Drake's Seat, Magens Bay and Skyride (ST80)

[DambFam]

First timers here! Planning this excursion for our mid-August 7 night Fantasy cruise. Does anyone know if reserved chairs and umbrellas are included? The description doesn’t specify but I know they are included for other areas.

Thanks!

 

[dreamer17555]

No they are not. You will need to pay $20 per chair when you arrive (via credit card). Honestly I did not like Magen's Bay. They had these floating prickly fibers that stuck to us and were unpleasant. It was crowded and was not worth it.

 

[DambFam]

What time of year was it? Do you have another recommendation? Myself, husband, 7 year old and 4 year old.

 

[dreamer17555]

We went at end end of April 2024. It was our first time on an Eastern Sailing so I cannot offer personal advice on what excursion might be better.

 

[auntlynne]

I don’t see a DCL excursion to Coral World + Coki Beach (they are next to each other). But you could do a taxi over there and come back when your family is tired.

Admission is (A $29 pp K>3 $17). Taxi would be $28 pp RT. $92 + $112 = $204.



Since the Drake’s Seat + Magen’s + Paradise Point and the Magen’s Bay (stated that lounger is included) excursions are the same price, I would not expect a lounger on the combo tour.

 

[sponica]

My friend goes to the virgin islands practically every other year (both US and British). For St Thomas, she recommended Magen's Bay (but admits she has a bias because she got married there). She says she always goes to Coral World even though she's underwhelmed every time she goes, but that they do have dolphins.

She also listed Sapphire Beach as a potential option.

She did say if it was up to her, she'd probably spend the entire day at Magen's Bay.

 

[dreamer17555]

I must really be in the minority but I found nothing impressive about Magen's Bay (and those prickly fibers were annoying). I think if you are used to Castaway it is going to be a let down.

We enjoyed Jost Van Dyke Beach but the area they sat us was rocky (yay for water shoes) However we ended up walking over to the Soggy Dollar and swimming directly in front of it and rocks were rarer. The view at Jost Van Dyke was stunning. Magen's did not live up.

I did enjoy the Sky-ride and restaurant at the top and would recommend that part of the excursion.

 

[auntlynne]

There are a lot of stairs up to the tram/ SkyRide boarding area.

 

[dreamer17555]

There are a lot of stairs up to the tram/ SkyRide boarding area.

Where this excursion dropped off we didn't have stairs up to the SkyRide area to start our trip up but there are stairs downward from the top to the gift shop and restaurant - about 2-3 flights worth, which means if you decide to go down them you will need to go up them which is more challenging than you might think after a few Bushwhackers (so good- but strong in the restaurant)

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

An excursion to Coral World/Coki Beach is available through DCL for $55 per person ages 10+ , $49 for ages 3-9, and free for ages 0-2. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/st-thomas-st-john-coral-world-come-back/

 

[john1012a]

We cruised in Feb 2024 and this excursion was disappointing. It was a waste of time to drive to Drakes Seat. It is an overlook of Magens Bay. You are only there for 10 minutes and it can be crowded. Iwould have rather spent the time at the beach, except that beach was Magens bay. There was so much traffic that our bus had to wait for over 20minutes because you go through a checkpoint. It was very crowded and chairs are not included. Bathrooms smelled . No food.
For context, there were two other cruise ships where we the Fantasy was docked and another cruise ship on the side.
However , we loved the Jost Van Dyke excursion on Tortola. It takes awhile to get there since you travel by boat and then bus but is a scenic trip. The beach area for DCL guests was at the end of the beach, so a little walk , but chairs and umbrellas included. BBQ lunch was very good, but they ran out of cookies. Yes , a lot of slippery rocks as you enter the water , about 30 feet, but then it is sand.
Finally, the skyride does have a beautiful view of the bay that the Fantasy is docked in and we had lunch there which was ok.
will probably do jost van dyke on tortola but will try something else on st thomas