Cruise Talk: St John snorkling question

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » St John snorkling question

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Topic: St John snorkling question

Maidaweb
Just Boarded
Member # 912

posted 11-19-1999 10:05 AM

We'll be on the Grand Princess for the millennium, stopping at St Thomas. I'd like to go snorkling at St John, but have a tendency to get seasick. Am trying to figure out the "smoothest" way to get to St John.. on a ship excursion, town ferry, etc. Also, is Trunk Bay the best place to go, or will it be overrun and should we book a boat that stops elsewhere on St John? Thanks for help..

Posts: 3 | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Kas
First Class Passenger
Member # 250

posted 11-21-1999 06:39 PM

If your ship has the Leyland Sneyd listed as a snorkelling excursion, take that. They go into a nice quiet bay for snorkelling It is a fairly large boat (a Boston Whaler) and they provide the equipment and also have a video they show you.
Trunk Bay is the best and this is where most of the excursions go. Caneel Bay is also great but I think you have to go there yourself. The ferry will take you too long to bet there - first you have to get to Red Hook, take the ferry over and then get to the beach. And coming back is the same, but don't miss the departure of the ship. I always say "go with the ship's excursions if this is your first time". You won't go wrong. Enjoy

Posts: 35 | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Maidaweb
Just Boarded
Member # 912

posted 11-22-1999 09:31 AM

Yes they have that listed as an 115 foot boat. Were wondering what it was like, and how they got you in to the beach? Any other details? Appreciate your help! Maida

Posts: 3 | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Kas
First Class Passenger
Member # 250

posted 11-22-1999 12:58 PM

It is a Boston Whaler - quite large and they get you to the shore on Zodiacs. Lots of fun.

Posts: 35 | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 11-30-1999 09:43 PM

Maidaweb: you said you tend to get seasick? I have become the EXPERT on remedies for seasickness, and have found a WONDER DRUG that would probably work well for you! (None of the "regular" medicines work for me: Dramamine, Bonine, Seacalm...I've tried them all!) I used to wear the Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) patch, and found that it made my mouth extremely dry and my eyes blurry! The patch worked for me on my first cruise, but on my second one it didn't work at all! I got REALLY sick, and had to have the "on board nurse" come to my stateroom...she gave me a shot of "phenergan" and within 20 minutes I was feeling completely fine! She also gave me a week's worth of pills of the same drug to take once a day, and I didn't have another problem! (She also told me that the patch is horrible to take...it's got very bad side effects and that I should never wear it again!) The phenergan didn't give me any side effects at all, and I didn't get seasick again! Go to your physician before the cruise and tell them you have a tendency to get seasick, and that you'd like a prescription for Phenergan. (It's very safe, and doesn't have any side effects at all!)

About St. John...definitely go!!! It is truly the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. We actually took a speed boat trip last year from St. Thomas to St. John(it was a Princess excursion)and it made several stops...none of which were too crowded. (And, you won't get the rocking motion on the speed boats that cause the motion sickness, too!)

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

10X
First Class Passenger
Member # 2

posted 12-01-1999 08:36 AM

Trunk Bay certainly is beautiful but the snorkeling isn't very good. I am an avid snorkeler and go at nearly every port, and believe me, Trunk Bay was poor in comparison to others. The scenery is fantastic though, some of the best. If you want just pure snorkeling, go to Coki Beach in St. Thomas. The last time I was there it was about a $7 cab ride. You can rent equipment on the beach, lockers, and buy food the feed the fish. The fish are plentiful and the water clear. You will have fish all around you, even in waist deep water. There is an adjacent aquarium if you want to take a break.

Posts: 51 | From: Lansing, MI USA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Maidaweb
Just Boarded
Member # 912

posted 12-05-1999 12:54 PM

I know about phenergan for when you are really ill (my friends with migraines keep suppositories in their fridge!) But I didn't know it was a "preventive".. I will check it out with my doctor. Thanks for your tips.. In terms of snorkling, we've chartered a private sailboat for the 6 of us which gives us flexibility and was cost-comparable, and will make 2 stops depending on water conditions. Will let you know where we end up!

