Our family of 4 will be taking our 1st cruise to the Southern Caribbean aboard Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas this August. It is a celebration trip for my 50th birthday. Our kids are 21 and 16. My husband loves boats and the water. Our kids "don't want to sit around and read books on the beach all day." (Hence the RCC cruise!).

I am planning excursions and would love anyone's thoughts on the following. We are leaving from San Juan and the first day we will be at sea. In Barbados, we are looking at the Tiami Five Star Catamaran & Turtles. In St. Lucia, we are looking at the Coastal Cruise to the Pitons. My husband really wants to see them. We are not considering an excursion in Antigua, because we want to take a taxi to Nelson's Dockyard, have lunch at the Admiral's Inn and then hit either Runaway Beach or Dickenson Bay. In St. Marteen, my 21 year old daughter and I are planning to go to St. Barth's, and my 16 year old son and husband will do the America's Cup Sailing Regatta. In St. Thomas, we are planning to do the Mini Boat Adventure.

If anyone has any thoughts about these excursions, I would love the input.

As always,

Thanks so much for all of your advice

Hello...Go to www.cruisecritic.com
Click on BOARDS, then PORTS of CALL. Many thoughts on excursions and suggestions...Helen

sbarra, the best view of St. Lucia is from the water-I would go fot it-so amazing, have fun !

I have done that same cruise twice and both times I took the turtle excursions in Barbados. I absolutely loved it though I do have one piece of advice. The first time I was in Barbados we took the turtle excursion on the power boat., not the catamaran. I found that trip to be much better. Quicker getting out to the turtles before all the other boats got there.(we took the early trip). The second time we went to Barbados we took the 5star catamaran cruise and when we got to the turtle area there were so many people. It was like bumping into everyone. Even though I love snorkeling with the turtles I wanted to get out quickly, since I was getting kicked numerous times by other snorkelers. If RCCL still has the one on the power boat then I would suggest that one

There is a cave tour in barados that is supposed to be awesome. we usually hit the boatyard for the beach there. they now have a rope hanging off the dock to jump off of and a trampoline in the water.

I have 2 teenagers and in St Lucia we did Shal's Jungle Tours - if you google his name it will come up. Definitely the best excursion we have ever done and a most memorable day - Shal is a wonderful guy! I did not really care about the Pitons but I am here to tell you they are breathtaking. St Lucia is beautiful! Shal knows everyone on the island!

My husband and I did the same cruise in March. I would say, without a doubt, that St. Lucia was my favourite island. The tour we did there was the Land Rover. It took us through the country side, up into the hills. It is one of the most beautiful countries (very different from the other islands). It was a spectacular tour. As for seeing the Pitons, the cruise ship will sail right by them and will likely do a 360 with the boat so you will get a great view.
The other tour we did that we loved was snorkelling at Trunk Bay in St. Johns. (the St. Thomas stop). The beaches were spectacular. The tour only lasted 1/2 a day so you have time to see some of St. Thomas in the afternoon if you like.

I just booked the Adventure of the Seas for next July and after reading all these suggestions, I am so psyched!!!