St. Martin

[jdm]

Hi

I'm now starting the process of what to do on port days. I know I don't want to do any formal excursions. On St. Martin, I was thinking about the butterfly farm and the beach. I know the butterfly farm is next to a stable and I was kicking this around as DD12 is a cowgirl :~) and has always wanted to ride on the beach. Of course, she'd want me to go and I am not a cowgirl!!

I'm completely unfamiliar and was wondering if anyone had any experience of doing any of these activities? I was thinking about renting a car but the more I think about it, it will probably work better for us not to. No hassels.

Is the butterfly farm within walking distance to the beach or do you have to take a cab? I'm still on the fence about Orient because of the nudity. I'm thinking DD12 being a preteen might be selfconscious or uncomfortable about this. DH is kind of a conserative guy and wouldn't think twice if it was just us but with the girls...... I don't see him being comfortable.

I did a search on horsebackriding, butterfly farm etc. and didn't come up with much.

So, any info or comments on any of these activities or how you felt about a particular beach etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Jenn

 

[jdm]

Anyone? I know we have a lot of Eastern cruisers out there

Thanks
Jenn

 

[rocketralph]

We went on the Eastern cruise in November but we did the Rhino Rider excursion. Sorry I can't help you out.

 

[DrCavin]

We went to the Butterfly farm. We took a taxi & arrived a few minutes before they opened. Once they did open we were able to walk around by ourselves for about 10-15 mintues before the Disney excursion arrived. Then they did a little educational tour thing.

Our taxi driver met us back at the butterfly farm & showed us a beach just up the road from the butterfly farm. We decided not to go there since it did not look to have any facilities around for drinks or bathrooms. He then took us to Orient Beach & picked us up again to take us back to the ship.

We probably spent about $40 on taxi service for the day, but it was very relaxed & easy to do!!
hope that helps...

 

[cadburysmom]

We went on the Eastern cruise in November but we did the Rhino Rider excursion. Sorry I can't help you out.

I'm interested in doing the Rhino Rider excursion and was wondering if you enjoyed it. Do you go to a beach to go snorkeling?

 

[Joel110]

We went to the Butterfly farm. We took a taxi & arrived a few minutes before they opened. Once they did open we were able to walk around by ourselves for about 10-15 mintues before the Disney excursion arrived. Then they did a little educational tour thing.

Our taxi driver met us back at the butterfly farm & showed us a beach just up the road from the butterfly farm. We decided not to go there since it did not look to have any facilities around for drinks or bathrooms. He then took us to Orient Beach & picked us up again to take us back to the ship.

We probably spent about $40 on taxi service for the day, but it was very relaxed & easy to do!!
hope that helps...

Did you like the Butterfly farm? For girls ages 4 & 6, would it be worth the visit? How much was admission? How long would you say you spent at the farm?

Thanks.

 

[DrCavin]

The farm is pretty interesting, our kids really liked it. I don't remember the exact price, but it wasn't more than $25 for all 4 of us. We spent about an hour or 1 1/2 hours there.

 

[firsttimemom]

Can you do the butterfly farm on your own or do you need to book it through DCL? I know the prev. poster had his own transportation but it sounds like they did the tour w/ DCL.

TIA!

Liz

 

[DrCavin]

We did it own our own, the butterfly farm has a little informational tour they do. We just happen to take the info tour the same time as DCL group did theirs. You don't have to book thru DCL, just show up at the Butterfly Farm.

 

[tvguy]

I'd suggest reconsidering not doing any excursions. My DD 12 loved the 12 Metre Regatta. It's something we'll talk about for the rest of our lives.

 

[abusymommy]

We did the 12 metre Regatta and it was the best excursion we have ever been on (and we've been on about a dozen different cruises and many excursions). It usually sells out quickly...so if you are going, I would book right away. You won't be disappointed!

 

[rocketralph]

I'm interested in doing the Rhino Rider excursion and was wondering if you enjoyed it. Do you go to a beach to go snorkeling?

We had a BLAST!!! I wanna go back and do it again. We didn't go to a beach. We actually didn't go to the bay we were suppose to go because the oean was to rough. There was about 8 Rhino Rider boats in our group. We went to sunken ship bay and we all tied our boats to the guide's boat. Then we went snorkling for about 45min to and hour and after that we went riding around for awhile. Great time. Well worth the money spent.

 

[cadburysmom]

Thanks Rocketralph!

Did you have many kids when you went and if so, what were their ages? I'm just hoping my DS10 won't get bored since he's not old enough to drive the boat

 

[chasbos]

JDM - We spent an amazing week in St. Maarten last year and took our 4 DD's on a 2 hour horse back ride through the hills (some very steep) and the beach and into the sea (that was cool!) We used Lucky Stables they have a website - not sure if I can post it but it is www dot luckystable dot com.

My girls were 12, 10, 8, 5 when we went and all 6 of us had our own horse. The girls loved it but they ride very often (we have 9 horses) I was a little scared at times - but i hate horses!

You will have to take a taxi their from the port but it is not far.

 

[rocketralph]

Thanks Rocketralph!

Did you have many kids when you went and if so, what were their ages? I'm just hoping my DS10 won't get bored since he's not old enough to drive the boat

There was a couple of kids. I don't think any of them were younger than 13 though. The passanger has to hang on tight because it sometimes got a little rough hitting the waves and crossing the wakes. I really don't know how much fun it is for young kids but I do know it is a blast for the adults. The guide did let one of the kids drive the boat for a little while.