RCCL Eastern Caribbean Shore Excursions
 

We are taking an Eastern Caribbean curise on the RCCL Mariner of the Seas on Sept. 17. We are wondering if anyon recommends any shore excursions or things or places that we may see or do. The ports are CoCo Cay Bahamas, Charlotte, Amalie, St. Thomas and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

It would help if you say what age you are, fitness level, etc and what you enjoy. I always book excursions on my own, not with the ship to avoid huge crowds and impersonal service.

My husband and I are both 49. We are pretty physically fit and active. We really don't care much for sightseeing but would hate to miss out on something that we should absolutely see. Thanks a lot for your adivce

Coco Cay is great!! Definitely do the parasailing. You and your husband can do it together. Book it as soon as you can, as it sold out on my cruise. Also take time to just lay in the sand and enjoy the beauty of the water sipping a "Coco Loco"..an amazingly delicious drink!!!! Oh, if only you could send me one! = ) Enjoy your cruise! Pam

I like Coco Cay too. It will be most crowded at the first beach area, walk all the way to the end and it's gorgeous. While no fan of parasailing, we did the banana boat once which was a blast! There's a little snorkeling around the rocks, not great. When in St Thomas, we take the ferry over to St John which has beautiful beaches and fabulous scenery. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is fun, and you can rent gear over there if you want. Easy to do this on your own, no need to book excursion. In St Martin, take a cab to Orient Beach for some fun bars and bare buns (and more) We've also taken the ferry to Anguilla, which is GREAT but allow plenty of time getting back as traffic is a nightmare on St Martin. The Mariner is my favorite ship, you may consider staying aboard in port! We've sailed it twice. SDon't miss the ice show!!!!

We did a private sail at St. Thomas. It was wonderful..a continental breakfast and wonderful lunch, unlimited drinks, 2 stops to snorkle and of course beautiful sailing experience on the sailboat.
www.sailyachtnightwind.com
Other outfits offer private sails as well if you do a google but we were more than pleased with our experience. There were 8 in our party plus a party of 4 other very nice people. I think 18 is the limit so it is very personalized.

katybird - would the private sail at St. Thomas be good for kids, or did was it mainly for adults?