its_amber

Hi! I am going on my first cruise with my husband on July 7th on Mariner of the Seas. Also stopping in Tortola and St. Kitts. Below is what we are planning on doing at both stops - I'll check back in after the cruise and let you know our thoughts! In Tortola, we're going on an excursion with Aristocat Daysails - their Norman Island itinerary on their site! I contacted the company via email and I was told it's a sailing day on a catamaran with several snorkeling stops - lunch and drinks included on the boat. Kid-friendly. I was told the meeting point and return point for the excursion is a short walk from the cruise port, but would depend on your specific itinerary I believe. I would imagine that might be a bit pricey for a family of 4, but lunch and drinks included may help. In St. Kitts, we are planning to catch a taxi at the cruise port. Apparently, most ports will have taxis around offering their services. St. Kitts included from all my research. We're asking to go to South Friar's Beach or Cockleshell Beach. We estimate a $15-30 taxi ride one-way. Another option we're considering is renting scooters. Look up "Kara and Nate St. Kitts" on youtube - they have a video about when they rented scooters. Hope this helps!

@SpeedNoodles @Ryan79 @Ampurp85 Thank you!!

Does anyone know if I'm able to pre-book shows/activities on Mariner of the Seas? (before being on board but after the check-in date) Currently not seeing many activities at all for a cruise in July. Assuming we're too far out! Wondering if this will change after the online check in date or closer to the sail?

@wheels_967 & @michaelp1446 Thank you for your help!! We're probably taking the Norman Island snorkeling option.

My first cruise ever is this coming July on Mariner of the Seas! One of our port days is in Tortola! My husband and I (mid-twenties, no kids) are looking into an independent excursion - a day sail on a catamaran. One option takes us to Jost Van Dyke and the other to Norman Island and the Indians. The Norman Island option includes several stops for snorkeling, but there is no guarantee of snorkeling stops on the Jost Van Dyke itinerary. My husband is really hoping to snorkel at some point on our trip and I think this might be our #1 opportunity for that. BUT Jost Van Dyke looks too good to pass up too - that white sand! Any thoughts on either for anyone that has been? Our other stops are St. Kitts, Puerto Rico, and CocoCay. Not sure how good the snorkeling options will be at those ports, any opinions and advice is welcome!

Hi @l9dance - I know this was posted awhile ago but I was looking for some advice on this as well! Did you end up going to Vivo Beach Club?

@KrissyB & @AmyMcL Same here - first cruise I've ever been on! I also booked an independent excursion for day 4 of the cruise (July 10th in Tortola), for my husband and I. We booked the Norman Island (CRZ-1a) day sail through the company Aristocat Daysails. According to what I was told when I contacted the company via email, it is a catamaran sailing day with several snorkeling stops - lunch and drinks included on the boat. The meeting point and return point for the excursion is a short walk from the cruise port. They have a minimum of 10 people per shared sail or else they won't go out - come join in to make it happen! Here's a link for more info if you're interested: https://aristocatdaysails.com/itineraries/norman-island/