Should DCL drop St. Maarten in favor of Puerto Rico?

[BeanoC]

I was asked to post this poll regarding St. Maarten, which hasn't gotten the best reviews lately. I can't say I liked it much either, although the jewelry prices were pretty good.

Some have suggested that DCL change the eastern itinerary and go to PR instead.

What do you think??

 

[infobahn]

I go for beaches, not shopping. I'd hate to miss Orient Beach. Great sand and surf!

 

[Michelle]

I much prefer St. Maarten, there are some great excursions there and the island is slowly getting greener again after hurricane damage years ago.

We stopped in Puerto Rico on one of my sailings to deal with a medical emergency and I was not impressed. Of course we did not get off the ship so it is not a fair comparison, but I have no interest in visiting that port.

 

[Towncrier]

No way. Where else but St. Maarten can you get Guavaberry Coladas?

 

[MdmMim]

I may be wrong, but for some reason, I thought that cruise lines had to visit a port that was not part of the USA. If this is true, I don't see how they could stop going to St. Maarten--and start going to Puerto Rico. They would have no port outside the US, since both St. Thomas and Puerto Rico are US territories.

Anyway, I just love St. Maarten! I enjoy the architecture and the culture--and those great colors!

 

[Laurajean1014]

I would prefer PR over St. Maartan. Most people I know think very little of SM. It's very dirty, the French were not kind and some of us were pick pocketed!

What's with all the abandoned cars? Can't someone do something with that? Also, I'm not partial to seeing people live in dumpsters with the door torn off.............

The ports of PR are very beautiful and you do not have the exchange problems as you do with SM.

Let's go to PR, now!

 

[MnParrothead]

I also would miss Orient Bay Beach at SM.

 

[Mjasp]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm Interesting.

I was one of the people asking for the poll. I have been to Puerto Rico and LOVED it. Old San Juan was simply the BEST.

BUT...in all defense to St. Maarten I have never been there. I also though have never heard any nice things about St. Maarten from these boards. So since I'm booked for the Eastern itinerary next year. Keep on going about the NICE things to do and see in St. Maarten along with the best beaches there.

Thanks,
Joanna

 

[Wonderwoman1982]

On my cruise last year, we missed St, Maarten because of a tropical storm and went to San Juan instead. Let me say, I was GLAD. I wasn't looking forward to St. Maarten after all the nasty things I heard from others about it. I'm a beach person, too, BUT without having had the opportunity to prepare what we wanted to and just spur of the moment going to P.R., we had a good time. We got off the boat, called Avis, and they came and got us. It was a NICE VERY INTERESING city, with lots of cool things to see and do, just right there in San Juan. We also drove out into the rainforest. THAT was fun... driving into a place we never planned on with just a map we could hardly understand. Thank GOD my hubby is spanish or we'd have been in trouble The ROAD signs are all in spanish of course.. Anyways, I didn't miss out on the beach at all, BUT we DID see some very nice looking beaches with CLEAR blue water.. If we had time to prepare, I"d have found us more to do, but we did see El Yunche' rainforest, and we went to all the old fortresses and castles and all that stuff too.. It would have been a nice city to go explore on foot, too. One thing I HATED was the MOST PUSHY cabbies I've EVER SEEN. AWEFUL pushy people. In St. Thomas, only one guy was bad. He followed us into Avis and yelled at us and was mad because we refused him! ANYWAYS, SAN JUAN PR!! gets my vote.

 

[LarryC]

Originally posted by Dodie
DCL should go ANYWHERE other than St. Maarten!

The part of St. Maarten that we saw (near the port) was dirty and run-down....

The port of San Juan is not very nice either. I have boarded a RCI cruise there, and have stopped in SJ on a Costa cruise.

I much preferred St Maartan for their beaches.

 

[candleonwater]

Why do people find St Maarten so bad? I rather enjoyed it!

 

[abitjaded]

"Mounting soap box"

It has been many years since I have visited either, directly post hurricane in PR and not since hurricane in St Martin, so grain of salt in my comments. San Juan is just too "American" in my opinion. We stayed there four days. This island is huge, very built up, hotel regions revolve around gambling. Trust me there are parts of PR that are every bit as sad and nasty as StM. It would not be an easy place to do day excursions. Plus the far northern location means the beaches will be pretty cold in the winter months. It is an interesting island to spend time on, but NOT in the touristy regions. Culebra is interesting, El Younque (sp?), the rainforest is fascinationg, as is the "telescope" region, but these areas are not a short hop from the port. Old San Juan is interesting, but a pretty large city, all considered.

