I would like to add some comments about this trip that I wish I would have had an opportunity to see prior to booking our trip for
three on June 15. First, I would not recommend spending $135.00pp
for this trip as I think there are other better ways to see the islands/beach bars. There were 27 passengers booked (sold out) on the day we took our excursion. This trip was also sold out on several other days we were there, so if you decide to go on this trip-you should pre-book. From watching the rest of the group I think the other 24 passengers (as opposed to us) enjoyed their day. Also, I had originally planned to rent a private boat with either the Posh-a 54'yaught) or the nauti nymph group, but decided to save a few bucks and hoped that there would be other teens- as we figured our teen would enjoy that more than a trip with just us three. There were no teens the day we went out, only other couples (three newlywed couples) and one family with two very young children. We do not normally take group tours--so please weigh my comments accordingly. First, there is lots of paperwork-three pages of waivers, signature forms, and of course the immigration forms.As well as fitting everyone with fins on the dock prior to boarding. This takes awhile- then after they offer you a drink they tell you they will serve you breakfast after they stop to pick up other passengers at St. John. After picking up the st. john group- the crew again goes over the same forms with the St. John arrivals. So after about 45 minutes the crew serves a plate of thinly sliced breakfast breads (not whole muffins) along with thinly sliced cantelope. The portions are roughly set for one slice of cantelope & bread pp. I would strongly urge everyone to have breakfast before arriving as to me this didn't count.I had incorrectly assumed at least some big muffins and danishes, etc. I believe they do this in order to make sure that you order a big lunch, as I tend to think based on some overheard comments that the crew gets some type of % of what you spend at Pussers- and it's expensive (more on this below). Anyway you make a quick stop at Virgin Gorda to clear customs. The crew strongly urges you (they make several announcements to use the land based bathroom facilities), and they continue throughout the trip to try to not have you use their bathroom onboard. Two passengers that had to use the bathroom prior to arrival at first stop actually apologized that they were using the ships bathrooms- but said they couldn't wait. You are paying for a ship with bathroom and shouldn't feel like apologizing. Of course, onboard bathrooms aren't that comfortable, etc...so this is one reason to use the landbased facilities. Another thing about the drink service.
The crew is very friendly and generously serves drinks (as oppososed to the food). However, all drinks are served in sippy cups other than canned beer (also generous amounts of beer onboard)
and soda. After my husband inspected the galley he concluded that they were not really washing the sippy cups and you never got the same cup back. I would recommend bringing your own distinctive sippy cup or drinking beer. I also remember seeing on their web site that they offered wine, they don't- and told me "who would want to drink wine from a sippy cup"... Well, who really wants to drink from a "sippy cup" period. I have been on lots and lots of boats throughout the world and have never had to have a sippy cup before. The captain could also drive faster between stops to allow more time at the stops- and even give a smoother ride, but I believe an effort to conserve fuel depletes your precious time at the islands. A "nauti nymph" boat flew by us--and this was a much, much, much smaller boat. Other reviews of the time spent at the islands were very misleading and indicated about 1 hour per stop. It went this way:15 minutes to clear customs and have everyone go to bathroom at Virgin Gorda, 45 minutes at the baths of which about 25 minutes actually spent walking the tour (it takes about 15 minutes to get everyone to swim ashore and gathered for the crew led tour). The people that enjoyed the Baths indicated they would have liked more time to explore and see, 30 minutes-IF THAT- at Pussers restaurant(and some of this is of course suggested to use the onshore bathroom), about 45 minutes of snorkeling- and the snorkling site is very conveniently and I think suspiciously located within site of the restaurant (again back to the gas)- and 50 minutes at Jost. The rest of the time is spent driving to the spots. The snorkeling is not worth getting into the water for. A variety of corals, but almost no marine life, not a turtle, no schools of fish...For comparison some say the snorkeling at Trunk bay is more geared to the beginner. You will see 1000X more fish, etc. at Trunk. I don't think anyone of the 27 passengers got very excited about the snorkeling. As soon as you get on the boat the crew quickly grabs your gear from you, having already gathered up the snorkeling gear bags previously issued to you on boarding. Don't make the mistake we made about storing some of our own gear in these snorkeling bags- as they don't look, just grab it all up while your in the water- as they appear to be worried