|
|
|
|
| Make no mistake, there are plenty of opportunities for you to do some real activity, you know, stuff that makes you sweat! If you're going to do overland excursions, be sure to find out EXACTLY what's covered and what isn't. For the most part, you'll get your money's worth. After all, the cruise ships have a vested interest in making you happy. But, your version of "lunch on the beach" after an exhilerating bike ride might not be a turkey sandwich and a soda, but that could be what the vendor provides. These are another great topic to check out on the message boards. |
|
|
|
|
| Jeep Adventures |
|
|
|
| These 4 x 4 explorations of surrounding geography are usually one of the most fun, interesting and extensive indoctrinations you can get about the natural terrain and ecological features of the area you are visiting. Rather than just being a back country joy ride, these excursions are actually a guided tour with the participants traveling in a convoy of 4-person jeeps. Part of your journey is on paved roads and part is off-road through some fairly bumpy terrain. The off-road segment can lead through jungle, rain forests and along the coastline. You’re not going to spend all of your time in the jeep, though, so plan to get a little exercise. You’ll usually take some short hikes (wear comfortable shoes!), to check out a cave, an inland cenote or blue hole (inland pools of water that are linked to subterranean caves leading out to the ocean, a cascading waterfall or an ecological preserve. |
|
|
|
| Depending on the excursion, you might take time to swim or snorkel in the diverse pools you visit, or you might spend a few hours on a beach where you’ll have lunch and refreshments. If you’re excursion includes swimming, you’ll need swim gear and towel. We recommend that you not rely on your swimsuit as your outer clothes, at least during the return leg. The salty water combined with perspiration and general mugginess can be very uncomfortable. You’ll appreciate having some dry shorts to change into. |
|
|
|
| Minimum age is 12, driver’s must be at least 25 and have a valid driver’s license and the jeeps are stick-shift 4-wheel drive. Make sure you bring sunscreen and a hat, sunglasses and a couple of bottles of water. |
|
|
|
| You’ll absolutely hate yourself if you don’t take a camera. This excursion fills up fast, so if you are interested, either book it online before you leave for your cruise, or do it as soon as you can once you’re onboard. |
|
|
|
| Biking Adventures |
|
|
|
| “The speed limit is regarded as a minimum you’re supposed to drive, stop signs are purely advisory, and the only allowance made for bicycles is to honk at them as you go by.” |
|
|
|
| That’s the advice from a frequent cyclist on Grand Bahama Island. It may not be as bad as all that in every case, especially since you’ll be doing a lot of back road cycling on these bike excursions, but now you know. If you’re still up for the thrill, you can have an interesting, perhaps even memorable, experience. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biking excursions have become increasingly popular in the last several years, and today they are included in most ships shore excursion menu. There probably won’t be an excursion of this type unless your port has an off-road environment that justifies it, such as a jungle, rainforest or ecological preserve. |
|
|
|
|
|
Biking excursions almost always include some other activity in the package, such as snorkeling or beach trips. For the most part, these excursions are restricted to flat land with only slight inclines. If you want to a thrilling ride down a mountainside, you won’t get it here. The excursions follow a leisurely pace with frequent stops at various points of interest, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily easy. Spending 3-5 hours on a bike traveling 10+ miles can definitely take it out of you, even if you do it slowly. |
|
|
|
|
|
The bikes themselves tend to be in pretty good shape. Technically they are called “touring bikes” because they are built for durability, ease of use and slow, steady riding. The locals refer to them as “clunkers” more for their size and weight than for their condition. Keep in mind, this excursion could be really hot. And while the tour is basically flat, a hill that is insignificant when you’re in a car can feel like Mt. Everest if you’re hot and tired. Don’t worry, if you get exhausted, your guide will get you a ride in the van. Make sure you pack several bottles of water and a small towel to dry the sweat from your eyes. You’ll also want to be greased up with sunscreen and wear a hat and sunglasses. A snack is usually provided, but you’ll be really happy if you grab a deli sandwich from the ship and take it with you. |
|
|
|
|
|
Jungle and Overland Adventures |
|
|
|
|
|
You can get a taste of the jungle or the countryside in a variety of fashions – biking, jeep tours, ATVs, kayaking or hiking. Each has its own appeal, and depending on the package you select, each has its own extras. Keep in mind, the terrain is really just a back drop for the adventure. The thing you’re paying for is the mode of transportation and your guide. Any of these trips you take will require some level of exertion and so be prepared for that. You need to dress for the occasion. Wear close-toed shoes and consider long pants (even though it’s going to be hot). Be sure to take water, sunscreen, bug spray and a hat on these adventures. A towel (to wipe away … whatever) will be an appreciated item. If your trip includes swimming, wear your swim stuff under your outer clothes or bring it with you, don’t use it as your main dress. And take your camera. Even if you don’t see any unusual sights (which would be unusual), you’ll want to document yourself doing whatever you are doing. |
