Here are my reviews for the excursions we took on the Eastern on March 9th.
Our group - My husband and I - 37, my parents - in their 70's, my girls ages 7 and 3.
Saint Thomas
We took "The Legendary Kon Tiki Sightseeing and Beach Cruise" through Disney.
There were things we really liked, things I didn't like and things I can't be completely objective about.
Here is the description
"On this tour, you will:
Take a short 5-minute walk to the departure dock where the Legendary Kon Tiki Sightseeing and Beach Cruise will begin.
Enjoy the sweet sounds of live music as you cruise through the bustling Charlotte Amalie. Sip tropical fruit punch while taking in the sights of the St. Thomas harbor as your guide offers island history and points out your mountainside surroundings. Keep cool on our open shaded lower deck or sunbathe on the upper deck.
After an approximate 30-minute sail, cruise over a coral reef where the Kon Tiki will lower its 3 glass bottom viewers so you can enjoy views of the marine life below for approximately 15 minutes. See a variety of corals, sea sponges, tropical fish and maybe even a sea turtle or 2.
Continue on to your beach stop, where the Kon Tiki will pull up to the palm fringed, white sand beach for approximately 60 minutes. Enjoy swimming, beachcombing or relaxation on the beach.
On your approximate 45-minute return cruise, the good times continue, with plenty of barefoot dancing, fun games and a limbo contest with prizes for the winners. "
This was not an exclusive tour for Disney only. When we got on the boat, there were already people from another cruise on there. We found a seat. I started to grab some by the outside away from the steel drum band so it wouldn't be as loud, but my dad wanted to get seats next to where the underwater viewers were located. This happened to be in the middle right next to the steel band.
We left and headed from the Havensight doc to the Charlotte Amalie Dock where we picked up more passengers. On the way we got a "tour" of the harbor pointing out a few sights along the way.
When we got to the "coral reef" they opened up the viewing hatches and dropped the viewers into the water. This was a joke. You couldn't see anything at all. The viewers were bobbing up and down so much you couldn't focus on anything in the water at all. We were over a sunken boat and you could pick out a few things there. I think I saw 2-3 fish. The viewer moving like it did started me off with the beginnings of a migrane headache. It was the first of several triggers and would impact the return trip for me greatly. I'd have been happier if they never opened the viewers and just made for music and party on the way there and back.
We got to the beach. There is no dock, so you have to exit into the water. You will get wet and it is a little rocky in spots so you need to watch your footing.
The beach was beautiful. We were on Water Island. It was very nice. It wasn't crowded. The water was calm, clear and warm. There wasn't a lot of seating on the beach. My mom was able to get a bench to sit on. There is no way she'd make it sitting on the beach and get back up again. They had a couple of places you could get some food if you want. All too soon our beach time was over and it was time to get back on the boat. I think all of us would have been happier with a little longer beach time.
Did I mention the starts of that migrane. Well by the time I got back on the boat for the return trip it was going from mild to intense. The sun, the boat, the smell of diesel fuel and the steel band were all making it much, much worse. By the time we started back to the Fantasy it was in full on Migrane mode. You know the kind where you just want to be in a dark room with no light, not sound and you start to get sick because the pain is so intense. Yep that is what I had. So I really can't comment on the return trip. I'm sure if I was feeling better it would have been fun doing the limbo and other dancing. I know my girls would have joined in with the dancing if I was dancing but since I wasn't feeling good, they were laying down with me.
It was fun, but I wouldn't book it again. I think next time we would just go to the beach somewhere where we could spend a little time on the beach and maybe do some snorkeling.
San Juan
In San Juan we took the New and Old San Juan City Tour by Disney. If it was just the 4 of us, I probably would have explored Old San Juan on my own, but I knew my parents would prefer the bus tour.
Here is the description from Disney
"On this tour you will:
Explore sports, art, culture and business of Puerto Rico and all that makes this an exceptional island today.
Start your guided tour in New San Juan, where Guests will see important sites such as the Capitolio, Convention Center, Plaza Las Americas, Roberto Clemente Stadium, Hiram Bithorn Stadium, Coliseo de Puerto Rico, the Mile of Gold Banking District, Museum of Art Puerto Rico and many corporate headquarters.
We then arrive in Old San Juan where Guests will have the opportunity to visit San Cristobal Fortress and will take pictures throughout this magnificent monument. Your entrance to the fort is included and you will get approximately 45 minutes to explore at your leisure.
You will then have approximately 30 minutes to shop for arts, crafts and souvenirs at Plaza Colon.
Additionally we will see many important historic buildings in Old San Juan such as the Antiguo Casino, Museo de Ateneo and Casa Olimpica. You will learn about the cultural significance of these world-class institutions.
At the completion of your tour, you will have the option to stay in Old San Juan. where you can enjoy the sights further or be driven back the pier."
Apparently there was a protest going on in old San Juan that closed/blocked some of the streets. Our tour spent a lot more time in New San Juan than it did in Old San Juan. In Old San Juan we had to back the bus the wrong way on a one way street to get to San Cristobal. I really don't feel like we got a tour of Old San Juan at all.
I enjoyed touring the fort. We left the fort and walked down the hill to a square and then were left to explore on our own and take the bus back to the ship or make our way back to the ship on our own. We decided to make our own way back. I wish I'd have know that was all that was left on the tour because we'd have stayed at San Cristobal more.
All in all I wasn't completely impressed with the tour and I would have been happier exploring Old Town San Juan on our own.
. Why won't you join us? We are on FB as well as on DISboard!
