Tortola and St. Thomas/ John

[justme0729]

We have a deposit on an Eastern carribean cruise to Tortola and St. Thomas for March 2019. Are the excursions currently running with the beaches in decent shape? We’re thinking of going to a St. John beach from St. Thomas and the baths. I just want to make sure that it is worth spending on with the condition the islands have been in from the hurricanes? Is it back to an acceptable state for an enjoyable visit?

 

[lklgoodman]

First Disney cruise back to Tortola leaves Aug. 28, so probably won't hear anything on here about it until after then. We go on an EC on the Jan. 12 cruise, so I'm hoping to hear some reports also.

Edited to correct above that it's just Tortola that DCL hasn't been to yet, thanks Auroraborealis.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

First cruise to Tortola is in August. Eastern has been going to St.Thomas and St. John all year. St.Thomas and St. John have been fine. The beaches on St. John should not be expected to be offering food or alcohol. Caneel Bay is a long way from being rebuilt due to regulatory issues, and it was the only beach with bar service in the National Park.

We did Solomon Bay and Honeymoon Beach on our own, and they were lovely. We brought snacks.

 

[Canesfan3234]

We are on the 9/8 cruise to tortola aka the third group to stop there. will report back. but from what I have been told by someone who lived in the area, it is a shell of it's former self and won't look the same for at least 5 years.

 

[indytarheel]

We visited St. Thomas in January and also St. Maarten (we were scheduled for Tortola, but of course it was not ready yet). We didn't visit the beaches but did some shore excursions. In January they were back to operational in the key cruise areas but when you got away from those areas, there was still extensive rebuilding going on and a lot of very prominent damage. The tour guide in St. Maarten told us they were using the rebuilding supplies as fast as ships were delivering them. The Dutch side of the island was much more rebuilt (although still pretty devastated) and had much more infrastructure up than the French side. The French side most stores and restaurants were still closed when we were there (albeit 6 months ago). The guide told us the Dutch had been much more proactive in helping the island than the French and ultimately the Dutch side of the island started helping the other side once they got power, etc up.

I know this is from awhile back, but thought I'd share.

 

[rickyb108]

First Disney cruise back to Tortola leaves Aug. 28, so probably won't hear anything on here about it until after then. We go on an EC on the Jan. 12 cruise, so I'm hoping to hear some reports also.

Edited to correct above that it's just Tortola that DCL hasn't been to yet, thanks Auroraborealis.

Hey we are on the same cruise!!! Can't wait. Have never been on The Fantasy.

 

[Jennifer777]

There are quite a few webcams up and running so you can get an idea of the condition of some of the beaches by googling those. The damage the islands sustained will take years to completely recover from but there are enough restaurants, bars and beautiful beaches open to have a wonderful time.

 

[DIS_Ag]

If he’s up and running, Joe at Patouche Charters does an awesome tour to the baths. It was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had on vacation.