What are everyone's favorite excursions and recommendations for St. Thomas and Tortola?

[rlkindle]

First time Disney cruiser here and can't express how excited my family is for our upcoming Eastern Caribbean cruise. After reviewing the website there are 30+ excursions for St Thomas and Tortola. What are some of the favorites for a family of 4? Ages are late teen, mid 20s, and 50ish parents. What can you do in the ports if you do not book an excursion or is it most advisable to book excursions? I was told to login at midnight when it opens up to book as popular excursions and ship reservations can fill up. Also, if there is a place on this board that already has ports of call info/recommendations please point me in that direction so I can investigate what my family might be most interested in doing in order to take advantage of early booking. I'd also love any feedback on Castaway Cay as well. Thanks !

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For Tortola, I'd book away from Disney with Aristocat Charters for a day sail with snorkeling and beach time.

At St. Thomas, I'd go to St. John, or consider the mangrove kayak excursion via Disney. If that fills up it can be booked separately with the vendor.

Note that a lot of the excursions DCL listed may not show when it's time to book, since what they show on the public site is every excursion they've had contracted. Not all are running right now due to staff/demand/etc.

 

[rlkindle]

I'm sure we will end up booking excursions but what is the most prevalent thing people do (other than stay on the ship) that do not book anything? How long are you docked at the port typically? Thanks so much for the ideas!!

 

[tidefan]

Jost Van Dyke or The Baths

 

[iowadisneyfamily]

We are hoping to be able to go to St. Thomas and Tortola the week of our cruise on March 5. I feel like the latest loosening of restrictions in the virgin islands gives me hope that we may actually stay true to the original itinerary. Anyone else have any insights?

 

[Mitura]

For Tortola we just get a taxi and go to Cane Garden Beach. Excellent day. $16 round trip per person for taxi, about $20 for 2 chairs and umbrella on beach. Excellent scenery and calm waters.

For St Thomas we have done
- Taxi to Megans Bay Beach (very crowded, overhyped IMHO)
- Private excursion of St. Thomas (meh)
- Disney excursion to St John's. Great trip but $ and only 2 hours on St Johns.

What we are going to do next cruise is go to St John's on our own which will give us more time on the beach and save some $.

St. John's is excellent, just a little out of the way getting there.

Numerous posts say when it is Tortola day do the Jost Van Dyke or The Baths. I have never done it but I am told it is something that is on everyone's bucket list. One day I will get there.

Enjoy!

 

[rlkindle]

We are hoping to be able to go to St. Thomas and Tortola the week of our cruise on March 5. I feel like the latest loosening of restrictions in the virgin islands gives me hope that we may actually stay true to the original itinerary. Anyone else have any insights?

Our Cruise isn't until May. Who knows what the options will be even 2 months from now? My agent advised me to login and book excursions on March 13 at midnight before they fill up. Seems to me after reviewing the descriptions the more expensive trips are longer may include meals and cover more ground. Appreciate everyone's feedback!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

FWIW if you want to do the Baths, they're better either OYO or via someone like Aristocat (you can pick the charter if you're the first to book). The cruise ship trips out are a cattle call, often of people who don't understand that the Baths are the very definition of "not accessible" and "not friendly to people who can't stoop or don't wanna get wet."

 

[kathi]

We were in Tortola in December. We took a cab (van) over the "mountain" to Cane Garden Bay Beach. The van driver took us to a place with a casual beach bar/restaurant and chairs/umbrellas to rent. There were restrooms there also. It was a great place to swim and the food/drinks were tasty and not crazy expensive. It's easy to catch a cab.

 

[rlkindle]

Beautiful! Does everyone on the islands take the dollar or prefer credit cards? Thanks so much for the input!

 

[Birklej]

Also on the march 5th fantasy hoping we make these ports.. We are doing the skytram, then coki beach and dolphins at coral world in st.thomas. I think being a us island it'll be easy to taxi around.
Then a charter boat in tortola to island hop.