James Mealey and Alison Webster
P&O Cruises - Shore Excursions Team
Before reading this blog, just take a quick glimpse out of the nearest window. How’s it looking? Drizzly? Icy? Dark already? Wishing you were holidaying in the Caribbean? Us too!
Fortunately, those lucky devils in the Shore Excursions teams on Azura and Ventura have been more than happy to let us know - in detail - exactly what we’re all missing out on. Thanks guys! Here they are to tell us about their favourite shore excursions so far this Caribbean season; as well as the experiences you shouldn’t miss if you’re lucky enough to be jetting out there yourself in the next few weeks…
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One of my most memorable tours to date has to be 'St Lucia Segway, Sights and Beach'.
Having never ridden a Segway before I have to admit that I was dubious, but the guides operating the tour were fantastic, giving us a full briefing, putting us at ease. When I first stepped on these intelligent machines I was blown away at how sturdy they were and within no time we were off, whizzing along coastal paths, making stops to photograph the views, and even take a dip in the sea. The guides were so good, and really made it a day not to forget!
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For me it has to be the America's Cup tour in St Maarten; taking part in an actual yacht race. The group is split into two teams, at which point the competitiveness kicks in! The red flag waves and you’re off! It’s very exciting, with everyone working hard to get the yacht sailing as fast as you can to beat the other team. Everyone just wants to win! It is definitely an experience not to be missed. In fact I’ve done it about 6 times now during my time at P&O Cruises!
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The ‘Helicopter over Montserrat’ excursion in Antigua… WOW what an overwhelming experience! I will remember it forever. It’s actually quite a moving tour, as you’re flying over an island largely devastated by a volcano, seeing evacuated villages buried under ash. But to have the opportunity to see something like that, from the air, is just incredible.
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I really recommend the ‘Two Reef Snorkel Adventure’ in Grand Turk. As you step aboard the boat the crew are so welcoming, and their excellent safety briefing puts everyone at ease. The colourful marine life at the first reef was some of the best I've ever seen, but the real adventure was to follow, when the crew announced that we might even see some sharks! Everyone thought it was a joke but to our amazement we did! Thankfully, they’re called "friendly" sharks, but I can still tell everyone I swam with sharks!
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I’m a very sporty person so my favourite tours involve physical activity. I love kayaking tours, and have done them in St Vincent, Antigua and St Kitts. They all offer snorkelling so you see lots of marine life, which I am also fascinated with. These tours are great for interacting with fellow passengers, and the guides are also very professional. Plus they’re a great way of working off your breakfast!
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Jost van Dyke (accessible on a shore excursion from Tortola) has to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. White sand, turquoise blue sea, great beach bars and very relaxing. Just what you expect a Caribbean beach to be like. I never get tired of going there.
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People may be put off River Tubing because they think it’s a fast paced activity, but the Dominica ‘River Tubing and Hibiscus Falls’ excursion is actually very leisurely. You basically sit in an inflatable tube and let the river carry you downstream, passing colourful scenery along the way. There are still a few small speedy rapids to satisfy those looking for adventure, but for most of the tour you can just sit back and float along.
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I really loved the ‘Dominica Gardens and Creole Cooking’ excursion. This was a delightful tour of Dominica’s gardens, with just the right amount of time spent at each one. For me the highlight was Alfred’s garden - a private family owned garden owned that‘s been passed down the generations. We were welcomed by three sisters who showed us around and gave us an insight into (and a taste of!) the exotic produce they grow there, including coffee beans and soursap mangoes. It was a really intimate tour, and the sisters made us feel like part of the family while we were there.
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I got to see Flamingos! I went on the ‘Flamingos and Salt Flats’ tour in Bonaire, which was a really great way to see Bonaire's beautiful wildlife, and also see how important the salt industry is for the island. Obviously seeing the wildlife is never 100% guaranteed but on this occasion we were lucky enough to see them! This is my first Caribbean season, and I am loving it!
Book your Caribbean Shore Excursions on Cruise Personaliser
P&O Cruises - Shore Excursions Team
Before reading this blog, just take a quick glimpse out of the nearest window. How’s it looking? Drizzly? Icy? Dark already? Wishing you were holidaying in the Caribbean? Us too!
