Southern Ports - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

stive1 · 03-27-2006, 03:46 PM

Our next cruise if going to stop at 4 islands we have never visited on past cruises. I am looking for any information to help up decide what to try and do during our stops. Our new islands are St. Kitts, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. Thanks for any help you can give us.

LuLu · 03-27-2006, 04:58 PM

Stive1 .... Don't know what type to things you like to do so all I can suggest are some things we've enjoyed:

ST.KITTS: The "St.Kitts to Nevis Sailaway" (called Fan-Ta-Sea by some cruise lines... have done both, exactly the same) is outstanding! On the beach in Nevis we felt as if we were "walking around on a post card"!

GRENADA: The "Rhum Runner Beach Expedition" was quite fun!

If we couldn't do this, we certainly would take a taxi to Grand Anse Beach!

ARUBA: Very many good options here! The "Ticket/Passport To Paradise" which goes to De Palm Island is GREAT for folks who don't normally snorkel but would like to see tropical fish. As soon as you walk off the snorkel pier in De Palm, friendly blue Parrot Fish are there to greet you!

Bonaire: Need HELP here as well!

Hope this helps a bit ....

hanna · 03-27-2006, 05:27 PM

I can only help a little on Aruba. We did a "submarine" excursion. It was pretty neat but if you have already done a submarine type thing, I think they are all pretty much the same. We also did a "sunset catamaran" cruise. That was a lot of fun even though there was no sun out that day. The shopping leaves a bit to be desired, but it's ok.

Sea Otter · 03-29-2006, 02:13 PM

Bonaire is an unspoiled island and is known for crytal clear waters and a diver's haven. I have been there twice.

There are usually island tours available. There will be snorkel excursions also. You can snorkel right off shore. The snorkeling is excellent.

There is a small town that is walkable from the ship. There are some stores and lots of the them close for lunch.

LuLu · 03-30-2006, 11:32 AM

Thanks so much for your helpful reply on BONAIRE! Sounds great!

Guess we should expect the water to be much like the other two ABC Islands -- Aruba and Curcacao.

Taking a catamaran excursion that offers both snorkeling and time at the beach sounds good to us. Do you think that would be good for our first time there?

Sea Otter · 03-30-2006, 01:55 PM

I loved catamarans and searched for all over the net trying to find one in Bonaire. I did find one that was connected to a hotel but the timing would not work. We got in port just a little too late. Most of the boats are dive boats.

The beaches are mostly crushed coral. Not very good for you feet ! I don't think people really "lay out on the beach". At least I never saw it or heard about anyone doing this with one exception. There is a hotel not too far from the ship that caters to divers and they have a small beach. No pools or anything like that. I snorkeled there and then we moved on to another location. The area we were in , I wouldn't consider it a beach.

Lots of people have gone to Klein Bonaire. It is a small island very close to Bonaire and is a protected area. I haven't been there so I can't answer much. I do know there is supposed to be some kind of beach. As far as I know there is no food, umbrella to rent or anthing like that. I think people dive and snorkel from the beach. Most of the ship snorkel tours go out there. They go out in a dive boat and snorkel from the boat.

We used Renee for a private snorkel.
http://www.infobonaire.com/reneesnorkeltrips/

I read about another snorkel guide and I will get the link for you later.

The water is so clear you can see to the bottom even where the ship is docked. There were some crew and a hand ful of people snorkeling right next to the ship.

If you want to do a beach day save it for Aruba. Palm Beach is very large. You can rent umbrellas and chairs. Very nice sand, nothing like the crushed coral on Bonaire.

Sea Otter · 03-31-2006, 09:00 AM

Here is a link for the other snorkel that I saw a review on.

http://www.bonairenature.com/seandiscover/

LuLu · 04-03-2006, 10:27 PM

Great links, Sea Otter! Appreciate your help more than you than you might think! Thank You!!!!!

Feel sure this information will be helpful to others as well!

houch · 04-03-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanna

I can only help a little on Aruba. We did a "submarine" excursion. It was pretty neat but if you have already done a submarine type thing, I think they are all pretty much the same. We also did a "sunset catamaran" cruise. That was a lot of fun even though there was no sun out that day. The shopping leaves a bit to be desired, but it's ok.

I love shopping on Aruba, been there 3 times. Usually go to the mall, the one that has a waterway through it. I have done jewelry shopping in shops the next street away from the water and main drag. I have found better prices there and you can do some bartering. Enjoy