Posts: 3 | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 12-05-1999 02:16 PM

Ask your doctor about Antivert. Has always worked for me. Also Meclizine is very good.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Gordy
First Class Passenger
Member # 1018

posted 01-19-2000 02:48 AM

If you are using Antivert or Meclizine for nausea you probably have an inner ear problem like Meniere's disease. Neither medication would be considered first line antiemetics. Whenever we are giving a pain medication like Demerol or Morphine that will cause nausea with movement, the "cocktail" always includes either IV Phenergan or Compazine. Both are quite effective, but are much stronger than the typical over the counter meds. All of them will, read will, make you drowsy. Don't plan on drinking alcohol with them. Unless you are able to give yourself a shot, a suppository is the best route of administration after the fact since you can't keep pills down long enough to do any good. If you don't like the dry mouth or increased intraocular pressures that the scop. patches cause, try to get your hands on Phenergan suppositories. Just make sure you have a nice discreet place to use them (ie not on a zodiac)

Posts: 24 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-19-2000 08:25 AM

Gordy - are you a Doctor? I have used Antivert for years while cruising and I DO NOT have an inner ear problem nor do I have Menieres disease.
Antivert is taken before meals and was prescribed by my doctor. Actually it is Meclizine with the an added ingredient which I believe is Nyacin. I have never had any side effects from it and it does not make me drowsy.
Maidaweb - speak to your doctor - he is the best authority.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 01-19-2000 08:59 PM

I agree! Asking your doctor is best. However, my doctor prescribed the patch for me, and like I said before, it didn't work at all. It was awful! Over the counter meds with Meclizine don't work at all for those who are really prone to motion sickness. The onboard nurse actually gave me a pack of pills called Avomine, which is really 25 mg of promethezine (a form of phenergan) I took one pill a day (ORALLY, thank you very much!) and didn't have a problem at all! And it didn't make me drowsy at all. (I was sure to stay away from all alcohol, though!) Here's another tip: if you're starting to feel a little sick, drink a coke. (Not Pepsi...good ol' pure Coca-Cola!) Naval officers have used this remedy for years...it doesn't help the really severe cases, but it does help if you're just starting to feel bad. Also, check out cruisemates.com and see their "Ask the Pharmacist" board. You'll see his advice for all kinds of motion sickness problems, and you'll see his answer to my question about the difference between phenergan and promethezine.

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

CruiseBuff
First Class Passenger
Member # 94

posted 01-20-2000 10:58 AM

My cruise companion tried the patch (to no avail) and began taking ginger (pill form) a couple of days before and during the cruise and said it worked wonderfully. His doctor told him to try this. Perhaps it may be of benefit to someone.

Posts: 27 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Gordy
First Class Passenger
Member # 1018

posted 01-20-2000 03:19 PM

Yes Sympatico.. Antivert is Meclizine in either the 12.5, 25 or 50mg strength. There is nothing else in it as far as active ingredients goes. A little dibasic calcium phosphate and magnesium stearate for buffering and perservative, etc., and some starches and sugars to hold it together, oh heah, some blue #1 and yellow #10. I'm glad it works for you, but it is just another antihistamine. Which goes to show how each person reacts differently to each medication. It has the same mouth drying effects as the others in most people and the same warnings for drowsiness. So don't be driving that D9 cat if you are taking the stuff, ya hear?
Actually, if anyone's interested, there really is a miracle antiemetic that's given to cancer patients who are on chemotherapy. It has almost no side effects and goes straight to the dopamine and seratonin receptors thereby minimizing the vagal response. (where the puke urge comes from) The only real side effect, besides the occasional headache, constipation and abdominal pain, is the pain it given you in your wallet. Like anything else that really works, it's expensive. It might also be difficult to get your doc to prescribe unless he's an oncologist and familiar with the drug.

Posts: 24 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Mary Ann
First Class Passenger
Member # 317

posted 01-21-2000 05:46 PM

Since we're on this topic, I have a friend who just found out that she will be finishing her first trimester of pregnancy for her cruise in March. She used a patch several years ago on a honeymoon cruise and knows that a patch is not a possibility now. She was asking in church last week if anyone knew something she could use, and I told her that I would post her question and see if anyone had any ideas. So, what can someone who is pregnant use for seasickness? Sea Bands? Is ginger safe?

Posts: 32 | From: Texas, USA | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 01-21-2000 06:48 PM

Mary Ann: The drug "phenergan" I spoke of earlier is actually normally given to pregnant women who are experiencing nausea. Again, you'll want to check with a doctor first, but from what I understand, phenergan should be safe for her. She'll need a prescription, of course. It worked great for me.

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

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