Doulbloon sail or St. John Trunk Bay snorkel?

[crystaldri]

I don't know what excursion would be best with a 8 and 9 year old. Can anyone give me advice? I do want to book a excursion through DCL so I can just relax and not worry about time. If you sign up for the Doubloon and it starts at 12:15 does this mean you can get off the ship later or do you still have to get off early for immigration? The Doubloon sounds fun but I'm afraid I'll be missing seeing the best beach if I don't do Trunk Bay in St. John. Any advice? Thanks!

 

[hydster]

Well it's been almost a year since we went but we did the Doubloon and it was AWESOME!! We did the beach scene in St. Martin and CC and opted for the pirate ship and we never regretted our decision. We have 3 kids they were 10, 8 and 5 and they had a blast! The crew was awesome with all of the kids and adults on board. They make the BEST Banana Bender and Pain Killer for the way back into port. We couldn't go to the "normal" place due to high wind so we went to a little cove! It was great. They tatooed all of us with temp tatoo's of a jolly roger, let the kids try to soak another boat next to us with buckets and squirt guns.
They did have a website but I don't know if it's still there or not. It was www.doubloon.com

As for immigration that takes place between 6 and 8 I believe and you don't have to get off you go to the theatre and wait for your row to be called. I think it took about 15 min total. Then we went for breakfast and then when the ship was cleared we took off for the tram and a little shopping. Came back to the ship, ate lunch and took off for the Doubloon.

We really enjoyed it and our kids still talk about the funny 's

HTH
Heidi

 

[Cabin8538]

We also did the Doubloon (thanks to Hydsters recommendation) and loved every minute of it. Our kids were 7, 11, and 14. Trish and Billy were awesome on the trip. They let the kids raise the pirate sail, hold the captains wheel, and helped them with the snorkling. We all got tatoos on the way back. AWESOME!

In the morning, we cleared customs at 7:30 am in a matter of minutes. We then walked over to the Paradise Point Tramway and were able to ride up to the top, shop, and ride back down and still have time for lunch on the Magic before heading off to the Doubloon.

The website is still functional and you can see pictures of all the fun!

 

[crystaldri]

Thanks for your advice!!! I just booked the Doubloon. I think it sounds like the kids will have so much fun! I can't wait! I guess I'll just have to look at pictures of St. Johns Trunk Bay instead.Your replys wer'e awesome and put me at ease. Thanks again!!

 

[april riddle]

We also booked on Hydster's advice and we thought it was one of the best things we did on the cruise. You will not regret your decision.

 

[crystaldri]

Who is Hydster?

 

[dzneprincess]

the 1st person to reply to your post

 

[crystaldri]

Oops silly me ! I thought it was a critic website.

 

[NJ Cruisers]

Just putting in my 2 cents ... even if you already decided. You picked GREAT. We did the Doubloon sail in November and my DS5 loved it. He chickened out on the snorkeling but the crew was great with the couple of kids that didn't want to snorkel. They had fish jumping out of the water as they fed them and just had a grand time. I've been to St John (Trunk Bay) and it is beautiful but the traveling (ferry and cabs) takes up too much valuable time.

You'll do Doubloon at 12:15 so you have time to go down town shopping in the morning if you'd like that. Or you can relax by the relatively uncrowded pools on the ship. Or just sit on deck an admire the beautiful port. AHHHHH

Diane

 

[cadburysmom]

After reading this thread, my DS10 and I signed up for the Doubloon excursion. Sounds like a blast and we can't wait!

 

[scarboroughmom]

We took our kids to St. John in 11/2004. They loved Trunk Bay. I have a picture of them playing under a rainbow there. I would vote for Trunk Bay.