Eastern Caribbean~ What excursions did you do?

[cruisnfamily]

We've only done the bahamas and the western. Never ventured east. Can some of you Eastern cruisers tell me what excursions you've done and review them for me? Were they Great, OK, or terrible? Were they good for kids(ages 1-13)? Would you do it again? I love details! Tell me everything!!

Thanks!

 

[SuzPasq]

We've done the Eastern the past two years and decided not to do real excursions, mainly based on the age of our younger child (8 months the first time we went) and the unpredictability of travelling with children. One thing that we've done both years in St.Maarten is take the water taxi across the water to the beach. The pass was ridiculously cheap--$11 for two adults I think, and the kids were free. We paid $5 for chairs and an umbrella and got two free drinks. It was a really fun time just hanging out and relaxing on the beach, and not being too far from the ship. There was a big water bounce house down the beach, but our older child wasn't interested in that, so we never ventured down there. When we were done at the beach we walked around the shops, and then got back on the water taxi.

 

[PiperG]

One thing that we've done both years in St.Maarten is take the water taxi across the water to the beach. The pass was ridiculously cheap--$11 for two adults I think, and the kids were free. We paid $5 for chairs and an umbrella and got two free drinks. It was a really fun time just hanging out and relaxing on the beach, and not being too far from the ship. There was a big water bounce house down the beach, but our older child wasn't interested in that, so we never ventured down there.

We did that on St. Maarten as well (the beach is called Great Bay Beach). I would venture to say that was the best day of our cruise. We got off the water taxi and walked to the right (away from the big water trampoline). We got chairs, umbrella and access to a nice clean bathroom in the restaurant behind us for a nominal amount from a local. He also delivered our drinks and lunch right to us on the beach. Very relaxing, no crowds, a beautiful view of the port.

We can't wait to go back in January.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Thanks for the ideas so far guys!

We probably won't do a "beach day" kind of thing as Castaway Cay will be our beach day and that's enough beach for my DH. We live in FL so we get to the beach all the time.

We're thinking something more along the lines of snorkeling or sightseeing(but not shopping focused)

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[tvguy]

12 metre regetta in St. Maarten is great, but it has an age restriction of 12 I think.
We did the under two flags tour in the past in St. Maarten, and liked it too.

 

[Cindi0511]

We did the Under Two Flags in '03, and there was some interesting things on it, but not sure how a 13-year-old would take to it. If he/she loves history, then it would be good. Our 18-month-old didn't really care, and it sure beat carrying her around to go shopping! Our guide was fairly understandable.

 

[shmora]

Lord Sheffield's Pirate Adventure. It is a pirate ship that takes you out into the water and lets the kids swim and they tell pirate tales. They feed you lunch also. The website shows the kids with noodles in the water.

Shmora

 

[Marypoppinsiam]

What is the web address to Lord Sheffields Pirate adventure? I am sure our whole family would love that