Tess

Our family is taking its first long-awaited cruise together in June (on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas). Our daughter is 12 and son is 15. I've read all the accounts of shore time possible on this board and others and still can't decide what shore activities would be best at the three ports I mentioned above. I know we'll want beach time on both St. Maarten and St. Thomas but not the whole day. There seems to be conflicting reports as to the best beaches on those islands--any recommendations? My kids have experienced the fabulous beaches of Negril and now they're spoiled. Anything like that on the islands without driving or ferrying very far? How about restaurants at all three ports? I wasn't thrilled with the Nassau stop and don't want to spend the big $$ to just wander around Atlantis--I know my kids will want to use the slides and pools if they see them! My husband and I have been on a couple of cruises but they were years ago and I'm feeling like a newbie. I'd love some suggestions so we don't just wander aimlessly around the three ports like the non-cruise experts that we are!

KDBinMI

Hi! We've been to St. Thomas & St. John twice - the first time on a Carnival cruise, the 2nd staying on St. Thomas for our honeymoon. St. Thomas is my favorite place! I recommend a snorkel excursion to St. John. It's about a 30 minute boat ride from the pier in Charlotte Amalie. They take you to Trunk Bay on St. John, which you MUST see! I honestly believe it's one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Most of the snorkel tours offer snacks & beverages, we took a 1/2 day on the M/V Leylon Sneed & really enjoyed it! On the trip to St. John, they point out all of the gorgeous homes on St. Thomas & tell you who lives there - celebs, etc. They accomodate snorkelers of all experience levels - you can either jump off the boat into the deeper water or they'll take you onto the beach. Worth every penny!

If snorkeling isn't your speed, you can always just take a ferry to St. John. Again, it's only a 15 - 30 minute trip. Renting a Jeep for the day to drive around St. John yourself is a blast! Your kids would probably love that. That way, you can see all of the beaches & gorgeous scenery!

Enjoy yourself! USVI is my favorite place in the world!

MWM1

The best way to see St Maarten is to rent a jeep and drive all the way around the island. There is a road that encircles the entire island and you can do it in about 2 1/2 hrs. max. we did this and stopped on the French side for lunch and even had time to visit and swim on a couple of beaches ( some of the most beautiful we have ever seen) I HIGHLY recommend this as THE way to spend your day!

MWM1

I should add that we have cruised about 13 times and I have 3 daughters, ages 12,13,& 14. We will be on the Mariner 3-27-05. Have a great time!

petlover

I think your children would love the B.O.B. excursion in St. Thomas (underwater helmets on while you ride around the ocean floor on motorized scooters). This is my favorite excursion there! It cost $98. per person but worth every penny!

Tess

Oh, B.O.B. sounds like fun!! A bit of ignorance here--what kind of helmets do you wear that allows you to do this? Are you in scuba gear or 'inside' B.O.B. (so to speak)?

petlover

Tess, this is the website with photos and information.
http://www.bobusvi.com/

You breath compltely normal...no scuba knowledge required....just lots of fun. Children must be 8 years old as I recall (more a matter of being able to stear the scooters than anything else)

funsun2

Do you kids see or visit the beaches in Jamaica, StMartin, or St Thomas? Is topless or nude an option and what is their reaction? We are thinking about RCL Western Carribe. Thx

PumpkinEater

Orient Beach in St. Maarten is a clothing optional beach. Stay to the south end.

Peter

katorric

Hi - Just got back from a cruise on the Majesty of the Seas and one of our ports of call was Nassau. Thanks to this fine travel forum, we booked a snorkel trip with Stuart Cove. They are a very professional (safe) operation and it was a real bargain for a 5 hour trip.

Book on-line before you leave at http://www.stuartcove.com. We went on the afternoon trip. They pick you up at a stop right off the Cruise Ship dock and take you around Nassau for about 1/2 hour to pick up others from hotels etc. We actually enjoyed this because it allows you to see the island. Then we arrived at their dive/scuba"complex". They took us with about 50 people out on a very nice snorkel boat. We stopped 3 times. Once at a reef. They throw fish food in the water and you are surrounded by tons of fish. It is also great because the water is about 16 feet deep and you won't hit and ruin the reef. Next they sailed us past these mansions rich people are building in Nassau (this was for the women!) We then scuba'd around wreck (little plane) that had crashed during filming of a movie. Lastly, we scuba'd with sharks! They put food down low and the sharks swarm. You have the option of staying on the boat.
Anyhow if you book on line it is only $35.00 for this great trip. We didn't get back to our cruise ship until 5:50 so plan accordingly!