Tortola & St. Thomas Excursion Questions

[ChicosWife]

Tortola - We had planned on booking the Tortola Radical Zodiac Ride (TT28), but when we went to book it, it wasn't an available option. Do you know of any non-Disney excursions that involve us driving wave runners or rib boats on a tour?

St. Thomas - We booked the Sea Trek Helmet Dive for this one and I have a couple of questions. First the tour time is not until 11:45 and from our experience, we meet a CM on the ship who brings us to the meeting point for the excursion, right at the disembarkation time. So, how does this later time work? Also, it says that the excursion will return us to the port at 3:15, but the ship is scheduled to leave at 4:00. That's an only 45 minute buffer. I have heard that since it's booked through DCL, they won't leave without you. Is that true?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

First the tour time is not until 11:45 and from our experience, we meet a CM on the ship who brings us to the meeting point for the excursion, right at the disembarkation time. So, how does this later time work? Also, it says that the excursion will return us to the port at 3:15, but the ship is scheduled to leave at 4:00. That's an only 45 minute buffer. I have heard that since it's booked through DCL, they won't leave without you. Is that true?

The excursion meetup works exactly like the ones at docking time work - you meet somewhere, generally a lounge or a roomspace, and they march you out with your little stickers. Just a different time.

In general, the ship won't leave without you for a known DCL excursion. In general. 45 minutes buffer is a LOT for the distance between the Sea Helmet trek and back to the ship. It's not a particularly long hop between the two locations.

 

[ChicosWife]

The excursion meetup works exactly like the ones at docking time work - you meet somewhere, generally a lounge or a roomspace, and they march you out with your little stickers. Just a different time.

In general, the ship won't leave without you for a known DCL excursion. In general. 45 minutes buffer is a LOT for the distance between the Sea Helmet trek and back to the ship. It's not a particularly long hop between the two locations.

So, if we get off the ship upon disembarkation, then we have to go back on to meet for the excursion?

Glad that it's not that far!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

So, if we get off the ship upon disembarkation, then we have to go back on to meet for the excursion?

Glad that it's not that far!

Yes. You have to go to the rendezvous point, which is 99% of the time somewhere on the ship.

 

[ChicosWife]

That makes sense. Is there shopping near the port in St. Thomas?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That makes sense. Is there shopping near the port in St. Thomas?

Yeah. Standard port stuff. The better shopping is not near the docks.

 

[Chirple]

@ChicosWife, keep in mind that St. Thomas is a tender port. If you decide to shop prior to your 11:45 am excursion, you have to allow time to tender to the port and back in addition to being on time when meeting your group in the designated area.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

@ChicosWife, keep in mind that St. Thomas is a tender port. If you decide to shop prior to your 11:45 am excursion, you have to allow time to tender to the port and back in addition to being on time when meeting your group in the designated area.

No, it's not.

 

[Chirple]

No, it's not.

When we were there in 2007, it was. I was on crutches and had to drag myself up the tender ramp on the way back to the ship. Also, DCL's website advises cruisers of this: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ports/st-thomas-st-john-us-virgin-islands/

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When we were there in 2007, it was. I was on crutches and had to drag myself up the tender ramp on the way back to the ship. Also, DCL's website advises cruisers of this: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ports/st-thomas-st-john-us-virgin-islands/

Site is not accurate. Fantasy docks at Havensight and you walk off. 2007 is... well, a long time ago? We were there last year, and the main dock complex at St. Thomas can handle all the big ships. It is only tender if there are more than 6-8 ships in port.

It's rare that Disney call at St. John as a unique port. St. John IS a tender port. They can't dock big ships.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

We got off the Fantasy 2 days ago and can guarantee St Thomas at this time is not a tender port- the shopping at the pier is the standard touristy stuff but the kettle corn stand is still there and still amazing

 

[Chirple]

Site is not accurate. Fantasy docks at Havensight and you walk off. 2007 is... well, a long time ago? We were there last year, and the main dock complex at St. Thomas can handle all the big ships. It is only tender if there are more than 6-8 ships in port.

It's rare that Disney call at St. John as a unique port. St. John IS a tender port. They can't dock big ships.

We got off the Fantasy 2 days ago and can guarantee St Thomas at this time is not a tender port- the shopping at the pier is the standard touristy stuff but the kettle corn stand is still there and still amazing

I am glad to read this, as I am sure the OP will be, too. We are heading back to St. Thomas on the Fantasy later this year, and I look forward to seeing the changes.

 

[lady9]

You can walk to the shops from the ship. If you want to shop, do it before your excursion. It is the basic touristy stuff but hey, isn't that why we shop in the ports? A fun t-shirt and coffee mug and you're good to go!

 

[ChicosWife]

You can walk to the shops from the ship. If you want to shop, do it before your excursion. It is the basic touristy stuff but hey, isn't that why we shop in the ports? A fun t-shirt and coffee mug and you're good to go!

Sounds good to me! I have to get my St. Thomas trinkets!!!