WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN ST. MAARTIN??

[ken_nyc]

Please let me know the best shore tours that you have done in St. Maartin. Thank you all!!

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)
Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern Caribbean) 30th Anniversary Cruise
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[teedee]

I have a couple of suggestions, the America's Cup Regetta is awesome! You get to be part of the crew and participate in a race. It's the best excursion I've ever done anywhere! It is really popular though, so I would book early. The other one I liked was the Golden Eagle Catamaran. Really nice. We sailed for a while then went to a nice beach. Very relaxing and a good time.

Terri

Skyward - 1989
Carnivale - 1991
Holiday - 1994
Fantasy - 1998
Century - 2002
Century - 2003
Jubilee - 7/04
Century - 9/04
Coral Princess - 3/05
Valor - 10/05

Days til Valor Vampires Cruise
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[tef43]

The America's Cup Regatta is *NOT* to be missed!

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas
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Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!
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And then:
Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera
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Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[BigDoug]

In March, we went to the Divi Little Bay Resort. It was a great day at the beach with a couple of drinks and lunch included. it was great.

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Imagination 3/03
Carnival Legend 10/28/03
Carnival Triumph 3/13/04
Carnival Legend 3/19/05

[nosnobunny]

We rented a car with another couple we met onboard and tooted around the island on our own. That way, you don't miss anything. We went to Marigot, Orient Beach, etc. All at our own pace.

Beth

[Tera821]

if you like snorkeling try the power snorkel it's easy and you glide through the water with minimal effort. it's a great experience. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

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...until the Carnival Miracle October 3, 2004

[sea-n-ski]

We chartered 2 cigarette jet boats for our party of 14 from offshoresunsations.com and had a wonderful day. Be sure to ask up front about any extra costs though...We had to pay to get on the beach in Anguilla(per boat and per person) and ate a very expensive lunch. If you decide to use them, bring zip locs and carry lunch from room service off the ship and put into their coolers!

Have a blast on your cruise!

Laura

[KandMGIn]

Ken, My DH and I had a fantastic time on the Mountain Bike Adventure. You get a tour from the ship(Dutch side), to the French side. Once you get fitted to the right bike and helmet, you go through the beautiful countryside with tour guides and a bus that follows for anyone who gets tired out. You arrive at Friars Bay which was our favorite beach out of the seven we visited on our cruise. It is a locals beach that is secluded with a hut that sells drinks, alc and non alc, and food. Beware, this beach is on the French side and one may see topless women. This beach was also recently listed in the Chicago Tribune travel section as one of the best in the St. Maarten.

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Until we leave for New Orleans and the Conquest


January 2004 Adventure of the Seas
January 9th 2005 Conquest (Here we come!)

[SoccerMom#3]

I second the Golden Eagle Catamaran excursion. This is the best excursion I have ever been on (altho we are going on Randi's horses in Matzalan so I will probably have a new favorite.)

Elise

7/11 Pride Cruise
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[ken_nyc]

I thank you all!! VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!! Keep those recommendations coming.

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)
Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern Caribbean) 30th Anniversary Cruise
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[cruisemom2]

We took a taxi to Orient Beach and spent several hours there. It was heaven on earth! Beautiful beach and the water was just gorgeous! We rented a jet ski for an hour, which was lots of fun, but I could just relax on that beach for days.

Beth
~~~~~~~~~~~

Countdown to Glory
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Enchantment of the Seas 10/27/02
Carnival Victory 5/25/03
Carnival Glory 5/22/04

[Florida Scorpion]

Anyone know the approximate cost of the America's Cup Regatta?

We'll be doing the Godfrey Tour in St. Thomas and still trying to figure out what to do in St. Maartin.

From what I've read it sounds awesome.

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Till our Triumph cruise 7/31/04
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Fantasy 04/98
Jubilee 08/02/01
Fantasy 10/28/01
Triumph 07/31/04

[Cyt4SoreEyes]

we either get taxi or rent van or car and go to Orient Beach but you can easily get taxi and go for cheaper if you dont plan on going anywhere else and just set up time for driver to come back and get you form the beach. Thats what we do just the beach and water sports snorkel and relax!!

Cyt

Atlantic
Oceanic
Norway
Enchantment of the Seas
Destiny
Voyager of the Seas
Conquest March 30th 2003
Glory May 29th 2004

[TinaB]

Would there be enough time to go to Orient Beach for a while, then to Maho Beach to watch the planes land?

Ecstasy '91
Ecstasy '93
Triumph '01
Conquest '03
Imagination '04
Mariner of the Seas '05

[drwestlake]

If you have kids and want to do the beach thing, we got off the ship and walked past the taxi and took a left. Walked right into town, a couple blocks. There's gobs of shops, cut thru to your left again and hit the beach. Our kids loved playing on the water trampoline all day. Hubby and I drank beer on the beach and people watched. It was a no fus day.

[bob&karen]

TinaB, there's plenty of time for both Orient and Maho, we just did it in April. Between 2 and 3:45 you should catch at least a couple of the big jets landing. (There are pix of both beach stops in the link below, under our signature).

Just passing on the following without comment: At the Sunset Beach Bar, at Maho Beach, topless women drink for free http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

When your driver drops you off at Maho, ask him to come back to pick you up for the ride back to port - tell him what time you need to be back at your ship and let him judge what time he should pick you up.

SXM is an absolute gas, you'll have a great time.

B.

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e-mail: bobandkarenny@yahoo.com

[finoky]

Lawman, when we were on the Legend in March the cost of the America's Cup Regatta was $88/pp. Like a previous poster mentioned it will sell out very very quickly. There are a limited number of spots available for this.

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Tony

2004 Legend March 28th
2003 Paradise
2002 Paradise
2000 Destiny
1999 Fascination
1998 Fantasy

[Florida Scorpion]

Thank you so much Tony. I'll have to jump on it quick.

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Till our Triumph cruise 7/31/04
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Fantasy 04/98
Jubilee 08/02/01
Fantasy 10/28/01
Triumph 07/31/04

[momofmeg]

I went shopping. Hubby went snorkling on the cattamarran excursion. Also right by where you catch the ship tender is a public beach.
I have read posts where those who to a taxi to the french side to go to the nude beaches and were disapointed when they dsicovered it was not gorgeous models on those nude beaches but middleaged people mostly. Hubby also had a workmate who went to one of those beaches and went nude and ran into a co-worker from home also nude. Both were terribly embarrassed. Now the odds of that happening are slim but it is something to think about.

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Carnival Miracle 04/09/04 Bahamas

[drush]

It seems every port has it's "not to miss tour" and St. Maarten's is definitely the America's Cup Regatta. On one trip we rented mopeds and drove over to St. Martin, that was also a lot of fun.

[jemingway]

Take a taxi to the Butterfly Farm. It is great and obviously much better than you would think.

JV The 4 stages of cruising: planning, anticipation, experience and reflection.

[BETSY DOLL]

We have been on the Island Tour (takes a complete bus ride around both French & Dutch )Then the shopping in Philipsburg (find the Chocolate shop on Old Street and they deliver to the cruise ships). Went to Orient Beach this year- but did not stay long. It was a nice beach and lots of nudes, just didn't have the time. Next time, we will go there first and rent our chairs for the day!

[bar10der421]

We hired a taxi for an island tour. Great driver, very informative and we really enjoyed it. A stop at Orient Beach convinced me that if we ever go back, we will spend several hours there. It is beautiful. And I believe you have a choice of clothing optional area or not.

5/2 Miracle cruise
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[TinaB]

Thanks bob&karen!

Ecstasy '91
Ecstasy '93
Triumph '01
Conquest '03
Imagination '04
Mariner of the Seas '05

Hi ken

I've cruised to SXM a few times and usually grab a cab at the pier and head to Orient Beach for the morning, when you've had enough sun youcan grab a cab to Marigot for lunch. Plenty of cabs available just where they droped you off at the beach. Try La Vie En Rose for lunch in marigot. Cab will drop you off and you can eat out side right across the street from an out door craft market and great view of the fort. The french side has awesome food! Then after touring the markets and shopping there is a large taxi stand across the street where you get a cab back to Phillipsburg for a little more shopping. St Maarten definitely one of my favorite port Days!!! All this very easy and doable with out out and expensive shore tour.

Bob

Elation 04/99
Victory 12/00
Grand 09/01
Pride 12/02
Voyager 02/04

[pkievet]

Thanks to everyone. We leave for Eastern Caribbean on Saturday on Triumph and I am trying to plan our port activities for Mom, Dad, 30 year old son and 17 year old daughter.

[pooh1111]

We booked the America's Cup Regatta for our November Victory sailing. Unfortunately, only us and 2 other people had signed up so it was cancelled. We ended up taking one of the beach tours and it was the best beach day that we have had. I can't remember which one it was, but I don't think it was the Divi Bay Experience as I believe that was sold out.