I have mixed feelings about the cruise ship issue. I would never choose a cruise ship vacation - not when I can sail instead. But I almost always say, "to each his own." I don't like the idea of banning someone or something, but sheesh those ships are so unpleasant in so many ways. Big ships in big cities don't bother me much because they sort of fit in with the scale of the surroundings - thinking Miami. But when you pull one of those big boys into BVI or other small island nation, ack!
Wholeheartedly agree, some are quick to demean those who choose a cruise, even moreso today because of the huge increase in popularity, and the sizes of the ships today. But yes, the sheer size of the ships and the number of port calls is too much for many of these islands…
We first came to Tortola on land visits 20+ years ago when our friend “Capeye” turned us on to Kareem & Val’s place. We immediately fell in love with the island, and the people. Back then we were easily able to avoid the crowds in CGB by going to Smuggler’s or Long Bay, Beef for the day…Or just hang in CGB and people watch!
Even then, walking to Bobby’s I’d see several 20+ pax safari taxis lined up picking up what seemed like hundreds of cruise ship pax! I just wonder how much worse it is there today. I know LB, Beef has been developed to receive day visitors, and there are cruise-ship-sponsored Jeep “safaris” that include a stop at Smuggler’s! AND now they have excursions to Spring Bay, VG! 🤭 Is Savannah Bay next??? 🫣
We've cruised and can attest to the enjoyment of cruising on the right ship and on the right itinerary for that ship. But we also know how intrusive these mega-ships from NCL and other lines are…I wish action could be taken to limit the ship sizes - in these BVI islands at least - to the 90-100k tonnage/2.5k pax ships of the ‘90’s…
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