1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Cruise question

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by wolf685cln, Aug 9, 2011.

  1. wolf685cln

    wolf685cln New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2010
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    2
    Have an upcoiming cruise out of Baltimore with stops in Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau. Looking forward to pushing the big reset button while vegging out on the reefs, esp around Turk from what I've read.

    The cruise line has their 'package deals' but am wondering if you've had any experiences in arranging for snorkeling trips shore-side -- successes, failures, tips?

    Thanks for any feedback.
     
  2. T8ergirl

    T8ergirl New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2004
    Messages:
    523
    Likes Received:
    4
    We have arranged some of our own excursions but only after alot of research on the internet and independent confirmation from other customers. You're not really going anywhere that dodgy, though. Look on line. The only thing is that if you go through the cruise line and something delays you, the ship will wait. If you book on your own and your tour guides bus breaks down on the other side of the island, you're out of luck.
     
  3. mdcrim

    mdcrim Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2003
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    17
    The website cruisecritic.com has really good reviews of independent port excursions. We always book our own with independent operators (again, with lots of research). I think we end up paying less and having more personal experiences that way.

    T8ergirl is right about the major downfall- if your independant excursion gets held up your ship may leave without you.
     
  4. Steve Campot

    Steve Campot Broadlands Real Estate Broker

    Joined:
    May 28, 2008
    Messages:
    514
    Likes Received:
    22
    We sailed the Carnival Pride out of Baltimore last year and really enjoyed it. When we arrived at Nassau we took a cab to Atlantis. We had heard so much about it and we wanted to check it out. Well it was amazing and so much so that we just got back from this years vacation at Atlantis. You can see just how over the top it is on their website.

    Have Fun!
     
  5. wolf685cln

    wolf685cln New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2010
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    2
    We've looked at Atlantis a couple times and have waffled on the decision after comparing the cost to some really nice all-inclusive trips we've been on.

    I didn't connect the dots on it being in Nassau, and I think I'll put that on the agenda. Are you free to enter and eat/drink at will or is it more of a 'tour'?

    thanks!
     
  6. sri_n

    sri_n Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2003
    Messages:
    367
    Likes Received:
    19
    Most resort areas are NOT free to walk around in.

    Carnival has a basic shore excursion which is a tour - it includes the trip to/from the ship to the resort, as well as a walking tour - includes the aquarium, and a walk through the casino. You'll have a couple of hours to spend at the shops nearby as well (this is actually outside the resort, so you can do this on your own). Personally I felt that the tour was too expensive for what we got..(about $55 per person) - the aquarium in B'more is much nicer!! :)

    Carnival also offers a "day at the resort" excursion that includes the above as well as allows access to the beach and water park at the resort, but I couldnt justify the nearly $130 or so per person cost for that.
     
  7. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    2,260
    Likes Received:
    34
    excursions through the ship are convenient, and very overpriced. you can usually get what you want dockside for much cheaper than the ship excursion desk.
     
  8. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2003
    Messages:
    1,619
    Likes Received:
    37
    The only thing I will say about a ships excursions, if for some reason, weather, vehicular breakdown, or whatever keeps you getting back to the boat on time, ship based excursions will wait, the others will find you waving to the boat after it pulls away. Trust me, I know. They are a little more expensive but look at it as insurance.
     
  9. Steve Campot

    Steve Campot Broadlands Real Estate Broker

    Joined:
    May 28, 2008
    Messages:
    514
    Likes Received:
    22
    You can take a cab for about $8 per person. When you arrive you have free excess to the harbor where there are very nice shops, restaurants and huge yachts to look at. You can also go to the casino and nicer shops inside. All for free. However if you want to see the aquarium, gardens, pools, beach and the huge crazy water park you have to pay, a lot.

    So if you had a lot of time to spend there, like 6-8 hours I would pay for the full pass if you like water parks. More info at frommers.com

    Hope that helps.
     
  10. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2003
    Messages:
    1,317
    Likes Received:
    15
    number one piece of advice is decide what you are doing as soon as possible when you get on the ship and book it so you get on the list before it fills up!!
    the price differences everyone is talking about are not so great that you should leave it up in the air, imho.
     
  11. wolf685cln

    wolf685cln New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2010
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    2
    hmmm... cold beer in one hand, snorkel gear in the other, my wife next to me.. smiling while watching our chariot back to the 'real world' drift away. Wouldn't necessarily call that a downfall.... ahem, if it weren't for the kids of course. I've got vacation fever in the worst way if you can't tell :cheers:

    Thanks for the tips everyone! Formulated some initial ideas with your help:

    Grand Turk: have some calls into the local dive shops, those not affiliated with the cruises seem to have a much smaller 'people' volume than the cruise-specials, which is key for me personally. My radar is on Grand Turk Scuba if anyone has used them... the reef pics in google are fascinating.

    Half Moon Cay - thinking about creating a roll-your-own adventure with a cat rental, snorkel gear, sunscreen, and a 6-pack or 2 to go (reminiscentof a tom sawyer / huck finn adventure with a tropical backdrop). I think the full day and small size of the island makes this more than feasible.

    Nassau, a fairly short stay seems well suited to the cab ride to the harbor and goofing off for a few hours (thanks for the idea Steve).

    Cheers!
     
  12. mdcrim

    mdcrim Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2003
    Messages:
    818
    Likes Received:
    17
    You can also check reviews for your potential vendors on tripadvisor.com. I agree with the private operators having fewer people and a more intimate experience.
     

Share This Page