Cruise excursion company wants exclusive area for Magens Bay, St Thomas

[insureman]

According to the DCL blog a company wants to have an zone setup for cruise passengers only at Magens bay in St Thomas USVI. . Not sure how I feel about that since we usually rent a jeep in St Thomas and drive there without going on an excursion. See links below.
https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...e-bubble-for-cruise-passengers-at-magens-bay/
https://stjohnsource.com/2020/08/23/269898/

 

[T & R]

This is good. People are trying to get things going and coming up with ways we can instead of why we can't. We're seeing several different ports come up with controlled environments for cruisers which matches that DCL survey a while back that mentioned when cruising with DCL, excursions may only be available through DCL. While not ideal, it's better than no cruise or no excursions at all. Baby steps. If this is the future of cruising for now, I wonder if cruise lines will take advantage and charge crazy prices knowing this is your only way to take an excursion. Hopefully we will get a chance to find out soon.

 

[Makmak]

This is good. People are trying to get things going and coming up with ways we can instead of why we can't. We're seeing several different ports come up with controlled environments for cruisers which matches that DCL survey a while back that mentioned when cruising with DCL, excursions may only be available through DCL. While not ideal, it's better than no cruise or no excursions at all. Baby steps. If this is the future of cruising for now, I wonder if cruise lines will take advantage and charge crazy prices knowing this is your only way to take an excursion. Hopefully we will get a chance to find out soon.

When cruising to Cuba was allowed, the requirement of RCL was that you take their approved excursions because of all the rules and they charged insane prices

 

[monkeydawn]

This makes me feel two ways. The first is Yay! They are really trying to come up with solutions to get us back. The second is wariness. As in, how long are they anticipating this lasting to go through the trouble to do this? Or is this something that St Thomas is going to require for porting ships, even post COVID, in order to protect the island from future unknowns. Is being able to explore anywhere on St Thomas on your own just a thing of the past? That idea makes me sad.

 

[KashasMom]

I actually like this idea for a different reason. It is tough to (land) vacation in a place where mega cruise ships drop off thousands of passengers a day. If I'm on a land vacation, I'd love some space from cruisers!

I do agree that it's a good thing that cruise lines are finding ways to get us back to cruising and hope that this is what this is all about.

 

[Intr3pid]

It's become an overcrowded beach. Somewhere more peaceful would be nice. I would rather they provide more options for excursions to Trunk Bay (and JVD from Tortola).

 

[insureman]

If you read through the article they are looking at an expected return of DCL as early as November 15th! That's a positive sign.
https://stjohnsource.com/2020/08/23/269898/

 

[JM23457]

We went to Megan's Bay on our own during our Fantasy cruise & it couldn't have been easier. It would be awful for an excursions company to hog part of the beach. We hate excursions.

 

[insureman]

We went to Megan's Bay on our own during our Fantasy cruise & it couldn't have been easier. It would be awful for an excursions company to hog part of the beach. We hate excursions.

At first that was my thinking but after rereading the article it sounds like DCL wants to keep the passengers separate from the community they are visiting which makes sense if they want to cruise in the near future. Maybe that's the only way you will be able to cruise at least for the short term.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That's how they're doing it in Europe. You must be with a cruise excursion to get off the ship, and STAY with your group.

 

[auntlynne]

I was at Magen’s Bay in December (land vacation). My favorite spot was way to the left, with very few people. The cruisers were congregated in the area near to the concessions building. They seemed to stay in a small area, whether in their chairs, buying drinks, or playing in the water.

The question I would want answered is whether DCL cruisers would be limited to a specified area to enter and play in the water? (which reminds me of swimming in the lake at summer camp).

We walked in the water the entire width of the bay; otherwise, I don’t know if I would bother going, as I am not a lounge at the beach person. At Serenity Bay, I don’t take advantage of the full width, but its water is so much clearer and shallow further out that you don’t feel limited.

And does the average cruiser feel cheated without their tropical mixed drinks? (I stick with the coke, so don’t know how that would factor in).

So, yes, kudos for trying to find a way to keep cruisers happy to get off the boat in ports while attempting to keep locals safer.

 

[JM23457]

At first that was my thinking but after rereading the article it sounds like DCL wants to keep the passengers separate from the community they are visiting which makes sense if they want to cruise in the near future. Maybe that's the only way you will be able to cruise at least for the short term.

Excursion crowds & limited beach spacing due to a restricted location are a perfect recipe for spreading the virus.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Excursion crowds & limited beach spacing due to a restricted location are a perfect recipe for spreading the virus.

If the restricted location is all the same ship, it doesn't increase spread odds amongst passengers, who have already been exposing shipmates.

 

[JM23457]

If the restricted location is all the same ship, it doesn't increase spread odds amongst passengers, who have already been exposing shipmates.

Given that there are thousands onboard a ship, it's unlikely you'd closely encounter every member of your excursion onboard.

You're also with the island-based excursion crew. And quarters will probably be closer during the transportation section of the excursion than when you're onboard the ship.