does anyone notice a different "feel" btwn USA ports and foreign ports

[imgoingtodisney]

Im undecided on whether Im getting off the ship in St Marten. When I cruised the Western Carib in Dec on NCL I felt a difference between Key West & Cozumel. Does anyone else notice this? I felt safer, more "at home" at Key West.
Id be walking around alone since DH is going gambling.

[akterrye]

YES! I've noticed that, too. I feel a little more "on guard" when I'm outside the US. Personally, I think this is a good thing. It makes me more aware of my surroundings and I keep a closer watch on me and mine. St. Maarten wasn't a bad port. We spent a good number of hours walking around town shopping.

On the other hand, while everyone else is on the island, you'll get the ship all to yourself!

[JLSE50]

We enjoyed St. Martin. We did an excursion and then walked around the town to find a Caribbean shirt for DH and the Post Office to mail cards with St. Martin stamps and postmark to friends, family and ourselves (for the scrapbook).

We also enjoyed a self-determined walking tour of Nassau to find the PO for the same purpose. Then we explored further.

I kept a hand on my fanny pack which was in front not over my fanny. I kept an eye on people, but not with a suspicious intent, just a watching eye. When we were off the main drag it was very interesting to see the houses, yards, people..... We are so blessed. My house would provinde living space for a village and they would think they were blessed. I do not look at any part of life the same way anymore.

Jan :earsgirl:

[FantasticDisFamily]

I too have noticed a different "feel" but have a tendency to be particularly observant of surroundings because I traveled so much alone on business.

If your DH is going off to gamble you may be able to find someone else in the same boat (ok, bad pun!) who'd like to buddy up for at least part of the day.

[MrsG]

We travelled the 7/6 Western and also noticed a difference. I'll admit it was very conforting to have a coast guard escort in and out of ports, as well as helicopters until we were away from shore. It was a little unnerving to see the Mexican Army, guns in hand, in Cozumel, but right next to our ship was an American Navy vessel. In fact, the night we were returning to the ship from shore in Cozumel, naval personnel were leaving the Magic. We asked security why they were on the ship and they explained that when the Magic is in port, they provide free dinner to the crew as long as they come dressed in their dress uniforms. Isn't that wonderful!

[FantasticDisFamily]

That is awesome! And that may explain why all the personnel on the Navy ship leaving the Nassau harbor on our last cruise were standing in salute to the Magic and basically ignoring the Royal Caribbean ship on their other side!

[pagemaker]

Did I understand you correctly?

Is there gambling in St. Marten? Where and how is it?

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by MrsG

The night we were returning to the ship from shore in Cozumel, naval personnel were leaving the Magic. We asked security why they were on the ship and they explained that when the Magic is in port, they provide free dinner to the crew as long as they come dressed in their dress uniforms.<b><i>COOL!!!</i></b>

Originally posted by pagemaker

Is there gambling in St. Marten? Where and how is it? There are casinos on Dutch Sint Maarten but not on French Saint Martin. Fortunately the ship docks at Philipsburg on the Dutch side.

Most of the downtown Philipsburg casinos are rather seedy-looking with the exception of one... the Coliseum Casino, which is NOT on the main drag, but is probably a $3 taxi ride from the ship, looked fine from the outside. But you know what they say about judging a book by its cover...

The nicest casino on the island is reported to be the Princess Casino at Port de Plaisance.

www.princessportdeplaisance.com

[pagemaker]

Thanks again for letting us pick at your brain!

Deb