South Caribbean Ports

[Melis Garner]

I am going on the 11 day southern Caribbean cruise June 2018 on the Fantasy. I am wanting to do some shore excursions but not at every port. Which ports are better to explore on your own and which are better to do with an excursion? The ports on this cruise are Aruba, Barbados, St. Kitts, San Juan, and Martinique. It will be me and my daughter, and I am wanting to disembark on each island but feel comfortable doing so. Thank you in advance!

 

[MissMet]

We just got off the 7 night Southern Caribbean on Sunday. We loved exploring Martinique on our own. It really was unlike any other caribbean island we've been to before. Tons of shopping right by the ship & even a fort nearby. It was really cool just know that the language is French & they take the euro, though most places had signs saying they take the USD. Old San Juan is also extremely doable on your own- you won't have an issues with language or finding the sights in Old San Juan. Barbados is big on snorkeling with the turtles if you're into that kind of thing. The port area seemed kinda sketchy once you left the initial area so I would probably go with an excursion there. We took a cab to the Hilton for the day. St. Lucia is great for snorkeling and/or visiting the volcano/mud baths/hot springs/waterfalls- that area is about an hour from the ship & is either accessible via water or car. If you are a nervous rider or prone to car sickness, I'd take the boat transportation. St. Kitts we took a taxi to the Marriott which was really nice! We didn't visit Aruba so I can't help you with that one.

 

[Melis Garner]

We just got off the 7 night Southern Caribbean on Sunday. We loved exploring Martinique on our own. It really was unlike any other caribbean island we've been to before. Tons of shopping right by the ship & even a fort nearby. It was really cool just know that the language is French & they take the euro, though most places had signs saying they take the USD. Old San Juan is also extremely doable on your own- you won't have an issues with language or finding the sights in Old San Juan. Barbados is big on snorkeling with the turtles if you're into that kind of thing. The port area seemed kinda sketchy once you left the initial area so I would probably go with an excursion there. We took a cab to the Hilton for the day. St. Lucia is great for snorkeling and/or visiting the volcano/mud baths/hot springs/waterfalls- that area is about an hour from the ship & is either accessible via water or car. If you are a nervous rider or prone to car sickness, I'd take the boat transportation. St. Kitts we took a taxi to the Marriott which was really nice! We didn't visit Aruba so I can't help you with that one.

Thank you! Your information helps a lot! I was think excursion for Barbados so knowing its sketchy helps with tgat decision.

 

[Majik]

Have not been to Aruba.
Martinique as said is easy to walk around. Great variety of shops including a good size supermarket if looking to stock up on wine.
When we went to Barbados last year there was a shuttle from the ship to a big car park where there were plenty of taxis.
St Kitts is right in the town so easy to walk around.
San Juan is also very easy to walk around.

 

[littleaussie]

Aruba - we stopped here with DCL in 2008 for the WB PC cruise. We just walked off the boat and booked a tour van for an island tour for 6 people. Very easy to do. We are going back again in January and have booked Trikes Aruba for an island tour this time. It looks like a ton of fun!

Barbados - in 2014, we booked Silver Moon for a Catamaran trip. It was the highlight of our cruise and would absolutely do it again. It was swim with the sea turtles but the sailing around the island was so nice.

St. Kitts - we booked the Disney excursion to do zip lining, and had a good time. The views of the sea were so pretty. We also walked around the port after and it wasn't too bad.

 

[jujubiee4]

Is there walking distance to the beach to any of these places?