When do we tender in on the Eastern?

[hilltopfamily]

We're going on our 1st ever cruise and I've been reading library books and checking these boards for info about St. Thomas & St. Maarten.

My question is this: Where do we dock at these 2 stops and do we tender in? Or what? I'm trying to plan some excursions, thinking about what we can do on our own, and trying NOT to overschedule our fun. Also, how big of a concern are the clothing-optional beaches? Which ones to avoid if we don't want our kids witnessing this? thanks for replying--any help is appreciated!

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

afaik, dcl doesn't tender on either of those stops - they certainly didn't when we did the eastern.

 

[WDWLVR]

DCL used to have to tender in St. Martin but that was before they finished the new dock they built. When we cruised there in May 2001 the beautiful dock was open and they don't tender any more.

There are rare times when they may tender in St. Thomas but that is only when there are lots of ships in ports (I think they take turns then with other ships - one tenders one week and other a different week). Again back in '99 we docked as we were the only ship in port that day.

Hope this helps.

 

[mmouse37]

There is one section of Orient Beach that is a nudist camp. There are other beaches at Orient where tops are optional. We saw a few topless women but after the initial shock it was no big deal. Even the kids got used to it.

MJ

 

[sjm]

Originally posted by WDWLVR
There are rare times when they may tender in St. Thomas but that is only when there are lots of ships in ports (I think they take turns then with other ships - one tenders one week and other a different week). [/B]

We were on the 1/25 sailing and we had to tender in St. Thomas. Most wensdays,
when the Magic is in St Thomas, there are a lot of other ships in port. They have to take their turn at tendering.

sue