Excursion help please :)

[Haylee]

Hi everyone! I was wondering if you could give us some suggestions on what to do. We are going to St. Thomas, St. Marteen, and Cococay. Right now all we are definately doing is going on a Godfrey tour. I could really use some help with ideas. We don't want to spend alot of money that we really don't have to spend. I read somewhere about a Zoo at one point but I don't know where that is or if it is worth going. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Haylee

[terumim]

sorry i have not been to these locations... good luck

Tonia

[SCIROCCO]

Welcome Haylee

Try The Cruise reviews in the column to your left under interactive ! Ive only cruised the Western Caribbean for now, But Im sure some of our Veteran cruisers can help you more I know this isnt what you wanted but Again welcome aboard!

[TheSkipper]

I'm assumming that this is your first visit to these islands.

CocoCay is a cruiseline private island, basically a day at the beach which can cost you nothing. Lunch is served ashore and other than the cruise line constructed facilities there are no excursions.

St Thomas and St Martin have become primarily shopping islands, but I would suggest you go ashore and talk to some cab drivers about a tour of the island. You can barter on the price and it will be less expensive that booking through the ship. This is true on both of the islands. On St. Martin you will see both the Dutch and French sides of the islands and on St. Thomas, Bluebeards Castle, Megan's Bay, etc.

Been to all of these locales about 20 times and still enjoy them on every visit.

[SMB]

Welcome!

I posted a couple lengthy discussions about St. Maarten in January including one with a map and "ideal" itinerary. I think they should help. Here is the link:

http://www.cruisecrazies.com/forums/index....=11145&st=8

The zoo in St. Maarten is not worth the trouble. Much better things to do.

Heading there in about 5 weeks myself. I can't wait!

St. Thomas can be crowded. Everyone heads for shopping or Megan's Beach. I've heard the excursions to St. John's are worth the trip.

Have a great trip!

[sailingrose]

Here's the website I found for CocoCay. http://floridaunlimitedincentives.com/Cococay.htm It is RCI's private island in the Bahamas. Its very lovely and a wonderful beach day. The ship prepares a barbeque lunch but it is pretty hot there. Any shore excursions will be through RCI only. Only cash you need is for the small straw market located just after you get off the tender boat. I really enjoyed shopping there as they are all very polite and not harassing.

St. Thomas, I'd hire a cab to see the top of the mountain, or go to Coki Beach or Morningstar beach. Much cheaper than the ship and these 2 beaches are less crowded than Megan's Bay. Shopping is close to the ship so you really don't have to bother with town if you don't want to.

St. Martin is wonderful. I love taking the water taxi over to the dutch side (it's right down the pier from where you dock) Pretty reasonable for an all day pass. Lot's of shopping as well as more beaches. Catch a cab to the French side and stroll along the water at the open market or just catch the french atmosphere at an outdoor cafe. We loved the Butterfly farm on the French side.

We've done all of these many times and still love each.