excursions

[electriccarrot]

Hi! We are going on the Magic February 21st and I had a couple questions about the excursions- In St. Marteen we are going on the Butterfly tour. We have a 3yrd old so there isn't a lot of choices beside going to the beach. My question is, the tour appears to be over around 12ish- so I assume the bus/van brings us back to the port. Then what can we do? I realize there is probably shopping, but we are there until really late that night, and my 2 small children will not last that long shopping!! Is there a beach close enough to walk to that they can play at? Should we count on getting a cab and if so, where should we go? I have never been, so I don't have a clue what is around the port where we dock, and I am worried we won't have anything to do after the tour and before the ship leaves.
Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!
Elizabeth

 

[kcashner]

You will need to take a cab to a beach. There aren't any within walking distance of the ship. THere is, however, a shopping area right at the port. You might want to put the kids in the club and do a little shopping yourself.

There are several beaches within a very short cab ride. Most are free or low charge, but you pay if you want a lounge chair or umbrella. You can take pool towels from the ship.

A suggestion...do the butterfly farm (you can do this on your own cheaper than DCL if you want....that way, you are on your own time schedule and avoid the DCL crowd). Go back to the ship for lunch. THen decide what the kids are ready for. Do they need a nap? Or do they want to do the club or the beach. I find that with little ones, it is sometimes better to go with their frame of mind at the time rather than too much planning ahead.

 

[geffric]

or maybe they will want to go to the club and have fun with the other kids..

 

[markey]

We went to the butterfly farm in August in the am, returned to the ship and ate lunch. We then spend the pm at the beach. No need to take a cab. Just get on the water taxi where the boats tender and get off at the second stop. There is a nice beach there. Calm waters and clean, you will however be bugged to buy from the locals, just say no and look away and they get the message.