Are there any "family" (no nudity) beaches on the Eastern Caribbean cruises?

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We are trying to decide which cruise to book for next year. I'm debating between the 7 night Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise. We like the looks of the Eastern ports better, but we do not want to go to any beaches that allow nudity. I cannot tell by the info given on the DCL website if all or just some of the Eastern Caribbean beaches allow nudity. The stops would be St. Marteen, St. Thomas, and St. John. Can someone please tell me if they have designated 'family' beaches in these locations? And how about the Western ports? If there are no family beaches on the Eastern cruise, then we might choose the Western. I'm not sure what the rules are at the Mexican beaches either though. Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[eblong]

On St. Maarten, only the French side of the Island has "clothing optional" beaches. On the Dutch side (where the ship docks) it is clothing required. I don't recall any mention of "clothing optional" beaches in St Thomas or St John.

 

[malacajo]

We are booked on Fantasy in Sept for the 7 night Eastern Caribbean..There are beaches that are clothing optional, but it looks like the majority are "regular" beaches..I know that the one really popular nude beach is Orient Beach, so stay away from that one! We are going as a family also, and I think the Eastern is a fantastic choice!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

On St. Maarten, only the French side of the Island has "clothing optional" beaches. On the Dutch side (where the ship docks) it is clothing required. I don't recall any mention of "clothing optional" beaches in St Thomas or St John.

Thanks for the reply! I called DCL a little while ago and asked a rep. this same question. I'm not sure that he knew what he was talking about. He told me that all of the beaches in St. Maarten allowed nudity. He also said that St. John would possibly have some nude beaches as they are a British colony. He said the only one that he was certain did not allow nudity would be St. Thomas b/c it was American owned. I have no idea if any of what he said was right. He didn't sound certain of himself.

 

[jcarwash]

We took the DCL excursion to Orient Bay on St. Maarten along with many other families.

The excursion took us to a restaurant called Waikiki Beach and you have use of their section of the beach.

In that area I would not say nudity was an issue. One could see a few topless women, however, it was not what I'd call a nude beach. Because you're with a large group and you're the only ones using that area, people choosing to go topless are those strolling the beach.

We enjoyed that excursion very much and the beach was gorgeous.

 

[Princess Olivia]

We've done this itinerary many times and love it. The only time I've encountered nudity was on Orient beach and it was at the end close to the nudist resort. It was also very mild (top less women). You don't have to do Orient beach, I believe there are other beautiful beaches that are considered more family friendly but I have 4 kids and thought Orient was pretty family friendly. There is something so beautiful about the mountains and ocean when docking at these ports that make me so happy. I just find the whole Eastern itinerary heavenly. Especially the jewelry shopping after the beach in St Martin Try cruise critic for island specifics. Very helpful.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Thanks for all the replies. You've all been a big help. So it sounds like St. Maarten is the only place that I need to try to avoid any clothing optional beaches, correct? Have any of you ever gone to the beach area right there where the ship docs in St. Maarten, in Philipsburg I believe? Is that a public beach and is it a clothing optional beach? (And just to clarify myself, I personally would include topless as nudity.) Thanks again for the help!

 

[Nette]

Thanks for the reply! I called DCL a little while ago and asked a rep. this same question. I'm not sure that he knew what he was talking about. He told me that all of the beaches in St. Maarten allowed nudity. He also said that St. John would possibly have some nude beaches as they are a British colony. He said the only one that he was certain did not allow nudity would be St. Thomas b/c it was American owned. I have no idea if any of what he said was right. He didn't sound certain of himself.

We were on Orient Beach a couple of years ago, right at the line between clothing optional/required... we saw NO nudity.

St. John has a USA National Park on it. Both St. Thomas and St. John are in the US Virgin Islands.

(Honeymoon Beach on St. John was GORGEOUS and uncrowded)

 

[jel0511]

Thanks for the reply! I called DCL a little while ago and asked a rep. this same question. I'm not sure that he knew what he was talking about. He told me that all of the beaches in St. Maarten allowed nudity. He also said that St. John would possibly have some nude beaches as they are a British colony. He said the only one that he was certain did not allow nudity would be St. Thomas b/c it was American owned. I have no idea if any of what he said was right. He didn't sound certain of himself.

HAHAHAHA That is too funny from the DCL rep!!!! I just have to laugh when a cruise line rep doesn't even know plain geography. St. John is also part of the USVI just like St Thomas. Most of the more well known beaches on St. John are all part of the US Parks system, as they're all designated National Parks and require proper bathing attire. There are a few more secluded beaches (only known to locals and frequent visitors) that have reputations of being "clothing optional", but it you happen to get unlucky and have a park ranger come by, you will get ticketed.

As for St. Martin, as long as you stay on the dutch side of the island, none of the beaches are clothing optional. There is a nice beach right off the downtown ferry boat (DCL docks in an industrial port about a 10 min boat ride from downtown) and the kids would be fine there.

 

[kcashner]

As above, your only issue is on the French side of St. Maarten. If you stay on the Dutch side, you are fine. We did see nudity on Orient Beach--and it wasn't young women! OK, stupid mom (me) expected topless women. None of those.

There are lots of nice beaches which are not "clothing optional." Try Little Bay for a good one.

 

[tinkerbelx]

Eastern was great we are off on the western soon. We didn't do beaches in St.Martin-if you stay on the dutch side of the island there shouldn't be nudity. However on the french side- well its France. Nudity is quite the normal here. I am sure if you go on a disney excursion the would go to family beach. As far as St. Thomas/John they are US islands- so think American beaches. Magens bay on St. Thomas is a taxi ride a way- very cheap to get to and beautiful. I highly recommend it.