Help planning our excursions, please

[jkmmah]

We're sailing the Paradise on June 20th. We need help, as we are first timers, figuring how much time we'll have in port to do activities if we choose to do Nassau and St Thomas on our own rather than book thru the ship. Here's what we're thinking...

In Nassau, we'd like to do a dolphin swim. Carnival's excursion list only offers the encounter...not what we want. To do the swim we'll have to book it on our own, correct? How do we plan the day? We're in port only from 7-3pm. What would be the earliest you'd suggest booking the swim and the absolute latest time we'd need to be done with the swim to make it by taxi back to the boat before it sails?

In St Thomas we'll be in port from 7-5:30pm. A good part of the day we'd like to lounge on a gorgeous beach that isn't crowded. We'd also like to spend some time shopping, not a lot but a couple hours. I've heard St John is better for beaches but will going there eat up too much of our precious time that we'd be rushed to get back to St Thomas and have time to shop as well? Would we be better off staying in St Thomas? What beach would you recommend for us--not crowded, clear water, white sand (postcard picture perfect)? How much time will it take for a taxi (or our feet if walking distance) to get from the shopping area back to our boat?

As for our other port, La Romana, I think after all I've read we'll either skip this port or stick to a ship excursion to feel our safest.

Oh, you can see how entirely foreign all this is to us!! Please help and advise if you can.

 

[freezrbean]

Not familiar with Nassau, however, in St Thomas you could do a half-day sail through a private company and still have time for shopping. Most of the private sails go to St John or I have heard great things about the Champagne Cat. Sail through Carnival. So much to do and see in St Thomas shame the ship is there only one day!

 

[cruisieparker]

jkmmah,

Hi and welcome to cruising. You will love it!!!

I can't really help you on the excursions yet or sights to see, but we're leaving in 2 days to go on the Paradise 4/25 and I will be glad to give you my input when we get back.

I have an idea of what we are going to do, but nothing set in stone yet. We are going to go out on our own in Nassau, maybe to see Atlantis and then chill on the beach for a while.

In Dominican Republic, the ship excursion to Catalina Island, we are a little unsure about that port also.

St. Thomas, we are going to stay in St. Thomas. All of my friends that have been there say to go to St. John, but a lot of the posts I have read say it takes a while to get there and I don't want to waste my day traveling. We will prabably go to St Peter Greathouse, I think that's what its called, Mountain Top and then to Coki Beach for some snorkeling. If we have time we will go into the shopping area, but I am not much of a shopper.

Will let you know all about the ship and places to see when I get back.

 

[grins88]

In St. Thomas, I would definitely recommend going over to St. John. You can get a cab from the port to Red Hook (about 15-20 min ride) and then take the ferry over to Cruz Bay (ferry ride only 20 min.). At Cruz Bay you can get a guide for $16 pp to take you all over the island in an open air bus. Our wonderful guide, Pen, took us to some wonderful spots and stopped whenever we wanted for photo opportunities and drinks. He told us all about the islands which is something I really enjoy. He will then drop you off at a beach for snorkeling, swimming, or sunning. I highly recommend Cinnamon or Maho Bay. Just as beautiful as Trunk Bay with none of the people. Then you can catch the ferry directly back to Charlotte Amalie (a little longer ride--about 45 min). You should still have a little time for shopping depending on how much time you spend at the beach. Overall, just have fun!!!!
Kelly