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!

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

AC's Taxi will show them a good time:

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

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.

Exactly what Chris (Tradewinds) said. AC is by far the best way to go..

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. 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!

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

Go with tradewinds and Manpot's recommendation - AC will show them a great time.

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?

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.

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..

Thanks Everyone! I'll share this with him!

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

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!

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

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.