St. Thomas & St. Maarten

[Gnomester210]

Hi All! We will be going on the Eastern Caribbean for the first time, and I'd like to see some of St. Thomas and/or St. Maarten but haven't seen any excursions we're interested in. Is there a beach near either of these ports or other things we can do within walking distance of the ship? If only my 12 yr old son and I want to go, are these ports relatively safe on our own? Any insights from those who have been on the Eastern before would be greatly appreciated!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi All! We will be going on the Eastern Caribbean for the first time, and I'd like to see some of St. Thomas and/or St. Maarten but haven't seen any excursions we're interested in. Is there a beach near either of these ports or other things we can do within walking distance of the ship? If only my 12 yr old son and I want to go, are these ports relatively safe on our own? Any insights from those who have been on the Eastern before would be greatly appreciated!

We recently were on the Eastern and stopped at St Thomas. We walked off the ship and over to the skyway tram. Then walked a little around the port area. Lots of little shops, mostly selling the same touristy stuff. I don't recall seeing any beaches real accessible to the ship, but it was raining, and we weren't really looking for them.

In St. Maarten we did the Golden Eagle snorkeling excursion. It was real nice and the water was very clear.

 

[truck1]

Hi All! We will be going on the Eastern Caribbean for the first time, and I'd like to see some of St. Thomas and/or St. Maarten but haven't seen any excursions we're interested in. Is there a beach near either of these ports or other things we can do within walking distance of the ship? If only my 12 yr old son and I want to go, are these ports relatively safe on our own? Any insights from those who have been on the Eastern before would be greatly appreciated!

We did the eastern last year. In St Thomas there's lots of little shops right next to the pier. Pretty safe walking around there. In St Maarten we took a cab over to Maho beach and played in the water and watched the planes come in over our heads. If you stand in the water or on the beach and look out to sea, youll see a pair of white markers. Stand between (in however deep water you want) them and the planes will come in over your heads.

 

[Gnomester210]

How far & how much was the cab ride to Maho Beach?

 

[JMCDisneyLover]

Just returned from EC cruise on the Fantasy!! In St. Martin We took the water taxi ($7 per person all day) to the beach/shopping. We did the beach first and then took the water taxi back to the ship for lunch, dried off and changed and then went back on the water taxi to shop for a bit. In St. Thomas, we took a 15- 20 minute taxi/bus ride ($10 per person each way) to Sapphire Beach...BEAUTIFUL!! We had our own snorkeling gear so we were able to snorkel on our own there. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Gnomester210]

Just returned from EC cruise on the Fantasy!! In St. Martin We took the water taxi ($7 per person all day) to the beach/shopping. We did the beach first and then took the water taxi back to the ship for lunch, dried off and changed and then went back on the water taxi to shop for a bit. In St. Thomas, we took a 15- 20 minute taxi/bus ride ($10 per person each way) to Sapphire Beach...BEAUTIFUL!! We had our own snorkeling gear so we were able to snorkel on our own there. Enjoy your trip!

Where do you get the water taxi in St. Martin? Same question for the taxi/bus in St. Thomas, and are there taxis easily available at Sapphire Beach in order to get back? Any place to eat and do we need to rent beach chairs?

 

[cleophus12]

The water taxi in St Martin is right at the dock as you are walking off the ship. Taxis are plentiful in St Thomas also, and they are readily available at Sapphire Beach when you are ready to leave. There once was a restaurant at Sapphire Beach, but I'm not sure if it's still there.