Goin' to the Carribean.....

parrothead597 · Post by **parrothead597** » April 25, 2007 10:00 pm

I'm going on a cruise with my girlphriend in early june. hitting st. thomas, puerto rico and tortolla. anyone have some good advice on places to go...sites to see...or shore excursions we could make. any help would be greatly appreciated..

Calypso Poet 99 · Post by **Calypso Poet 99** » April 25, 2007 10:52 pm

In Old San Juan PR just about anything is in walking distance. Make sure you make it to El Morro which is the old fort on the NE side of the city. Its also a US National Park.

caly · Post by **caly** » April 25, 2007 10:55 pm

we did an island tour of Tortolla....it is beautiful and I have been to most islands....i would go back

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » April 26, 2007 8:59 am

if you have time in Tortola, schedule a diving or snorkling tour. If you are not into swimming go to the Baths at Virgin Gorda. I guess shop in San Juan and St Thomas. I like Old San Juan better.

I would expect that you are sailing out of San Juan, if you have an extra day, go to the Caves at Rio Camuy. They are awesome. Other great PR diversions are a drive on the panaramic route. Guanica beach and Boqueron are the two best beaches on the island. Just get away from San Juan. You can see what real Puerto Rico is like.

Rum&aLime · Post by **Rum&aLime** » April 26, 2007 9:09 am

If you have time for lunch in San Juan, try the Parrot Club:

http://oofrestaurants.com/parrotclub/about.htm

I mean, it IS the PARROT Club.

-Paul

parrothead597 · Post by **parrothead597** » April 26, 2007 9:22 am

Cool. Thanks for the tips everyone... Never been to the Carribean before...so i want to see all i can.

bubba phan · Post by **bubba phan** » April 26, 2007 10:18 am

Cane Garden Bay, the main beach on Tortola, is beautiful. If you take an excursion there, leave your mode of transportation and walk to your right to the far end of the Bay and get away from your fellow "cruisers"....you'll get much more into the island vibe. All the people from the cruise ships tend to stay right in the area where they are dropped off and it can be crowded. Feel free to wander....it's extremely safe on Tortola. The other end of the Bay is wonderful, too.....just not as many places to eat and find libations. Look for Stanley's Welcome Bar.....best burgers ever!! If you're not into hanging on the beach, an island tour would be a wonderful way to see alot in a short amount of time and there would be lots of photos ops. Whatever you do, have a wonderful time on ilon time!

hoover · Post by **hoover** » April 26, 2007 3:11 pm

I just got back the 21st from taking a cruise. It was my 4th. In St Thomas we took a shore excursion over to St John and spent the day on Trunk Bay. It was a very beautiful and relaxing beach and the snorkeling was excellent. I now know why Trunk Bay is on the top 10 beaches in the world list. Have fun.

parrothead597 · Post by **parrothead597** » April 27, 2007 8:51 am

I just want to thank everyone for their postings.. All this information and tips is really helpful. This is why Parrotheads are the best phans... The Niceness is extended from the parking lot to everyday life.... Thanks again everyone..

See you at the shows - If you're going to Pitt, Camden, or if I get tix...AC..

lilsalty · Post by **lilsalty** » April 27, 2007 9:20 am

Anyone know how far the airport on PR is from Old San Juan??

Rum&aLime · Post by **Rum&aLime** » April 27, 2007 10:09 am

lilsalty wrote:Anyone know how far the airport on PR is from Old San Juan??

Around 30 minutes, give or take, if I remember right, assuming you're not talking about rush hour. Traffic in and around San Juan can be pretty ugly.

I was there every few months on business for a while, but it's been four or five years, so my sense of time might be a bit off.

-Paul

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » April 27, 2007 10:36 am

lilsalty wrote:Anyone know how far the airport on PR is from Old San Juan??

30 min is good. A taxi will definately find a way to do it. San Juan taxis are more exciting than most 6 flags rides.

lilsalty · Post by **lilsalty** » April 27, 2007 11:40 am

Thanks--we've got about a 3 hour layover in PR and were wondering if it's worth it to venture out from the airport to OSJ....too much of a hassle or doable?
Sorry for hijacking this post!!!

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » April 27, 2007 12:09 pm

3 hours is a little tight. Considering the time to get through security and the round trip time that doesn't leave much time in OSJ. There isn't much in the San Juan airport either. The restruants are slow and the food is terrible. I had a one day pass for the Admirals Club on my last layover there. It was well worth it.

lilsalty · Post by **lilsalty** » April 27, 2007 1:58 pm

Thanks for the info!! How does one go about getting a day pass for the Admiral's Club? I'd be into that ....

Skibo · Post by **Skibo** » April 27, 2007 2:58 pm

Walk in. I think it is $50. I get them for free on occasion as a frequent flyer promo. It is a nice lounge in SJU. Quiet, comfortable, nice workspaces and better food than in the rest of the airport. It is back near gate 12 if I remember correctly.

SuperTrooper · Post by **SuperTrooper** » April 30, 2007 11:19 am

In St. Thomas you can start by walking over to the Paradise Point Skyride.

http://www.stthomasskyride.com/

Drinking a Bushwacker looking at the view when OPH came on was my personal PH epiphany.

If you like fast boats, loud music, and lots of rum punch book a trip on the "WILD THING"!!! A high speed trip around the island to Megan's Bay. It is loud and you will get wet and the punch flows on the beach and the ride back!

In Tortola we took the ferry over to Virgin Gorda to THE BATHS. What a cool place! We took the cruise excursion package that included all transfers and a lunch at the beachfront restaurant near the ferry dock. Others we talked to after did the same thing on their own w/o the lunch for a third the cost.

We can't wait to go back!!!

Enjoy!!!

Catch&Release · Post by **Catch&Release** » April 30, 2007 11:30 am

With teh exception of the ticket agent people who were a delight and prevented us from being indefinitely stuck in the San Juan airport, that airport is a disgusting place filled with EXTREMELY surly help in the few airport restaurants.

We were there as part of a 5 hour layover en route to Anguilla. We spent 3 hours seeing Old San Juan. With traffic it took a half hour each way too & from Old San Juan. Kind of neat to see but not worth risking missing your flight which could EASILY happen on a 3 hour layover. If you miss your flight, you do NOT want to stay in teh seedy neighborhoods where most of the airport hotels are located.

We ordered chips and salsa with 2 drinks at a restaurant in the airport in San Juan. The waitress and the manager were too busy sitting at the bar together to offer any help after we placed our order. We walked out after being ignored for 25 minutes. Getting help was equally frustrating at the duty free stores.

We will do all we can to avoid connecting through San Juan in the future. The airport was horrible.