Dec 5, 2009 -- now traveling to Tortola

[Inkmahm]

mvlimmex was the OP on this thread. Now that it's at Tortola, maybe the St. Croix should be edited to reflect the new destination.

Can she do that this late in the game?

Also, I've been looking around the site. Does anyone know where the ship would dock on Tortola? It's a big island and I am just wondering where the beaches will be wrt our dock.

Passporter cruise book says there are no beaches close to the dock.

I checked out the excursions and booked the land and sea tour for us. There was one tour that goes to a luxury resort that sounded really nice if you're a beach person.

 

[CaptainJack]

We just booked this cruise. Myself, my DW, and my two daughters (both 15).

 

[Inkmahm]

We just booked this cruise. Myself, my DW, and my two daughters (both 15).

Welcome!
Did you really just do this same cruise this month? If so, you must have liked it. What excursion did you do in Tortola?

 

[Tower]

We just booked this cruise. Myself, my DW, and my two daughters (both 15).

Welcome CaptainJack!

We'll see you aboard!

 

[CaptainJack]

We did do the same cruise. While onboard, we looked at all of the value dates for DVC points. The only one available in 2009 and 2010 was this cruise. Do we booked with points. Additionally, my mother-in-law could come on the cruise.

We actually did not do any excursions on the last cruise. We got off only briefly at Tortola. I can have my daughters check with their friends from the last cruise about whether any of them did any excursions.

 

[carmie3377]

We are considering the Baths in Virgin Gorda. I've been doing a little bit of research and have read awesome reviews of it. Some have stated that they walk down to the ferry (just a 15 min walk) then head to The Baths via ferry/taxi and others have rented a car. All review I've read have stated it is very easy to do on your own and that The Baths are incredible.

 

[Tower]

We are considering the Baths in Virgin Gorda. I've been doing a little bit of research and have read awesome reviews of it. Some have stated that they walk down to the ferry (just a 15 min walk) then head to The Baths via ferry/taxi and others have rented a car. All review I've read have stated it is very easy to do on your own and that The Baths are incredible.

Sounds good to me Carmie! We may follow you there!

 

[carmie3377]

Sounds good to me Carmie! We may follow you there!

Looks like there will be no need for a taxi unless you want to do additional site seeing after the Baths. From what I'm reading, the taxi fare is included in the ferry fare (around $30/person).

I'm really excited about this change. Nothing jumped out at me about St. Croix but I can't wait for Tortola now!

 

[Tower]

I'm really excited about this change. Nothing jumped out at me about St. Croix but I can't wait for Tortola now!

It appears that EVERYONE is excited about this change! I love it when changes are actually for the positive!

I am rather concerned that we only found out about this from this board. We booked through DCL online and we received no notification from them at all!!! I'm glad some of you have good TA's that allowed us all to know the good news!

 

[amyngary]

I apologize that I can't remember who created the Surfin' graphic for us, but I am wondering if there are plans for modifying it to reflect the Tortola change.

I really like the graphic and was considering using it for an FE gift

 

[carmie3377]

I apologize that I can't remember who created the Surfin' graphic for us, but I am wondering if there are plans for modifying it to reflect the Tortola change.

I really like the graphic and was considering using it for an FE gift

I think it was mommmyoftwinfants, but I didn't go back to check. If we don't hear from her in a couple of days I'll PM her and ask her if she can change it.

 

[carmie3377]

I am rather concerned that we only found out about this from this board. We booked through DCL online and we received no notification from them at all!!! I'm glad some of you have good TA's that allowed us all to know the good news!

I know, me too. We had considered renting a car on St. Croix and I was actually researching companies and the rates the night before I read the news on here. I too booked our cruise online and then transferred to DVC and neither of them notified me of the change.

I'm sure they would have eventually sent out something with the change on it but I would think they would do it immediately so people could start making plans.

 

[fluvannaj]

So glad you posted - our TA hasn't contacted us. I was able to add the Dolphin Swim we've always wanted to do (had it booked in 2005 in Cozumel but hurricane wiped out the terminal).

