Southern Caribbean from San Juan

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ms traveler

Guest
My husband and I will be taking our first cruise May 23-30, 2004. The cruise leaves from San Juan on Carnival's Destiny for the below destinations. We reserved early dinning and have a balcony room on the Empress Deck.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Fort-De-France, Martinique
Bridgetown, Barbados
Oranjestad, Aruba.

Anyone have excursion suggestions for any or all of the above ports and/or tips for cruising Destiny?

Thank you much,
ms traveler
 
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Bob7

Guest
We're going before you, Mar. 14. If you call CCL at 1-800-227-6482 they will fax or email the tour list to you. I'd suggest go for the email, the fax method gives half pages and other hassles. Email me if you want to trade info etc.
-Bob
 
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Darlene

Guest
What do you like to do? I don't know about Aruba but the other places are easy to do on your own.
 
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ms traveler

Guest
I've never snorkeled but looking forward to doing so; we are also interested in shopping, swimming, scuba diving, sailing, scenic or adventure tours. We also know how to slow down, feel lazy, and relax. We don't have any physical limitations so we are interested in almost everything fun, adventurous as well as relaxing.
 
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librarylady

Guest
When you call or e-mail to ask for the list do you get a list that includes the time each excursion starts? I can find the list on the web but there are no times listed!
 
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merkelcg

Guest
We sailed on Destiny in February. The Land and Sea excursion in St. Lucia is nice. You get to see alot. YOU sail on a motorized catamaran down to Marigot Bay, where you can swim a bit. They filmed Dr. Dolittle there. Theynyou sail to a small village and get on a bus which takes you to the volcano, the botanical gardens and you get a lunch at some old mill place . There is beautiful vegetation everywhere. The bus lastly drives up the winding coast with a stop at a small and poor village where there are some vendors. We had some fresh fruit drinks that were great. It was a long day, but we made early dinner. A taxi might be a good way to see the island too. We often do that. Barbados has great snorkeling so an excursion to do that is great.
 
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CSTEEVER

Guest
IN BARBADOS WE DID OUR OWN TOUR NOT THROUGH THE SHIP, WE TOOK A TAXI AND HE BROUGHT US ALL OVER THE ISLAND TO THE RUM FACTORY AND THEN TO AN OLD CHURCH UP ON THE HILL WHERE YOU CAN LOOK DOWN AND SEE THE WAVES POUNDING ON THE SHORE, THE CHURCH WAS BUILT IN THE 1600'S AND WAS VERY NICE TO VISIT, AFTER THE CHURCH WE DROVE THROUGH BARBADOS SEEING THE CANE AND BANANA FIELDS AND STOPPED ON THE ROAD TO SEE A GREEN MONKEY (THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE YOU CAN SEE ONE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ) HE CLIMBED ON MY DAUGHTERS LAP AND STOLE HER PACIFIER, WE ALL LAUGHED SHE WASN'T VERY HAPPY. WE THEN WENT TO AN OLD PLANTATION THAT I REQUESTED HE BRING US TO, AFTER THE TOUR HE DROPPED US OFF IN DOWNTOWN AND RECOMMENDED A RESTARAUNT, DELICIOUS FOOD. HE WAS A GREAT TOUR GUIDE AND WE ONLY HAD TO PAY HIM ABOUT 20 PP NOTHING FOR MY DAUGHTER AND WE WERE WITH HIM FOR AT LEAST THREE HOURS OR MORE. IT WAS NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE ISLAND SHOWS US ALL THESE PLACES AND HE LET US TAKE OUR TIME AT EACH ONE.

IN ST THOMAS WE DID THE PARADISE POINT TRAM AND DORAL WORLD, KEEP IN MIND WE HAD MY YOUNG DAUGHTER WITH US AND SHE LOVED BOTH, THE VIEW AT THE TOP OF PARADISE POINT WAS BEAUTIFUL. CORAL WORLD WAS DECENT, BETTER WITH KIDS AS THEY CAN PET THE SHARKS, FEED IGUANAS, AND PET OTEHR SEA ANIMALS. WE ARE GOING BACK THIS YEAR AND LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO DO, SHOPPING WAS WONDERFUL BY THE WAY. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT TO DO THERE WOULD BE WELCOME, AGAIN WE WILL HAVE OUR 4 YEAR OLD WITH US.
HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL.

