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*If we did not want to do the ship's excursions are there any private tour guides we could check out.
I've had friends use these company's and they we're really happy.
I have no idea if they're part of the ship excrursions.
Bill
All of the excursions from the cruise ship have signed contratcs that state that ANY cruise passenger visiting St. Thomas will be booked thru the cruise line. They are not allowed to book cruise passengers directly (it's because they cruise line wants to charge you a higher rate and pocket the difference). What type of excursion do you want to do? Just a tour of the island? Any taxi driver can do that after some negotiation.
So what you are telling me is that I have to book anything but transportation thru Princess? What if I say I'm not from the cruise ship??
Pam
If it is an excursion that Princess offers, it must be booked thru Pricess. The excursion company is not supposed to book anyone directly if they are on a cruise ship. Does it ever happen? Sure. Is it supposed to? No. But, IMHO, I think Princesss makes enough money on their cruises, alcohol, duty-free shopping, casino, etc., that they can afford to lose a few bucks by having some of their passengers book directly....and the tours are cheaper without Princess raising the prices and taking a cut, too!
I couldn't agree more. I had no idea of this when I booked with them. However it really doesn't matter much since we were going to rent a car or scooters or does it? Guess I'll try the direct route first. I have not seen scooter rentals on their shore excursions. We plan on doing the same thing in SXM.
I usually get my liquor on board....one way or the other! They do not care if you bring wine/champagne tho they will charge a corking fee if you take the bottle to dinner. That's still cheaper than buying a bottle from them.
Or, what I used to do before I quit drinking, I would buy a liter of water, empty it out and fill it with Cruzan Rum (light) and carry it in my backpack. No one would question it when I brought it on-board. Then I would get some fruit punch from the ship (free) and then sit down, taste it and make a face like it was too sweet, then 'dilute' it with my water. I think I only bought ONE drink on my last cruise! Haha!
LOL Marty.
That trick also works poolside at the resorts, 'cept they make you pay for punch or soda, so bring your own and just ask for a cup of ice water, drink the water, then mix your own cocktail. 🙂
Some of the resorts even leave an ice chest out by the bar where you can go get your own cups of ice - that's handy.
Why do the resorts on STT/STJ charge $6 for a rum punch when the whole bottle of rum is only $5 or less?
That's pretty much along the same line as I do. Some friends use mouthwash bottles. I have 32 oz leak proof bottles from the Container Store that work like a dream. I am still trying to find for sure if Princess offers a "Soda/Juice Pass" like Royal Caribbean. If not then I'm taking scotch so I can drink the water....hahaha.
Also....anyone know if topless sunbathing is allowed on the Caribbean Princess? I've heard a few conflicting reports. Wonder what Princess would tell me if I called them?