|
|
|
|
|
Some of these excursions require a good bit of climbing and walking, especially if you are on an excursion that takes you to waterfalls or caves. The sights you find at the destination can be absolutely stunning, and well worth the effort, just be prepared for some exertion. |
|
|
|
|
|
Like the biking excursions, most of these excursions combine some other activity. It might be a beachfront cookout, a shopping excursion or a snorkeling break. In our opinion the thing that makes these excursions attractive is when they include something new and different, like driving an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) through the jungle, or paddling a clear-bottom kayak over a shallow coral reef. |
|
|
|
|
|
Horseback Riding |
|
|
|
|
|
People have very different expectations when it comes to riding horses. For some folks, just the act of getting on a horse for a couple of hours is a cool thriller. In that case, what you see along the way, and how pretty and clean your horse is, are much less important. Beginners appreciate the safety and control that is provided in slow-moving guided tours. For others, the important thing is where you go, what you see and how much control you get to have over the horse. You guys might find these guided trail rides a bit disappointing. Most horseback riding excursions are, out of necessity, pretty tame. |
|
|
|
|
|
The primary concern is the safety of the riders, and so the pace and trail are generally leisurely. Of secondary importance, though still important, is the safety and health of the horses. The handlers like to keep their horses rested and don’t want an animal to suffer a leg sprain or break because an inexperienced rider charged down a hill or over a rocky terrain. Even so, the excursions usually include a “galloping” segment that allows you to let the horse run wide open. These galloping segments are usually up a hill, which serves as a built in breaking mechanism. |
|
|
|
|
|
Like the other excursions we’ve talked about, this one often includes some other activity, like swimming or a cookout. The riding excursions offered on the ships get good marks from customers for the quality of the stable facilities and the horses, though some folks complain that the “bi-lingual” guides are not always that proficient in English. If you just want to ride a horse, this is as good a choice as any. It might not be exciting for experienced riders, but it’s sure to please beginners and those who don’t ride very often. |
|
|
|
|
|
Golf |
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, we realize this isn’t exactly an overland excursion, but it does happen on land and it is definitely worth talking about. For those who love the game of golf, playing in the Caribbean is a special slice of heaven. Here you find courses that embrace the natural topography, being sculpted in the limestone, coral and saltwater marshes. While the islands may not offer as many golf courses as you find in the U.S. golf destinations, they make up for it in uniqueness and quality. Some of the courses are true championship quality while others are “resort friendly”, meaning that you can play a round without driving yourself crazy from the difficulty. |
|
|
|
|
|
Because of the topography, most courses include natural features as hazards, such as white coral rock barriers, dense tropical plant boundaries and natural pools as water hazards. It’s not unusual to see plenty of natural wildlife – crabs, iguanas, birds – going about its business as you play through. Most of these courses take great pains to balance the course itself with the ecological conservation of the environment. |
|
|
|
|
|
If your ship offers a golf excursions, you can rent your clubs on board the ship or at the club for about $45/set. Most shipboard excursions include transportation to and from the course, and an on-board golf pro who accompanies the group. But they also usually have a minimum number of participants required for the excursion. If that happens, don’t fret. You can always take a cab to the course and the country clubs are quite familiar with welcoming cruise ship passengers, since they make up about half the club’s visitors each year. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Prescription Sun Glasses |
 |
|
Articles we've written about
Cruising In The Caribbean |
|
Ten Mistakes When Taking A Cruise - It’s a shame to lay out
$250 - $2,500 on a dreamy
cruise vacation only to encounter unnecessary mishaps and
inconveniences. So, in an effort
to minimize the likelihood of a
bump in the road to your perfect
vacation, here are some common
potholes that can tarnish your
experience.
|
|
|
|
Eleven Expert Cruising Tips - Some useful,relevant tips and
ideas, and other neat stuff you
can use to make their cruising
experience better.
|
|
|
|
Hooked On Cruising (And I Like It!) - It's official! I have a
condition, a disorder by some
people's assessment. It's called
"Caribbean Obsession Disorder",
and there really is such a thing.
Imagine that!
|
|
