French Riviera Beach Rendezvous - st. Maarten

Has anyone been on this excursion? We are considering it for our cruise in Dec. your suggestions are greatly appreciated. Pros and cons. Thanks.

Most beach excursions thru DCL are not a good value. They include a package of "stuff" which you may or may not want--beach chairs, umbrellas, beverages,water toys, etc. Look carefully at what is included. THen look up this same beach on line. There are always vendors who will happily rent you beach chairs, umbrellas, etc. and sell you whatever food you wish. Is there an admission fee for this beach? Transportation by taxi is also easy on your own. You can take pool towels from the ship whether you book thru DCL or go on your own; just be sure they come back!

Allow plenty of time to get back to the dock if you go on your own. The ship won't wait for you.

Thank you for the input. Since we know nothing about the ports I am nervous about trying to book anything on my own. Can you tell me how close the docks are to the shopping areas? I'm nervous about going somewhere and not getting back to the ship. I know if it is booked with DCL they will wait on you.

Also, are there free beaches near the docks that we could visit after we shop. I need all the input you can give me. This is for our 34th anniversary, so that tells you we aren't "spring chickens" ha

St. Maarten has a "water taxi" service. You can book one way or a day pass. Day pass is about the same cost as 2 one way tickets. The water taxi has 3 stops....one near the ship and one at each end of the main shopping road. We walked to the shopping road with no difficulty and I'm not a spring chicken either. However, it can be a hot walk. There are beaches along the shopping area. Maho beach is interesting--it is on the airport flight path. There is a sign by the food outlet indicating what time the flights are due that day.They fly low enough to stir up the sand! Little Bay is also a nice beach, but you'll need transportation to get there. I have never done a beach right at or near the ship area; my guess is the closest is the one by the shopping...maybe 15 minutes away.

St. Maarten is a safe island (ok, everyplace has crime, but this is as safe as any of them.) Going off on your own is not a big deal. We just plan to be back 90 minutes before all aboard as a "just in case" there is traffic or whatever. However, I understand that is scary for first timers.

St. Thomas--Coki Beach is a free, family friendly beach but you will need a taxi. There are others that are bigger and fancier. I usually recommend Coki to families with kids because it is literally across the parking lot from Coral World, and aquarium with under water viewing area, etc. There is a cable car ride near the dock that takes you to the top of the mountain. There is a shopping mall at the dock. Honestly, all the island shopping looks the same with a few exceptions. Basically you will see the same chain stores at the mall in St. Thomas, downtown in St. Thomas and on the shopping street in St. Maarten. You'll see a very few non-chains in each place. If you are into Star Wars, check out THat Yoda Guy in St. Maarten.

Thank you, moki'smommy! I hate to be such a bother, but I have so many questions. Can you tell me how I book the "water taxi" and about how much it costs. Also in St. Thomas, I saw the cable car ride info and the Coral World. How would I go about doing those on my own? As for shopping, I'm not buying jewelry or anything like that - just some t-shirts and little things. I went years ago and got hand carvings for a little of nothing. I teach with a lady that is all about Star Wars - I need to pick her up a little something.

St Maarten water taxi--you don't have to book it. You just go to the stop (VERY obvious where it is), pay, and get on. It comes about every 10 minutes. Sept. 2014, a one way was $7, an all day wrist band was $14. It runs in a big circle all day. You can get off and on at any stop if you have the wrist band. What we usually do if taking it is get off at the first stop, walk down the shopping street, and get on the taxi at the other end. The guy who owns That Yoda Guy was one of the people who worked on Yoda in the original movie. He has a bunch of signed movie stuff and is fun to talk with. I don't remember seeing much that I'd categorize as small or cheap, but even a flyer about the store is interesting!

St Thomas. Cable Car ride--head to your left from the dock, you'll be able to see the ticket booth and entry way. Basically, see where the cable car "end of the ride" is and walk over toward it. 5 minute walk. Coral World--look at their web site and grab one of the tourist magazines at the dock to see if you can find any discount coupons (sometimes they are there, sometimes not). There are PLENTY of taxis right at the port. Just tell them you are going to Coral World. Take your swim stuff if you want to do Coki Beach as well. The advantage of doing both is that Coral World will give you a wrist band that allows you to come and go all day...so you can go to the beach, then return to Coral World to use the restroom, buy a snack or whatever. If there are no taxis waiting to take you back, they will call one for you. Or tip your driver nicely on the way there and ask him to return for you at whatever time. REMEMBER..there is basically one road back to the dock area and it can get crowded in the afternoon. DO NOT cut it close on your return to the ship. If you want to do Coral World and the cable car, do Coral World first. Then the taxi can drop you either at the ship or at the cable car (your choice) and after the cable car you can walk back to the ship. You just avoided any road congestion issues.