Fortunately, those lucky devils in the Shore Excursions teams on Azura and Ventura have been more than happy to let us know - in detail - exactly what we’re all missing out on. Thanks guys! Here they are to tell us about their favourite shore excursions so far this Caribbean season; as well as the experiences you shouldn’t miss if you’re lucky enough to be jetting out there yourself in the next few weeks…
Segways in St Lucia
Emma Crutchley - Port Presenter
One of my most memorable tours to date has to be 'St Lucia Segway, Sights and Beach'.
Having never ridden a Segway before I have to admit that I was dubious, but the guides operating the tour were fantastic, giving us a full briefing, putting us at ease. When I first stepped on these intelligent machines I was blown away at how sturdy they were and within no time we were off, whizzing along coastal paths, making stops to photograph the views, and even take a dip in the sea. The guides were so good, and really made it a day not to forget!
America's Cup Racing in St Maarten
Jo Bryer - Shore Excursions Manager
For me it has to be the America's Cup tour in St Maarten; taking part in an actual yacht race. The group is split into two teams, at which point the competitiveness kicks in! The red flag waves and you’re off! It’s very exciting, with everyone working hard to get the yacht sailing as fast as you can to beat the other team. Everyone just wants to win! It is definitely an experience not to be missed. In fact I’ve done it about 6 times now during my time at P&O Cruises!
A Helicopter flight over Montserrat (Antigua)
Natalie Hubl - Shore Excursions Assistant
The ‘Helicopter over Montserrat’ excursion in Antigua… WOW what an overwhelming experience! I will remember it forever. It’s actually quite a moving tour, as you’re flying over an island largely devastated by a volcano, seeing evacuated villages buried under ash. But to have the opportunity to see something like that, from the air, is just incredible.
Snorkelling with (friendly) sharks in Grand Turk
Nina Boucher - Shore Excursion Assistant
I really recommend the ‘Two Reef Snorkel Adventure’ in Grand Turk. As you step aboard the boat the crew are so welcoming, and their excellent safety briefing puts everyone at ease. The colourful marine life at the first reef was some of the best I've ever seen, but the real adventure was to follow, when the crew announced that we might even see some sharks! Everyone thought it was a joke but to our amazement we did! Thankfully, they’re called "friendly" sharks, but I can still tell everyone I swam with sharks!
Kayaking adventures!
Adrian Thomas - Shore Excursions Assistant
I’m a very sporty person so my favourite tours involve physical activity. I love kayaking tours, and have done them in St Vincent, Antigua and St Kitts. They all offer snorkelling so you see lots of marine life, which I am also fascinated with. These tours are great for interacting with fellow passengers, and the guides are also very professional. Plus they’re a great way of working off your breakfast!
Escaping to Jost Van Dyke Beach
Moira Andreason - Shore Excursions Manager
Jost van Dyke (accessible on a shore excursion from Tortola) has to be one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. White sand, turquoise blue sea, great beach bars and very relaxing. Just what you expect a Caribbean beach to be like. I never get tired of going there.
River Tubing in Dominica
Hana Smetanova - Shore Excursions Assistant
People may be put off River Tubing because they think it’s a fast paced activity, but the Dominica ‘River Tubing and Hibiscus Falls’ excursion is actually very leisurely. You basically sit in an inflatable tube and let the river carry you downstream, passing colourful scenery along the way. There are still a few small speedy rapids to satisfy those looking for adventure, but for most of the tour you can just sit back and float along.
Discovering the gardens of Dominica
Ruth Fretter – Shore Excursions Assistant
I really loved the ‘Dominica Gardens and Creole Cooking’ excursion. This was a delightful tour of Dominica’s gardens, with just the right amount of time spent at each one. For me the highlight was Alfred’s garden - a private family owned garden owned that‘s been passed down the generations. We were welcomed by three sisters who showed us around and gave us an insight into (and a taste of!) the exotic produce they grow there, including coffee beans and soursap mangoes. It was a really intimate tour, and the sisters made us feel like part of the family while we were there.
Flamingo spotting in Bonaire
Steph Blackburn - Shore Excursions Assistant
I got to see Flamingos! I went on the ‘Flamingos and Salt Flats’ tour in Bonaire, which was a really great way to see Bonaire's beautiful wildlife, and also see how important the salt industry is for the island. Obviously seeing the wildlife is never 100% guaranteed but on this occasion we were lucky enough to see them! This is my first Caribbean season, and I am loving it!
Book your Caribbean Shore Excursions on Cruise Personaliser
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