Thread: Shore Excursions in Tortola

It's been over 12 years since I've been there, so if I left something out, you can say it's my memory. There were stairs, and I believe there enough that it felt like I was going down one story, like from the second floor to the first in a building. They were wooden, and I don't remember if they were even or not.

Unless something's changed since then, I wouldn't take someone who needs assitance walking, since it can be very uneven walking/wading in the Baths themselves.

I found a trip report online that mentions what meay be a different path to the Baths, so I am attaching the link.
http://bviwelcome.com/articles/parks/baths.html
Elsewhere on the same site, they mention a restaurant and hotel at the Baths that weren't there when I went, so some of the surrounding may have changed. But the Baths still remain one of the must-see items in the BVI.

Thanks McCruiser.

The restaurant has been mentioned on different boards. I believe it is up top.

Any uneven walking would be a problem for a family member.

Thanks again for the info.

Tell me more about the "Baths". How long did it take you to go from the ship to the Baths? How long did you stay at the "Baths"? Is the snorkeling any good? Or is it mainly just something different to see since it has boulders & a beach? I've very curious about what I've booked for our shore excursion in September.

Big4, I didn't go directly from a ship, so I cna't answer that. But Virgin Gorda is not a big island. It's hard to imagine the trip being very long. I'm remembering 20 minutes from a hotel near the north of the island, but I cant' say for sure.

There is no snorkeling. The water never got above waist deep (I'm 5'4") when I was there. It's just exploring the different "chambers" formed by the boulder, some said to be as big as a house. It's also much cooler inside, because of the shade and the water, and that is a welcome break from the heat outside.

Here are some great links for BVI. There is also one for Norman Island.

http://www.thebathsbvi.com/

http://www.normanisland.com/info.htm

http://www.bvitouristboard.com/tortola/index.htm

Originally Posted by sue miller

If you are booked through the ship and miss one you will not be charged!! You will only be charged if you take it. If you return too late from the first, go to the excursion desk, or the pursers desk, and tell them you didn't make it!!

Sue AND Big4Chaps - It is HAL's policy that when you book a shore excursion in advance via their website, you pay for it by cr.card immediately. So, I'm not too sure about how HAL deals with refunds for missed excursions. I would check with HAL for confirmation on their refund policy. Other cruise lines, at least Princess, policy is that an excursion is charged to your onboard account and you pay at the end of the cruise. This is quite different than HAL.

Originally Posted by sue miller

On Princess if you book online, they take your CC# but do not charge the card till it is actually taken!!

I HAL they charge your card immediately when you book online.

We have been to Norman Island, to the caves (nice snorkeling outside the caves, dark inside) and the Bight (a nice beach with a small resturant and gift shop), we had a nice time snorkeling there!

Remember that on scheduling b2b shore excursions that you will be gone most of the day without food unless you are some place you can purchase it, an hour in between is not enought time to eve run onto the ship for a snack.
Be sure to carry plenty of water as well!

Originally Posted by Ziggy7

We have been to Norman Island, to the caves (nice snorkeling outside the caves, dark inside) and the Bight (a nice beach with a small resturant and gift shop), we had a nice time snorkeling there!

Remember that on scheduling b2b shore excursions that you will be gone most of the day without food unless you are some place you can purchase it, an hour in between is not enought time to eve run onto the ship for a snack.
Be sure to carry plenty of water as well!

Thanks for the information. After lots of debating with myself, I went ahead a canceled us out of Norman Island. Really hated to miss it, but just thought it would be cutting it too close between shore excursions. Also, anybody with a man in the group knows, you gotta feed those men. Snacks won't do for them! So, we'll try to take the leisurely thing that afternoon & eat at a local place & my DH says he is going to Bomba's Shack. Guess I'll go to & remind him it's time to leave or he'll miss the boat when it's time to leave Tortola!

Great information thread, Thanks!