Help Me w/ Eastern Excursions

[Jimbo]

We're taking our two grandaughters, 7 and 10, plus their parent, on the Magic in 10 weeks. We'll be on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary (St. Thomas and St. Maarten), and we'd like to take the girls on two excursions.

None of them have ever been out of the country, so we'd like one of the excursions to provide some sort of glimpse into island culture. And for the other, we'd like to all go snorkeling.

So which excursions would work best?

 

[floridaminnie]

I did the island tour of St. Maarten with DD ( 4 1/2 years old) and it was very enjoyable. It included the tour of the butterfly garden.

 

[hydster]

We took our kids on the Doubloon Sail and Snorkel in St. Thomas (aged 10, 9 and 5) and they had a riot! You ride a pirate ship out to a cove, snorkel for an hour and then ride back! The tour guides take you snorkeling and point out different fish and such. They serve a drink (coke or water) on the way out and then they have "adult" drinks on the way back or more coke and water along with chips and salsa. Also they tatooed all of us with a pirate skull & crossbones and they had the kids try to drown another boat with buckets and water guns! It was a lot of fun!

In St. Maarten we just went to Orient Beach (talk about a culture to experience LOL) and then did some shopping!

Heidi

 

[NCRedding]

I second the recommendation for St Marten: Butterfly Farm--my DD (9) loved it. The bus also took us around the island, and made a stop where we shopped at an outdoor market--DH and DD got tropical clothing for tropical night. We got to see a little bit of the island, and were back onboard in time to get in a nice swim in the not too crowded Goofy pool.

On St Thomas, DD and I caught a taxi, went to Coral World and Coki Beach on our own. We really enjoyed it, and it wasn't too difficult to do.

 

[MamaQuack]

We too did the Doubloon excursion. DS(13) loved it. We've cruised a lot and usually do our own thing but something made me select this one. It was well organized, well run and a lot of fun!!!!! In St. Maarten we did the Shipwreck Snorkel and it was not as good. We did, however, leave the ship early in the a.m. to shop. We really enjoyed meeting the local people. We stopped for a coke at one of the waterside restaurants and met 2 of the local police who were very informative and interesting. I would not recommend the excursion though.

MamaQuack

 

[Jimbo]

That Doubloon cruise sounds great! It gives us time to shop before the excursion, too. How deep was the water where you stopped to snorkel? Was snorkel equipment provided? Life jackets?

 

[musicgirl]

We did the Capt. Nautica snorkel at St. Thomas. You ride on a speed boat (very fast, it can be bumpy but it was so much fun!!!) We went to 3 snorkel sites and it was awesome. We snorkeled for about 2 hours total (maybe a little more). They have floaties and fun doodles for those who would like to float. We had some young kids (5-6) on that had a blast.

If you can, book the morning excursion. Because of the speed of the boat, we were the first ones at two of the sites that morning. My favorite was seeing the sea turtles. As we were leaving, some other excursions were just starting to snorkel and could not find the turtles. We saw quite a few right away.

Lorie

 

[tink5]

We went to St John's on our own. My DH, DD's 16 and 13, DS 6 and myself. I have never seen such a beautiful beach in my life! It was nice because the people that went on the excursion were out of there by 12:30pm (I think that was the time) and we stayed until about 2:30pm. It is very easy to get to and less expensive than the excusion. We bought some snorkeling gear at walmart and had a great time.

 

[MamaQuack]

Jimbo,

On the Doubloon all snorkel equipment was furnished though we always travel with our own. And, according to our captain - Disney makes everyone who snorkels on their excursions wear a life vest - much to my son's dismay. The vests are small though and really aren't that bad. The water was fairly deep - well over our heads. But Fun, Fun, Fun!!!!!

MamaQuack

 

[hydster]

Jimbo--If you want to see some pics go to

www.doubloon.com

They were awesome! We used the sails on the way out and it was windy and you could stand on the side and get splashed by the waves. We went to a cove but it was really pretty deep but they do make you wear lifevests so everyone is safe! They were pretty neat vests though you can inflate them by blowing them up a little or a lot and then if you want to skin dive you can let some of the air out! It was also a lot of fun they had the kids walk the plank to get into the water! LOL They were a LOT of fun!!! The "pain killers and banana benders" were yummy adult drinks and they played I think Jimmy Buffet songs on the cd. There was a bathroom on board as well! Even my 5 year old loved it! I did take his own lifejacket and he did great with that and they did let him use it.

Heidi

 

[mobetsy]

Coki Beach is a great place and easy to get to/from on your own. If the 10 y.o. is inclined, the Coki Beach Dive Club has a great "Bubblemaker" intro scuba class that is reasonably priced and loads of fun; my 9 y.o. ds loved it, and I did it with him (dh did their regular intro dive class). Check out their website for details.

 

[april riddle]

Hydster -thanks for the link - I checked it out and made the decision that we will be going on this excursion. It looks like a blast. I think my DSs (11 and 9) will truly enjoy it.

 

[april riddle]

Hydster -thanks for the link - I checked it out and made the decision that we will be going on this excursion. It looks like a blast. I think my DSs (11 and 9) will truly enjoy it.

 

[TooPure4u]

In St Maarten, I went on the French Riviera Beach Rendezvous with my 17 year old son. The excursion book said "possible" nudity. There were topless and bottomless people all over the place, and the water was overloaded with seaweed. I wouldnt go near the water. Definitely NOT an excursion for young kids unless you dont mind them seeing that. When arriving in St Thomas, we signed up for the Trunk Bay beach and snorkel excursion in St John. Excellent!!!!! Most beautiful beach I have ever seen and the water was clear and wonderful. Floor full of sand.....a definite MUST SEE!!!!

Enjoy your cruise...

 

[hydster]

April--Glad you checked it out! I hope you have as great of a time as we did!!! Our kids still talk about it and we giggle about the waterfight.

Have a great trip!
Heidi

 

[Cabin8538]

Hydster - Can you get off the Doubloon and just go to the beach? I have DD10 and DS6 who don't like to Snorkel but DH and DS14 love to. I was trying to find a happy medium - thinking the younger two and I could just play on the beach.

 

[hydster]

Cabin--Unfortunately they don't go to a "beach" they just anchor off in a small cove and then you enter the water via the "plank" or I believe there was a ladder on the other side. My 5 yr old didn't want to do it at first so he and I just sat on the boat and then finally he wanted to go in and he had a blast. The sail out and back was really fun for the kids and the tatoos made them the envy at Castaway Cay LOL.

If you are looking for a beach activity and a snorkle activity unfortunately this would not be for you. The boat was a lot of fun but I don't know how long your 2 who don't like to snorkle would last. They do let you snorkle for only about an hour so it's not hours on hours that they would be sitting there.

Heidi

 

[Jimbo]

We're at the 60 day mark now, and will probably start booking excursions. So one last (maybe) question. How many passengers does the Doubloon cruise hold?

 

[MamaQuack]

Our time in July there were 42 of us. I think she can handle maybe 46-48 comfortably.

MamaQuack