Anyone done a NON DCL excursion on the Magic?

[grlzmom]

Hi, first time cruiser May 18th.

Already have our DCL excursions booked. But, I am wondering has anyone ever done a non DCL excursion at St. Thomas or St. Maartin?

Can you charter a private boat for snorkeling at St. John? Anything else out there worth doing besides the DCL stuff?

Just curious since looking at the Virgin Islands website there seems to be alot of companies advertising rentals/charters and stuff.

Thanks in advance for replies,

grlzmom

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

LOTS of people go to St John on their own. Lots of people go to Magens Bay or Coki Beach on St Thomas on their own. I recall at least one report from a DISer who hired a boat at Red Hook (port at the east end of St Thomas... closest end of the island to St John). I have a link for an operator there... I don't remember if I got this link from that DISer or not. Looks like a fun day, though, and they mention that they do take cruise ship guests.

www.daysailfantasy.com

 

[Wonderwoman1982]

Yeah, We rented a car in St. Thomas and took a car ferry over to St. John on our own. Saved a ton of money, and had a blast and had more time doing what WE wanted.. Went to Megans Bay, AND Trunk Bay.. Also, we went to San Juan instead of St, Maarten, and we rented a car there also, and went to the rainforest and sightseed on our own.

 

[inkkognito]

We did horseback riding on our own on both St. Maarten (Dutch side) and St. Thomas. It was very enjoyable on both islands and we used cabs for transportation (well, mostly...we did a "bus" coming back on St. Maarten).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

["Ginger"]

We went to Anguilla from St.Martin. We took a cab from St. Maarten where the ship docked to St.Martin, then got the ferry to Anguilla. Once ashore we took a cab to a beach. It was beautiful and best of all no one there.

 

[grlzmom]

Thanks everyone for the replies. What a great bunch of DISers.

I love hearing all these tidbits. I am feeling inclined to check into some non dcl excursions.

Dave, I followed that link and it does look wonderful, and they take younger children than dcl excursions do so my whole family could go. I emailed them and they responded quickly and professionally. My dh wants to consider that one.

Horseback riding would be wonderful. Would love to spend a day at a beautiful beach without being on someone elses timetable too.

What to do, what to do?

Would love to hear even more stories/ideas.

grlzmom

 

[NCRedding]

In St Thomas, DD and I took a taxi to Coki Beach and went to Coral World. ($28 total for taxi, $5 for beach chair, and $27 entry to Coral World--without coupons). I had tried to make arragnements with Coki Dive Club--they will pick you up at the ship, take you to club, and have a variety of classes, etc available, Unfortunately, there was some confusion, and they didn't have us booked. They phoned to apologize and explain after my e-mail. Maybe next trip!