Favorite Port Adventure you have ever taken??

[com_op_2000]

On Cozumel:
DW and I rented a jeep and went out on our own. You can get away to some of the out-of-the-way places and just do what you want. If, you speak Spanish, DW is fluent, it helps as the locals will treat you special and they gave us multiple recommendations/tips/discounts/etc.

 

[Cheerio]

Our fave was swimming with the turtles in St Thomas, we went on the SeaBlaster which I don't think is in operation anymore. Kids loved it, so did the adults.

 

[Travel60]

My first thought is Tulum....loved learning about the Mayan culture and beach was beautiful. But, then I thought about snorkeling in Alaska....loved that too and it makes a great story.

 

[luvthemouse71]

HI! We are looking at various cruises to take in the next year or two. While I love the ship, the destinations/ports are a big draw as well. We are looking into the ports and what excursions exist (DCL + private) but I would love to hear from all of you. We have had some great port adventures and some "meh" ones.

What were the best port adventures you have ever taken??

This was on Royal Caribbean, but I loved Stingray City/ Grand Cayman.

 

[EllinK]

We tend to avoid the DCL Port Adventures because there are simply too many people for it to be a pleasant experience. We have had tremendous private excursions. Here are a few were particularly memorable:

Skagway - helicopter to the glacier and sled dog mushing. This is truly one of the happiest experiences of my life! Thrilling helicopter ride, being out in the middle of breathtakingly beautiful country with just a handful of people (who take care of the dogs), my son mushing, holding puppies. Incredible.

St Petersburg - we customized a tour with an emphasis on what would appeal to tweens. Several people on our FB group joined us. Amazing 2 day tour. Had a great guide from SPB tours.

Newcastle, UK - just got back from the British Isles cruise and our favorite excursion was one we arranged ourselves -- a falcon walk at Riverside Falconry.

Invergorden, Scotland - a full day tour to Loch Ness and other places. Great guide named Gavin at Invergorden Tours.

 

[PurplePencil]

Chocolate Making in Nassua, only excursion worth while, and they cap the participants pretty low

 

[havaneselover]

Ziplining in St. Thomas. Our DCL group had three families--nine people total. Views were unreal. It was amazing.

 

[elvispursley]

My favorite land port adventure would have to be at Malaga, Spain where my TA arranged for a private tour of The Alhambra. Yeah, DCL did the same port adventure but for the same price my TA arranged for a private shuttle, excellent tour guide, lunch, and a bottle of local wine for each person as we returned to the ship.

I just surprised my DH this week by telling him we are going on the WBTA in Sept. He was so disappointed that DCL was not stopping to see the Alhambra. He was actually trying to see if we could zip down to see it since we're in Barcelona 5 days before our cruise (uh, maybe if I'd known you really wanted to see it and had planned better, but no).

 

[niccikatie]

Adventures in Alaska whale watching in Juneau with Captain Andy on the Scania. He never takes more than 10 people, there were only 5 when I went, and it was an excellent day.

Yes! We loved Adventures in Alaska and Captain Alan. He's fantastic and we got so close to so many humpbacks! He tried so hard to get some orcas for us, but they just weren't playing close enough to us. We actually ended up with him because our original booking (with Weather Permitting) had engine troubles so they arranged for Adventures in Alaska to take us out!

We've had so many excellent port adventures - some that we booked through DCL and some that we've booked ourselves. It really depends on your expectations and what you want to do in each port. Some times we like laid back sometimes we like active!

 

[ludari]

I just surprised my DH this week by telling him we are going on the WBTA in Sept. He was so disappointed that DCL was not stopping to see the Alhambra. He was actually trying to see if we could zip down to see it since we're in Barcelona 5 days before our cruise (uh, maybe if I'd known you really wanted to see it and had planned better, but no).

Congrats on your WBTA in September. I've done that cruise twice and loved it as I'm sure you both will. Too bad about not being able to make it to see the Alhambra and if you cannot make it over from Barcelona to see it please consider going to see Montserrat which is just a day trip from Barcelona and easy to get to by train and funicular or cable car (I did both).

 

[jdb in AZ]

I count nice restaurants (especially Remy) as a shore excursion to justify the price.

Here's a pic from Tracy's Crab Shack in Juneau, Alaska.

 

[KayKayJS]

Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska. It was through Disney but technically thru Temsco Helicopters.

 

[elvispursley]

Congrats on your WBTA in September. I've done that cruise twice and loved it as I'm sure you both will. Too bad about not being able to make it to see the Alhambra and if you cannot make it over from Barcelona to see it please consider going to see Montserrat which is just a day trip from Barcelona and easy to get to by train and funicular or cable car (I did both).

Thanks! It's super excited about the trip, especially since it's sans kids . A trip to Monserrat is definitely on my must-see list. We are going to be adventurous and try doing it without a tour guide since the trains looks pretty easy to navigate

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Tortola. Private charter. Amazing beaches & snorkel stops. Total of 6 different places. Killer guide.

St. Maarten. Cab to Maho Beach. Thanksgiving day. Sat at a table at Sunset Bar under a speaker listening to air traffic control. Great food, drinks, & atmosphere. Ran out to see the planes as they came around on final. We are a huge aviation family so it was amazing.

Private sailboat charter in Cabo was pretty amaze-balls, too.

Our best port days are when we don't do the cruise line excursions. Always.

 

[ktate82]

In St. Maarten we did a private excursion with Soualiga Destinations. It was a speed boat tour that took us to various spots around the island to snorkel. We snorkeled right next to sea turtles. We also had an amazing lunch right on the beach and got to see the planes fly over at Maho beach. Very fun day.

Another vote for Captain Bob! We had a great time, and we are sad DCL isn't going back as we would do this one again.

 

[RedSox68]

Favorite of all time would be the train in Skagway and the Yukon tour, but that was booked independently.

For Disney, visiting Montserrat in Barcelona. It was a cold and foggy day and it was so mysterious. The sun broke later in the morning and we got gorgeous views of the town.

 

[wishiwasindisneyjen]

Tortola. Private charter. Amazing beaches & snorkel stops. Total of 6 different places. Killer guide.

Who did you use for your private charter?

 

[ludari]

Thanks! It's super excited about the trip, especially since it's sans kids . A trip to Monserrat is definitely on my must-see list. We are going to be adventurous and try doing it without a tour guide since the trains looks pretty easy to navigate

I travelled from Barcelona area to Monserrat on my own and as a solo traveler my only concern was falling asleep on the train and missing my stop (both coming and going). Aside from that you should be fine exploring Monserrat without a tour guide. There is a lot to see and great pictures to be taken. I did stand in line (which moved pretty fast) to see the Virgin of Monserrat (Black Madonna) statue which was definitely worth it.

 

[Dug720]

Another vote for Captain Bob! We had a great time, and we are sad DCL isn't going back as we would do this one again.

DCL is going back to St Maarten sometimes. The Wonder is going there this upcoming Winter when she is on an Eastern out of PC.

 

[ktate82]

DCL is going back to St Maarten sometimes. The Wonder is going there this upcoming Winter when she is on an Eastern out of PC.

Thanks. We have a cruise in October on the Fantasy and are going to miss the stop. But we are excited to try Tortola.