Appears some are getting busy with excursion plans. I'll pass my .02 - and toss in some info on the island. I found some info I had sent to a friend going on an Eastern cruise. Thought Id post it here hoping someone could find some benefit from our experiences.
In our past 5
DCL sailings...we've only taken two Disney excursions - Atlantis Sub on a Western and boat tour of Nassau with a visit to The Dig in the Atlantis hotel on a Bahamas sailing (the last excursion was a disaster - maybe a discussion for another time). Plus a few others with 'brand x' cruise lines. I have nothing against the wonderful options they offer...just don't like being 'one - in a herd'. You go to the appointed meeting spot to wait (mainly waiting for 'inconsiderate cruisers' that show up late to very late)...then you walk off the ship in a line like school children going to lunch...to be turned over to a 3rd party that hosts your tour (a representative from DCL may/may not attend the entire tour). It was our experience...that when we got some where special and wanted a little more time...it was time to go. I know my words sound harsh - wasn't meant that way. You can be assured...if anything goes wrong with a 'Disney purchased tour'...they will take full responsibility - a solid PLUS. We've been very successful arranging tours at each island or by calling ahead. A short walk from port you will find a taxi stand were you can describe to someone what you are interested in and negotiate pricing, attractions and amount of time your tour will last. Some have mentioned tour groups that are highly praised on these boards (Bernard & Joyce Prince tours to name two). Planning our own excursions has worked well for us...your mileage may vary.
Sint Maarten (Dutch) / Saint-Martin (French)...a dual named island that five years ago was too confusing for our DD's. So...one of them renamed this island to Saint Marty. For us...Saint Marty it is. Since Saint Marty has a dual government
the island appears to be a little disjointed. If you reside on the Dutch side
have a Dutch phone courier
and make a call from the French side
its a long distance call. Uhm
this island is not that large
its only 34 square miles. To put this in perspective
Walt Disney World
has more land mass. Anyhoo
I digress.
If we are blessed with decent or better weather, I highly recommend being on the upper decks at O'dark-thirty (just before sunrise) to watch the Magic pull into the harbor. The morning sun is fantastic for photos and you are treated to a wonderful view of the island. I promise...you'll have time for breakfast and to get ready while the ship clears customs. Most want to wait till we are leaving...but get too busy trying to get ready for dinner/shows and completely miss this sight. We will most likely tie up on the Dutch side - in the city of Philipsburg.
Both sides of the island offer numerous boutiques - taking US credit cards and dollars at the exchange rate of 1 for 1. This is not the best rate for us - but convenient so we don't need to carry two additional kinds of currency - Euros (French side) & Gilders (Dutch). Duty free shopping is the biggest draw with designer labels almost half price of shops in the US. Liquor is really-really cheep. Keep in mind...you can always buy top shelf spirits on the ship...for sometimes a dollar or two more a bottle. The ship will also wrap and box your purchases. For us...bringing back liquor is no longer an option. With the fees the airlines charge for additional weight/bags...it just does not make cents. But...if you want to keep a bottle of wine or another form of 'adult beverage' in your room...this is really a cost effective way to limit your on-board alcohol purchases.
For us...being landlocked...any chance to get to a beach...we are there. FYI - governments of both islands have claimed the beachfronts to be 'community property'...not 'commercial property'. So...you are welcome to enjoy the beach that fronts ANY hotel - Ritz Carlton/Four Seasons etc. These businesses have 'rights' to the grounds and any amenities they own (umbrellas, chair/lounges, wave runners, water trampolines etc.) - but not the beach in front of them. Basically
they cant kick you out if you are not a member or guest of that property.
From our past trips...at any beach, you will experience persons wanting to sell you something - anything. We've been approached for; hair braiding, seashell 'creations', necklaces, t-shirts and even CD's. If you are interested...you can bargain for a lower price ---- or let them know you are not interested and they have politely moved on. The elaborate hotel or simple shack with a thatch covered bar will have umbrellas and chairs/chase lounges for you to 'rent' - prob $3 to $4 per item.
When DD's were small, we spent time at Little Bay beach and have enjoyed Orient Beach - twice. Little Bay is pretty much directly across from the dock. The waves are incredibly gentle and great for small children. If you're looking for a quiet place to build sand castles and relax the day away - it's very nice. It would be a long walk...so...you'd prob need a short and inexpensive taxi ride.
