July 18 2009 Tortola - Part 2!

[Tia]

Originally Posted by ♥sassy♥tink♥

We can talk about excursions tomorrow at dinner! We are doing the forest/beach combination.

Sounds good, we will see you at 6:30!

[noahsmom]

Noah is 11 and just finishing 5th grade. I think he would love to meet a couple of boys close to his age. He's really looking forward to Disney Quest. I doubt he will go anywhere else (maybe swimming). Maybe we could let the boys use our PM's to "chat" with each other before the cruise...just a thought.

[disnutz]

Too funny - Patrick was almost a Jackson (family name) - and he always says he wished he was. That sounds great - if we don;t catch up with you before then, definately for the meet on Sun.

[disnutz]

Originally Posted by noahsmom

Noah is 11 and just finishing 5th grade. I think he would love to meet a couple of boys close to his age. He's really looking forward to Disney Quest. I doubt he will go anywhere else (maybe swimming). Maybe we could let the boys use our PM's to "chat" with each other before the cruise...just a thought.

Good idea! Patrick will be in the club (he actually turns 10 august) but a lot of the time he enjoys the b-ball court, arcade and hot tub! I am sure he would like to send a few of the boys PM's so that he feels like he has friends too! I will have to try to post a pic so that we know what each other looks like. We are actually in Dizzyworld's picture from the meet last year.

[Macavity]

Originally Posted by disnutz

Good idea! Patrick will be in the club (he actually turns 10 august) but a lot of the time he enjoys the b-ball court, arcade and hot tub! I am sure he would like to send a few of the boys PM's so that he feels like he has friends too! I will have to try to post a pic so that we know what each other looks like. We are actually in Dizzyworld's picture from the meet last year.

The last disney cruise I took was in July of 2006, and the kids then used our PM to talk and then when we (as parents) got comfortable, they went to regular email. That arrangement worked out very well, and the three of them that did this were like "old" friends by the time they got on the ship.

Another thing that we did was somehow (starwood did it), arrange (before the cruise), for all of us to be at the same dinner table. That was really nice also, as the parents of the three kids really got to know each other better also while on the cruise.

[♥sassy♥tink♥]

Originally Posted by noahsmom

Noah is 11 and just finishing 5th grade. I think he would love to meet a couple of boys close to his age. He's really looking forward to Disney Quest. I doubt he will go anywhere else (maybe swimming). Maybe we could let the boys use our PM's to "chat" with each other before the cruise...just a thought.

It sounds like we will have a few boys to get together... DS Jack is 10 and just finishing 4th grade. Like disnutz DS - loves video games, swimming and basketball. I like the idea of sending PM's, you can send it through me and I will make sure Jackson gets them. noahsmom - where in WI do you live? My family lives near the Dells... I went to High School in WI!!

[3princessMommy]

Whew!!! The garage sales are over!! (At least until the week before we pack-out - June 8 - cause I'm sure we'll find more things to get rid of by then!!! )

We did pretty well - I think it was worth the effort at least. Biggest sales I've ever had.

We love the DIS! The fish extender was definitely a life-saver for us. We would NEVER have gotten the girls out of the clubs if it hadn't been for the FE!

Our last cruise - we were excited to meet everyone, but after the initial meet, we really didn't see much of each other. But the FE was great! And the girls were so excited to get to the clubs because they had chatted (with help) with a couple of other kids their ages via the DIS.

I really hope we get a couple more folks with girls in the 5-8 age range!

And we are soooooo excited to meet everyone on this cruise! I can tell this is a really fun group and we can't wait for the family feel for this vacation.

Everyone enjoy your weekend!

[noahsmom]

Originally Posted by ♥sassy♥tink♥

It sounds like we will have a few boys to get together... DS Jack is 10 and just finishing 4th grade. Like disnutz DS - loves video games, swimming and basketball. I like the idea of sending PM's, you can send it through me and I will make sure Jackson gets them. noahsmom - where in WI do you live? My family lives near the Dells... I went to High School in WI!!

We live in Cottage Grove which is just east of Madison. I was born and grew up in Madison, in fact Noah was born at the same hospital! DH graduated from Baraboo HS. Small world!

[noahsmom]

Dang! I read some of the reviews about the Baths and I think we need to do something else. DH is very prone to foot issues & blisters, I would hate for that to happen. The thought of taking shoes and socks is not appealing. Not sure what else to do, maybe a beach day. What is everyone else doing in Tortola?

