Hi! I will be taking a 5-day Royal Caribbean cruise for my honeymoon (March). The cruise stops at St.Croix, St. Maartin, St. Thomas & San Juan. A lot of people have told me that the tours offered at the cruise are overprized and not worth the time and money. I would like to know what I should see and do at this ports without taking the tours offered by the cruise. Any other comments or tips on cruising are welcomed! Thanks!

On St. Thomas there are mini vans (taxis) that will take you about everywhere. Just get off the ship and they are waiting for you. If Coral World is back in business, check it out if you have the time. I would take a ferry over to St. John and snorkel there, that is, if I had time after shopping till I dropped for gold and gemstone jewelry. The prices are FABULOUS there (price stuff at home before you go). Perfume is also a good buy in the Caribbean, and usually the price is the same from place to place and perhaps matched on your ship. In St. Martin I rented a car (get a real car, not a jeep-you want to lock the trunk and use air conditioning). Your cruise excursion staff can arrange the rental for you. Then you can go around the entire island, go to the French side and walk around. Perhaps to the nude "Club Orient" to hang out at the beach. Pick up a Fodor's or other guide book, tear out the sections on St. T, St. M & St. C and take those with you. Take lots of sunscreen, swimsuits, your snorkel gear and enjoy!

On St. Thomas...I have been several times and love the island. I'm not into historical sites so I cannot tell you of those but can tell you this. If you enjoy shopping, St. Thomas is fun and exciting.
If you enjoy nature, take the 15 minute ferry to St. John and go to Trunk Bay. You've never seen beauty like this. Now, St. Maarten I've been just twice. The shopping here is nice - more like shopping in your hometown yet with interesting stuff. I too would recommend the nude beaches. You don't have to be nude...trust me, it's an experience. Remember, you'll never be as young on a future return so I say "go for it and join in the freedom". Have an awesome cruise.

On St. Thomas...I have been several times and love the island. I'm not into historical sites so I cannot tell you of those but can tell you this. If you enjoy shopping, St. Thomas is fun and exciting.
If you enjoy nature, take the 15 minute ferry to St. John and go to Trunk Bay. You've never seen beauty like this. Now, St. Maarten I've been just twice. The shopping here is nice - more like shopping in your hometown yet with interesting stuff. I too would recommend the nude beaches. You don't have to be nude...trust me, it's an experience. Remember, you'll never be as young on a future return so I say "go for it and join in the freedom". Have an awesome cruise.

I cruised through St. Thomas last May and had a teriffic time...but not on St. Thomas. We chartered a day sail from St. Thomas to do some snorkeling at St. John and had the best time of any trip we've been on. Highly recommend Megan's Bay. Trunk Bay is nice but can be overcrowded when several ships are in port at once. The snorkeling and diving are better elsewhere. Reserve a day sail in advance. We sailed on the "New Horizons", and the crew and meal were perfect.