Cruise Talk: Antigua

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Antigua

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Author

Topic: Antigua

Carole
First Class Passenger
Member # 1750

posted 01-21-2001 09:06 AM

I will be on a Southern Caribbean trip at the end of February on Monarch of the Seas. Would like information about what to do in port here. Although I have been on about 10 cruises, I have never been here before. Are there any shore excursions that you would suggest, or is heading to a beach on my own the best option?

Posts: 11 | From: Manchester, MD, USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 01-21-2001 04:19 PM

I went to Antigua a couple of years ago. The ship had a problem and was very late getting in port, so we did not have a lot of time. We just walked around the town, and went into a casino. I did not care for the town at all. If I went back I would go to a beach or take a catamaran tour. I do have one good memory, going back to the ship I saw the most beautiful sunset. I do not think I will ever see anything like it again!

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 01-22-2001 03:30 PM

Antigua is one of the most colorful and historical parts of the the Caribbean.

A place well worth seeing for those who are not yet brain dead is Nelsons dockyard. This area was used by the British to careen their fleet. I believe it goes back to the 1700's.
The remains of the old rigging shops are still standing.The surroundings have to be seen to be believed.

Better yet, you can go to the bus depot downtown and for 50 cents get one of the local buses that run on a frequent but indifferent schedule all over the Island including Nelsons dockyard.

We did it for the first time a year or so ago. The busses are small minivans with all sorts of pull down seats and hang ons. Be ready for anything or anybody to board. At various stages we had an old lady carrying her pet chicken to a carpenter with all of his tools.The driver will frequently oblige a passenger by deviating off the main route to take them at their front door.

The natives seemed quite amused that we should be taking their local transport instead of tour busses. Seeing our maple leaf, they realised that we were those mad Canadians and understood. I dont think however that nationality really matters. The locals are really friendly. Try it you may like it.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

hhornblower
First Class Passenger
Member # 1047

posted 01-22-2001 09:56 PM

If you are a shopper, St. Johns Antigua is supposed to have some great shops. I was there 8 years ago. They have a few interesting shops, but many of the stores are the same as you have in the US.
HOWEVER...there are some beautiful beaches on the island. I forgot the name of the one I went to, but it was south of St. Johns and had lovely palm trees, white sand, and clear water. Check out the port talk on shopping. If I went back, I would spend my time on the beach...or beaches...Antigua has 365 of them!!!

Posts: 84 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Carole
First Class Passenger
Member # 1750

posted 01-22-2001 11:30 PM

Thanks for your input. I am not that much of a shopper, so it looks like it will be the beach, the dock yard, or both depending on how much time we have there.

Posts: 11 | From: Manchester, MD, USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 01-23-2001 09:16 AM

Yes, go to the beach.
We did a hike once to the top of some outlook, very beautiful. The only problem was, our guide was in really good shape and we couldn't keep up. So we missed out on his commentary. He ran up the mountain (so it seemed) and a few crazys ran with him. When we finally caught up they were all drenched in sweat wondering why they ran out of water.

Honestly, we could have kept up, but we were there to see the sights, not to run a stinking race. Needless-to-say, I did not tip the guide. He was never there for me.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 01-24-2001 11:28 PM

We too climbed that mountain - the view is wonderful - coming down was a challenge - the rains came!

It was a fall cruise and we bought some lovely Christmas decorations - still use them.

Go for the beach and the dockyard.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

RichardThorpe
First Class Passenger
Member # 1729

posted 01-30-2001 11:33 PM

Carole,
Did you see my posting in this same category, "Cruise and Flight Feedback" on the Monarch of the Seas, dated 1/06/01?
The last half of the text gives my pros and cons of the cruise,including ports of call and the shore excursions we took.

Posts: 11 | From: Lewisburg, Ohio, USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

Snick500
First Class Passenger
Member # 1647

posted 01-31-2001 09:34 PM

The shopping area where the ship docks is awful. The whole town smelled like sewage the day we were there. The things they sold looked like stuff we had in our stores here in the US about 20 years ago. I would take a ride over to the beaches or another area for shopping. We just went back to the ship and enjoyed a wonderful day in the hot tubs, etc. People who went further than the immediate area seemed to really like the island.

Posts: 10 | From: Newark, De USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

scorpio
First Class Passenger
Member # 1245

posted 02-13-2001 07:47 AM

Yes Antigua is beautiful. The beaches are like paradise to us Brits. As already stated, the town area where the ships dock is not very pleasant (we saw rats scurrying along the gutters and the "special" on the menu in the nearest restaurant was curried goat). Get a taxi to one of the beaches and arrange for the driver to collect you at an agreed time. On the beaches, sunloungers cost around US$8 - US$10 for two and jetskiing cost US$40 each (for 30 minutes).
Make the most of the island and enjoy yourself.

[This message has been edited by scorpio (edited 02-15-2001).]

Posts: 92 | From: UK | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 02-13-2001 12:01 PM

Snick500,

You are right about the sewage. If you walked off the main street, the sidewalks were wooden boards (not too sturdy looking) with sewage running underneath.

We did stop in the casino which was nice. This was the only decent thing about the town.

Anyone going to this island should consider doing anything but walking around town. Forget shopping, go to a beach , see the island, book a catamaran tour, whatever, but forget town.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Carole
First Class Passenger
Member # 1750

posted 02-13-2001 10:31 PM

Thanks everyone for the information. We leave a week from Saturday and can't wait. Looks like we'll be holding our noses as we get off the ship!

Posts: 11 | From: Manchester, MD, USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

garrys
First Class Passenger
Member # 581

posted 02-28-2001 07:38 AM

Do the Jolly Roger pirate cruise if you can.

Excellent!!! Be careful of the rum punch. I lost the afternoon in Antigua because of it!!

Posts: 47 | From: Ipswich, Suffolk, England | Registered: Jun 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-28-2001 09:35 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Carole:
Thanks everyone for the information. We leave a week from Saturday and can't wait.

Carole, please return and tell us how it went

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Carole
First Class Passenger
Member # 1750

posted 03-10-2001 12:24 AM

Well, we're back and had a terrific time. In Antigua we did get to the beach. We had a group of about 9 or 10 that went together that afternoon. Got to ride a jet ski for the first time and it was a blast! The entire trip was realy nice; would certainly love to do it again soon.

Posts: 11 | From: Manchester, MD, USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

Suzie249
First Class Passenger
Member # 1825

posted 03-10-2001 03:25 PM

carole
glad to hear you had a great time on your cruise.I will be on the monarch on march 25.well i guess in antigua we,ll either just stay on the ship or we,ll go to a beach. what beach did you go to? could you give me any suggestions for the other ports? since this is my first cruise ever any advice about the monarch or the ports would be greatly appreciated.

Posts: 15 | From: buffalo,ny,u.s.a. | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

scorpio
First Class Passenger
Member # 1245

posted 03-13-2001 07:14 AM

Hi Suzie249,
On Antigua there are 365 beaches to choose from. Millers Beach is a short taxi drive (10 US Dollars) and you can swim, jetski, or just relax. There are drinks and food available as well as restrooms. You WILL be approached by locals selling souvenirs, but they are just trying to make a living.
Have a great time.

Posts: 92 | From: UK | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

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