Trunk Bay Excursion

[logan1_2000]

Okay, this has been done before but I always respect the amount of info available on the boards so here goes one more time--As between the 5 Star excursion to Trunk Bay on the Leyland Sneed, and the Trunk Bay Beach & Snorkel, which one should I choose and why. Here are the parameters: I do not want to stress out about getting back to the ship on time, or be stressed out by missing a ferry (did I mention DW is genetically LATE for everything?), and my idea of a vacation is to relax and not have to think. So I don't think I want to do it myself although I could, there are just too many moving parts (in contrast, getting to Magan's Bay last time on our own was just a cab there and a cab back, and sure enough it was a slight hassle of waiting and waiting to get the cab back). I keep hearing that the Leyland Sneed is SLOW and the snorkel time is TOO SHORT, so right now I am leaning toward the Beach & Snorkel. But then I wonder if the truth is that no matter how you get there, it takes a while? Do you lose time assembling and waiting at either end on both excursions?

Just seems like if all I have to do is sign up for one excursion, instead of two cabs and a ferry there, and two cabs and a ferry back, that would be more relaxed. Okay, all with experience on getting to Trunk Bay, would love to hear what you have to say.

 

[disneygatorfan]

My vote is for Trunk Bay...

 

[bassoongirl]

We did the Trunk Bay Beach & Snorkel excursion on our cruise last February. It was great! The boat to St. John's picked us up right next to the Magic. The boat ride was about 45 minutes and it did get a little rough. However, my family had no problem with the waves. Once we arrived at St. John's, cabs (pickup trucks with seats in the back) drove us to Trunk Bay. We spent about 2 hours at Trunk Bay. The park is very nice and the beach is beautiful! My family agrees that it is the prettiest beach we have ever been to. The park workers handed out snorkeling equipment and did a short lesson on how to snorkel. There is an underwater snorkel trail which was really cool! We didn't feel rushed or that we didn't have enough time at the beach. We passed the Leylon Sneed on our way to St. John's. That boat arrived at the beach after we had been there for a while, so I think it is a slower trip. In addition, the Leylon Sneed drops anchor in the water off the beach. I can't remember how the passengers got to the beach.

We were back on the Magic by 1:00 or 1:30. We did the bridge tour that afternoon and still had time to shop by the dock.

If you want a simple, no-brainer excursion to Trunk Bay, I highly recommend the Trunk Bay Beach & Snorkel excursion!

Have a great trip!

Gayl

 

[TooPure4u]

I went for the 5-star trunk bay and it was fantastic. The boat picked us up right at the Magic and we had a guide tell us all about the homes and islands on the way. We saw Michael Jordons home and a home owned by Madonna as well as an island that was for sale.

Trunk Bay has to be the most amazing beach I have ever seen. The water was crystal clear and warm with a sandy bottom. I am not usually one for ocean water but to me, it was almost as great as a pool. Given the opportunity, I would go there over and over again.....You will not regret this one. As far as the difference in the 2 excursions you named....I am really not sure that they are very different. No matter what.....seeing Trunk Bay is a win/win no matter what excursion takes you there......ENJOY!

 

[swede63]

I have done both on our own and the snorkel excursion. I love Trunk Bay. It is a highlight of the Eastern I think. With most of the excurisons from Disney, I find them way too short. You only have less than 2 hours at Trunk Bay for a 5 hour excursion. ON our own last time we had plenty of time to relax there and take in the scenery. Tip the cab driver, they will be there waiting for you, when you want them back. I plan on doing on our own again, and you have plenty of time to spare, and alot more time to enjoy the world's best beach.

