Jewelmarie53 Posted July 26, 2018 Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 I'm currently booked on Oasis of the seas Oct 28 - Nov 4. Our stops are nassau, st. Thomas and St. Maartan...what are the best shore excursions you have encountered in any of these ports. Trying to spread out what what we do each time. Which is the best place for snorkeling, just walking around or just hanging out on the beach. Any input is EXTREMELY appreciated...first time cruiser!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted July 26, 2018 Report Share Posted July 26, 2018 St Thomas: You can do either beach day at Magens Bay or shopping in Charlotte Amalie. Check out Things to do in St Thomas. St. Maarten: Beach day is ideal here. Grand Case, Orient Beach, Maho Beach Nassau: I recommend British Colonial Hilton day pass. Jewelmarie53 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted July 27, 2018 Report Share Posted July 27, 2018 If your ship is in St. Maarten from 8 until 5, and you're up for an all-day outing with both snorkeling and beach time, take a look at either Random Wind or Soualiga Destinations. Both are third-party excursions you'll have to book directly, but they both have a great reputation and rating on Trip Advisor. Random Wind got hammered when the hurricane blew threw, but IIRC they've restored the ship and are doing business again. I did Soualiga Destinations this past April and it was fantastic. Wrote a review of them, and you can see photos of the trip on the live(ish) blog I did: Jewelmarie53 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewelmarie53 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2018 Thank you for your input, I will definitely look into these things. We will be in St. Thomas on Halloween, not really sure of the ships do parties but planning a costume anyway!! Was thinking of some type of kayaking shore excursion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim&N8 Posted July 28, 2018 Report Share Posted July 28, 2018 @Jewelmarie53 It does seem most ships plan halloween events if your onboard for the holiday! @Matt do you still have a connection with a driver in St Maarteen? I have the same itinerary on Symphony of the seas March 2019. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPS Posted August 3, 2018 Report Share Posted August 3, 2018 @Matt With the port in Philipsburg and Orient Beach on the French side of the island, what is needed to cross over the French/Dutch border on the island? We are thinking of taking a third party parasailing excursion there in January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbk999 Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 Nassau: we just did a self guided tour but I've heard good things about the British Hilton (from Matt and others) St Thomas: we did a Sea Lion Swim at Coral World (booked outside RCI, fairly pricey) that was a lot of fun St Maarten: Ropes course at Loterie Farm was a blast. This next visit will be an ATV tour of the island. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos A. Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 In St Thomas you could take a ferry to St John. The beaches there are stunning. Here is some info http://www.vinow.com/stjohn/getting_there/ Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellcee Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 15 minutes ago, carlosalonsor said: In St Thomas you could take a ferry to St John. The beaches there are stunning. Beautiful at St John's! I just did the St John all inclusive excursion through Royal and felt it was a bit of a waste. A lot of traveling for about an hour and a half on the beach. In no way would I discourage anyone from going to St John's - just if you do an excursion make sure you read the fine print. We did not and found later we somehow missed the part where they told us only a 1.5 hours on the beach - and weren't thrilled. Carlos A. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos A. Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 21 hours ago, ellcee said: Beautiful at St John's! I just did the St John all inclusive excursion through Royal and felt it was a bit of a waste. A lot of traveling for about an hour and a half on the beach. In no way would I discourage anyone from going to St John's - just if you do an excursion make sure you read the fine print. We did not and found later we somehow missed the part where they told us only a 1.5 hours on the beach - and weren't thrilled. I agree, I believe is better if you take the ferry and explore without an excursion. Here is one of the beaches you could visit. I took this pic on my last trip to St John's. I was going to book the tour you took but it was sold out so I only book the ferry round trip. Skid, ellcee and JLMoran 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellcee Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 Gorgeous. you were better off just doing the ferry. Carlos A. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDemuth Posted August 7, 2018 Report Share Posted August 7, 2018 Hey, we're on Oasis the week after you! We've booked Soualiga Destinations for St Maarten. For St Thomas, we decided on a third party foodie walking tour of Charlotte Amalie, a part history/part eating tour that lasts about 3 - 4 hours. A close 2nd choice was the ferry to St. Johns. Not a fan of Nassau, so our plans are to visit the spa on that day. Are you traveling with a group or just a couple? With a group, one option in Nassau is a private charter for snorkeling etc. We have chartered Capt Carl Blades with Bahamas Boat tours and had good snorkeling, one site with Hawksbill turtles. Expensive for just 2, but with a group of 4 - 6, is certainly doable at reasonable cost per person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, DDemuth said: We've booked Soualiga Destinations for St Maarten. Have a great time! If you have Brett and Laura as your captain and first mate, tell them Joe (the guy who stayed in the boat and took pictures the whole time) said hi! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, DDemuth said: Hey, we're on Oasis the week after you! So are we! Less than 13 weeks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDemuth Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 14 hours ago, JLMoran said: Have a great time! If you have Brett and Laura as your captain and first mate, tell them Joe (the guy who stayed in the boat and took pictures the whole time) said hi! Will do; we're looking forward to the excursion. Our first time to St Maarten. 13 hours ago, Floski said: So are we! Less than 13 weeks!! Hey! That will be me at the Trellis bar just after boarding... Floski 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 1 hour ago, DDemuth said: Hey! That will be me at the Trellis bar just after boarding... Better be careful.....you act like that and they may not let you board the ship! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted August 9, 2018 Report Share Posted August 9, 2018 8 hours ago, rjac said: Better be careful.....you act like that and they may not let you board the ship! ...tis but a twitch! One of my biggest conundrums is where to have my first drink. In Jan, it was the Champagne bar, because it was the first one we saw as we stepped onboard! I like the Trellis bar, but I looooove the Solarium bar. Regardless, it'll be early! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 On 7/26/2018 at 9:06 AM, Matt said: Nassau: I recommend British Colonial Hilton day pass. @Matt I wanted to ask you, if I remember correctly, this is just a walk from the pier? Is it close enough for my hubby to take his scooter that we will be renting or should be take a taxi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 2 hours ago, Boston Babe said: @Matt I wanted to ask you, if I remember correctly, this is just a walk from the pier? Is it close enough for my hubby to take his scooter that we will be renting or should be take a taxi? It's really close by - you can see it from the ship! However, as far as the sidewalk quality from the pier to the Hilton I'm less sure about. There are some rougher patches IIRC. Boston Babe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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