justshootme

I am posting this question for a neighbour of mine who will visit Dominica for one day on a Caribbean cruise. She would prefer not to take a ship's shore excursion simply because these are expensive for what you get. After reading alot about the destination on Cruise Critic she is undeceided as to which sights she'd like to visit. Rouseau is one of the places she's also debating between Trafalgar Falls or Jaco Falls.

I have some questions:-

Which is the better waterfall to see Trafalgar Falls or Jaco Falls?
What are the must sees in Dominica?
Can fodorites recommend any reputable private companies for a shore excursion? (we did look at Cruise Critic and got a reply from one company but the reply was a little strange, at least IMO, I even started a thread in the lounge about this asking for advice)
Is it safe for a solo female traveller to hire a car and driver at the port? If so, what is the rate per day for a excursion?

Any advice on Dominica and how to help my neighbour will be appreciated.

Thank you.

cw

Hi,

I answered on your other thread but had the further thought that if your friend really wants to tour alone, then it will be expensive because any tour or taxi will want to fill the van. It's often very cost effective for a couple or four people to make their own arrangements but not so much for a solo traveler.

I took a look at cruise critic and there was one quote for a single person from reyno tours (http://www.reynotours.com/) for $80. US.

justshootme

cw, thank you for your reply.

Reyno Tours is the company my neighbour was considering and this it the company that sent the email that I wrote about in my thread in the lounge. I'm very confused, on one hand this company gets good reviews on Cruise Critic, yet on the other hand the email sent in reply to our request is quite odd. Maybe she'll reconsider Reyno Tours, we haven't found anything else that is suitable (except a ship excursion).

cw

I don't have as bad a reaction to the e-mail as most people, I guess. I think it's written by someone who didn't proofread, and who doesn't write very well. What it does say though is that they will look for other people at the port to share the ride--and that seems to be something your friend isn't interested in doing.

I think Dominica is fairly new to cruise ship tourism, and the level of professionalism is not up to what you get on more tourist islands. I think of it like St. Kitts when we first visited in the early 90s--few hotels and not a very developed tourist infra-structure.

But the tour drivers do rely heavily on cruise ship business and will try to get more people to go on the tour. Maybe your neighbor could write to or call the Dominica tourist office and see if they have any recommendations.

Not sure the cruise idea was the best for someone who seems to want to be alone on the ship and on shore. But that's a done deal. Good luck--you're very good to help her.

justshootme

Thank you for your help, cw. My neighbour choose the cruise since she could visit a few islands in a short time. I know I maybe sounding like she is a difficult person, that is not the case she at all she is the shy and quiet type. I'd realize that Dominica is a new comer in the Caribbean cruise market. That does make a difference. My neighbour is coming over sometime this weekend to hopefully settle the lose ends concerning her upcoming cruise.

suze

Can't she just hire a taxi from the port on her own? Say she plans an itinerary in advance, or the few things she wants to see, and negotiates the price with a driver when she gets off the ship.

StanKase

You can do a seach of the firm o TripAdvisor.com That may give you some additional data.

josiesxm

Try Joan on +1 767 612 3141 for a personal trip around the island. She is fantastic and knows all the best places to go and is very warm and friendly.

arielsted521

On our last cruise we the Dominica most captivating with nature isle explorers, we went to Middleham falls, then swim at Ti Tou Gorge and then relax in the hot mineral spring at Trafalgar falls.. perhaps your neighbor may want to consider this tours..

I highly recommend nature isle explorers.. www.exploredca.com