caribbean excursions

[chipmunkmike]

I am off on a caribbean cruise in december and was wondering about excursions. The ship (ocean village) does its own excursions, but I have heard that it is cheaper to simply get a taxi to the same destinations. Is this true and is it a simple thing to do? It is my first time in the caribbean. Also can anyone recommend any places or trips?

[jno]

yes, it usually is. There will be taxi drivers waiting near the piers, and the islands are mostly fairly small so the things you want to see won't be far away. Haggle over the price if you want, but it will probably end up about half the price of the ship's excursions. You'll need to tip but you'd probably have to do that on an official excursion too. The driver might or might not give you as much information as a proper tour guide - if you want lots, you could try to buy a guidebook like this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frommers-Caribbean-Por ts-Call-Complete/dp/0470289716/ref=sr_1_4?ie=U TF8&s=books&qid=1226840902&sr=1-4

One thing to beware of is that if you're late back from a private excursion, unlike an official one, the ships say they won't wait for you (though they often do). So make sure you don't linger too long to get back on time.

Which excursion you go on depends what your route is - which OV are you on, 1 or 2?

[sddsddean]

Join http://www.cruisecritic.com/ for free and go and ask hundreds of people for advice on the boards there. Apart from my first cruise (when I didn't know any better!) I never do the ships own excursions as they cost miles more and you can normally arrange something yourself or with people on your cruise as a group. See if someone has started a roll call for your cruise and team up with people.

[auntiebertie]

It is much easier and cheaper and more fulfilling to get a private tour. The BEST cruisesite in the world for info on cruises is http://boards.cruisecritic.com/ - scroll down to the Ports of Call section and then click on each appropriate island. If you join (free) you can then ask your own questions. Personally I am now planning my caribbean itinerary and I have signed up with Antours in Dominica and SunnyListon in St Thomas, I am hiring a car in St Maarten and I still have 3 islands to sort out. Hours of fun doing all this planning! Also on this site there is a link for OV and it is interesting to click in there and have a read. You could even find other people who are travelling with you.

[chipmunkmike]

We will be on OC1. Would it be better to book OC excursions for things such as scuba diving or is this a simple trip to arrange on your own?

[auntiebertie]

Now cruise critic is your new best friend - go to that site http://boards.cruisecritic.com/ and to the appropriate island, get registered and then you just type in your question regarding scuba and you will get answered very quickly. Anything you book independently will be cheaper and better IMHO