Excursion Ideas : San Juan and Martinique

Hello!

We are cruising Jan 3 2016 on Anthem of the Seas, there are two stops that I am having a hard time trying to plan, San Juan and Martinique. Does any one have any suggestions about private tour companies, beaches, attractions to visit? We prefer to do smaller groups/private tours and are foodies that enjoy trying new restaurants and local food.

Hello!

We are cruising Jan 3 2016 on Anthem of the Seas, there are two stops that I am having a hard time trying to plan, San Juan and Martinique. Does any one have any suggestions about private tour companies, beaches, attractions to visit? We prefer to do smaller groups/private tours and are foodies that enjoy trying new restaurants and local food.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You may want to try the Ports of Calls forums:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=131

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=115

We took a catamaran sail in Martinique last November that was one of the best excursions we've ever been on. The name of the cat was the Emotions, there was also the Emotions 2. One of our group was able to put the trip together, which involved 5 cats by the time we were done.

The biggest problem with booking private excursions in Martinique is the language. We had a hard time as none of us spoke french. I know the Emotions 2 has a page on a popular social media site that is not allowed here - but even that is in french.

If you speak the language, or can find a way to communicate with them, I can't tell you how much fun it was.

Hello!

We are cruising Jan 3 2016 on Anthem of the Seas, there are two stops that I am having a hard time trying to plan, San Juan and Martinique. Does any one have any suggestions about private tour companies, beaches, attractions to visit? We prefer to do smaller groups/private tours and are foodies that enjoy trying new restaurants and local food.

Note you are docked from 3pm-10pm at San Juan, so that will limit the excursions that will be provided (ie. no Rainforest hike in the dark!!). Also I am not sure if El Morro or Cristobal Forts are open late on those days for cruise passengers. On Quantum's first visit to San Juan, our choices were limited because of the the time. I recommend the Segway tour if you're mobile, did that a few years ago and was a total blast! I did the bicycle tour this last time and we stayed out very late.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=45017870&highlight=san+juan+excursion#post45017870

On my May Anthem sailing I have a "SAN JUAN FOOD & CULTURE TOUR" excursion in my cruise planner so check your excursion options in yours: "Satisfy your tastebuds as you experience the best of San Juan. You'll discover its delicious foods, fascinating architecture, intriguing cultural traditions and bustling shopping centers. Your culinary walking tour lets you cherish savory dishes and teaches you how to make a classic Mojito cocktail and mofongo, a local dish with plantain, traditional white rice, red beans and pulled chicken drizzled with creole sauce. Conclude your meal with one of Puerto Rico's delicious local desserts."

Martinique is another story... very little info anywhere. I did a RCL excursion (rather than private) for this very reason. It was the St Pierre and Rum Distillery Tour. The rum is fantastic.. one of the best I've ever tried!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=45043099&highlight=martinique#post45043099

We did a RCCL cruise this past April that had a stop in Martinique. Had a really hard time planning something there as well. Wanted to scuba dive but all the companies sites were in French.

We chose to "wing-it" there and had a really great time. Got off the boat and walked over to the ferry area. Took a ferry across the bay to a little town that was beautiful. (they took American currency). Enjoyed walking around the resort town area and found a beautiful tucked away resort that allowed us to use an umbrella and two chairs. Rented fins and mask from a store right at the beginning of the path to the resort. His shop was called "The Happy Hut".

There was a harbor with lots of small boats that did tours but they had already left by the time we discovered it.

One note, stay within the fenced walkway area between the ship and the ferry dock. There is a straw market you can access with the regular tourist stuff for sale but don't venture out past that. We took a walk past it and couldn't get back fast enough.

Hello!

We are cruising Jan 3 2016 on Anthem of the Seas, there are two stops that I am having a hard time trying to plan, San Juan and Martinique. Does any one have any suggestions about private tour companies, beaches, attractions to visit? We prefer to do smaller groups/private tours and are foodies that enjoy trying new restaurants and local food.