My bride calls Orient Beach...the place with the 'fluffy sand'. The beach has beautiful pure white sand that is very fine and soft to walk through. I cant fairly describe the feel of walking through this sand
it kind of
scrunches. The water is a jaw dropping blue color, then it turns green then its a blue/green or is it a green/blue color. Regardless of your interpretation of its color
I call it breathtakingly beautiful. Waves are gentle toward the shoreline but further out we did experience some undertow so keep this in mind if you have little ones. We rented a couple of lounge chairs and umbrella on the family beach. Weve had such a fantastic time there I cant wait to return. Yes...this is on the French side and a clothing optional beach. So discuss amongst yourselves if youre ready to have this conversation with your DD/S. During our last visit, our DD's were 4, 7 & 10 and we had a long talk with them about the cultural differences before we left the ship. Yes...they did point, giggle and whisper with each other. Their shock lasted a whole 20 seconds maybe less. Most of the time...they were engaged in swimming and looking for shells on the beach to even notice the poor souls that could not afford proper attire. A small barrier separates this beach where one half is considered 'family' and the other 'adult' (clothing optional). The 'adult' side is directly in front of a large hotel that I believe is also clothing optional. Frankly...we really did not see that many people with out swim suits (we never saw anyone bottomless - however, your mileage may be different). Most of the people we saw on the family beach...were able to fund both a top and bottom to their swimsuit. We did see one person that was topless on the family beach. And
uhm
er
she was
.(dare I say it) a DISr. I recommend you search on the main boards for others experiences make the best decision for you and your family.
Maho beach is a very interesting - one-of-a-kind location. Imagine if you can (and...my poor written communication skills will allow) beautiful turquoise water that ends in a very short beach area then a fence - a narrow two lane road - another fence - a narrow strip of grass - then...a runway. I wish I could offer a good estimate of distance from the end of the water to the start of the runway...Im guessing...100 yards. Planes...not just small or medium sized...full size 747s land directly over beach goers. On the fences...there are warning signs about the blasts from the jet engines. Am sure a lot of sand gets kicked up when the big planes come in. Ive never spent time on this beach did get some photos and details from a fellow Diser who spent the afternoon here and when we toured the island and stopped on the road between the fences for 3-5 minutes to see if a plane would land/take off. Regretfully...we did not get lucky.
Other than beaches
Saint Marty has shopping areas that offers
.EVERYTHING. You can walk from port to some however a majority of the Phillipsburg (Dutch) shopping is a good distance away. You might consider taking a taxi to drop you off at the end of the shopping district and use your time walking back. The other area is in Marigot (French) and would require transportation. Marigot has a small mall and an open area that would resemble a flea or straw market. IMHO
unless youre taking a tour of the island
and want a full experience
I would avoid Marigot. To be brutally honest persons we encountered were really snotty even to our kids
even when we were spending money with them. Again
this was our experience
yours
will hopefully differ.
Another attraction near Marigot is The Butterfly Farm. This would require transportation, as its a good distance away from port. I cant remember the cost some where around $8 per person. This would remind you of a reasonable sized back yard that is completely enclosed by mesh fencing. There are pools, fountains, flowers and planted/potted trees throughout. All around you are hundreds of butterflies in all stages of growth. You get a short tour and some facts about butterflies. If this interests you &/or you have younger children
this might be something to add to you list. However, you might want to do some research
as Saint Thomas has added a farm that I believe is in walking distance.
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This is a photo of my lovely DD's in 2005.
There are numerous look out areas that offer up to 360-degree views of the island. One that I remember specifically
is called Fort Louis. This was an actual fort that the jail and a few canons have survived. However
the view of this location are wonderful. Be advised
some walking and climbing of stairs is required. If we are blessed with a clear day
and you are making a self tour with a driver
Id highly recommend a 15-20 minute pause here.
well...my .02 prob turned into $1.50...excuse me for getting long winded. Hope this is useful. K
. If you see a "DISign" you like, simply ask the person who made and personalizes the design to make one for you. This will probably will be Milliepie, Jordak or BevToy. Give them names, dates or the necessary info for that design. Keep in mind, it make take them a day or two or three. 
