8/15/09-Eastern-Tortola Treasure Seekers #4

[Melcatfish]

I have been checking back every day, they must be up within the month, in fact I did calculate it before on another thread I think it was January 10th, as that is 105 days pre April when the first Tortola cruise is on.

Now of course we have far longer before we book, so we can gain info when DCL do put them up.

and to see what reviews they get from the early cruisers

Mel
x

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

and to see what reviews they get from the early cruisers

Mel
x

That will be rather close for me as I book my trips on May 2nd and the first Tortola cruise is the week before, -ending on the day I book however, I have my mind set on the Baths at Virgin Gorda for Tortola, and at St Thomas the Island tour as I want shopping time, St John is great but a full day, thats for nature lovers.

 

[Melcatfish]

That will be rather close for me as I book my trips on May 2nd and the first Tortola cruise is the week before, -ending on the day I book however, I have my mind set on the Baths at Virgin Gorda for Tortola, and at St Thomas the Island tour as I want shopping time, St John is great but a full day, thats for nature lovers.

Ah I see - well I think I can book on 18th May (Castaway Club member, sadly NOT in a suite!) I have heard such good things about The Baths on Virgin Gorda but I need to research more to see if it is doable with small children - we will have a 19 month old and I know there is a bit of a trek down so if it is not going to be practical we may either book something with DCL or do our own thing on Tortola. Completely at a loss about St Thomas - we won't an all day beach thing as DH won't want to do that all day when we will be doing that on Castaway Cay, the girls aren't quite up for shopping yet so I guess we will have to think some more about that.

Mel
x

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Ah I see - well I think I can book on 18th May (Castaway Club member, sadly NOT in a suite!) I have heard such good things about The Baths on Virgin Gorda but I need to research more to see if it is doable with small children - we will have a 19 month old and I know there is a bit of a trek down so if it is not going to be practical we may either book something with DCL or do our own thing on Tortola. Completely at a loss about St Thomas - we won't an all day beach thing as DH won't want to do that all day when we will be doing that on Castaway Cay, the girls aren't quite up for shopping yet so I guess we will have to think some more about that.

Mel
x

The Baths are a beauty highlight, but you are right, access is an issue, I understand walking over a lot of boulders and before that a trek down to the beach, so yes worth reading up on DCL's description when they put it up.

St Thomas has allot of options, paradise point ticket by your self or with DCL, a cable ride to a high viewpoint, the St Thomas highlights tour is short but great to do, but open air safari bus so sunburn an issue, Kids would like Coral World(think seaworld) but on DCL trips isonly 90 mins, as an add on, you can do it yourself and stay longer.

ST Highlight is the shopping duty free and jewelry, very good, Best beach, Meagan's bay.

We all will be up early on ST day as there is an immigration check so its best to book early trips and that also cuts the impact of the sun with the kids.

 

[Melcatfish]

The Baths are a beauty highlight, but you are right, access is an issue, I understand walking over a lot of boulders and before that a trek down to the beach, so yes worth reading up on DCL's description when they put it up.

St Thomas has allot of options, paradise point ticket by your self or with DCL, a cable ride to a high viewpoint, the St Thomas highlights tour is short but great to do, but open air safari bus so sunburn an issue, Kids would like Coral World(think seaworld) but on DCL trips isonly 90 mins, as an add on, you can do it yourself and stay longer.

ST Highlight is the shopping duty free and jewelry, very good, Best beach, Meagan's bay.

We all will be up early on ST day as there is an immigration check so its best to book early trips and that also cuts the impact of the sun with the kids.

Thanks for all the info - I will get to some serious research sometime before May 18th!!

Right now Christmas is zooming straight towards me, headlights blazing and we are part way through a house rennovation and struggling to find room for the main tree!! But once we get into 2009 I am sure August will come around quickly so I had better get preparing

Mel
x

 

[nikkistevej]

Hey guys!! How has everyone been? I see your Tortola excursions are up, they look pretty good!!! Have a great Christmas all!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for all the info - I will get to some serious research sometime before May 18th!!

Right now Christmas is zooming straight towards me, headlights blazing and we are part way through a house rennovation and struggling to find room for the main tree!! But once we get into 2009 I am sure August will come around quickly so I had better get preparing

Mel
x

Yes a little over a week now for the big day, hope it all goes well for you, August is coming fast, we have to *wish* the pound recovers a little against the $ before August.

Glad I paid my cruise off a long time back.....

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hey guys!! How has everyone been? I see your Tortola excursions are up, they look pretty good!!! Have a great Christmas all!!!

Well I think they were reading us tonight, looking an hour ago they were not there!!


Mel,


Kids are out on the BATHS!!!!!


Tour to Virgin Gorda
Board a ferry boat for the scenic 40-minute cruise along the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. Next, hop onboard an open-air safari bus for a short 20-minute tour through Spanish Town to a stunning overlook of Savannah Bay where a stop will be made for photos. The tour continues, following the twisting road to the Top of the Baths where you meet your local guide, who will introduce you to the area and lead you to the Baths beach. Nature has created a series of secluded beaches, spectacular pools, and grottoes, formed by volcanic activity and flooded with seawater.

Explore the intricate network of trails and boulders to discover hidden caves and sea pools and the sandy beach of Devil's Bay. Enjoy approximately two hours of free time to swim and relax before making your way back to the Top of the Baths. Take in the spectacular views of the surrounding islands and take some time for souvenir shopping before boarding the safari buses once more for the return drive to the boat and cruise back to the pier.


Port of Call: Tortola Activity Type: Beach & Water Activity Level: Moderate Duration: 4 hours Price: Adult: $68 (ages 10 and up)
Child: $49 (ages 5-9) Ages: 5 And Up Additional Information Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes as the path to The Baths is rough and uneven.
Guests should be in good physical condition.
Wheelchairs (collapsible or electric) and strollers are not permitted.
A beverage (water, soda or fruit juice) is included.
Additional food and drinks can be purchased at the Top of the Baths restaurant.
Bathrooms/changing facilities and lockers are available at the beach; however, Guests are encouraged to wear their swimsuits underneath their clothes if wishing to swim at the beach.
Guests are encouraged to bring credit cards or cash for optional extras such as souvenirs.
Guests are encouraged to bring comfortable walking shoes, swim suit, sunscreen, sunglasses, additional clothing, hats, cameras and backpacks.

 

[Melcatfish]

How funny that they should put this up right when we were discussing it!

OK so the Baths are out for me - a good excuse to go back one day I think! Having had a look at Cruise Critic a while back I am wondering whether Tortola is one where we might tackle it on our own - the reviews made it seem fairly easy to navigate, with a few nice places in Road Town itself and some reasonable sounding transport options to the beaches \ sights.

Anyone else planning on going it alone \ doing a DIY tour to suit yourselves?

Mel
x

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

.......the reviews made it seem fairly easy to navigate, with a few nice places in Road Town itself and some reasonable sounding transport options to the beaches \ sights.

Anyone else planning on going it alone \ doing a DIY tour to suit yourselves?

Mel
x

We have often done a DIY tour in Saint Marteen , Nassau , Big Island and other places ... It has been very good fun !
I'm not sure though about renting a car in Tortola - I mean as for now I DO NOT HAVE INFO ... need to "understand" how safe ( no offence to anyone) a DIY tour would be ...

Myself and Marco could decide to take a Disney tour (half day) and then "venture" out by ourselves ...

laura

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

How funny that they should put this up right when we were discussing it!

OK so the Baths are out for me - a good excuse to go back one day I think! Having had a look at Cruise Critic a while back I am wondering whether Tortola is one where we might tackle it on our own - the reviews made it seem fairly easy to navigate, with a few nice places in Road Town itself and some reasonable sounding transport options to the beaches \ sights.

Anyone else planning on going it alone \ doing a DIY tour to suit yourselves?

Mel
x

I get the feeling they often read my posts!!!!

I was saying it was getting rather late foir thme to put them up as they had to be avaialble for January 10th for the frist Tortola cruise, bet they forgot!!

 

[caitlinsdad]

Well I think they were reading us tonight, looking an hour ago they were not there!!


Mel,


Kids are out on the BATHS!!!!!


Tour to Virgin Gorda
Board a ferry boat for the scenic 40-minute cruise along the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. Next, hop onboard an open-air safari bus for a short 20-minute tour through Spanish Town to a stunning overlook of Savannah Bay where a stop will be made for photos. The tour continues, following the twisting road to the Top of the Baths where you meet your local guide, who will introduce you to the area and lead you to the Baths beach. Nature has created a series of secluded beaches, spectacular pools, and grottoes, formed by volcanic activity and flooded with seawater.

Explore the intricate network of trails and boulders to discover hidden caves and sea pools and the sandy beach of Devil's Bay. Enjoy approximately two hours of free time to swim and relax before making your way back to the Top of the Baths. Take in the spectacular views of the surrounding islands and take some time for souvenir shopping before boarding the safari buses once more for the return drive to the boat and cruise back to the pier.


