Jost Van Dyke canceled. Why? Options?

[c todd]

We received a call that DCL had canceled excursions to JVD. The other option doesn't sound very appealing (long drive for short time on a beach). We don't know why they canceled JVD, has anyone heard anything bad going on there? We don't know if we should find another tour operator to take us there. My son was so looking forward to a day at the beach. We want beautiful sand and beautiful water. Any suggestions?

 

[kimberwee]

No idea why they cancelled.
We aren't sailing until May, and while it is still listed as a Port Adventure for the Eastern Caribbean, many on my sailing are reporting that it isn't an option.

Maybe a falling out with the charter company?

 

[Funky Chicken]

I wanted to book JVD for our upcoming trip (4/9).
First it was available.
Then it went to "sold out" and dropped to the bottom of the list with everything else that was full (they are grayed out as well) before I got a chance to confirm with the family and book it.
Then it disappeared from the list entirely.
Then I called DCL.
I was told that it was completely sold out but there could be cancellations.
Then I stalked the website for 2 weeks.
Yesterday afternoon I checked and there it was, back on the list and available.
I booked and got an email confirmation.
So, as of today, I am planning to go to JVD and have a confirmed reservation to do so.
What's next? I dunno.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you still have a reservation, then either you are still going, or you will be soon receiving that call that it's been cancelled.

 

[JJsmama]

We received a call that DCL had canceled excursions to JVD. The other option doesn't sound very appealing (long drive for short time on a beach). We don't know why they canceled JVD, has anyone heard anything bad going on there? We don't know if we should find another tour operator to take us there. My son was so looking forward to a day at the beach. We want beautiful sand and beautiful water. Any suggestions?

Is this for a cruise in the very near future (as in this week) or a couple months away? Just wondering if it is cancelled long term vs an isolated incident which could be a schedule/ staff conflict or lack of bookings.
Would numerous complaints from guests cause an excursion to be removed? (not that I know of any in this case....)

 

[Expatriat]

Would numerous complaints from guests cause an excursion to be removed? (not that I know of any in this case....)

Yes, it can. DCL may drop a vendor due to a high number of valid complaints, known safety issues, general unreliability, etc. I'm not saying that has happened with Jost Van Dyke, as I know nothing regarding that beyond the cancellations noted in this thread.

 

[erdoc38]

We are sailing next week (2/27) and got the email yesterday that it was canceled. Had to scramble and book something else. Definitely disappointed that we won't get a full day at the beach!

 

[c todd]

Sailing in March, got the call today. I was looking for alternatives that would give a day at the beach. Maybe a private tour operator to JVD or another beach. I thought perhaps someone else had done one on their own in the past that might have a suggestion.

 

[danajay]

Going to Tortola on the Fantasy in April. Plan on taking a cab to the beach--Cane Garden Bay. Gets great reviews.

 

[JoAnnPan]

Bumping - any news? We were looking forward to this excursion on our future cruise. Now looking at the Treasure Island Swim & Snorkel with the Rebel Yell catamaran - has anyone done this excursion? Thanks!

 

[c todd]

We ended up doing a private charter in Tortola. We went to Jost Van Dyke and Cane Garden Beach. You can search the Rebel Yell on trip advisor, I believe there are a number of reviews. I heard from someone that on their excursion, it was kind of a party boat and they had little kids.

 

[swimfin]

Bumping - any news? We were looking forward to this excursion on our future cruise. Now looking at the Treasure Island Swim & Snorkel with the Rebel Yell catamaran - has anyone done this excursion? Thanks!

Following too as we wanted to kayak on Norman Island, but that's not available so we picked "Virgin Islands Sail, Snorkel and Beach Adventure" ... I'd be interested on your excursion as mine looked similar to yours but was a bit cheaper, longer and had the beach time too. I'd love any news on either excursion. When do you sail? We sail in June.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...-virgin-islands-sail-snorkel-beach-adventure/

 

[JoAnnPan]

Swimfan - We are not sailing until November - I start planning/researching early
I can find a lot of Bath reviews, etc. but not that much about the other offerings in Tortola.
We did have our hearts set on a JVD visit. If possible please post a review of your excursion when you get back. Thanks!

 

[JoAnnPan]

We ended up doing a private charter in Tortola. We went to Jost Van Dyke and Cane Garden Beach. You can search the Rebel Yell on trip advisor, I believe there are a number of reviews. I heard from someone that on their excursion, it was kind of a party boat and they had little kids.

Thanks for your response - who did you book your private charter with?

 

[c todd]

I booked with Foxy's Charters out of JVD. They were easy to deal with and very responsive to my emails. Since DCL cancelled our excursion pretty late, it was difficult to find options. I found another of group charter services online but they were all booked. Foxy's was booked but was able to get another boat for the day. We were able to set our own itinerary.