We're on the same cruise as you and are having a hard time with Martinique as well. I'm trying to reach Javin for St Kitts but have emailed him twice with no response.:confused: I think in San Juan we will just hit up the local area for a drink or maybe try their casinos as we won't be able to do the rainforest, etc. due to the time in port. May I ask what you are planning on in St. Kitts and in Barbardos? We've scheduled a snorkeling excusion (private tour) with Silver Moon Cruises in Barbados!

Hope to see you on the Roll Call Page! :)

We have booked a day and late evening private tour with tours by ellis....he sounds delightful,knows his island well and has many fun ideas.....we are doing the rainfirest,beach,local food and the bio bay in farado....he is taking my limited mobility into consideration....just Google him and see what you think....it will be light long enough for you to see some areas....the first are open til aboutb pm...

We were in San Juan last December and took a small group walking food tour called Flavors of San Juan: http://www.sanjuanfoodtours.com/

We had a great time and the meeting point was very convenient - about 3 blocks from port.

We took a catamaran sail in Martinique last November that was one of the best excursions we've ever been on. The name of the cat was the Emotions, there was also the Emotions 2. One of our group was able to put the trip together, which involved 5 cats by the time we were done.

 

Found Fb page for Emotions 2, web url on there didnt work...would you happen to know company name/web site? I will keep searching but if you had more info that would help. Sounds like a great time!

There is some information posted at http://www.martinique.org/node/4145/ASCMAR972V5007X5/detail/sainte-anne/emotions-2. Of course it is in french, so I have no idea what it says lol. I sent a message to the group I went with to see if anyone has information for you.

Also - http://viddas.wix.com/emotions2/sortie-martinique

The Martinique trip was booked through Kata Mambo, http://kata-mambo.com/lire/nos-catamarans-2.html. They coordinated the 5 catamarans that we had for the group, including the Emotions and Emotions 2.

The ladies name is Marie. Her email address is Kata-mambo@orange.fr

I'm on that same cruise. I booked the San Juan food tour through a local operator - the tour starts at 3.30pm right near the port. I'm the same with Martinique - I think I'm going to wing it. I've read enough on here to figure out a day plan on my own. There are no local tour operators that cater for English.... How French of them! Lol

We took an excursion in Martinique which was very good- went to

St Pierre, through the Rain Forest to Balata Gardens, and then to Balata Church. Balata Gardens is beautiful.

Many ships have tours to these places. There must be other tours available also.

We're on the same cruise as you and are having a hard time with Martinique as well. I'm trying to reach Javin for St Kitts but have emailed him twice with no response.:confused: I think in San Juan we will just hit up the local area for a drink or maybe try their casinos as we won't be able to do the rainforest, etc. due to the time in port. May I ask what you are planning on in St. Kitts and in Barbardos? We've scheduled a snorkeling excusion (private tour) with Silver Moon Cruises in Barbados!

 

Hope to see you on the Roll Call Page! :)

If you haven't been out with Silver Moon - you will love it.:) First class operation! We've been with them twice, and are going again when we spend a week in Barbados this November.

If you haven't been out with Silver Moon - you will love it.:) First class operation! We've been with them twice, and are going again when we spend a week in Barbados this November.

So happy to hear your recommendation for Silver Moon (especially from another Michigander)! I was torn between them and Calabaza and for some reason chose Silver Moon. Glad to hear that I will not be disappointed!

I'm on that same cruise. I booked the San Juan food tour through a local operator - the tour starts at 3.30pm right near the port. I'm the same with Martinique - I think I'm going to wing it. I've read enough on here to figure out a day plan on my own. There are no local tour operators that cater for English.... How French of them! Lol

We're going to wing it in Martinique for sure! I figure with neither of us speaking French, we might as well just go with whatever we feel like that day. No matter what we end up doing it will be more enjoyable than being at the office in cold Michigan!

We're on the same cruise as you and are having a hard time with Martinique as well. I'm trying to reach Javin for St Kitts but have emailed him twice with no response.:confused: I think in San Juan we will just hit up the local area for a drink or maybe try their casinos as we won't be able to do the rainforest, etc. due to the time in port. May I ask what you are planning on in St. Kitts and in Barbardos? We've scheduled a snorkeling excusion (private tour) with Silver Moon Cruises in Barbados!

 

Hope to see you on the Roll Call Page! :)

20 cruises and best tour we have ever been on