 

[jel0511]

As a frequent visitor to St. John (not St. John's that's the capital of Antigua) it truly is better to do St. John on your own. It sounds like you only get about 2 hours at Trunk utilizing the DCL excursion, whereas if you do it on on your own, you can get about double the time. You can easily dis-embark in St. Thomas and taxi over to Red Hook and catch the 9AM ferry over to St. John. There also is a 9AM ferry that leave from downtown that if the Magic is tendering passengers, I'd take since the tender drops you off at that dock, but if docked at Havensight, taxi to Red Hook. The ferry ride from Red Hook is only 20 minutes, and MUCH calmer than the ferry DCL provides or the ride from Charlotte Amalie. Once on St. John, the taxi ride to Trunk Bay is approx 10 minutes, and there are several taxis waiting at the ferry dock, as well as several who will wait at Trunk for your return trip, so no worries on getting a taxi. You should be sunning on the beach by 9:45 at Trunk (or 10AM if you take the downtown ferry). There is a snack bar at Trunk for lunch and you should think about picking up around 1:30 or so. The ferry back to Red Hook leave at 2:00, whereas the ferry to Charlotte Amalie leaves at 2:15. So, even if you do miss the 2:00 ferry, the Charlotte Amalie ferry would still be an options (and I'd recommend if tendering) and still have PLENTY of time to get back on board for DCL's 4:30 departure. Now, it is definately cheaper to do St. John this way, but you also get MUCH more time at Trunk and it truly is a GREAT beach. It's not my favorite, but if you ask any of the St. John locals or frequent visitors we'll all recommend a different, less crowded place. But, coming in from a ship, most aren't a good idea, since the transportation is in place to be able to not have to wait to get back to the ferry. Trust me, it is truly a seemless process, and we do it about once a year, with TONS of luggage and it's not hard at all, and a MUCH better way to see St. John.

 

[logan1_2000]

Bless the DISers, these are exactly the type of first hand, tried and true, detailed replies I knew would come through! Thank you all--Leyland Sneed seems to have "sunk" to third in the priority of choices, behind the beach & snorkel excursion, and I'm feeling much better about "on my own". Either way--we are going to Trunk Bay.

Happy New Year

 

[Tarquin]

Thanks so much for the time wise specifics on how to get to Trunk Bay - I was concerned about what time we'd have to leave Trunk BAy to make it to the ship on time- with leeway-

excellent directions!

 

[slabeaume]

I understand there's a unique cropping of rock formations on the same island of Trunk Bay. Has anyone gone to them. How do you get to them? Doesn't look like Disney sponsors an excursion there, do they?
Thanks,Sue

 

[jel0511]

I understand there's a unique cropping of rock formations on the same island of Trunk Bay. Has anyone gone to them. How do you get to them? Doesn't look like Disney sponsors an excursion there, do they?
Thanks,Sue

The Bath's are located in the British Virgin Islands more specifically off the island of Virgin Gorda. They are definately too far way to attempt an excursion there, as they are approx a 2 hour boat ride away from St. Thomas. To get to the Bath's you have to take a privately booked excursion, and due to their location in the BVI's all those excursions are full day events starting at 8AM and returning around 5PM or so (well after the Magic has sailed). You also have to go through customs in Tortola, as you are entering anther country and will need all your documentation. This is something I'd DEFINATELY not recommend for someone traveling on the Disney Magic due to it's short time in port, probably why DCL doesn't offer an excursion there. The Bath's are beautiful, and we've been on one of the excursions from St. John, but again, I would not recommend it for someone on a cruise ship.

 

[slabeaume]

The Bath's are located in the British Virgin Islands more specifically off the island of Virgin Gorda. They are definately too far way to attempt an excursion there, as they are approx a 2 hour boat ride away from St. Thomas. To get to the Bath's you have to take a privately booked excursion, and due to their location in the BVI's all those excursions are full day events starting at 8AM and returning around 5PM or so (well after the Magic has sailed). You also have to go through customs in Tortola, as you are entering anther country and will need all your documentation. This is something I'd DEFINATELY not recommend for someone traveling on the Disney Magic due to it's short time in port, probably why DCL doesn't offer an excursion there. The Bath's are beautiful, and we've been on one of the excursions from St. John, but again, I would not recommend it for someone on a cruise ship.

Darn---they looked so neat! Thanks for the informed response! I'll just have to get there some other time!
Sue