lol He hates shopping. I'm wondering how much a cab would be after shopping to run over and back. Please let me know if you get any more info on the time the planes come in or the tour.Oh, cool! I'm glad we're not the only ones who are interested in going to Maho beach, and you said your husband and son are mostly interested?? How old is your son? Is he interested in flying? What a crazy story you have from last time you were there and rented a jeep! Glad the locals were so nice and helpful and you made it back to the ship in time!
We are definitely going to make our way over to Maho beach. I talked to my DH tonight and told him about the discussion I had on this board about getting to Maho beach, and he agrees with me that we'll be going with Benard's Tours and we won't be doing the rental car thing. He wants to do a private tour, but I need to call and see how much $$ that is. We'll see.... but this way, we can stop at other beaches. The standard group tour Bernards does stops at Orient Beach, but they stop at the Clothing Optional part of the beach. We went to that beach last time we were at St. Maarten not realizing it was a nude beach (optional nude beach), and did have a great time in the sand and water, but our boys saw a BIT too much, in my opinion since it's a clothing optional beach!). So, we'd like to make it to a clothing required beach this next time, and if we did a private tour with Bernards, they could take us to clothing required beach
in the morning before Maho Beach.
Anyway, the main priority is to make it to Maho Beach and watch the planes. My son (and all of us) have seen the You Tube videos as well as watched on I think the Travel Channel a show called "Most Extreme Airports in the world", and St. Maarten airport was like #2 out of the top 10 most extreme... apparently, it's a pretty tricky airport to fly into!
My son has a flight simulator he uses on our computer, and LOVES to "fly" with that... he seriously wants to be a pilot when he grows up. So, we'll see! So, he has "flown" into St. Maarten with his flight simulator, so he is excited to be there in real life.
Anyway, I'm not 100% sure of the times when the heavy's fly in, but I definitely know it's the afternoon... I think I've just heard it's like 2 or 3 PM. It's definitely in the afternoon, though, when the big ones arrive and take off. But, honestly, I think even seeing a smaller jet fly 200 feet above your head would be just as trilling!!But, we'll for sure do our best to be there when a 747 flys in and/or takes off. Just hoping we can make it back to the ship in time before we watch the ship take off from a distance!
That would end up being a VERY expensive excursion because we'd all be buying 1 way tickets on the spot to St. Thomas! haha. But, I know that won't happen if we take this Bernards Tours.... I've read up on them even on Trip Advisor, and they have excellent reviews, and I have not read one report where someone missed their ship with them. So, I feel good about booking through them.
kathy
Hi! I was told by DCL that Brandon can go between the Edge and the Oceaneer Lab since his b-day is that week. He turns 11 Nov 8. I think they said any age with in a month can go between them. I think the lab will have more structured things to do, but I'm not really sure what they do at the Edge.
Brandon loves planes also. He especially likes the old fighter planes right now (ie. B-52s, P-51s, etc.) He likes flight sim also and the Wii airplane games. I'm going to ask him if he has "flown" into St. Maarten. My DH is a pilot so I'm sure there is some influence there. I don't know if they will really push to go to Maho Beach but I know they are talking about it.
My idea of a good day is Shopping! Not a good idea to my son!
My dad is a Harbor Pilot (pilots that take ships and cruise ships in and out of the harbors), and Tyler is very close to his grandpa... even though my dad is not an airline pilot, I think Harbor Pilot or Airline Pilot... they both have the "pilot" gene, so I think that is where my son gets it from.
Wow, that is so cool your son, Brandon, loves planes also, and he likes the Flight Simulator, and Wii airplane games... sounds just like my son, Tyler. And, Tyler turns 11 on Nov 3. Brandon and Tyler will definitely have to meet... I just told Tyler about Brandon, and he is very excited to meet him!
That is great that you found out the brand new 11 year olds can go between the Lab and the Edge. I posted a question about that on the main forum, and from the responses I've gotten so far, it sounds like the Edge is a good experience. But, it's nice to know they can go to the Lab, too, if they want.
Does your husband fly commercial airplanes? That is Tyler's dream.... to be a commercial airline pilot.
I have no idea how much a cab is to get to the shopping area of St. Maarten, but I'm sure there is someone here who can answer that...
What grade is Brandon going into? 5th? Tyler is going into 5th this year.
Take care,
Kathy
So, bear with me if thisi doesn't work. My youngest, Ryan - 9 yrs old, is the red head, and our oldest Tyler who will be 11 by the cruise, is the other little boy). They are 21 months apart in age. 
Our whole cruise had been mostly in the 80's and 90's! 
GREAT PHOTOS!!!
Nice looking family. Its so nice to have the formal photo, then regular dress, then fun pirate outfits. I think you have the bases covered
Glad my instructions worked for both of you or I would be in BIG trouble
Hope more people will follow and post family photos.
I love seeing everyone.
This is great,
Kathy
Yes, your instructions were much easier than I expected. I'm not terribly technically savvy, so I always assume stuff like posting photos on sites like this is complicated. But, it was very easy. Yes, I thought I'd cover all bases of a disney cruise... formal, pirate 
and normal every day look... we are pretty down to earth casual people for the most part... typical pacific northwesterners (as you would know being a pacific northwesterner yourself!)
Ok, so I just have to ask all the Kathleen's (ie, Kathy's), what are your middle names? Wouldn't it be funny if we all had the same middle names?
My full legal name is Kathleen Marie.
-Kathy
OK here is my try....lol If this works I will see if I have a pic of myself...
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OK so we will need to bring a portable first aid kit for some travellers...LOL
Nice to meet you Danielle; Meghan who will be 6 at the cruise is wanting to try the Club/Lab and same with my nefew.