I don't know if I would do Coral World as 2 adults. It isn't bad, but there are lot of better aquariums in the US. The underwater viewing tank is nice for all. The kids love the "touch tanks" where they can touch a nurse shark, sea anemone, etc. Adults can touch too, but not nearly as enticing as it is for the kids.

You are totally AWESOME!! Thank you so very much for all the useful info!! I think we will do the water taxi in St. Maarten. As for St Thomas, the cable car sounds great. Where does the cable car actually take us?

You are totally AWESOME!! Thank you so very much for all the useful info!! I think we will do the water taxi in St. Maarten. As for St Thomas, the cable car sounds great. Where does the cable car actually take us?

You can stand at the bottom and see where it takes you--basically to the highest point on the island. It is a lovely view You can stay up there as long as you wish and then come down on the cable car again. There used to be a restaurant and gift shop at the top but it burned down several years ago. If it has been rebuilt, I'm not aware of that.

Also, easy walking distance from the dock is a butterfly farm. If you've seen one butterfly farm, you've seen them all....but if you've never seen one, it is ok. It is to the right as you leave the dock area--there are signs.

There is almost NEVER a reason to book an excursion to have a beach day! A bit of research on your ports will give you all the info you need to DIY...I would advise going to your library, picking up a guidebook on the Caribbean, and read it....you'll be steps ahead!!!

There is almost NEVER a reason to book an excursion to have a beach day! A bit of research on your ports will give you all the info you need to DIY...I would advise going to your library, picking up a guidebook on the Caribbean, and read it....you'll be steps ahead!!!

I would agree, or using Google to find out information about the destinations and basic questions like "Where does the cable car actually take us?'.

That is information you can easily find out yourself, by just using the internet.

I might be out of line, but personally I feel Moki'smommy is being used a bit like a free Travel Agent on this thread and that is unfair, nor the purpose of Cruise Critic. It is the place to ask is it worth the money in your opinion, not how much does it cost, are the views as good as the pictures, or does it get too cloudy to see, not where does it take us.

Every vacation takes a bit of leg work by yourself to actually do some research unless you pay someone to do it for you. Go on line, scratch that, you are already online! and Google reviews. Put cruisecritic before the cruise or excursion to get the best results from this website.

If you want to plan your own vacation without a TA, you have to look for vacations and excursions yourself, see what appeals to you, what doesn't and ask opinions on them based upon your requirements. Not ask someone to suggest what is right for you, what you should do, what is the best.

Too many variables, too many decisions only you can make, and have to make to ensure you pick the right cruise/activity/excursion/meal.... for you.

JMO. Not being harsh, but this is the place to discuss and be a critic, good or otherwise, when you want an opinion on something.

ex techie

Moki'smommy,

I just think you are being taken advantage of to plan someone else's vacation on their behalf. Unless you do research yourself and have legitimate questions such as they say steps are involved, how many would you think as I would only be able to manage around 10, or is it one or a two at a time, by doing such, sites such as these could and may be jeopardising the livelihoods of TA's who should be able to provide that basic information as part of their service to a client.

The DIS has ruined many special and one off experiences for everyone. I would hate to see CC become the source of a free TA service.

You obviously should do what you see fit.

ex techie

Sometimes I over-do it, I guess. I start off answering a simple question and get into a major dialog. But that's my problem, not OP's.

I do feel that this OP did some research on her own. If you go back to her initial question, she asked people's experiences/opinions of a specific excursion that DCL offers. I'm probably the one who took the thread off topic.

Must be too much "Disney dreaming" with a small "d." In my world, life is Magical!

Sometimes I over-do it' date=' I guess. I start off answering a simple question and get into a major dialog. But that's my problem, not OP's.

 

I do feel that this OP did some research on her own. If you go back to her initial question, she asked people's experiences/opinions of a specific excursion that DCL offers. I'm probably the one who took the thread off topic.

 

Must be too much "Disney dreaming" with a small "d." In my world, life is Magical![/quote']

 

The OP did some research of their own after being prompted to ;)

I think you offer very valuable information, accurate information, and to the best of your knowledge. And if you say check, you say so at the right time as it may be older information.

 

I saw that. They said they would only book a DCL excursion too.

 

It's your choice to support or not to. No one here can stop you.

I just feel it is inappropriate to ask someone to plan your vacation, on behalf of you, and ask basic questions you could answer yourself if you bothered to, rather than quickly reply asking someone else.

 

ex techie

I'm sorry, ex techie. I am new to the site. Moki'smommy made me feel very welcome and gave me some excellent advice. You, on the other hand, have made me feel very unwelcome and uncomfortable in asking any questions.