Port of Call: Tortola Activity Type: Beach & Water Activity Level: Moderate Duration: 4 hours Price: Adult: $68 (ages 10 and up)
Child: $49 (ages 5-9) Ages: 5 And Up Additional Information Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes as the path to The Baths is rough and uneven.
Guests should be in good physical condition.
Wheelchairs (collapsible or electric) and strollers are not permitted.
A beverage (water, soda or fruit juice) is included.
Additional food and drinks can be purchased at the Top of the Baths restaurant.
Bathrooms/changing facilities and lockers are available at the beach; however, Guests are encouraged to wear their swimsuits underneath their clothes if wishing to swim at the beach.
Guests are encouraged to bring credit cards or cash for optional extras such as souvenirs.
Guests are encouraged to bring comfortable walking shoes, swim suit, sunscreen, sunglasses, additional clothing, hats, cameras and backpacks.

While I would love to see the BATHS, my knees will keep me from that,
I fell down stairs in 1998 and 2006 and ruptured my quad tendons,
The left one in 1998 & the right one in 2006.
That and some arthristis in my left knee.


I can walk ok, but any long distance or uneven surfaces and I feel it in my knees for days.

 

[kritter]

Hey Everyone..


Hi Nikki.. Good to hear from you..


Going to have to check out the DCL I guess today!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

While I would love to see the BATHS, my knees will keep me from that,
I fell down stairs in 1998 and 2006 and ruptured my quad tendons,
The left one in 1998 & the right one in 2006.
That and some arthristis in my left knee.


I can walk ok, but any long distance or uneven surfaces and I feel it in my knees for days.

Sorry to read that, and yes not the one for you, its a long walk.

Hey Everyone..


Hi Nikki.. Good to hear from you..


Going to have to check out the DCL I guess today!!!!!!!!!!!

Worth a look.

Who is going to book the private villa ???

 

[kritter]

Sorry to read that, and yes not the one for you, its a long walk.


Worth a look.

Who is going to book the private villa ???

Funny, you bring up the private villa I was just emailing it to our friends who are joining us. I would be curious to see how much it cost. We actually might consider something like that since we all are celebrating our 15th Wedding Anniversary on this cruise. We all met in St. Thomas on our honeymoon. We will be going back to our honeymoon resort to visit our friend who continues to work there still...!!!!!!!!!!! Any idea of cost??!!!!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Funny, you bring up the private villa I was just emailing it to our friends who are joining us. I would be curious to see how much it cost. We actually might consider something like that since we all are celebrating our 15th Wedding Anniversary on this cruise. We all met in St. Thomas on our honeymoon. We will be going back to our honeymoon resort to visit our friend who continues to work there still...!!!!!!!!!!! Any idea of cost??!!!!!

Sounds a great idea.

You contact DCL shore trips on the link provided, I did this for my Panama cruise and they sent ot me an excell spreadsheet of all the costs, not just the private car/ van hire I wanted but all 'signature' shore trips.

You have to pay for these at your booking mark ie 105/90 days.

They were very helpful and covered all my questions and I was looked after very well on ship by the shore trip officers,

I would contact them now if i was you.

 

[caitlinsdad]

34 weeks until the August 15 th, 2009 Tortola Treasure Seekers Cruise



Let the Party Begin


Welcome to the Weekend

 

[Melcatfish]

34 weeks until the August 15 th, 2009 Tortola Treasure Seekers Cruise



Let the Party Begin


Welcome to the Weekend

Thanks for posting these weekly countdowns - I don't get to dropby on this thread as often as I would like but I love seeing the weeks disappearing!!!

Mel
x

 

[caitlinsdad]

Thanks for posting these weekly countdowns - I don't get to dropby on this thread as often as I would like but I love seeing the weeks disappearing!!!

Mel
x

Your welcome

It is something we did on the aug double dip cruise in 2006,
It does help make the weeks go by

 

[caitlinsdad]

How funny that they should put this up right when we were discussing it!

OK so the Baths are out for me - a good excuse to go back one day I think! Having had a look at Cruise Critic a while back I am wondering whether Tortola is one where we might tackle it on our own - the reviews made it seem fairly easy to navigate, with a few nice places in Road Town itself and some reasonable sounding transport options to the beaches \ sights.

Anyone else planning on going it alone \ doing a DIY tour to suit yourselves?

Mel
x

I'm gonna look for a cheesburger in Tortola.

According to Buffett's Margaritaville web site, the "myth of the cheeseburger in paradise" was inspired by a boat journey Buffett once took in the Caribbean. Buffett states that while subsisting on canned food and peanut butter, he envisioned eating a "piping hot cheeseburger". He reports that upon finally arriving in Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, he was surprised to find a restaurant serving American cheeseburgers:
...we gave particular instructions to the waiter on how we wanted them cooked and what we wanted on them -- to which little attention was paid. It didn't matter. The overdone burgers on the burned, toasted buns tasted like mana from heaven, for they were the realization of my fantasy burgers on the trip.