CYNTHIA
 
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ljeanbrown

Guest
There is a nice helecopter tour in St. Thomas, I don't know if Carnival offers it or not when we went we were on another cruise line. It was about 20 min. for the flight itself, but it was alot of fun. We did the Malibu Rum and beach tour when we were in Barbados. You get a tour of the rum factory and then they have a nice little beach with umbrellas. There is a stand to get Malibu rum drinks and something to eat as well as a small gift shop. Another great thing to do on any of the islands is a catamaran tour. They are fun and if you like to snorkle you can if not you can stay on the boat.
 
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ms traveler

Guest
We just found out for our first cruise, the ship's itinerary changed from a stop in Fort-De-France, Martinique to Roseau, Dominica.

Anyone have any suggestions/advice for what to do or not to do in Roseau, Dominica?

Thank you.
Donna
 
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Lady Jag

Guest
No, sorry, but have heard that it's very beautiful. I don't know why so many ships are avoiding Martinique. Anyone know?

In Barbados, we took a taxi to Harrison's Caves and thoroughly enjoyed the short tour there. It was a beautiful drive and we got to learn all about Barbados' free education (even college!) system from the driver. He was very proud of his island.

In the afternoon, we did a catamaran snorkel sail and had a blast. It was really fun and relaxing. It was through the cruise line (RCI). I would avoid the Jolly Roger Pirate tours unless you like a lot of wild partying with music blaring so loud you can't think.

In St. Thomas, we did a tour to Mountain Top and also did the aerial tram. Both were 'okay', but next time, we're going to St. John to snorkel.
 
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frito

Guest
Dominica is ( in my opinion ) one of the most beautiful and unspoiled islands in the Caribbean. It is not developed for full scale tourism and you will not find the shopping,hotels, bars, etc. that have taken over a lot of the other islands. We have been there twice and look forward to going back sometime. Dominica is also referred to as the Nature Isle. It is lush and green, has an abundance of streams and water falls, some of which are hot due to the volcanic ( inactive) nature of the island.

Dominica also has the largest remaining Caribe Indian population of any other caribbean island. They have a reservation to which you can take a tour. They make and sell beautiful handicrafts, baskets, carvings, etc. You will dock at Roseau which is kind of funky but safe. Get a cab or take a ships tour to get out into the country side to enjoy the true beauty of Dominica. It is certainly worth seeing.
 
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Budracer

Guest
In Aruba we did a dancing under the stars where they load you on a bus (party bus) and take you to small island where they have an open bar and teach you the island dances and help you make a fool out of yourselves (we didn't need much help with that) They are great at keeping everyone involved and it was the most fun of anything we have ever done on a cruise. We were on RCCL but I'm sure they cater to more than just them.
 
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ms traveler

Guest
Wow! What great information. Appreciate everyone taking time to share their experiences/knowledge about the Southern Caribbean ports I mentioned. Now I'm really looking forward to visiting Roseau, Dominica as well as St. Thomas, Barbados and Aruba.

Happy Holidays!
Donna
 
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luvcrusin

Guest
Are you by any chance on the Destiny on 4/11? THat's where I'll be!
I've heard that The Boatyard in Barbados is supposed to be a fun place, do you know
anything about it?
 
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Don

Guest
We're taking the same cruise next January; so please post your impressions and recommendations when you return!
 
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Cruise cutie

Guest
We did the waterfall excursion through Dominica and it wa so gorgeous,got to tour the island for about 2 hours..it is very lush and so wet..we got a warm deluge..take your umbrella or slicker..it was a blast to see all the foliage and the flowers and fruit trees were lovely.hummingbirds are all over the flowering trees..:grin..hundreds of them!!!.If you like to snorkel than Malmok Beach is fabulous in Aruba..easily accesilble by cab ,car,or local bus..We have a time share in Aruba and love their snorkeling!!!..the best snorkel spot is in Baby Beach but it's a good 1/2 hour drive by car from the pier and unless you group tour it it's a big chunk of your day!!! Have a great cruise..:).Joanne
 
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ms traveler

Guest
luvcrusin and Don,

Our cruise is on the Destiny from San Juan on Sunday, 23 May, but I'll be sure to post our experiences soon after we return.

Donna
 
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