Help with snorkel excursion decision St. Thomas

[bluenosemickey]

We are an active family of 5 (10,12,15 kiddos).

We are trying to decide between the St. John Champagne Catamaran Sail and the Full day Snorkel and Sail trip to Turtle Cove and Honeymoon Beach.

Both are reviewed favorably here on DIS but I'm wondering if anyone has done both? I'd decided on the Full day one until I realized it didn't take us to St. John. I'd just heard so often, "you MUST see the beaches on St. John" "they are truly paradise."

Thanks!

[goofy1107]

Originally Posted by bluenosemickey

We are an active family of 5 (10,12,15 kiddos).

We are trying to decide between the St. John Champagne Catamaran Sail and the Full day Snorkel and Sail trip to Turtle Cove and Honeymoon Beach.

Both are reviewed favorably here on DIS but I'm wondering if anyone has done both? I'd decided on the Full day one until I realized it didn't take us to St. John. I'd just heard so often, "you MUST see the beaches on St. John" "they are truly paradise."

Thanks!

My wife and I just got back from turtle cove and honeymoon beach it was a blast the operators of the tour were great and there was so much to see if you choose that one you will love it too

[neg58]

We just did the Champagne catamaran one and it was fun, but not nearly long enough. I'd originally booked the all day one and I'm really sorry I changed it. Our table mates did the all day one and they had fun, got lunch, and a t-shirt!

The problem with the catamaran one is you have to go across the island in an open air taxi (think old school bus) and that takes about 45 minutes. Too much wasted time (and the bumps were horrible on my back). The crew on the catamaran were fun, but it really was only about 1 hour in the water.

Also heard a good review on the Schooner one that is in the afternoon. That one also leaves from the port, so no cross country bus ride.

Nancy

[carpenta]

As Goofy 1107 stated the Honeymoon Cove is the BEST excursion we (my wife, my daughter 10yrs. old and myself have EVER taken in the eight Caribbean cruises so far. The crew is great and time on board a blast.

[ps17]

The beaches in St. Johns are very worthwhile. For your consideration, you can also take a daysail over there. We did this a few times and it was great. To find contacts, just google "St John daysail" or try vinow.com or something to that effect.

Benefits to this are that you can custom your trip. Honeymoon Beach is great but it isn't the only beach. There are plenty of near-deserted coves that you can go to. In one of our trips, we had three stops - Honeymoon, another deserted area, and also another snorkle only channel where we "drift snorkled" and saw some differrent type of fish. Also with your own trip, you don't have to wait around for the entire group so you can optimize your day - jump off the Cruise - take a taxi or prearranged ride - get to dock and then the boat leaves when you are there - plus you can customize your return time.

Finally, most of the trips feature snacks and lunches - some of them gourmet type......

[bluenosemickey]

Thanks so much for the replies!

I think we will go ahead and try to book the full day sail. I had thought that the Champagne Sail looked too short for my liking. I also had concerns about the open air taxi. I would be fine, but I know my DH would not be happy about the rough ride. He can barely handle it when I drive!

Much as I would love to make my own plans, we are new to cruising and really like the idea of having Disney take care of getting us back to the ship. I know my DH would be preoccupied with when to leave and not enjoy himself nearly as much. Hopefully there will be a next time and we will make note of what is available at the port and talk to others on board about what they do.

As always, the smartest people are on DIS!

[carpenta]

Originally Posted by bluenosemickey

Thanks so much for the replies!

I think we will go ahead and try to book the full day sail. I had thought that the Champagne Sail looked too short for my liking. I also had concerns about the open air taxi. I would be fine, but I know my DH would not be happy about the rough ride. He can barely handle it when I drive!

Much as I would love to make my own plans, we are new to cruising and really like the idea of having Disney take care of getting us back to the ship. I know my DH would be preoccupied with when to leave and not enjoy himself nearly as much. Hopefully there will be a next time and we will make note of what is available at the port and talk to others on board about what they do.

As always, the smartest people are on DIS!

On the snorkle ship they hand out rum punch....and it flows. For the kids they have non alchoholic of course.The crew was as if they were Disney employees they were so friendly. We were back in St.Thomas last year and took a "sail" on a schooner and we both looked at each other and said " boy this can't compare to the "Bones" (that was the ship we used for the Honeymoon beach snorkle). Thanks Bluenosemickey for bringing back some great memories. I hope your trip is a memorable one too.

[bluenosemickey]

Ok, Rum Punch, I'm sold for sure!

Incidentally, the original "bluenose" was a famous schooner from here in Nova Scotia. I guess we are really destined to go with this choice. Not to mention, Nova Scotians are known to be rather fond of rum.

[carpenta]

Originally Posted by bluenosemickey

Ok, Rum Punch, I'm sold for sure!

Incidentally, the original "bluenose" was a famous schooner from here in Nova Scotia. I guess we are really destined to go with this choice. Not to mention, Nova Scotians are known to be rather fond of rum.

We did a week on a schooner out of Rockland, Maine years ago. It was a great time. Sailing on one of those old ladies was a real treat. Love the Canadian Maritines and we travel east to Quebec City and enjoy that French culture that reminds you of Europe. Cheers to you and I can relate to the need for sun in the middle of winter.

[HsvTeacher]

I just wanted to add that when we went on the St. John Champagne Catamaran Sail, they took us to Honeymoon Beach, and it was stunning. For us, the sail there and back was part of the fun. It was so relaxing! (The rum punch was also a HUGE plus!)

That being said, the full day sail and snorkel was fully booked when we booked our cruise about a month before the cruise date. Had it been available, we would've booked it because it offered more snorkeling time.

[Forever a Princess]

We did the Champagne snorkel tour. The crew was fantastic. Sea Turtles were awesome to see when we were snorkeling.

We were not in the water for long though. Full day of snorkeling would be the better option in my opinion.

I hear ya' about booking through the cruise line. On our way back to the ship from the Champagne snorkel tour we got stuck in traffic on the open air taxi. Fifteen minute ride took over two hours. We made it back to the ship in plenty of time. That being said I kept thinking that "they'll wait for us if we don't make it back in time."