Southern Carribean Cruise help

So in about 25 days I'll be on my cruise I have never been on one and I dont know what I should do or what I should see and if I should even book anything off the cruise line for excursions

im leaving from Puerto Rico, then going to Barbados, St. Thomas, St. Lucia Dominica and Antigua

I would love any suggestions on what people loved and hated about each port. I have no idea what to except when I get off the boat... So please help any suggestions or ideas would be wonderful

First...great day to get married!!! (It's my birthday!)

Second...I've been on a few cruises. Usually you can check and see what excusions they have online and book right online also. If there is something you are interested in, I would definitely book in advance as some things fill up kind of fast. If you are going to book anything, I would suggest doing it through the cruise line. That way, if anything happens, they wait for you and you also know you are not getting 'swindled' by the locals.

I've been to Barbardos before on a cruise, we did the Malibu rum factory tour. It was kind of interesting (and they give you a drink). We bought some small bottles of Malibu Lime which is awesome and they don't sell it in the US.

HTH!

We have acutally been to puerto rico 3 yrs ago and we did the bacardi plant and it was ok, not something I would want to spend doing. But I know I want to snorkel that is the number one thing, but as far as traveling the island, should I be buying that online or should I just get a tour with the locals?

Are the locals going to come up to you and ask you to tour, do u go in a group, Im so confused I have never been on one, I would hate to go on a van with a group and they get all pissy.

i was thinking of doing this cruise for my HM so when you get back you will have to fill us all in on the details. cruises are the best! you are going to eat more then you can imagine.
have a great time

I'm re-posting what I just wrote on someone else's thread:

I went on a cruise but only hit St. Thomas from your list. It was the best island we went to. We took a jeep tour up to the highest mountain (i've been here twice and did it both times). The guide will stop plenty of times to allow for pic taking. It was sooooooo beautiful. We requested them to leave us at Emerald Beach at the end of the tour instead of the scheduled one. It was so relaxing and not crowded either. Wait til you get on the island and go through the locals insead of through the cruise line. We only payed $15 all together for the both of us.

Also, its a great spot for jewelry buying. FH bought his 'pinky bling' there lol. Hope you enjoy yourself!!

I did a very similar cruise-

On St Thomas-we did the mini boat tour w/private snokeling-It was awesome-you and FH get to drive your own little raft type of boat w/a motor as the guides lead you to a private snorkeling spot w/beach-The guides were so much fun and at the end they give you rum punch. Definately recommend this!

On Barbados-we did the buggy tour-again you and FH get to ride your own little soapbox car guided by your tour guide up hills and through trees and stuff-stop at many look out points-great views!! Then the tour guide drives you in a van to a private beach to go swimming or what not, while they serve you rum punch.

In Puerto Rico-(this is where we took of from) we went shopping in Old San Juan-its very pretty and has a lot of area to adventure through and we had a lot of fun!

I was on this exact cruise on the 5/20 sailing. I booked an excursion for every island, but contacted private companies on my own. (Going through Carnival would have been double the price) I'll give you my run down of things...

St Thomas - Rented scooters with the intent of taking them over to St Johns on the ferry, but we got off the ship too late to travel over there. Instead, we rode around the St Thomas and visited Coki Point (absolutely gorgeous, plenty of fish to snorkle with), Magen's Bay (skip it... not worth seeing really), and Sapphire Beach (gorgeous views, not so many fish though)

Dominica - used www.bumpiingtours.com
- Tour guide Levi is just amazing - I did a strenuous hike to Middleham Falls, but you can go to other falls with little/no walking... No real beaches on the island - It is green and lush

Barbados - Went to www.theboatyard.com
- Great place, drinks, food, chairs, umbrellas, rope swing, water trampoline, water rock climbing... all for $15

St Lucia - used www.mysticmantours.com
- Great tour guides once again- I got to customize my own tour - went to 3 different snorkling sites - an abundance of fish and barracuda!!!

Antigua - went to an all inclusive resort to hang out for the day - Grand Pineapple Beach Resort

If you want any more info, just FM me

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Posted by FuTuRe MrS MaZz

I was on this exact cruise on the 5/20 sailing. I booked an excursion for every island, but contacted private companies on my own. (Going through Carnival would have been double the price) I'll give you my run down of things...

St Thomas - Rented scooters with the intent of taking them over to St Johns on the ferry, but we got off the ship too late to travel over there. Instead, we rode around the St Thomas and visited Coki Point (absolutely gorgeous, plenty of fish to snorkle with), Magen's Bay (skip it... not worth seeing really), and Sapphire Beach (gorgeous views, not so many fish though)

Dominica - used www.bumpiingtours.com
- Tour guide Levi is just amazing - I did a strenuous hike to Middleham Falls, but you can go to other falls with little/no walking... No real beaches on the island - It is green and lush

Barbados - Went to www.theboatyard.com
- Great place, drinks, food, chairs, umbrellas, rope swing, water trampoline, water rock climbing... all for $15

St Lucia - used www.mysticmantours.com
- Great tour guides once again- I got to customize my own tour - went to 3 different snorkling sites - an abundance of fish and barracuda!!!

Antigua - went to an all inclusive resort to hang out for the day - Grand Pineapple Beach Resort

If you want any more info, just FM me

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Wow thanks for all that information that really helps. Im still debating on buying from carnival, but I would hate to get there and not have any room. I'll have to check out the sites. I appreciate it.

If you have anything else about the island that I should know I would appreciate it.