St. Martin Excursion?

[Joan S.]

Please HELP! I Cannot decide what is the best way to see some of this island/shop/and go to a beach! Is the "under two flags tour" a good way to see the island time wise?? Or would I do better to take a taxi over to Marigot?? I would also like to shop on the dutch side and spend some time on a beach! If Idid the tour I would have lunch on the ship and head to shop in Phillipsburg at about 1pm. I would also like to spend some time on a beach(I was thinking of DAWNS beach). Is this too much to try?? We have early diner and would need to be back on the ship for about 5pm. Any sugstions are appreciated! THANKS! Joan S.

 

[greenikes]

We just returned from our cruise (Feb 23 to Mar 2) and did an excursion on St Maarten. Overall, we were somewhat disappointed with the island, but did enjoy the French Riviera Beach Rendezvous excursion. The lunch was great and the beach was very nice. It was also an interesting bus ride over to the beach and informative. As far as being disappointed in the island itself...we thought it was below average in terms of beauty, was very "touristy" and not very clean or tropical. It was the lowlight of our wonderful Disney cruise, but definitely a good experience and worthwhile.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

On our 12/1 cruise, we got off the ship early, and took a cab to Dawn Beach. It was kind of rainy, so we didn't stay there as long as if it were a nice day, but you could spend a good 3-4 hours there and still have time to wander around Philipsburg. We went back to the ship to shower after the beach, and then took the water taxi into Philipsburg for lunch and shopping. We had plenty of time to look around and shop, and were back on the ship before dinner.

Funny how perceptions are different. I like St. Maarten a lot. It was every bit the seedy Caribbean port. Granted I didn't spend any time on the French side, but I found the people to be very friendly and the beaches to be quite nice.