Eastern ... Ideas for DIY Excursions?

[burma]

I am not one to do group excurisons I like to do things my way and in my time . Saying this I was wondering about Do It Youself excursions for a family with a 3 and 4 yr old. We are trying to decide do we do St Thomas or St John and what to do and also St Marteen what to do. Ideas and experiences would be great thanks ... and we will be sure to stay away from that store in St Marteen

 

[kplatt]

Our last Magic cruise featured an excursion to Sapphire Bay. We have stayed there before and took a taxi there from the port. We arrived before any of the excursions, and bought our own lunch at the poolside cafe. The beach there is sandy and gentle, with lots of fish close in to amuse your little ones.

We also enjoy Coral World (there is a website that offers discount coupons), and there is a popular beach, Coki, next door. Coral World has showers available.

If you're thinking about St. John, IMHO the travel time getting there eats up too much time.

Good luck,

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02
Carnival Destiny (don't ask) 12/03
Booked on Magic Eastbound Panama Canal 8/05

 

[burma]

one thing I forgot to ask was if you go to some of these beaches on your own are there chairs and umbrellas for rent?

 

[mommasita]

We went on our own (taxi 6$ per person) to Magen's Beach, and yes their were chairs and umbrellas to rent...Thinking around 10$ for 2 chairs and and umbrella..Do not quote me, not positive, but around that idea.

We had kids 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 years old..They loved it. So much cheaper to do on our own. We stayed till around 2 or so, and then went back to enjoy a semi-empty boat..

I really wanted to do St.John, I was just a little nervous about the time schedules..Paranoid not to make it back. Maybe next time..

 

[mickeyboat]

We traveled with a 3 and 4 year old last year.

We did Great Bay Beach in St. Maarten - easy to get to and a nice variety of things to do. We sat on the beach for a while, did some shopping, and returned fairly early to the ship. You may want to consider bringing some sand toys with you - my girls really enjoyed them. There are umbrellas for rent $10 for the day which included two chairs, two free drinks and use of the "facilities" if that's what you want to call them.

We did St. John on our own. We honeymooned there so it was important for us to go. Traveling time does eat up a lot of time and energy - so be prepared for tired kids when you get back. Also if your kids are at all prone to car sickness, the trip to Red Hook in a taxi was very twisty and turny - I think my 3 year old was on the verge of getting sick when we got out of the taxi. The downtown ferry is also an adventure - the seas were very rough and I spent the whole trip making sure I knew where the life jackets were and planning what I would do if the boat capsized - all the while with two sleeping cherubs near by.

But let me tell you, it was wonderful to visit the places we went on our honeymoon. We had lunch in our favorite restaurant and took pictures of the kids in the gazebo and hammock where we liked to watch the sun set.

Hope you have a great time.

Denae

 

[ratfam]

If your kids are interested in fish/undersea creatures, you could consider Coral World in St. Thomas. If you google Coral World St. Thomas you can find a web site that describes the park, it is fairly small. Coki Beach is adjacent. Going on your own is cheaper than doing the DCL excursion and you control your own time. Our kids were a bit older than yours, 6 and 9, and they really enjoyed it.

 

[cali4niacruisin]

I think the suggestions for Sapphire Bay and Coral world are definitely pointing you in the right direction. Seems like there would be fun stuff for kids at Coral World. We were recently in St Thomas and enjoyed Secret Harbor. It is a nice, calm bay with a hotel and restaurant right on the sand. There is a dive shop right on the sand if you want to rent any snorkleing gear. The snorkleing was exceleent and you could see lots of fish in knee deep water or swim out further if you wanted. We did not have our 4 year old with us, but it seemed like a fantastic place to be with a little one. Not many people and services were near by. It was one of my favorite spots from our recent Southern Caribbean cruise.

Todd