Elizabeth--I would agree with you if she was talking about going to Anguilla or St Barts, etc. However, to go to Simpson Bay, absolutely no reason to book a ship excursion, especially for that many people, with the comparable cost.

That said!!! To the original poster, I don't think I would plan to go to El Zafiro because they do ship excursions there, with around 100 people with the big ships. The experience will NOT be what you are expecting. The beach will be JAM packed with people. I would go to Mary's Boon instead. The chairs will be much further apart and the food and service should be better than El Zafiro, frankly on most any day, but especially on a day when there is a cruise ship excursion there. OR head to Mullet or somewhere on the French side.