Port days and shore excursions....where to start... well I looked at all of the brochures that disney sent and I have the planning CD and I looked online and I even went to other websites and checked out the independent tours and I booked exactly..... nothing... except the getaway package for castaway cay.
I seriously looked at the following packages, the under two flags tour on St. Martin paired with the afternoon beach bash to Orient Bay because there was time for both and the Megan's Bay beach day on St. Thomas. Because we really wanted a beach day on each Island.
What we ended up doing worked out so great and hands down was much less expensive that booking through disney or independent tour guides.
On St. Martin I had reserved a car in advance with budget, to be ready at the port office. the cost was $60.00 and it was a Toyota something..mid size. We got off the ship and walked over to the rental office to pick it up and by 8 :45 a.m. were in the car with a map and on our way. The island is pretty easy to drive. We drove out from the port and headed toward marigot. We were planning to stop and shop but just decided to sightsee instead. By 10 a.m. we were at orient bay and pulled in at the Waikiki section of the beach. We were about the 6th car in the parking area. Followed the path to the beach where we were promptly met by the "Chair manager" he rented us 4 cushioned beach chairs and 1 umbrella for $25.00 Orient bay is GORGEOUS just like everyone says. It was pretty windy but a beautiful day, the surf was about 2-4 foot waves so great for body surfing and playing in the waves. Very nice sandy bottom even though we all had beach shoes on.
After about 30 min. of swimming my boys went up to the chair manager guy who also rents boogie boards to ask him how much they rented for and he told them something like $5.00 per hour or $10 for the whole day. So they left and went back to swimming. About 10 min. later he comes up to me and says "give this boogie board to the boys for free..my treat..it is good for business if people see kids using the boards." "good advertising" He then proceeded to go into the water with the boys and spend about a half hour teaching them how to properly "catch a wave" About thirty minutes later as some of the tour groups start arriving he fills up his chairs and promptly rented 6-8 boogie boards.
We spent about three hours at Orient beach and then drove back to the port. We returned the car and went back to the ship for a late lunch it was about 2-2:30 p.m. We cleaned up and then ventured back out. We took the water taxi to Philipsburgh to look around and to shop. Five dollars round trip for the taxi , youngest son was free. I wanted to check out the Great Bay Beach because we considered just swimming here instead of Orient Beach. It is nice and calm water and obviously close to the ship, but cannot compare to Orient so I am glad I got to see both.
So as far as St. Maarten we rented a car, toured the whole island, went to the beach, and took a water taxi to shop and spent about $100.00 total to do it. much cheaper than booking excursions....Then my husband went and bought me a 4ct. tanzanite and diamond ring in Philipsburgh than wiped out any previous savings mentioned above....but I got a fabulous souvenier...
( I think he got too much sun at Orient Beach or else the Disney Magic really puts out some real magic 
) ...I will report on St. Thomas in the next post
I seriously looked at the following packages, the under two flags tour on St. Martin paired with the afternoon beach bash to Orient Bay because there was time for both and the Megan's Bay beach day on St. Thomas. Because we really wanted a beach day on each Island.
What we ended up doing worked out so great and hands down was much less expensive that booking through disney or independent tour guides.
On St. Martin I had reserved a car in advance with budget, to be ready at the port office. the cost was $60.00 and it was a Toyota something..mid size. We got off the ship and walked over to the rental office to pick it up and by 8 :45 a.m. were in the car with a map and on our way. The island is pretty easy to drive. We drove out from the port and headed toward marigot. We were planning to stop and shop but just decided to sightsee instead. By 10 a.m. we were at orient bay and pulled in at the Waikiki section of the beach. We were about the 6th car in the parking area. Followed the path to the beach where we were promptly met by the "Chair manager" he rented us 4 cushioned beach chairs and 1 umbrella for $25.00 Orient bay is GORGEOUS just like everyone says. It was pretty windy but a beautiful day, the surf was about 2-4 foot waves so great for body surfing and playing in the waves. Very nice sandy bottom even though we all had beach shoes on.
After about 30 min. of swimming my boys went up to the chair manager guy who also rents boogie boards to ask him how much they rented for and he told them something like $5.00 per hour or $10 for the whole day. So they left and went back to swimming. About 10 min. later he comes up to me and says "give this boogie board to the boys for free..my treat..it is good for business if people see kids using the boards." "good advertising" He then proceeded to go into the water with the boys and spend about a half hour teaching them how to properly "catch a wave" About thirty minutes later as some of the tour groups start arriving he fills up his chairs and promptly rented 6-8 boogie boards.
We spent about three hours at Orient beach and then drove back to the port. We returned the car and went back to the ship for a late lunch it was about 2-2:30 p.m. We cleaned up and then ventured back out. We took the water taxi to Philipsburgh to look around and to shop. Five dollars round trip for the taxi , youngest son was free. I wanted to check out the Great Bay Beach because we considered just swimming here instead of Orient Beach. It is nice and calm water and obviously close to the ship, but cannot compare to Orient so I am glad I got to see both.
So as far as St. Maarten we rented a car, toured the whole island, went to the beach, and took a water taxi to shop and spent about $100.00 total to do it. much cheaper than booking excursions....Then my husband went and bought me a 4ct. tanzanite and diamond ring in Philipsburgh than wiped out any previous savings mentioned above....but I got a fabulous souvenier...
( I think he got too much sun at Orient Beach or else the Disney Magic really puts out some real magic ) ...I will report on St. Thomas in the next post
Sounds like my kind of savings,...plus a TREAT for you 
). We also rented jet skis which sat three, lifevests included ($45 per 30 minutes) which was a lot of fun. Shopping and food was right behind us so the adults took turns sightseeing and shopping. Great day! One of the things I really liked about the location was that we could see the ships from where we sat and that to me made it very unique and special. Here's a shot: 
Hello to Caroline. 