[3princessMommy]

Originally Posted by noahsmom

Dang! I read some of the reviews about the Baths and I think we need to do something else. DH is very prone to foot issues & blisters, I would hate for that to happen. The thought of taking shoes and socks is not appealing. Not sure what else to do, maybe a beach day. What is everyone else doing in Tortola?

We're encountering dolphins!

[jlawall]

Originally Posted by starwood

From what I understand there are 2 different ways to go. One is to hike down (and back). The other is a boat which drops you off and you need to swim (or walk) in the the caves.

If you take the swim in trip, you do not have to climb thru the caves and you could then spend more time on the beautiful, amazing beach!!!

[jlawall]

Originally Posted by MrsG

Then it seems it is absolutely worth the hike. Last summer we did the ABD in Wyoming. DH, who loves to hike, got the bright idea to hike up 2000 ft more, we were already at 9000ft, to Jade Lake. Another couple decided to do the hike with us. Well about halfway up there, I'm thinking this is not worth it unless someone was going to hand out $100 bills at the top. Well, when we got there, we saw the most beautiful lake, the color of Jade and a moose outlined in the snow (yes snow in July, that's how high we were). I will never forget it. Certain things are just worth the effort.

It is like this and definitely worth the effort, but the beach is really something also but so are all the other beaches in BVI, if you want to choose one of the other experiences.

[jlawall]

Originally Posted by noahsmom

Dang! I read some of the reviews about the Baths and I think we need to do something else. DH is very prone to foot issues & blisters, I would hate for that to happen. The thought of taking shoes and socks is not appealing. Not sure what else to do, maybe a beach day. What is everyone else doing in Tortola?

I recommend going barefoot......most of the time you're walking on sand and climbing small ladders and smooth rocks.

[jlawall]

Originally Posted by disnutz

I agree about the disboards. The first time, we had very little involvement with the group. Our second cruise, we met up with the group (including Dizzyworld) and had a lot of fun, and it made it great for the kids - especially DD. I also looked at the July 25th, but this cruise seemed much more lively crew

Speaking of which, I know there are some 9/10 yo boys going. I would love to get DS a pal before leaving, so if anyone is interested, let me know.

I am a little confused about the Baths to be honest. I keep seeing people in water in the caves, which looks cool, but then people are talking about sneakers and hiking? I do not quite get it.

I am not too worried about the beach, since I think in St. Thomas we will just hang out at Coral World and maybe Coki or Sapphire Beach.

The climb thru the caves isn't really that long or rigorous.

[Macavity]

Originally Posted by noahsmom

Dang! I read some of the reviews about the Baths and I think we need to do something else. DH is very prone to foot issues & blisters, I would hate for that to happen. The thought of taking shoes and socks is not appealing. Not sure what else to do, maybe a beach day. What is everyone else doing in Tortola?

I only know what Starwood's fmaily and our family are doing:

Island Tour, Beach and Lunch 9:15 to 2:45

Board open-air safari buses or A/C Coach in Road Town for a scenic island drive of beautiful Tortola. Your tour takes you up Fort Hill along the Ridge Road, passing the local villages of Long Trench and Fahie Hill before arriving at Sky World. Stop here for some souvenir shopping and to take in the stunning views of the British Virgin Islands from the observation deck.

Re-board your buses and continue your tour along the ridge for more breathtaking views before descending Ross path to beautiful Cane Garden Bay. Stop here and enjoy time for swimming and in the crystal-clear water of this spectacular white-sand beach, or take a stroll along the stunning coastline. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby beachside restaurant before more relaxation time and perhaps one last swim.

After approximately 2.5 hours at the beach and lunch, the tour continues along the north shore and over Zion Hill for the scenic drive along the Sir Francis Drake Highway back to Road Town, where your tour concludes.

Port: Tortola
Activity Type:: Beach Water
Activity Level: Mild
Ages: All Ages

Additional Information


Lunch (ribs, chicken or fish) and one beverage (water, soft drinks, fruit and rum punch) included.

One beach chair per person is included at the beach.

Umbrellas are available to rent on beach

Cost:
Adult:$65 (ages 10 and up)
Child :$48 (ages 3-9)
Toddler: under 3 free

It looks like two tours are sold out already:
Oceans 7 beach break and the XBob Underwater Scooter both say no reservations available.