It seems most of the negative comments about ports visited by any cruise ship are due to a large measure of "culture shock". The comments revolve around scenes of poverty and vendors with "pushy" sales techniques. I feel the shock some people experience is due to innocence of the traveler. If we delete any place from itineraries that have poverty or society that is foreign to us, there are not many places left in the world. Once you have traveled more outside (and in!) the U.S. you learn to take the good with the bad. I think of the time I was 13 and saw New York City for the first time, or Mexico at the age of 21, or Egypt at the age of 30. There are shocks everywhere, but extraordinary things too, if we take the time to SEE.

"Leaving soapbox"
Carla

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Originally posted by MdmMim
I may be wrong, but for some reason, I thought that cruise lines had to visit a port that was not part of the USA. If this is true, I don't see how they could stop going to St. Maarten--and start going to Puerto Rico. They would have no port outside the US, since both St. Thomas and Puerto Rico are US territories.

You're correct a ship that carries passengers between only U.S. ports must be registered in the U.S. That's why the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship that sails out of Honolulu must go to Fanning Island in Kiribati each week. DCL's ships are registered in the Bahamas. However, Castaway Cay is part of the Bahamas, so it would qualify as a foreign port, I would think.

That said, I like St. Maarten quite a bit. I've never been to San Juan, but I wouldn't want to change based on my experience with St. Maarten.

 

[SraRaton]

We had a lovely time on St. Maarten - and found it a delightful Carribean paradise. We went to two different beaches Friar's Bay and Long Bay. We did not go on a shore excursion, instead we rented a car and drove around the island. It has some places of poverty but it also had lovely middle class areas and gorgeous areas for the very wealthy.

I think it is very important to research the new countries you are going to thoroughly before you go. You can find the ugly negative things, but if you want you can also find the charm and beauty.

Most carribean countries are desperately poor. When you are posting about finding the best place to haggle for merchandise or hairbraiding, please understand that you are contributing to that poverty. I get so frustrated when I see people posting about trying to get the cheapest stuff and then commenting that these people are not perfectly clean and courteous.

Think about what would be a fair price or wage and pay it. Or accept that we help encourage the poverty. Do not be a hypocrite.

I did not mean to get off on my soapbox, but remember each of these places is steeped in rich history and have wonderful things to offer. Puerto Rico is also lovely, but it is very Americanized, and I for one, enjoy getting to know different cultures.

Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

I guess I'm not a good one to ask, as I'd rather stop in Haiti or Jamaica.

I agree with the previous posters in that the Carribean Islands are generally very poor, and there is a great deal of culture shock with any visitors who have never seen this kind of living before.

If I wanted to see white picket fences, I'd go to Kansas, USA. (Not picking on Kansas, just looking to exemplify the heartland.) That's not what visiting a foreign port is all about.

DH and I have given a lot of thought to where to go on our shore excurions, and have decided that we'd like to visit the historical aras rather than the beaches. We'd like to get a taste for the local culture and history.

Regretfully there's as much poverty right here in the USA as there is in St. Maarten. It's just swept under the carpet. But it's there. Go to Sandtown in Baltimore, Winchester Park in Memphis, Barton Hill in LA, North East Philadelphia. You'll see the same type of poverty and homelessness. Of course these areas are outside the "tourist" areas, so you'd never see them if you visited. How ironic.

As to pickpockets, you haven't SEEN petty crime until you've visited the 4th arrondissemente in Paris! I'd take the petty crime over the violent crime any day. If you are alert you won't be a victim of petty crime.

Anne

 

[bkline]

We have been to St. marteen 3 times on cruises and love it. We always do the Golden Eagle Catamaran and eat and enjoy the beach at Everything's Cool. I look for ships that stop at St. Marteen, Antigua, and St. Thomas. Am still looking for one that will include Tortola during the summer months. Keep it.

 

[dijid]

No way to PR! I was less than impressed with it when I was there 5 years ago. Much prefer SM. Especially for DCL where lots of children are involved. It's just so convenient to be able to get off the ship, get on the water taxi and be at the beach. I really liked that we were the only cruise ship there, too. Made it much nicer.

