Golden Eagle Catamaran- early or late?

[arrogers]

What would you suggest, 7:45 AM or 1:00 PM excursion. I'm sure it would be less stressful to do the excursion early, but I don't know if I really want to suck down a few rum punches at 11:00 in the morning. We'd like to do some shopping and probably wouldn't do more than 3 hours of shopping if we left ship as early (what time?) as possible. How long does it take to get back to ship for 1:00 PM excursion if we do shopping in the morning? If we headed back to ship at noon, would that be enough time to make 1:00 PM departure for Golden Eagle Catamaran? Any info would help... Thanks...

 

[tigger53]

we went on the early time slot and i too didn't think i'd be drinking rum punches that early but one of the crew teased me saying that i was on vacation and to do something i wouldn't do at home so i did. i had a great time and after we went back to the ship and had a nice lunch and then went into town to shop. it all worked out fine. we'll be doing the same again this coming summer.

 

[bassoongirl]

We did the 1:00 Golden Eagle excursion on our 2/21 cruise and that worked out well for my family. We went to Great Bay Beach in the morning (and did a little shopping), went back to the ship around noon for a quick lunch and had no problem meeting the excursion people on time. If you take the water taxi to the ship, you can be back in about 10 minutes. As soon as a boat fills up, they take off. I read that the crew offers pastries after the snorkeling to go along with the rum punch, but we got sandwiches. The crew also gave all the adults a glass of champagne. I had rum punch in one hand and champagne in the other. It was fun! I think either time will work well.

Gayl

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We did the early last Dec. and it was perfect. We sailed, snorkeled, drank some rum and beer, went back to the ship, had enough time for the buffet a shower and back to shop.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Hi all!

Thanks for all the great info on the Golden Eagle Catamaran excursion. We too are considering going on this excursion on our May 1st cruise.

A few questions...

1. Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 represents didn't enjoy at all and wouldn't do again; 5 represents enjoyed but wouldn't do again; and 10 represents enjoyed a great deal and would do again, where would you fall?

2. Is(are) the snorkeling location(s) good?

3. What brand of champagne do they serve?

Thanks for your input!!!

Jason

 

[shellbelle11]

Hi everyone!

Ok, my rating for if I'd do it again... 100000000 seriously, it was phenomenal and I'd do it again in a heart beat!

We did the early trip which I liked, we got back to the ship, ate a quick lunch then had time to shop and go to the beach. That's what I would do again.

I can't comment on the snorkling...

Champagne, not sure, by that point I'd already had a couple of rum punches, lol.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is the best excursion I've ever done!

 

[bassoongirl]

Jason,

I would give the Golden Eagle Cataraman excursion a 9. We had a great time on the trip, but if we ever get back to St. Maarten again, we would like to try another excursion.

The snorkeling wasn't that great. We only saw a couple fish. But we didn't swim out very far either. We had a better time snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St. John the next day. However, the beach was nice and sandy and the crew gave us drinks on the beach and even floated drinks out to us in the water! The island on which we stopped to snorkel is an uninhabited nature preserve. We enjoyed exploring the island and got an "eye-full" from some of the sunbathers since the beach is "clothing optional"!

I have no idea what brand of champagne they served! After a few rum punches, it didn't matter!

I would recommend this excursion.

Gayl

 

[Cabin8538]

Anyone know what time you get back to the ship from the 1:00 excursion? We are at the 6:00 dinner and think it might be cutting it too close.

 

[bassoongirl]

Cabin8538,

We got back from our 1:00 excursion around 4:00-4:15 in the afternoon. I can't really remember because I think I had too many rum punches!

But I do know my DH and DD did a little shopping after the excursion and had enough time to catch the last water taxi back to the dock near the ships which left at 5:00 pm.

Gayl

 

[Cabin8538]

Thanks. I didn't know they operated tenders in St. Maarten! I thought that was only a "sometimes" thing in St. Thomas. Good to know!