Need Help with Logistics Margiot/Sunset Bch

[SeafordCruiser]

Been to St martins several times on cruise ships. we basically go to Orient bch and shopping Phillipsburg However now want to shop /see Margot and lunch at Sunset Bch Bar (is there a swimming beach there too) I dont know which airport this is by. Transportation wise what is the best way to do this???? :confused: :confused: :confused: Thanks
M

[The Big Booper]

Both Marigot and Maho are on the west coast of the island, with Marigot being further north. You could easily rent a car at the pier, drive up to Marigot for shopping and then back-track several miles to Maho for lunch and plane spotting which would leave enough time to get back to the pier before 5 when the car rental places close.

A car rental would be better than cabs since you will be making at least 3 trips and depending on how many in your party will cost you less. There are several other posts here on the subject of getting around SXM, look for replies by Kal who has links to his web pages for maps, driving instructions and plane schedules. The airport at Maho is an international and all the big boys operate here, 757s, 767s, 747s, Airbus biggies, etc. The name Is Julianna (sp?)

BTW, what Dolphin ship were you on in 1996, SeaBreeze, OceanBreeze, IslandBreeze?

[SeafordCruiser]

THANKS....we're OK about car rental BUT car parking????Seems like bus is OK too but not sure where to pick them up....Will keep reading posts..Is beach at Maho nice??We enjoy Orient Beach but parking there must be a nightmare.
Oh we were on the tiny Island Breeze for a weekend but that started our cruising desires...:D
M

[kal]

Take a look at Maho Here (http://www.bywindkal.com/Maho.html). Parking at Orient is no problem.

[texancruzer]

We had no problem finding parking spot in Marigot (near the marina) and not too much finding one at Orient. Everyone had me worried before we got there but traffic in Grand Case was the only slight problem we had.... teeny tiny one way roads and jammed up. Took about 15 minutes to get back out.

[The Big Booper]

THANKS....we're OK about car rental BUT car parking????Seems like bus is OK too but not sure where to pick them up....Will keep reading posts..Is beach at Maho nice??We enjoy Orient Beach but parking there must be a nightmare.
Oh we were on the tiny Island Breeze for a weekend but that started our cruising desires...:D
M

Parking at Maho or Orient is no problem.

The current issue of Cruise Travel magazine has a long illustrated article on a beach in India where old cruise ships are beached to be broken up and salvaged or scrapped. There are several pictures showing the Island Breeze being torn apart. Sort of nostalgic as we took our first cruise on the SeaBreeze in 1993 and third on the Island Breeze in 1995.:(

[SeafordCruiser]

Parking at Margot ok too??? Best place to rent car???:confused:

poor little SeaBreeze and Island Breeze...RIP..........:D
thanks all for help................

[The Big Booper]

Marigot parking DIFFICULT, very crowded and hard to find spots near the stores.

[The Big Booper]

There are 5 car rental booths at the pier. Hertz and Budget and 3 local places. We usually use Hertz, they cost a little more (a franchise operation). You can reserve by e-mail. I can look it up but we have never reserved and have always gotten a car.

They all close at 5 PM. When does your ship leave?

[SeafordCruiser]

Marigot parking DIFFICULT, very crowded and hard to find spots near the stores.

geez ..is it doable though??Have to be back on ship by 5:00 so time wise its fine...BUT dont wnt to spend loads of it looking for space and being stressed out...Tours of Margot from RCI seem boring:(

[kal]

When you reach the Marigot waterfront plaza area, continue on the road toward the water past the West Indies Mall. There is a large public parking area where you can always find a spot. This is about a 5 minute walk to the open air market. In addition, there are many parking spots immediately west of the open-air produce sellers area along the water. I've never had a situation where I had to look very hard for parking in Marigot at any hour of the day.

[texancruzer]

We drove up and there were 2 or 3 right in front of shopping area by the marina.....not sure if this was because there were no other large ships in port or if we just got there early or what.... but saw other people pull up and park right away too.... I guess all those would factor in to the parking puzzle.