September 29, 2007 - Magic

[JDBlair]

As far as St. Maarten, I do have a website that had a lot of info on it but it is on my computer at home. I'll post it later for you if you want!

Yes, please!!!

 

[crainbow]

Chuck....we did enjoy !

The kids and I were looking at all the shots and my dd says "let's do it !". Thanks for posting !

My pleasure. While posting those, I flashed on that day. Mina does not know how to swim, so most water activities are out. But I did get her in the water up to her waist that day. The parasailing was great. I rode single. I would do it again in a heartbeat if there was some one to keep her busy and not worried. So I will be looking for other activities this time. The day was very bright even though the photos don't show it. I had forgotten to put sunscreen on my feet and had trouble walking for the next week. It got cloudy late in the day. I think we were the last boat out for this activity. Got very wet going back to the ship.

The one activity that I know is on her schedule is in St Maartin. That is shopping for a bauble. I have to start saving my $$$$'s for that. It is going to really hurt the wallet.

Chuck

 

[JLSE50]

And the last batch.

Hope you enjoy!

Chuck

Adding a bracket to get the first picture to post.
Jan

 

[Beck's mom]

Here's a web page that has activities you can do on St. Maarten:

http://www.saint-martin-activities.com/qwerty/index.htm?c89.htm&1



Here is an information page about the island:

http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/StMaarten.htm

And another:

http://www.geographia.com/st-maarten/index.html

Hope this helps!

 

[ibela]

I'd prefer to stay on the ship at ports but DH insists we get off the ship. He says that's the point of taking a cruise, to see new things, etc Blah, blah blah!

Have fun at DD's birthday bash!!!

Mine's just like you! He's only going to the butterfly farm b/c he doesn't want to be left out in case he misses something. We're doing the cruise b/c we just bought into DVC and haven't used any points yet, our main goal is to relax.

Thanks, I'm all psyched about the party!!

Btw - Jet Blue just started a promo of $50 off any flight in Sept. for those of you that haven't booked a flight yet.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the head's up ibela !


Beck's Mom....thanks a ton for the links !

 

[JLSE50]

They chose to work in this profession, why should I feel bad about them doing what they were hired to do? So give them a tip because they have a gross job?

Thanks for the head's up ibela !
Beck's Mom....thanks a ton for the links !

Who has a gross job?
Jan

 

[MiaSRN62]

Jan....sorry....I edited my post........came from another thread and that quote was not from me. The topic was wdw housekeeping. Sorry about that.

 

[JDBlair]

Here's a web page that has activities you can do on St. Maarten:

http://www.saint-martin-activities.com/qwerty/index.htm?c89.htm&1



Here is an information page about the island:

http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/StMaarten.htm

And another:

http://www.geographia.com/st-maarten/index.html

Hope this helps!

Okay, here's what cracks me up! The best beach for St Maarten is supposed to be Orient Bay. But do DCL people really take their children to Orient Bay??? With the nudity and all? Not that nudity is wrong, we were all born in our birthday suits, but do I want my 3 year old getting an eyeful??

 

[JDBlair]

Chuck!
Loved the pics. You got some great shots up there. I especially like the pics with the ship in them!

What is a bauble?? I Google'd it but wasn't sure if that's what you were talking about??

 

[JDBlair]

This island is killing me with trying to figure out what to do!! Anyone else having problems with figuring out what to do in St Maarten?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Okay, here's what cracks me up! The best beach for St Maarten is supposed to be Orient Bay. But do DCL people really take their children to Orient Bay??? With the nudity and all? Not that nudity is wrong, we were all born in our birthday suits, but do I want my 3 year old getting an eyeful??

I hear ya JD. I am having more trouble finding an excursion on St Maartin that we'll all enjoy vs St Thomas. And it figures....we're longer in port at St Maartin. Wish it was the other way around.
My 2 teen dd's want nothing to do with Orient Bay because of the nudity. I think it's actually easier with real little kids who probably won't bat too much more than an eyelash. The older kids are getting in to where they are having real modesty issues etc. Both my girls said "no way" to Orient Bay, and this is why we're looking at the snorkel trips (Pinel Island is one we're considering). We might just do some shopping/sightseeing after that. I'm still checking out the links Beck's mom sent.

 

[crainbow]

This island is killing me with trying to figure out what to do!! Anyone else having problems with figuring out what to do in St Maarten?

There is really not much to do on that island except if you want to buy jewelry (this is the bauble I mentioned earlier that I must buy the wife).

We had met another couple on our last cruise and they took the island tour. Said it was a waste of time. The poverty on this island is very bad. Mina and I strolled around and visited many jewelry stores in the morning. She found a couple of items that she could "not live without". I could not live with the cost as I had not planned for it. <grin>. So this trip I am planning for it.

We got back to the ship and had a nice quite afternoon and watched the crew set up for the Pirate party. I was able to get many photo's of the ship with out a single person in the frame. We just relaxed for the rest of the day. I then spent about 90 minutes shooting some photo's of the skyline at dusk. Out of the 100 or so that I took only one was print worthy (about right I guess).

I used so much of the battery shooting the skyline that I was unable to get many shots of the Pirates later that evening. I think I am going to get a spare battery before this cruise so that I don't do that again.

