11 & 6 yr in Aruba, Dominica, & Grenada

Any thoughts on shore excursions for Aruba, Dominica, Grenada for a Spring Break cruise end of March? Worried the whale watching might be a big bust and the kids bored.

I haven't been to Dominica and Grenada yet. However, Aruba has some fun excursions for kids such as the Atlantis Semi-submarine. We took my daughter on this when she was five and eight and she liked it. Also, you can take a taxi from the port to one of the hotels at Palm Beach for nice swimming. Ask your shore excursions desk for a recommendation.
Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor
Family Cruise Editor

Thanks for your suggestion. The 4WDrive excursions in Dominica and Aruba state a child price but no age limit like the helmet dive. Our kids are adventurous. Do you know if the 4WD have seat belts or will every one have to hang on? The only warning I find in the Princess online broshure is not for those with back or respiratory problems. We are going with another family so we are looking at getting two 4WDs.

I wouldn't count on seat belts since most cabs and motorcoaches we seem to go on when traveling don't have belts. The 4WD tours I saw in Aruba looked VERY bumpy but the group of 20 somethings were having a ball! Your call whether it's appropriate for your kids.
Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor
Family Cruise Editor

Two years ago we spent Feb. Vacation in Aruba. We went on a Jeep Tour. Very, Very Bumpy. No seat belts. Jeeps in very poor condition. One broke down, another had a flat. Between the remaining 3 jeeps we were able to find enough pieces to get the jack to work. Thank God my husband was a mechanic, as even the tour guide had no experience. We ended up late for the designated snack place, which isn't a big deal, except that in our party was my 11 year old diabetic niece. Who, then became low....The snack turned out to be watermelon (much different then we were told it would be) but that was because we were running so late. Tour ended at Baby Beach for lunch (awful - of course it had sat out for 2 extra hours - chicken now room temperature, potato salad, room temp. we figured it wasn't safe to eat). The snorkling at Baby Beach was great. Warm water, lots of colorful fish.
For children that age I would not suggest a Jeep Tour, maybe the Safari Tour which went to almost all the same places, yet in a different type vehicle, much safer looking, and cleaner. The Butterfly Farm is a nice place for children and any of the beaches Palm or Eagle - lots to do there. Tubing, Banana Boats, Parasailing...
Aruba is beautiful. Have fun.