Disney Cruise Excursion The Baths at Virgin Gorda

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

For our Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy, we wanted to do an excursion at our first Tortola, British Virgin Islands. It was our first time visiting the port.

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

The Planning

The most popular excursions seem to be to The Baths at Virgin Gorda. Disney Cruise offers two excursions to the site; TT23 Tour to Virgin Gorda and TT04 A Day at the Baths (I’ve included the complete descriptions below the post). Both excursions appear to be very similar; you take a ferry boat to Virgin Gorda, then take a safari bus to the Top of the Baths.

The differences are that TT23 Tour to Virgin Gorda lasts 4-4.5 hours, includes a beverage and costs $89 for adults and $69 for children aged 5-9 (as of February 2023). TT04 A Day at the Baths lasts 5.5 to 6 hours and includes lunch and a beverage. It costs $135 for adults and $115 for children aged 5-9 (as of February 2023), which is $46 more per adult for a lunch and an extra 1.5 to 2 hours, some of which will be spent eating.

TT23 Tour to Virgin Gorda
TT23 Tour to Virgin Gorda

After weighing the pros and cons of each tour, we settled on the TT23 Tour of Virgin Gorda. The extra time and lunch didn’t feel like it was worth an extra $46 per person to us. The other plus with this excursion is that on our sailing there was a choice of two times. A morning time around 8 am and the time we chose was 12:45. Travelling with two teenagers meant that we would have a much easier morning for everyone.

Disney Fantasy British Virgin Islands Tortola
Disney Fantasy British Virgin Islands Tortola

Warning from Disney

Before I continue, I should let you know that Disney sent multiple messages over multiple days with a warning about the tour. “Please be advised that during this call to Tortola, the tour may be considered strenuous depending on the physical condition of the participants as this call entails extended periods of hiking, standing and leaning over. However, if you want to check on your reservation due to this update, please visit us at the Port Adventures Desk located on Deck 5 Midship during opening hours, and we can provide you with all the information you may need. Have a Magical Day! Port Adventures Team.

Disney Cruise Shore Excursion The Baths
Disney Cruise Shore Excursion The Baths

I wasn’t concerned initially about the tour, but after the fourth message, I was beginning to feel a little anxious about the tour. Make sure you wear walking shoes and avoid wearing flip-flops. Some of the rocks had sand on them, making them a little slippery. There were also some stairs and a few ropes. Personally, I think the constant warnings were a little much. You just need to watch your step during some spots on tour.

Tortolla Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Tortolla Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

Arrival in Tortolla

We docked in Tortolla early. Since we had lots of time before our excursion, we had breakfast and headed off the ship to see the shops in the port. There was a coffee shop that had wifi, and it was very busy. My daughter also did a little souvenir shopping too. You can also take pictures with a large BVI sign. after an hour or so we headed back onto the ship and met up with my sister and niece, and went to lunch in Cabanas.

Disney Fantasy British Virgin Islands Tortola
Disney Fantasy British Virgin Islands Tortola

Excursion Meet Up

We went to the Walt Disney theatre to join the rest of the passengers on our tour. There were cast members outside the theatre to check us in and direct us to our group. Be aware that multiple excursions may meet in the same location, make sure you join the correct group for your excursion. The Cast Members will give you instructions while you are waiting. Bring your ID and Key to the World Card, remind you to leave any food behind, and pick up towels on the way off the ship.

The Ferry Ride

After leaving the ship, our cruise excursion group was led to a pier to board a ferry. There is seating inside and out, washrooms, and a counter to buy drinks. It was a bumpy ride, but the 40 minutes went by quickly. If you are prone to seasickness, try to sit outside or take some anti-nauseau medication before you head out. Once we arrived on Virgin Gorda, we were loaded onto Safari buses for a short ride to the Top of the Baths.

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

The Baths

We had a couple of tour guides with the group. They led us along the trail, we were able to walk at our own pace, and we had time to stop and take photos.

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

There are signs along the way pointing out photo spots.

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

You can see the sand on the rocks here that could be a little slippery.

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

At the end of the trail, before walking through the caverns at the Baths, we arrived at a secluded beach. The water was beautiful and warm, and it was just our group on the beach. I think that it was empty because it was in the afternoon. I would guess it is busier in the morning.

As you can see it wasn’t very busy with just our group.

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

We spent about 30 minutes at the beach before we headed toward the caves.

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

There was a little bit more climbing during the next part of the toouring. You do climb down a short ladder to climb down and some ropes to hold onto on your way through the boulders. Nothing too strenuous or difficult.

As you can see, there are many great photo stops along the trail. The highlight is a large cavernous area known as the Catherdral. The light coming through the rocks was beautiful.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
The Cathedral Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

The water isn’t very deep in this section. It came up to around our knees. Once you reach the Cathedral, there is no more climbing up and down. The path from there heads out to another beach. This beach was a little busier than the last one.

Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths
Disney Cruise excursion Virgin Gorda the Baths

There is a lunch counter with bar service where you can get snacks and drinks at the beach and bathrooms and outdoor showers to wash off the sand. The tour guides started to round everyone up after about 30 to 40 minutes. From there, we climbed back up to the Top of the Baths to get back on the safari buses to return to the ferry. A tip I would give is to head up as soon as they start to round up everyone. I was nervous about getting left behind and missing the ferry, lol! The tour excursion was due to get back close to the all onboard time.

The ferry ride back was uneventful. The crew handed out drinks; if I remember correctly, there was water and fruit punch available.

Final Thoughts

We enjoyed the excursion. It was well-run, and I thought the price was good. I am glad we chose the shorter excursion. The amount of time we spent at the Baths was just right, we didn’t feel rushed, and we had enough time to see and do everything we wanted. I would recommend the excursion if you haven’t been and you are comfortable with light hiking and some climbing up and down from large boulders.

You can go to the Baths on your own. There is a public ferry that will take you to Virgin Gorda, and you can catch a taxi to the Baths. I didn’t feel comfortable going on our own, especially with a ferry and another island involved. Speedy’s offers tickets for a round-trip ferry with a taxi to the Baths for $28. It is a significant saving over the Disney excursion. If youy are comfortable going on your own, it is a good option.

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Excursion Descriptions From DCL

Tour to Virgin Gorda (TT23)

Discover awe-inspiring boulders, secluded beaches, hidden caves and spectacular grottoes formed by volcanic activity. 

A Geological Wonder

On this adventure, you will… 

  • Board a ferry boat for the scenic 40-minute cruise along the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda.
  • Next, hop on board an open-air safari bus for a short 15-minute tour through Spanish Town to a stunning overlook of Savannah Bay, where a stop will be made to take photos.
  • Continue up the twisting road to the Top of The Baths, where you will meet your local guide, who will introduce you to The Baths National Park and lead you to a series of secluded beaches, spectacular pools and grottoes formed by volcanic activity and flooded with seawater.
  • Explore the intricate network of trails and boulders to discover the hidden caves and sea pools at the sandy beach of Devil’s Bay.
  • Enjoy free time to swim and relax before returning to the Top of The Baths. Take in the spectacular views of the surrounding islands and do a little souvenir shopping.
  • Reboard your safari bus for the approximately 15-minute drive to the pier before boarding the ferry boat for a 40-minute cruise back to the ship.

Know Before You Go

View important additional information to help you prepare for this exciting adventure. 

  • Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes as the path to The Baths is rough and uneven. 
  • Guests should be in good physical condition. 
  • Wheelchairs (collapsible or electric) and strollers are not permitted. 
  • A beverage (water, soda or fruit juice) is included. 
  • Additional food and drinks can be purchased at the Top of The Baths restaurant. 
  • Bathrooms/changing facilities and lockers are available at the beach; however, Guests are encouraged to wear a swimsuit underneath their clothes if wishing to swim at the beach. 
  • Guests are encouraged to bring credit cards or cash for optional extras such as souvenirs. 
  • Guests are encouraged to bring comfortable walking shoes, swimsuits, sunscreen, sunglasses, additional clothing, hats, cameras and backpacks.

A Day at the Baths (TT04)

Nature’s Private Pools

Go beyond the beach to see the splendid results of ancient volcanic activity. 

On this adventure, you will… 

  • Board a ferry for an approximately 40-minute scenic cruise along the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. 
  • Next, hop on board an open-air safari bus for a short 15-minute tour through Spanish Town and make your way to a stunning overlook of Savannah Bay for a photo stop. 
  • Follow the twisting road to the Top of the Baths, where your local guide will introduce you to the area and lead you to The Baths. 
  • Explore the intricate network of trails and boulders to discover the hidden caves, sea pools and sandy beach of Devil’s Bay. 
  • Enjoy free time to swim and relax before making your way back to the Top of the Baths.
  • Take in the spectacular views of the surrounding islands over a tasty lunch, followed by some time for souvenir shopping. 
  • Board the safari bus once more for a 30-minute drive back to the pier

Know Before You Go

View important additional information to help you prepare for this exciting adventure. 

  • Wheelchairs (collapsible or electric) and strollers are not permitted. 
  • Guests should be in good physical condition. 
  • Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes as the path to The Baths is rough and uneven. 
  • Lunch and one beverage (water, soda or fruit juice) are included. Additional food and drinks can be purchased at Top of the Baths Restaurant. 
  • Bathrooms, changing facilities and lockers are available at the beach. 
  • Guests are encouraged to bring cash or credit cards to purchase optional extras such as souvenirs and snacks. 
  • You should never feel that gratuities are expected from you. However, it is customary to leave a tip in recognition of exceptional service at restaurants and in taxis, as well as for outstanding excursion guides and drivers. It is always up to you to determine the amount.

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