St. Thomas/St. John Excursions - help us decide

[dtuleya]

We have definite opinions of what we'd like to do at St. Maarten and Castaway Cay, but St. Thomas/John has us scratching our heads. DH said he'd like to shop a little at one of the islands. Which is the best for this? We might buy some gold chains and maybe a sparkly something for me.

We were thinking about doing the Atlantis Submarine Adventure and possibly the Coral World and Island Drive Adventure. What have you done and would you do it or recommend it for first time cruisers? It will be me, DH, DSs (15 & 11). Oldest DS loves history and learning about different cultures, but youngest DS would rather swim in the ocean and play on the beach.

This is what we're planning to do at the other islands -

St. Maarten - Anguilla Dolphin & Stingray Encounter

Castaway Cay - DH and oldest DS doing the Walking & Kayak Nature Adventure (9:00 AM). Youngest DS and I doing the Banana Boat (10:30 AM) and everyone will be doing the Seahorse snorkeling (1:15 PM). Is this too much?

 

[geffric]

I can't really say as I have not done either but it is sad that you are not going on the same cruise as we are since my boys are 10 and 12 . We are looking at the snorkeling adventure at St john's.. I did this many years ago and i loved it..

 

[Magicboundagain4]

I preferred jewelry shopping in St. Martin. St. Thomas has a gorgeous shopping area, but I just felt I was getting great deals compared to similar things back home. Didn't find any great buys in St. Thomas...but there were things I had to buy.

Do everything on castaway cay and have fun. We did the Trunk Bay excursion on St. John and we will probably do that again this year....it is spectacular. All 4 of my kids have fond memories of it and are looking forward to it again.

 

[randytenn]

Gotta agree with the snorkling at Trunk Bay. It was the absolute highlight of all my cruises. Unbelievably beautiful.