about someone trying to make off with their snorkels. About the gear, if you have your own- bring it. The crew kept making comments when we arrived about "do you have your own gear"- "on our last boat of 27 every had their own", etc.. The fins are short, the masks are O.K and don't leak, they rather thoughtfully spray everyone's mask with anti-fog (a nice touch), the snorkels are the very cheap kind- w/out the extra apparatus to help keep the ocean water out. The very worst part of this trip for me that I feel actually ruined the whole day was lunch. Pussers on Marina Kay is an attractive location, with thatched hut type tables on the beach as well as a larger open air seating inside looking out with views of the ocean. The crew has you preorder your meal so that the restaurant can have everything ready instead of just springing in on them...I get that...Here's what they don't tell. When you arrive you are directed to a miserably located table (not on the beach, not by the windows but in the middle of a very non-crowded room) to be seated with ALL 27 OTHER PASSENGERS IN A VERY LONG ROW.I could not even sit across from my husband or daughter, making conversation with them very difficult. There is no reason that the groups couldn't choose their own tables- this would be about 6-7 tables as all of the checks were already separated out and ready before you even arrive. I truly believe it has to do with the fact that a 15% gratuity is automatically added, and the ship's crew are the people that serve your food. They actually slam it on the table and run around trying to hurry up and get it out so they have more time to enjoy there own lunch. We ordered 2 bowls and 1 cup of conch chowder (this was tasty) and 2 rib entrees and 1 rib appetizer(for our daughter who's not a big eater). We also
ordered one soda and two 2 oz. painkillers. Our bill for lunch was over $100.00. The waitress from Pussers helps clear dishes (does not serve) and actually cleared away my Painkiller that had 1/3 of the drink left in order to get everybody out right away. The appetizers were served after the dinners- and we had less than 20 minutes to slam eat all our food.Rather upsetting, since we were spending so much $ on lunch we should have been able to at least dine leisurely. We were going to order an extra appetizer, a spring roll and one of the crew members got this big frown and said "your going to eat all that food"- I asked if the portions were really large,thought maybe that's too much food if the crew is suggesting it, and I canceled the appetizer- THANKFULLY as there is no time allowed for appetizers and everything comes out at the same time or even after your meal in the case of our soups. The boat crew STRONGLY endorsed the ribs as one of the best choices at this restaurant. These were the WORST ribs I've eaten, almost entirely fat..None of the crew ended up ordering these quote "amazing ribs".I really believe we were suggested the ribs (at $25.00/plate) to up the food bill-as these were amoung the most expensive lunch entrees. The entrees were also supposed to come with an ear of corn- but this was missing and we didn't have a waitress to ask because as soon as the boat crew finishes throwing down your food they run to THEIR own table by a window (yes, they get a table by the window) and eat their lunch. No one ever comes by to see if everything is OK or if you need another drinnk, etc. Some of the other people that pre-ordered calamari were told only upon arrival that they were out of the calamari- and then they tried to order ribs and were told that they also ran out of ribs. Hamburgers were priced at $13.50. Shrimp Caeser- $15.00. My suggestion to beat the scam-don't arrive to this tour hungry then for lunch order a bowl of soup for 6.50 and tasty, or even pack your own lunch cooler/sandwhiches and enjoy it on the beach at Jost, your very next stop.Then while you are at Pusser you could grab a drink and sit down at one of the NICE tables by the water while everyone else is forced to slam there lunch en masse. This lunch was not worth $100.00 and when figured in makes the trip cost quite a bit higher. I personally found the ferries very comfortable (I also suffer motion sickness). I found the stops very rushed and would prefer if I had to see less, to enjoy each stop more. The ferries travel to Jost or to the BATh on the weekends and you spend a lot more time for a lot less. OR rent your own boat with captain from nauti nymphs or other boat rental place- pack your own drinks and food if desired and head to whatever place suits your desires and you don't have to leave just when the party is getting started. One last comment to those still considering this trip or other with New Horizons. Of the two boats, New Horizons II or the Breakaway-book the Breakaway hands down. The photos on the internet do not really show how crowded the seating arrangements are on the New Horizons and there is no walking room. The Breakaway is far away the more comfortable of the two boats. One couple mistakenly got on the Breakaway rather than the New Horizons they booked. As both the Breakaway and the New Horizons were in fact oversold--they made this couple switch boats at St. John. They were almost in tears.