Any reviews of the St. John Island Tour?

[CatManDoo]

Yes, I know there's a search engine, but I didn't see a thread specifically asking this question. Most were scattered and buried in trip reports. We weren't planning on doing any excursions, but I've heard so much about how beautiful St. John is that we decided to give the St. John Island Tour a look. We thought about the Trunk Bay excursion, but, as beautiful as it is, we're just not big beach people. We figure we'll get our beach time in at Castaway Cay. That being said, we would like to see the island and just wanted some opinions from those that have taken this particular excursion. Good for a couple of 9 year olds?

 

[gzmtlock]

I believe this is the excursion our family did in 2009, when our kids were 13 and 14. It was one of the highlights of our trip! St John is truly beautiful, and we loved seeing so much undeveloped land. The kids enjoyed the chance to run around when we stopped at the ruins. DH was recovering from a broken clavicle and not up for strenuous exercise, and this excursion was the perfect balance for him to be able to take it easy (just walking is involved) but for the kids to have some freedom to move around. I highly recommend this excursion!

 

[mkmommy]

We did this tour last March , my kids were 10 and 12.

St John is beautiful.

You get on the boat right at end of the pier beside the Fantasy. Once in St John you get on open air bus for tour of the island. several Photo stops, bathroom stop was at a beach so we had time to put our feet in the water. We then went to an old mill site. Not much there but a few ruins.

We then returned to the dock and there was time for shopping as we waited for the return boat ride.

We were originally on the snorkel excursion to Trunk Bay but it was cancelled last minute due to the rip tides. Glad we got this tour , but sure wished we could have stayed at the beach, it is just gorgeous. My kids were not thrilled with the excursion, but they love beaches.

 

[DVC Jen]

The most beautiful island I have ever been on! I want to live there -seriously.

Loved the tour. Not very physical but plenty of stops to really see the beauty.

If you are looking for excitement - not the excursion for that. If you are looking for scenic beauty - go for it.

Just a heads up.. on the trip there the water was pretty choppy and several people got sick. One little girl barely made it to the railing - felt so bad for her. Also waves were barreling up and over the bow of the boat. We were sitting on port side towards to the front outside and got VERY wet on the way there. DH eventually stood up and shielded us (myself and two adult DDs) from the waves crashing over the bow. He was dripping when we got off - soaked from head to toe. So if you do decide on the excursion you may not want to sit on the lower level outside.

Here are a few images I took while on the tour.

The boat ride back - we were upper deck all the way iin the back.

 

[kittymamma]

DVC JEN...what time of year were you there and did y'all take Bonine/Dramamine or anything prior to the excursion ? Was the upper level of the boat open and covered or enclosed ? We are planning on this excursion but I am so apprehensive about motion on the boat and the trolley for the land tour portion.

 

[lbgraves]

DH & I did this excursion in March. We enjoyed it but did comment that we were glad that we hadn't taken the kids on it when they were younger. It is a long boat ride and it was rough. If you sit on the top level it is not covered and you are in danger of bird droppings from the birds who fly in front of the boat. We actually left both of the kids on the ship in March. When DD12 found out that the guide pointed out MJ's house on the island, she was upset that she hadn't been there. We rode in open busses for the tour. They were open on one side. I take Bonine every day on the cruise, so I don't know if it would have bothered me without it on the trip to/from St. John.