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Recommendations for cruise ship excursion #151462
01/06/2018 02:20 PM
01/06/2018 02:20 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline OP
Traveler
maytrix  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
Looking for recommendations for my cousin who will be arriving by Cruise ship in April. It is him and his family (3 boys) and his wife. Wondering what options would be good for them doing a tour - any specific recommendations? I assume booking something direct with someone will probably get them a more custom tour and perhaps be less expensive? Or possible similar a little more but better?

Thanks!


Matt
BVI Sponsors
Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151463
01/06/2018 03:09 PM
01/06/2018 03:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 594
Michigan
I
IWIWSE Offline
Traveler
IWIWSE  Offline
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I
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 594
Michigan
I remember sitting at the ferry docks in Road Town,
waiting for the ferry to Virgin Gorda and overhearing
Cruise ship passengers talking about how much more
they were paying over what they would have paid had
they arranged the tour themselves.
Your cousin would probably have a much better time
away from the crowd and I'm pretty sure the local
economy would get a bigger, much needed shot in
the arm, to boot

Mike

Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151469
01/06/2018 05:05 PM
01/06/2018 05:05 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,676
An island state of mind
tradewinds Online content
Traveler
tradewinds  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,676
An island state of mind
AC's Taxi will show them a good time:

http://www.info-res.com/actaxibvi/

Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151477
01/06/2018 06:07 PM
01/06/2018 06:07 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
In the Caribbean, unless it is something REALLY, really specific, or a trip to a different island, it's basically always cheaper and way better to do a trip yourself, versus cruise ship tours. Think about it, the cruise ship tours, the ship gets a cut and then the provider also gets paid. Cut out the cruise ship markup and you get a much more personalized tour, for cheaper, and better. Other places around the world, where there are security issues, perhaps do cruise ship tours, but not in the Caribbean.


Carol Hill
Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151513
01/06/2018 08:06 PM
01/06/2018 08:06 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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Manpot  Offline
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Exactly what Chris (Tradewinds) said. AC is by far the best way to go..

Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: Carol_Hill] #151529
01/06/2018 11:23 PM
01/06/2018 11:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 191
Kupe Offline
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Kupe  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 191
Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
In the Caribbean, unless it is something REALLY, really specific, or a trip to a different island, it's basically always cheaper and way better to do a trip yourself, versus cruise ship tours. Think about it, the cruise ship tours, the ship gets a cut and then the provider also gets paid. Cut out the cruise ship markup and you get a much more personalized tour, for cheaper, and better. Other places around the world, where there are security issues, perhaps do cruise ship tours, but not in the Caribbean.


Carol-

I absolutely 100% agree with you on the price aspect. My wife and I have trotted off on our own and done our own shore excursions in places where many would shake their heads- including Ukraine (when it was still part of the Soviet Union) and Ushuaia, Argentina and Ketchikan, Alaska. We saved a bunch of money and got great tours.

But here is the caveat. If you are on your own and your excursion is delayed on its return, the ship will leave without you. This is true in the Caribbean or anywhere else. We've seen it happen. On the PA.... "will passengers xxx please call extension yyy...we are departing in 5 minutes".

You simply have to ask yourself if you are prepared to buy airfare to the next cruise port, probably after a hotel night and hiring a water-taxi to the nearest place with air service, or whatever it takes to rejoin your cruise. I'm not saying not to do it, and we have and will do it again. But there is a Vegas aspect to it. wink Just didn't want the OP's peeps to think there was no downside to this.

Cheers!

PS- And this is the best reason to charter your own boat and be your own skipper- it never leaves without you! pirate

Last edited by Kupe; 01/06/2018 11:27 PM.
Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151534
01/07/2018 06:38 AM
01/07/2018 06:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 468
Soper's Hole Marina, Tortola
SurfandSail Offline
Traveler
SurfandSail  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 468
Soper's Hole Marina, Tortola
Island Surf and Sail (SPONSORS) offers private power boat / snorkel trips. Captain Deborah will cater to your preferences to make it an amazing day on the water. She is also running a $500 full day charter special for up to 6 people. This includes snacks, non alcoholic drinks, paddle boards, and guided snorkels. You can find all the details at www.daytripsbvi.com

Last edited by SurfandSail; 01/07/2018 06:39 AM.
Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151535
01/07/2018 08:25 AM
01/07/2018 08:25 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
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Winterstale  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Go with tradewinds and Manpot's recommendation - AC will show them a great time.


