John

Just need some answers to some general questions. I am taking my wife-to-be on our first cruise to the eastern caribbean onboard the Carnival Paradise in early June. We are stopping in San Juan, Tortola/Virgin Gorda, and finally St. Thomas. I was just wondering if anyone knows the best things to do while in port. I know I want to go scuba diving or snorkeling, but I am not sure what island to do it on. We are supposed to be arriving in San Juan late so does anyone know a good bar to go to and is it safe to go out at night there? Also, I was wondering if it is possible to bring drinks on board. I know Carnival supposedly has a rule stating that any alcohol bought on the island will be kept in storage until the end of the cruise, but is it possible to "sneak" it back to the cabin? Also, what if I wanted to bring some bottled water or some pop with me before we disembarked? Is it possible to bring it in on my carry-on luggage? Any opinions on the late seating for dinner? That is what my travel agent recommended and I figured it was ok. I know these are pretty general questions, but if anyone can answer these for me I would appreciate it and any other advice would be appreciated as well. Thank you in advance.

karen

Hi John: Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. We are going on the Paradise in May and will be doing the Western itinerary. However we have cruised the eastern Caribbean twice on Carnival and I have some ideas for you.You could go for a walk in San Juan folling the harbour and it will take you to a walkway that is lit that follows the water. Very Pretty. The Wyndham San Juan has a casino and very nice patio bar overlooking the cruise terminal. There are nice restaurants (small bistro style) all over the old San Juan area. The last time we were in St. Thomas we went to Trunk Bay in St. John on a snorkle tour very good excursion. You saw alot of St. Tho,mas on the way to the ferry to go to St. John and then Hawksnest Bay ect in St.Johns. We also like Magen's Bay for sunning. We have done the Buck's island tour and found it ok. For sure skip the latino show excursion in San Juan.Karen

John

Karen, <BR> Thanks for the reply. I will definetly check out the bar in San Juan and Trunk Bay.

Debbie

Hi! <BR> <BR>I was on the Paradise for an Eastern Caribbean cruise in November. We had a wonderful time! <BR> <BR>Regarding ports of call. It was pouring out when we arrived in San Juan at around 6:00 p.m. so we just stayed on the ship. Tortola was our favorite stop. We hooked up with another couple and just grabbed a taxi and had a private tour of the island. They dropped us off at the beach for about 3 hours and then picked us up. We just walked around St. Thomas. They have shopping right at the pier for all your little gifts to bring back home. We also did the Kon Tiki boat ride which has unlimited "free-flowing" rum punch. The boat looks like something Gilligan and his friends put together! We had a blast! They have a glass bottom and you could see the fish and dolphins. Then you spend about 1 hour at Honeymoon Beach where was just the people we sailed there with. That was alot of fun. <BR> <BR>We had the late seating and it was fine. The wait staff will take good care of you. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful time!

gary

If you want to take your own alcohol on board, do it at embarkation. We took 3 bottles in our suitcase without a problem last year. Carnival has an X-Ray scanner at the ports of call when you get back on board and I saw plenty of people lose their liquor till debarkation. You can't sneak it on easily.

Nan

Going on the Paradise Western Caribbean in May - 16 more days !! go to www.crusieopinions.com and you will get loads of advise on shore excursions and anything else you need!! <BR>Happy Sailing