St Thomas is a much better stop. The flowers are beautiful and also found this little guy who posed for me.

Chuck

 

[MiaSRN62]

Chuck....
You take some really beautiful photos. Well worth killing the battery for. Thanks so much for posting.

 

[ibela]

OK, I was keeping track of when I became a mouseketeer but forgot who wanted to know the # = deweysgirl I think? I think the # was 77 if that satisfies your curiousity. More importantly, I'M FINALLY A MOUSEKETEER!

That said, crainbow - from the thread it seems like you take very nice pictures, if I ever remember to log in from home where things like pictures aren't blocked (thank you IT security), I'd love to see them.

JD-did you check to see which tours in St. Maarten the passporter recommends? And where's your sense of adventure - sure a 3 yr old can get an eyeful of people with no clothes! Actually, that's a really funny and good point because the other day someone had posted on the main forum about how some kids were screaming down the hall at like 5:30am and she said next time she was going out in her thongs to see what the racket was about and maybe that'd prove a point to the parents, and everyone on the board agreed, but REALLY if that same family went to a nudie beach I guess the thongs would make her seem overdressed to the kids and hence no point made?!

Ummm, it's early in the am and I need my 2nd cup of coffee - no more rambling for me.

 

[JDBlair]

Chuck - the pictures are awesome. Can you follow my family and I around on the cruise and snap our pictures so I don't have to give up my first born child at Shutters?

You all crack me up. I read that post about the woman complaining about the kids in the hall and giving them a show. I think I read my Passporter and there weren't too many excursions DD (3) can go on. So, what I'm thinking is we'll get off the ship and look around town and then get back on the ship! If St Maarten day is also the Pirate night then I will want to be rested because I do not want to miss the Pirate party. It sounds like a lot of people poop out before the late night festivities and I for one do not want to poop out! I can't wait to see fireworks at sea and watch the show! Oh yeah, and eat at the buffet! DH and I have been saying this cruise is to relax and just take it easy. Well, as easy as you can take it with a 3 & 13 year old!

And speaking of teen-agers, I am very sure DS would throw me overboard if he knew I was taking him to a nude beach. Oh my gosh, he'd have a fit. But I have a feeling DD would do as the Romans do and join on in. In fact, she just got in trouble at day care this week for taking her shirt off!

 

[Beck's mom]

Crainbow, those are really great pictures!

I am not going to attempt Orient Beach. You know the only people who will be nude are the ones that shouldn't be! Also I have teenagers so that would just be too weird.

I am thinking about doing the horseback ride.

Oh, and I posted some pics of Magen's Bay in the thread about what to do in St. Thomas to give you an idea of what it is like.

 

[JDBlair]

Crainbow, those are really great pictures!

I am not going to attempt Orient Beach. You know the only people who will be nude are the ones that shouldn't be! Also I have teenagers so that would just be too weird.

I am thinking about doing the horseback ride.

Oh, and I posted some pics of Magen's Bay in the thread about what to do in St. Thomas to give you an idea of what it is like.

Where are the pics? I can't wait to see them.

Okay, have you guys figured out I am in complete DCL planning mode now? <- is how my family is reacting. Passporter is laying out all over the house with a highlighter attached to it. I'm constantly on the boards - even at work. (Shame on me, I know! :surfweb)

Here's my new question: Who all are flying out on Sunday, the day after we get back from the cruise, instead of making a mad rush for the airport on Saturday??

 

[Beck's mom]

Where are the pics? I can't wait to see them.

Sorry! Here is a link to that post (my pics are on page 3): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1303002

Okay, have you guys figured out I am in complete DCL planning mode now?

Me too! I bought the airline tickets, booked our hotel for the Fri. night before the cruise, made the final decision on where we are staying after, and now I am looking into what we are going to do on each of our island stops! This is the fun part!

Here's my new question: Who all are flying out on Sunday, the day after we get back from the cruise, instead of making a mad rush for the airport on Saturday??

My immediate family is staying til Monday! We are going to the Hard Rock Hotel for 2 days and doing Universal. The rest of our family group is staying til Tuesday and doing Universal too! A warning for you - since it's Columbus Day weekend, hotel prices are higher than the norm. Book early if you are staying over!

 

[JDBlair]

Sorry! Here is a link to that post (my pics are on page 3): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1303002



Me too! I bought the airline tickets, booked our hotel for the Fri. night before the cruise, made the final decision on where we are staying after, and now I am looking into what we are going to do on each of our island stops! This is the fun part!



My immediate family is staying til Monday! We are going to the Hard Rock Hotel for 2 days and doing Universal. The rest of our family group is staying til Tuesday and doing Universal too! A warning for you - since it's Columbus Day weekend, hotel prices are higher than the norm. Book early if you are staying over!

I love the pictures! It looks exactly like the type of beach I can sit on and drink something fruity and think life is very good!!

Well, I think I have DH talked in to staying at the Hyatt in the airport the night before we fly home. Is everyone else's DH like this? You have to go in with a full plan and a winning argument in order to get your way?? I mean, isn't it enough that I say, "Hey, I think we should stay at this hotel" without having to list my reasoning? Who's planning this vacation any way??