[Linked Image]

Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151537
01/07/2018 08:38 AM
01/07/2018 08:38 AM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
warren460 Offline
Traveler
warren460  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,151
Ontario, Canada
What’s wrong with surf sand and sails proposal?

Have you done both to compare?

AC is a decent guy, island surf and sail is water based.

I know that I would prefer water based hands down.

Do they have reviews on trip advisor?


Last edited by warren460; 01/07/2018 08:39 AM.

Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: Kupe] #151544
01/07/2018 10:25 AM
01/07/2018 10:25 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Oh, for sure, we know that very well, that the ship doesn't wait for you!! We've been on over 30 cruises ourselves, most in the Caribbean, and have taken some pretty hare-brained excursions on our own, that I probably wouldn't do now. These days I probably wouldn't take the ferry on my own from St. Maarten to ST. Barts, or DELIBERATELY be left behind on Isla Mujeras, to make our way back to Cancun, or leave our cruise ship in St. Thomas to fly to St. Maarten, and spend the night there, to (hopefully!!) meet the ship when it arrived the next day in St. Maarten. But we always made sure we had a credit card and our passports. Doing things on your own involves a level of personal responsibility that some prefer not to take.


Carol Hill
Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: warren460] #151582
01/07/2018 03:56 PM
01/07/2018 03:56 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
Traveler
Manpot  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Scott and Debbie's aquatic day trips are a great option..some would want a land tour ..some water. As I said ( and I thought these folks were talking something on land) AC is my all out choice. He handled a 28 person group that came in as our guests..and they had the time of their lives and he took them to place they probably would not have gone on a "ship" tour. For an offshore day..Island Surf and Sail..and that $500 is a great deal..

Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151591
01/07/2018 05:08 PM
01/07/2018 05:08 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline OP
Traveler
maytrix  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
Thanks Everyone! I'll share this with him!


Matt
Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151704
01/08/2018 03:54 PM
01/08/2018 03:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 37
D
Donald Offline
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Donald  Offline
Traveler
D
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 37
One of the more memorable things I have done on a half dozen charters is hiring a taxi and driver for an afternoon drive around Tortola. There were 3 of us (all middle aged guys) and we had a few of the non touristy things pointed out to ("There’s the best place to bet on [censored] fighting", etc). It was interesting that after all the trips I had done, I finally took some time out to see the main island. I'd highly recommend it. There are some stunning views from atop Mt Sage and there was an enjoyable stop at Callwoods Distillery to see a vintage (pun intended) approach to rum making.

D

Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151794
01/09/2018 10:31 AM
01/09/2018 10:31 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
MarkS Offline
Traveler
MarkS  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 276
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Cruise Ship Companies mark up the shore excursions by an insane amount. Its always cheaper to arrange things yourself. I agree with the comment about security concerns is some places in the world but definitely not in the BVI. The only time I would recommend paying the vig to the cruise ship is when you may be pressed for time returning to the ship. When the cruise company arranges the activity, it is their responsibility to return you to the ship. If you are delayed, they will either hold the ship's departure or arrange a rendezvous underway. If you do it yourself and something goes wrong you will have a big problem!


Mark Shichtman
"Live for Today!"

[Linked Image]
Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #151803
01/09/2018 01:10 PM
01/09/2018 01:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
Will_L Offline
Traveler
Will_L  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
My choice I have given to 3 sets of friends who were stopping at Tortola on a cruise when we are not there. They all said it was the best day of the trip. Simon and his company do tours for several of the cruise lines but can be booked privately as well. They are familiar with cruise ship schedules and can make your plan work if doable or suggest one that does. Simon we met 15 years ago when he was the instructional skipper for TMM and remains a dear friend. He is an engaging, friendly Brit that knows every inch of the bvi above and below the water.

http://www.snorkelbvi.com/adventure.php

Re: Recommendations for cruise ship excursion [Re: maytrix] #152434
01/15/2018 10:05 AM
01/15/2018 10:05 AM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 41
Seminole, FL
B
BoatLifeIsGood Offline
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BoatLifeIsGood  Offline
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B
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 41
Seminole, FL
https://aristocatcharters.com

We were given this recommendation by a TTOL member and booked it in 2016 while visiting on a cruise ship. It was a wonderful day trip for our group both adults and kids. It looks like they will be fully up and running this month. Highly recommended.


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