 

[goterps1986]

c Todd any chance I can get more details on the Foxy excursion? We wanted to go to JVD in May but we're reading how the excursions were cancelled. It was still on the website the last time I looked so not sure what's going on. If we don't go to JVD, we will probably do The Baths. Thanks.

 

[c todd]

c Todd any chance I can get more details on the Foxy excursion? We wanted to go to JVD in May but we're reading how the excursions were cancelled. It was still on the website the last time I looked so not sure what's going on. If we don't go to JVD, we will probably do The Baths. Thanks.

If it's still listed as an option in May, perhaps they have an operator for that time. No one on board seemed to know the reason it had been canceled but maybe there was a problem with the operator they had scheduled it with and they obtained another for future cruises.

I don't know if you have kids or not - I have a 3 year old which is the only reason I didn't do the Baths. Everyone I talked to that did the Baths loved going there. What are you interested in doing? Beach or snorkeling? We wanted beautiful beaches were my son could play in the water as well without too much wave action. When we went to JVD it was quite breezy that day so there was more surf then we expected. We played there for a while then headed back to the other side of Tortola to Cane Garden. We went by "Gilligan's Island" on the way which was fun to see. Cane Garden is more protected so there was little surf and the sand was very soft. The beach is lined with little shops and restaurants so not a beautiful setting but we had lunch at a place with great music so it was fun. Most of the charter boats have excursions set up so you could contact each one and see what they have scheduled that day. We wanted to do beaches (most charters were doing the Baths or a snorkeling trip the day we went) which is why we went with the private charter. foxyscharters . com. We were able to play the day by ear and move on whenever we were ready. There were some good snorkeling spots that they showed up but we didn't want to do those with my son. Depending on the size of your party, a private charter may be a good way to do what you want. We had them pick us at the pier but if you want to take a short taxi to a marina it is less expensive. If you have any other questions, I'm happy to try and answer.

 

[goterps1986]

Thanks so much for the information. We have an 18 year old daughter and we love going to beaches in the Caribbean. We like to snorkel also but also thought we would hit Roxy's for a drink. I have read that JVD was really nice so we thought we would go for more relaxation and swimming than the Baths.

I just checked now and JVD is listed for our cruise. So you can just can just go from the marina? We always get a little nervous about getting back in time when we can't totally control the timing of everything. There are only a couple rides that you can catch from the marina?

I should check out foxyscharters.com and/or search for other private charter companies? They pick you up and take you right to the beach? And you can leave whenever you want? And we can check out Cane Garden if we want since you said it's so nice.

My DW says JVD and Roxy's is in a Kenny Chesney song so it must be nice. Haha. Anyway, thanks so much for the info. We know the Baths are nice to see but there is very little beach time. We have read about the hiking and that's not a problem. So we've gone back and forth and figured our decision was made once they cancelled the JVD excursion. We still may do it but trying to get more info on JVD before we decide. The things we've read made it sound really nice. And I assume the water is great for swimming and snorkeling.

Oh-and are the private charters expensive if it's only 3 people?

 

[c todd]

It would be pretty expensive for 3 people (probably $300pp for the day) if you wanted them to pick you up at the port. It was like $250 less to meet them at the marina. I wasn't comfortable putting my 3 year old in a taxi unrestrained and I heard the roads on Tortola can be scary so we opted to be met at the port. Maybe you could find another family that wants to do the same thing to share the cost. I have to say that none of the beaches we went to were the most beautiful we've ever been to. They were fairly crowded so I wouldn't call it "relaxing" but they we're still enjoyable. And the water was beautiful and clear. Although, a little chilly for me! I was glad I got to see multiple beaches so I don't feel like I made the wrong decision. The Soggy Dollar is a famous bar on JVD and they have a famous drink as well.

FYI, when you go by boat, you have to swim into the beaches. It wasn't that crowded when we went so they were able to get pretty close where it was only waist deep. There were other beaches near JVD they suggested that were more isolated and prettier. I would have liked to have gone to but they were a deep swim in and I didn't want to do the swim with a 3 year old.

If you do the DCL excursion, you don't have to worry about getting back to the ship in time since they take responsibility. What are you doing in St. Thomas? Magen's Bay was a very nice beach as well. Crowded but very nice.

 

[swimfin]

Swimfan - We are not sailing until November - I start planning/researching early
I can find a lot of Bath reviews, etc. but not that much about the other offerings in Tortola.
We did have our hearts set on a JVD visit. If possible please post a review of your excursion when you get back. Thanks!

Hi! I canceled my DCL excursion and went with Aristocats! I'll let you know how they are!