Cruise Talk: shore excursions ST Thomas/St. Marten

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » shore excursions ST Thomas/St. Marten

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Topic: shore excursions ST Thomas/St. Marten

sharon
Just Boarded
Member # 1093

posted 02-12-2000 01:43 PM

My husband and I are taking our first cruise in March on the Grand Princess. Neither one of us likes to go on organized tours so are wondering if there will be taxis available in ST. Thomas and St. Martin ports. We would also welcome any tips or suggestions on what to see and do.

Posts: 3 | From: grande prairie alberta canada | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

nononsense42
First Class Passenger
Member # 1013

posted 02-13-2000 02:51 PM

Hi Sharon!
We have been to both of these ports, and enjoyed them very much. When we were in St. Thomas I loved the shopping. We also took the ferry over to the island of St.John. It is very inexpensive. We have also taken a tour from the ship that goes to the beach on St.John, and enjoyed it immensely. I would recommend going in the morning, not as much chance of sunburn, and it gives you plenty of time to get back to the ship.
There are always plenty of taxis willing to negotiate a deal. One thing to keep in mind, if you decide to go off on your own, is that if your driver does not get you back to the ship in time, it will definitely leave without you! The ship has communications with tours and will wait for them.
On St. Maarten we took a boat tour over to a small island, and snorkeled and swam. The snorkeling was not very good, but we still had a great time. Great jewellery shopping in St. Maarten! Have a wonderful time! We are off on a cruise next Sunday, can hardly wait, it is 20 below 0 here today!

[This message has been edited by nononsense42 (edited 02-13-2000).]

Posts: 19 | From: canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-13-2000 03:50 PM

Sharon - agree with nonensense42 about going off on your own, especially as this is your first cruise. The ship waits for no one, unless they are on a ship's excursion. Do go to Megan's Bay in the morning or take the island tour and have a Banana Daiqueri at Top of the Mountain - boy at 10am you sure feel them. If the ship is docked at Havensight you don't have to go downtown - same shops here.
We did the same tour as nononsense42 on St. Marten a couple of times and enjoyed it. The French side is more expensive for shopping than the Dutch side, but the warm croissants are delicious with a latte.
Have a great time and let us know how your trip was.
nononsense42 - where and what ship are you ging on? It's not -20 in Toronto, but it is snowing AGAIN!!!!

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

nononsense42
First Class Passenger
Member # 1013

posted 02-13-2000 08:08 PM

Hi Sympatico, We will be getting snow later tonight, I am from the Maritimes. We will be flying to Toronto on Wednesday, and then on to Orlando Thrusday. We are going on Premiers "Seabreeze" on Sunday. We sailed on her when she belonged to Dolphin, and had a very nice time. You definitely know you are on a ship, the new ships have an almost hotel feel to them. The Seabreeze is old, but we did not mind. I have gone with Carnival and Royal Caribbean,and have enjoyed both. We always have a wonderful time on a cruise. I have been watching the boards for info on Premier, and unfortunately not all information is complimentary. We paid very little, so our expectations are not running high. Are you cruising this winter? Do you have any info on Premier?

Posts: 19 | From: canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-13-2000 09:11 PM

nononsense42 - no I am not cruising this winter, although I would love to. I have only sailed with HAL so know nothing about Premier. Am booked on the Volendam for November 2000. Long time to wait. Enjoy your cruise. Think the snow will be over by Wednesday, at least it had better be over. I've had it!

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

sharon
Just Boarded
Member # 1093

posted 02-13-2000 11:12 PM

Thanks Sympatico and Nononsense42. Your info and advise are appreciated. We may change our minds now and take some of the cruise tours.
Have a great cruise Nononsense42!

Posts: 3 | From: grande prairie alberta canada | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

mifox79
First Class Passenger
Member # 703

posted 02-14-2000 04:06 PM

Hi nononsense, I am going on the Grand in 4 weeks and was wondering what the name of the excursion was in St. Maarten that didn't have good snorkling. My family and I are planning to do the Golden Eagle excursion, which is in St. Maarten and sounds a lot like the one you are describing. We were really hoping to find some picturesque snorkling. Do you have any suggestions for really great snorkling at St. Maarten or St. Thomas? Thanks

Posts: 24 | From: Boston, MA, US | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 02-14-2000 05:03 PM

If you are looking for something a little different from the typical cruise ship excursions, you might want to consider the
America's Cup 12 Meter Challange Experience

You get to sail and race on two of the boats that actually participated in the American's Cup (the 1989 edition) You get to sail on Stars & Stripes, Canada 11, True North or another America's Cup boat. You compete in an actual race around an America's Cup shortened course. Under the guidance of an experienced crew of three you actually get to sail the boat.

It's pretty amazing to see how your team, some of whom may not have ever sailed before, begins to work together to try to beat the other boat. It can be as active as you want - you can grind a winch, trim a sail, or just sit back and enjoy.

Sailing experience is not necessary. Just bring soft-soled shoes and a spirit for adventure.

Duration: 2 1/2 - 3 hours
Price: $68.00
Minimum Age: 12 years old

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-14-2000 05:29 PM

Friends went on the America's Cup Race and they said they worked like dogs, but had a great time. The shorex we took to Pinel Island in St. Martens was not very good for snorkelling as the water was rough, murky and there was an undertow. The other shorex,which I mentioned previously, was on a 2 deck boat that took you to the French side, then to a beach, where you swam and they had a banana boat for rides, but there was no snorkelling. They served punch on the beach and if you put your glass down, the chickens, which were wandering all over, would come up and help themselves. It was pretty funny. I can't remember or find the name of the excursion. On this excursion we were bussed to Simpson Bay and then took the boat from there.
The Pinel Island shorex sounds like the one nononsense42 went on.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

nononsense42
First Class Passenger
Member # 1013

posted 02-14-2000 08:56 PM

Yes, it was the Pinel Island tour that we went on. Very poor snorkeling. You can snorkel over on the island of St.John too, my husband enjoyed it more there. I imagine the ship will offer tours to go there.

Posts: 19 | From: canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 02-16-2000 08:03 PM

Last time I went to St. Martins, I could not chance doing the America's Cup race due to a back problem, but I talked to passager's who did. They all loved it. I did watch the boats from the ship, and maybe next time I get St. Martins I will give it a try.
If you are into shopping, the Dutch side is much better. If you want a real "French Lunch" be carefull. OnN the French side, all menus are in French, and lunch is really dinner! My husband and I had a wonderfull "lunch" (which was a full blown dinner) even though it cost a pretty penny! Have a wonderfull cruise!!!

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

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