USA goes for $200 or $300 on St. Thomas all other things being equal.

A friend of mine bought his wife a 2 & 1/2 carat diamond in St. Thomas for $6,500 and it has consistently appraised at over $20,000.

JMHO of course

frenchieinme

October 2, 2005, 07:41 PM	#1
Patios TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 19, 05 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 14 Resorts: Royal Islander - 3 weeks	Cruise Suggestions - Eastern Caribbean Hi all, My wife and I are new to cruising and will be taking a 10 day Holland America cruise this December to the Eastern Caribbean (San Juan PR, Tortolla, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay). Does anyone have suggestions or ideas on "things that shouldn't be missed" while in these locations? Would you suggest booking the excursions through the cruise line or work with a travel agent or book things online? Are there any items that we shouldn't forget to bring? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. We can't wait to go. Pat

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

October 3, 2005, 06:43 AM	#2
grest TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 8, 05 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 1,645 Resorts: Mt. Amanzi, Strand Pavilion, Seapointer, Place on the Bay	You might go to the boards at www.cruisecritic.com Lots of invaluable information on all these ports and shore excursions. Have a great trip! Connie

October 4, 2005, 10:03 AM	#3
Judy TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 10, 05 Location: Melbourne Beach FL; Steamboat Springs CO Posts: 1,804 Resorts: Celebrity Resort World of Orlando; Hatteras High;Worldmark; Buddy Dive (Lions Dive Bonaire)	In San Juan, see the fort. At the Tortolla port, I would suggest going to the baths on Virgin Gorda. Since you're new to cruising, if you aren't familiar with the ports, I think the ship's tours would be a good idea. They'll probably cost more than doing it on your own, but you won't waste time trying to find your way around and you're guaranteed not to miss the boat. Have fun!

October 7, 2005, 01:24 PM	#4
dive-in TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Sep 14, 05 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 274 Resorts: Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club	The Eastern Caribbean is a shoppers paradise but don't miss the beauty. We've always shopped on St. Maarten and gone to St. John on the St. Thomas stops. St. John is beautiful any time of year. Around 2/3 of it is a National Park. It's probably best to do an onboard excursion. If you go on your own and miss the ferry from St. John back to St. Thomas, they won't wait. It's about a 45 minute ferry from Charlotte Amalie. Shorter to Red Hook but you still have a Taxi from there. The onboard excursions they wait for. You can always hit the shopping at the docks when you return from your excursion to St. John. The beaches on St. John are awesome and usually not crowded. The one thing I enjoyed on St. Maarten was the America's Cup Regatta. You race with other boats while acting as the crew on yours. You can do as much or as little as you want though. They have jobs to pass drinks to those who are really working.

October 11, 2005, 08:20 PM	#5
Patios TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 19, 05 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 14 Resorts: Royal Islander - 3 weeks	Thank you all for your suggestions. They are very helpful.... Pat

October 12, 2005, 01:07 AM	#6
labguides TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 7, 05 Location: Southern CA Posts: 678	Let us know how the cruise goes.

October 12, 2005, 09:57 PM	#7
frenchieinme TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Posts: 566	You can shop for jewelry REAL inexpensive like in St. Thomas. A $1000 diamond in the USA goes for $200 or $300 on St. Thomas all other things being equal. A friend of mine bought his wife a 2 & 1/2 carat diamond in St. Thomas for $6,500 and it has consistently appraised at over $20,000. JMHO of course frenchieinme