 

[andybear]

I agree with several others - Sint Maarten is a typical caribbean island, and we love it! It is one of the primary reasons we are going back for a second cruise! True, the people are not like you would meet in the US, but that is part of the fun....meeting and experiencing other cultures. We used a Magic cruise last year to introduce our kids (10 & 12) to the caribbean, and they loved it.....so much so that next year we are sailing for a week in the BVI's, then cruising on Magic again. This stop gives parents a chance to show another part of the world to their kids - hope others will take to it like mine did......I generally feel safer in the islands than I do in Washington DC!!!!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

These are some of the shore excursions that might be offered by Disney if they were to do San Juan:

Copied from www.travelchannel.com

<b>Note</b>: Most tours require a minimum of walking—a walking tour of Old San Juan can be tiring if you’re not accustomed to hiking hilly streets.

<b>San Juan City Tour</b>—This bus tour takes you through the old and new areas of San Juan, with stops at such historic sites as the San Cristobal Fortress, El Morro Fortress and the San Jose Church. Shopping and casino stops often are included. <i>3-6 hours. About US$20-$25.</i>

<b>Old City Walking Tour</b>—You’ll begin your tour at El Morro, with a walk through the fort to examine its impressive military installations. Then you walk past most of the Old City’s historic buildings, with visits to the Casa Blanca Museum and Gardens, the Ballaja Barracks, Quincentennial Square, San Jose Church and San Juan Cathedral. You end up near the main shopping area, where you can stay or take provided transportation back to the ship. <i>2 hours. About US$25.</i>

<b>San Juan and Bacardi Distillery Tour</b>—First, a jaunt through the hot spots in the old part of the city. Then it’s on to the Bacardi Rum Distillery in Catano, across the bay, for a guided tour and free samples. <i>3-6 hours. About US$18-$25.</i>

<b>El Yunque Rain Forest</b>—Caribbean National Forest, also known as El Yunque, is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. A bus takes you from San Juan to the park, which is on the northeastern corner of the island. The tour usually includes stops at local shops and at Luquillo Beach for a swim. <i>4-6 hours. About US$20-$30.</i>

<b>Hiking El Yunque</b>—The best way to experience the beauty of El Yunque is to hike into the rain forest. This tour begins with a one-hour bus ride to the rain forest. Then you’ll hike one of the trails—probably Big Tree Trail to La Mina Falls Trail. There’s usually time to cool off in the pool near the falls before hiking back to the bus. <i>6 hours. About US$35.</i>

<b>San Juan Nightlife Tour</b>—You can sample San Juan’s night moves on this tour, which usually takes in one of the city’s Las Vegas-type shows, a little gaming and a couple of cocktails. 3 hours. <i>About US$35-$40.</i>

<b>Golf at Cerromar Beach</b>—If you’re a golfer you won’t want to pass up the chance to play a round at either the Cerromar Beach North course or Cerromar Beach South course. (Both are par-72 courses.) Transportation, greens fees and shared golf cart are included. <i>6 hours. US$100-$110.</i>

<b>Horseback Riding</b>—This is one of the best ways to explore the wild Puerto Rican countryside. You’ll travel to the foothills of El Yunque Rain Forest, where you’ll saddle up and ride around the edge of the forest and along the banks of the Espiritu Santo River. There’s usually time to cool off in a swimming hole by the river. Wear long pants, a swimsuit and enclosed shoes. <i>4-5 hours. About US$55.</i>

 

[JLSE50]

We went on the Pineal Island snorkeling when we went to St. Martin. During the bus trip, we saw parts of the island where people live, not just the part "fixed up" for tourists.

We came home with a new appreciation for how blessed we are in the US. A village could live in our house. One family per room and share the kitchen.

It also reinforced our resolve to NOT bargain with the locals when we bought anything at a street-side booth. Our payment enabled them to put food on the table and pay their children's school fees. (In many countries a child cannot go to school unless he has his own paper, pencils, books, uniforms, etc.)

Bargaining them down would only limit their families. I could lose a dollar or two accidently out of my wallet and not notice, so why not pay a bit more for a necklace or t-shirt and make it possible for the family to live a little better.

Jan