Fluvanna and Jessica (who are syked about the swim) and Jerry who will watch and take pics!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Our travel agent is normally REALLY on the ball. I never heard anythign form her about the change and finally emailed and asked. She says (and because she is normally SO on top of everything) that DCL never told her (just like they did not tell those of you who booked directly through them). SHE was grateful for the information, and after double checking on the DCL sight emailed another client she has on the cruise. Once again the DIS comes to the resue
It IS odd that DCL is so slow about letting everyone know One nice thing, the change means everyone at all levels got to book excursions on Tortolla at the same time--no preferential treatment Okay, well us DISsers may have had an edge over others who still have no idea it changed We snagged a kayak tour but it is early (7:30 in the morning) and I may want to sleep in on my birthday, so I might drop it later on
I have to say, I am not really bothered by the change, but I am the odd one out that I would have prefered St. Croix. We will stop at Tortolla next year on our Trans Atlantic and I would have prefered something different for more variety--but I am not really upset. None the less, if DCL wanted to keep us from being on an overcrowded island I wish they would have pulled us from St. Thomas--I think there are 4 ships scheduled to be in port that day; and I have never much cared for that port. Too bad I am not in charge! But honestly, will be on a DCL cruise so it is all good

I hope you are all having a most excellent weekend.

 

[CaptainJack]

I just booked this cruise on Tuesday through DVC. When I booked they told me that DCL had changed from St. Croix to Tortolla. I was told that, apparently the facilities for cruise ships at St. Croix and there was supposed to be one or more other ships in port when the Magic was going to be there. Therefore, DCL changed to Totolla for that reason.

I can tell you that on every cruise prior to this year we always had one or more cruise ships at every port. On this last cruise, no other cruise ships were in port at either Totolla or St. Thomas when we were there. And, our server said that it had been like that for several weeks.

Given that we have, in the past, always had one or more other ships in port at the same time we were I cannot understand the rationale to change from St. Croix merely because other cruise ships would be there at the same time.

 

[beachbratt]

I just booked this cruise on Tuesday through DVC. When I booked they told me that DCL had changed from St. Croix to Tortolla. I was told that, apparently the facilities for cruise ships at St. Croix and there was supposed to be one or more other ships in port when the Magic was going to be there. Therefore, DCL changed to Totolla for that reason.

I can tell you that on every cruise prior to this year we always had one or more cruise ships at every port. On this last cruise, no other cruise ships were in port at either Totolla or St. Thomas when we were there. And, our server said that it had been like that for several weeks.

Given that we have, in the past, always had one or more other ships in port at the same time we were I cannot understand the rationale to change from St. Croix merely because other cruise ships would be there at the same time.

I am still wondering why the change from St Croix to Tortola. On DCL it states the St Croix is the largest of the USVI so why would one more ship be a problem?? The next day we are go to St Thomas and on one site it shows 4 ships being in port and on another 5 and they have not changed that one...I know they have the right to change at any time it does seem a little strange I see that in August they did not go to Tortola instead a 2x at Castaway Cay so maybe that's why they have changed the last special cruise something to do with there contract with Tortola??

 

[Tower]

Given that we have, in the past, always had one or more other ships in port at the same time we were I cannot understand the rationale to change from St. Croix merely because other cruise ships would be there at the same time.

I'm not sure how the port is set up in St. Croix, but it's not necessarily the size of the island that determines the capacity of the dock, but the size of the port & capacity of the dock to handle more than 1(or 2) ships. While I was never specifically at the port in St. Thomas, I could see the cruise ships from my Holiday Inn Room back in 2006. The dock could easily support 3-4 ships without tendering. St. Croix? I don't know.

 

[Tower]

I have to say, I am not really bothered by the change, but I am the odd one out that I would have prefered St. Croix. We will stop at Tortola next year on our Trans Atlantic and I would have prefered something different for more variety--but I am not really upset.

I'm sorry your preference wasn't met on that Hadley. You're such a giving person and upbeat however, I'm sure your positive attitude will shine through and make it wonderful as usual!

I hope you are all having a most excellent weekend.

Thanks Hadley! Hope you enjoy yours as well

 

[DeeSanDisneyFan]

Passporter cruise book says there are no beaches close to the dock.

I checked out the excursions and booked the land and sea tour for us. There was one tour that goes to a luxury resort that sounded really nice if you're a beach person.

We just booked the Land & Sea tour for us, too! Hope to see you there.

 

[sdlong329]

I'm really sorry for those who wanted to do St. Croix, but I've been there before (as well as St. Thomas) and I wasn't too enthused about St. Croix. It looked awful boring when I was there the first time.

I just received my letter in the mail. TORTOLA may be nice - but I was just there (on Disney Magic). ***! Cancelling a day in port because there will be one more ship in port is assinine! Many people book a cruise for a specific intinerary. If I book a cruise to Hawaii, I do not want to be rerouted to Alaska - just because there is another ship in port.