Have cruised on board Destiny twice (2004 and June 2005). Love the S. Caribbean, especially Barbados, Aruba and now Dominica instead of the horrible Martinique. It's great to have until 10-11pm in both Barbados and Aruba. I always pre-arrange a rental car in both Barbados and Aruba. Car is waiting for me at pier and that's where I return it. Absolutely the best way to spend the day on the island. Barbados and Aruba are both super friendly with lots to see and do.
Here's some ideas that I and my 14 year old daughter have tried and loved.
St Thomas-SNUBA
www.visnuba.com-great people, excellent experience, magnificent, clear waters, lots to see....At least 2-3 hours at Magen's Bay soaking up sun and drinking your favorite on the beach served by gorgeous bikini-clad ladies...On way back to the ship, take the sky tram to the top for great vistas of the island.
You can walk to the ship from the ride. We just take taxi from ship to SNUBA and catch another (there are plenty) to Magen's Bay and ask the driver to pick us up in 2 hours for the ride back to the Sky Tram.
Dominica....We went river tubing. It was great fun. You can book this on line as well. Cheaper than the ship.
We also went snorkeling in what's called champaign (lots of bubbles from volcanic activity) great boat ride to the spot right from the pier. Try seeing the rain forest as well. It's worth the ride.
Barbados-Get a good map on line. Drive your rental car North to see the rugged NE coastline. Huge breaking waves, magnificent, wild beaches. Then navigate your way to see St. Johns church (lots of history and very old, pirate days cemetary. Then head over to the very calm western side of the island. Try Blue Monkey beach where for about $3 you get a great beachchair on a pristine, quiet beach. Don't even think about NOT trying the native dish, Flying Fish which you can order up from the beach bar and take it right out to your chair along with a "Banks" beer (brewed on the island). Stay out of Bridgetown, it's a zoo with lots of traffic. Do visit the Green Monkey animal park where monkeys literally have the run of the place along with giant turtles. It's a lot of fun for both teens, kids and adults. If you have to shop, hit the market places in and around holetown.
Aruba-Favorite island...very, very clean and friendly. Drive for 30 minutes north to see the California lighthouse, have breakfast at the beautiful restaurant on the premises.....drive a little farther around the point and explore miles of open sand dunes where you might see 2 or 3 people.....Drive south and hor Arishi beach (you can see it from the lighthouse grounds) and then a little further south and hit Boomba's beach for great drinks, good beach...We took a snorkle trip out to the Antilla wreck (a must see with absolutely beautiful water, a zillion fish, large and small. The wreck is in 3 pieces and the bow and stern stick out of the water. Bring an underwater camera!!!! Your boat ties up to the wreck and you can then pull yourself along an underwater rope as you vier the spectacular wreck and since it's only about 30 feet deep you can zoom in and out of the wreck just snorkeling. Next drive all the way south to Baby beach which is not far from the refinery (don't let that alarm you) The beach is incredible...calm...with fantastic snorkling at the mouth of the bay. Great for underwater shots of fish. Head back to the ship, return your car and then walk to the something "Iguana" restaurant on the main drag. Great food, seafood, fantastic soups, cuban food etc. You won't be dissappointed. Enjoy the Destiny...she's huge, clean and with a balcony cabin (highly recommended) you will see dolphin and incredible waters. We always fly out a day early and stay at the Old San Juan Hotel (Now a Sheridan) just 2 blocks from the pier and in the heart of Old San Juan. We also stay there one night on the return leg to make the most of our caribbean stay.
Good luck and enjoy!
Len
Destiny 04 & 05
Spirit 05 & New Years 06
Pride 04
Ryndam 04
Liberty June 06
