Eastern Questions

[JoiseyMom]

We just booked the Dec 8 Eastern. Passporter says there are 5 major rental companies at the pier in St. Martin, but they don't mention the names. Does anyone know which ones they are??

Any advice on what to see on St. Martin? Where to shop? Eat? Best/favorite places??

What about for St. Thomas??

What activities are there during the sea days?

Tx!!

 

[Gr00vyChc]

We were on the 9/29 eastern and it was our first cruise.
For St. Maarten, we did the DCL excursion - island tour, butterfly farm, and some shopping. I only shopped at the Lacoste store because I couldn't resist their prices.

At St. Thomas, we took a taxi to Coral World where my DH did the Sea Trek, we didn't do anything else there (we live in So Cal and have AP to Sea World) and went straight to Coki Beach... the beach was gorgeous, crystal clear water and fish swim all around you at waist high (p.s. buy some doggie biscuits for $1 to feed the fish).


BTW, we traveled with our 4 year old DD.

Have a great time!

Gr00vyChc

 

[Brucemcc]

Last March 03-10 our family stayed fairly close to the water taxi and did most of our beach time and shopping on the Dutch side in St. Maartin.Went to Diamonds International and picked up a "blue diamond" for my wife and saved a tonne.Had it appraised here in Canada for $1200 more than what I payed for it.I also bought a Tag Heuer watch that would have cost me $2700 Canadian for considerably less.The shopping is amazing for big ticket items both in St. Maartin and St Thomas.Dont bother with the Disney excursion to Meagans Bay in St Thomas, way over priced, we simply caught one of the 20 or so cabs at the dock and asked the rate to the beach, saved more than 1/2 off the disney fair.Got there 45 minutes before anyone else arrived and nearly had the place to ourselves for almost an hour, amazing place and a must. Our daughter was 12 months at the time. We are booked again for 02 Feb 2008 and plan on doing Coki beach and visiting the French side in St.Maartin and of course shopping.My advice if you want to shop in either port, a must is the onboard presentation on the shopping available.It will narrow down to the store what you are looking for and will save you time from running all over the place checking prices.There are also all kinds of give aways during the presentation, well worth it.

 

[aprince&princess]

Brucemcc: I have a quick question. When you took the taxi to the beach, was it easy to find transportation back to the boat when you were finished?

 

[sdaniel105]

We just booked the Dec 8 Eastern. Passporter says there are 5 major rental companies at the pier in St. Martin, but they don't mention the names. Does anyone know which ones they are??

Any advice on what to see on St. Martin? Where to shop? Eat? Best/favorite places??

What about for St. Thomas??

What activities are there during the sea days?

Tx!!

We have rented from Best Deals Car Rental a few times. If I recall there is Avis and Hertz and a couple other local companies.

One year we rented a car and drove to the ferry for Pinel Island. Had a great time there. Another year we drove around the island (planned on going to Pinel but storm prevented that) then ended up going to Orient Beach. Before going to Orient Beach we did a horseback ride on the beach. Enjoyable but have done other better ones.

This past time we did the Rhino Boat trip then hung out at Orient Beach.

St Thomas one year we dove/ snorkeled with a dive shop out of Secret Harbor then went to Magen Bay then stopped and got a milkshake at the dairy. Very good! After that we just waled around the shops.

Another year we too took the ferry to St John and did SNUBA and Trunk Bay then returned for a little shopping.

This last time we hung out at Sapphire Beach and rented wave runners and snorkeled.

Enjoy.
Sean

 

[Brucemcc]

No problem at all to find a cab back to the ship, dozens lined up, most people were on excursions from other cruise ships as well as Disney so transport to and from the ships were taken care of.Just to be safe, we left 45 minutes prior to all the excursions returning.We actually had the same open air cab/driver for the return trip as well.No problem at all. Meagans beach gets crowded very fast with all the ships in port, I believe we had 6 ships in St. Thomas that day. Still worth the trip to see it.Just get a good piece of ground before the hord of people show up.

 

[Wavegirl]

we LOVED the catamaran snorkeling tour we booked it with http://stmaartencruiseexcursions.com

 

[1971visitor]

Some friends of ours (and their older child) rented 4-wheelers and rode all over the island! They had a blast!

 

[Babs417]

Do they have mini buses we have 15 people that needs transportation?

 

[fairfax]

On St. Maarten for shopping, Shiva's is a great place for jewelry. They have good prices and I've found them to be pleasant and not pushy.

On St. Thomas, last week we walked over to the Paradise Point skyway which takes you up the mountain for a beautiful view. It was $19 per adult round trip.

 

[CraftyMouse]

On St. Maarten for shopping, Shiva's is a great place for jewelry. They have good prices and I've found them to be pleasant and not pushy.

On St. Thomas, last week we walked over to the Paradise Point skyway which takes you up the mountain for a beautiful view. It was $19 per adult round trip.

If you book the DCL excursion to Paradise Point it is only $15 per person. It's one of the few times that the DCL excursion is cheaper than doing it yourself. Also, when you book through DCL you do not have to specify a time. The form says "All Day" so I am assuming you can choose when to go.

 

[fairfax]

If you book the DCL excursion to Paradise Point it is only $15 per person. It's one of the few times that the DCL excursion is cheaper than doing it yourself. Also, when you book through DCL you do not have to specify a time. The form says "All Day" so I am assuming you can choose when to go.

D'oh! I had wrongly assumed that if we signed up with the excursion that we'd have to go on their timetable, which is difficult with two preschoolers. That extra $4 would have come in handy for those expensive smoothies the sell once you get to the top! Thanks for the info.

 

[Oihane]

Some friends of ours (and their older child) rented 4-wheelers and rode all over the island! They had a blast!

which island?? what company did they do this with?

 

[steveandtonya]

In St Maarten there is a nice little cafe across from the courthouse called Kangeroo Court. In St Thomas we took the Doubloon Sail and Snorkle and had an excellent time. Would do it again!