You have made me feel very unwelcome.

Thank you, moki'smommy, for your input. I probably won't post again. I appreciate your information.

I'm sorry that you feel the need to leave. i do appreciate that you researched some excursions before asking questions, and hope that you will continue to ask. And if you do not come back to this site, I hope you have an amazing cruise.

And if you do come back and I don't respond quickly....my personal life has gone a little crazy and I won't be on line as much as typical.

Moki'smommy thank you for all your help and kindness. I hope all is well for you and yours.

I would agree, or using Google to find out information about the destinations and basic questions like "Where does the cable car actually take us?'.

That is information you can easily find out yourself, by just using the internet.

 

I might be out of line, but personally I feel Moki'smommy is being used a bit like a free Travel Agent on this thread and that is unfair, nor the purpose of Cruise Critic. It is the place to ask is it worth the money in your opinion, not how much does it cost, are the views as good as the pictures, or does it get too cloudy to see, not where does it take us.

 

 

JMO. Not being harsh, but this is the place to discuss and be a critic, good or otherwise, when you want an opinion on something.

 

ex techie

Thanks for trying to redefine our Mission Statement but the purpose of Cruise Critic is to discuss all things cruises. If someone wants to ask basic questions, they are welcome to it. If you don't want to answer, that's your choice. We encourage most cruise related discussions and that's why we don't have private messaging and we discourage admonishments for not searching before asking a question. They both tend to kill the conversation before it gets started.

The things that we don't allow are all spelled out in the Guidelines tab above.

The fundamental concept is that you should NOT totally rely upon the information or opinions you read. Rather, you should use what you read here as starting points for doing independent research on cruise lines, ships, hotels, shore excursions and bargain-hunting techniques. Then judge for yourself the merits of the material that has been shared in our forum.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=guidelines

ex techie

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=guidelines

 

ex techie

It's good to know that somebody is reading that thing.

Has anyone been on this excursion? We are considering it for our cruise in Dec. your suggestions are greatly appreciated. Pros and cons. Thanks.

I know this thread took a different turn, but I just wanted to comment on the original post. We did the beach rendezvous in Sept 2013. We really enjoyed it. We booked directly trough Disney as we were new to cruising and weren't too sure about venturing on our own. We met in the morning in the Buena Vista theater and were escorted off the ship to our tour bus. The ride was maybe 20-30 minutes and the tour guide gave us some island info along the way.

The beach was beautiful and clean. We each got a cushioned lounge chair and you could pay for an umbrella-which they set up for you. On this day the Disney Fantasy was the only ship docked so everyone on the excursion was from the Fantasy-the beach was not crowded. The water was very calm and so so so clear blue. Lunch was ok-I had chicken and my husband had ribs I think. Bathrooms were clean and there was a full bar for an additional price. Next to the beach was also an area that you could pay a fee and do some water activities-jetski, parasail etc. I cant speak to how these activities are or how much they cost as we didn't do them, but we were told they were there.

In the afternoon we got back on a bus. The driver stopped in the downtown shopping area. You could get off there and take your own transport back to the ship, or stay on the bus and go straight back to the ship. We chose to get off and shop as the all aboard time was not for a few hours. We were able to take the water taxi back the ship (I want to say it was $2-$3 per person?).

Pros:

-Clear blue water

-clean beach

-decent lunch

-tour guides were friendly and accommodating

-clean bathrooms

-full bar

Cons:

-not enough time at the beach

-some vendors do come down the beach selling you items-a polite "no thank you" will move them along if you aren't interested.

-it rained for a bout 10 min in the afternoon (obviously not DCL fault)

Again, this was almost 2 years ago so I don't know if anything has changed. But we overall enjoyed this excursion and would do it again. :)

Just a couple comments to the above--it is rare to have only one ship in on a given day. Normally there will be multiple ships but each will have a specific area of the beach.

In 2014, the water taxi was $7 per person one way. I was quite shocked as on our previous visit it had been $3 one way or $5 all day (I think). In any event, I know it was $7 in 2014. You can google for current info. You can also walk back from the shopping area--it takes maybe 20 minutes.

Just a couple comments to the above--it is rare to have only one ship in on a given day. Normally there will be multiple ships but each will have a specific area of the beach.

 

In 2014' date=' the water taxi was $7 per person one way. I was quite shocked as on our previous visit it had been $3 one way or $5 all day (I think). In any event, I know it was $7 in 2014. You can google for current info. You can also walk back from the shopping area--it takes maybe 20 minutes.[/quote']

 

I was surprised we were the only ship. :)

Good to know about the water taxi-there is no way it was $7 when we went. I remember thinking "oh wow only $3".