help exscursions st thomas and st martin

[teach21566]

First time cruiser here, When you go into port, can you get off at the dock, or does the ship dock in the marina and you have to take little boats to shore???? I would like to take our kids to see some of the island or beach, If we do a tour from 12-2, in st Thomas, is there enough time before or after to grab the kids off the boat to hit a beach???? What beach??? Any good exscursions for a 5 and 7 year old???? Coral world on St thomas is pricey, and I think the kids would enjoy the beach better. What about St. Martin??? We plan on doing the rhino riders without the kids, anything good for the kids??? thanks everyone

[kreilly825]

We docked at the pier in both ports. We did take a water taxi in St. Maartin to go into town. You should have time before or after a 12-2 tour, but just make sure you arrive back in plenty of time!

Last time we went to St. Maartin, we did the Golden Eagle Catamaran. It was great! Nice ride to an island and you have the beach to yourselves pretty much (only saw 3-4 other people there). You're not there long, but it sure beat dealing with the crowds.

Have fun!

[teach21566]

I appreciate your reply, where in Ma???? WE are in Shrewsbury, but grew up in Needham.

[PTJD]

On Golden we were at the dock in STT and St Martin, however you can go to http://www.ships.vi/ to see where your ship is scheduled to dock at STT.

Grand Princess 4/14/02
Star Princess 9/21/02
Coral Princess Inaugural 01/03/03
Grand Princess 11/02/03
Golden Princess 1/17/04
Island Princess 1/25/04
Star Princess B2B 1/9/05
Star Princess 1/16/05

[teach21566]

thanks ptjd. That's pretty cool. we are going in Oct 2004, so I guess I will have to wait to be able to access an active link. I appeciate your input.

[J18ktleo]

That is very cool!
Interesting though, we're sailing on the Caribbean Princess and according to the chart the passenger # is 1848...according to Princess it's 3110...kinda off a little???? http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Anyone know of a site like this for St Maaten???

Cunard Princess 1983; Royal Princess 1985; Dawn Princess 1990; Carnival Fantasy 1993; Epirotiki Odysseus 1995; Carnival Ecstasy 1998; Sun Princess 12/1999; Renaissance 12/2000; Carnival Ecstasy 8/2001; Carnival Spirit 12/2001; Grandeur of the Seas 6/2002; Celebrity Infinity 8/29/2002; Carnival Triumph 6/14/03; Grand Princess 1/11/04; Caribbean Princess 9/4/04; Diamond Princess 1/8/05

[bob&karen]

Teach21566, I've never known of a Princess ship having to take the ship's tenders to either of these ports, they should dock right at the pier.

You can check the "Ports of Call" boards for both St. Martin and St. Thomas for lots of great ideas and advice. Given what you're looking for in St. Thomas, you should at least check out the Godfrey Tour Godfrey of St. Thomas (http://www.godfreytoursvi.com/info.html) we loved it and I think it would be interesting enough to keep two little kids occupied. You can shop / walk around town in the morning, take a two-hour tour between 12 and 2, and then spend 2 hours at a beach before being taken back to the ship. I'd personally recommend Sapphire Beach - it's gorgeous, great facilities, and no cover charge.

We have lots of pix of both ports in the link under our signature, below.

Enjoy the cruise !!!

B.

http://www.animationlibrary.com/Animation11/Geography_and_History/Islands/Ship_at_island.gif
"These moments we’re left with - may you always remember
These moments are shared, by few
And those harbor lights, lord they’re coming into view
We’ll bid our farewells much too soon
So drink it up, this one’s for you -
Honey, it’s been a lovely cruise."
-- James W. Buffett

Carnival Triumph, April '02
Carnival Sensation, January '04
Golden Princess, April '04

Carnival Sensation, Golden Princess / Caribbean Princess pix at: Cool Cruisin' Pix (http://community.webshots.com/user/mageesworld)

e-mail: bobandkarenny@yahoo.com

[OCruisers]

teach21566 .... When my children were still sailing with us, Princess was their favorite cruise line by far! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

If you haven't already, you would probably enjoy going to the Ports of Call section and checking under both ST.THOMAS (http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=927093444&f=629097554) and St.Martin. (http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=927093444&f=429097554)

Try to read the OLDER posts there as well. Honestly, these excursions change very little from year to year ... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif ... and cruise line to cruise line. Whatever, it's always fun to read what others did in port.

Know your family is going to have a great trip!!

Maybe this will help a little! Happy Sailing! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif