Sky616

Any recent cruisers been to Orient and can you tell me if there was seaweed? We did Bernards tour last December and only stopped to see the seaweed, it was that bad we didn't stay. Going again in 6 months. I know it could change in that time but was just curious about recently.

Anyone on the Allure / Oasis who has done Bernard's Tour (i.e. ship docs from 8am - 5pm in St Maarten). If so, is the timing ok? I've heard such great things about St Bernard's Tour, but I'm a little hesitant since it's not an excursion through RCL....so what if the tour runs late in traffic for example and doesn't get us back in time. Anyone had close timing where they were nervous? Or is there really nothing to worry about.

 

PS - Would also love to hear any feedback if anyone has done this tour with kids 11 and younger. Did they find it interesting or boring?

Took my 5 and 13 year old boys on this tour last December. They enjoyed it. They try to keep it interesting with a few stops focusing on the kids. The tour stops on the road where the iguanas are and gave my young one bread to feed them. Also they stop along the side of the road by this islander that collects sea urchins and other sea creatures. He loved it but my son follows in my footsteps and loves everything about the Caribbean. Sure your kids will too. Of course the stop at Maho Beach he liked because of the beach and the planes. The most boring part for him was when we stopped in Marigot when we had free time. The only disappointing part of the tour was we didn't get to stay at Orient Beach due to the seaweed there at the time. Not sure if it's gone or not, hope so we will be back in St. Martin in April. No issues with the time, they know they have to get you back in time or they will hear about it on here.

Really enjoyed your review. We sail on Adventure in April for our 20th anniversary and we too are leaving the kids at home. And we also have an aft balcony but it's 9390.

Hey Drake. First question what is the closest budget rental car pick up from the pier? We plan on doing mainly what vacationlady did on the island. She hasn't been on cc since July so I thought I would have better luck asking you.

Secondly, do you think we should reserve the car ahead of time or could we do a walkup rental? I'm not sure what she did as she did not say on her blog.

Thanks

Sky616 - Thanks for the update. I have a tour with Royston booked for next week. I sent a confirming email last week but have not heard back. I will send another tonight. Regardless we will be waiting for him at 8:30 Tues and calling if he is late. I will let you know how it goes.

Yes let me know. I sent him an email 3 days ago to check to see if he got our confirmation and haven't heard from him yet but like I said earlier he did get back to me fairly quickly the first time when I sent our request in.

Just emailed Royston two days ago and said we were interested in his island tour for next April. He got back to me about 36 hours later so I was pleased with that. Looking forward to our day in St. Kitts.

Major Tom is the go-to guy in Belize. I believe that that is the website that SRQfireman posted above.

I agree with this. We used him in 2007 and he was great. We toured with his son. I assume he is still in business.

Anybody ever have 9390? What did you like or dislike about this cabin? We sail next April.

Great review. We will be on Adventure April 9 of next year with an aft balcony. We are going to Martinique and St. Croix instead of Antigua and St. Lucia.

We are sailing on adventure next april for our 20th anniversary. It will be 10 years after our first cruise on this ship. So looking forward to it and the different islands we will be going to. Just wish the airfare was cheaper to get there.

We were there in Nassau last November on the 30th. It was very windy and chilly. Temps were like 73 degrees. We were on the oasis and there from only 7-2 so we had no intention of going to the beach but wouldn't have anyways with the weather. I think it was just a fluke for the weather. We were in Ft. Lauderdale 2 days before our cruise left and it was cold but warmed up after the ship left.

Probably a stupid question but we are thinking of doing the rental car thing as we really liked the day vacationlady had in St. Croix and her itinerary. But the question is will the car have automatic transmission? Nobody in our party drives a manual transmission. I was reading on the Martinique board about car rentals there and it seems your chances of getting an automatic transmission there is less than getting a manual.

Not sure if BWI offers that but there are two long term parking lots close to the airport. One is A and the other is B. There are shuttle buses that run continuously that will drop you off at your airline check in.

Thank you this really did help. Oh and did you use PayPal to make the deposit online?

Yes I think I did use PayPal. I know I paid him cash at the end of the tour.

Hello so I've noticed on here the Bernard's Tours, so I looked it up and I honestly thought this tour is awesome for the price. So what I was wondering about is you pay the 5.00PP deposit online, so you pay for the rest when you are there? Also for the tour to you go in a van with people from your ship or no? Thank you!

 

(Tell me what was your trip with the Bernard's Tour was like too)!

We toured with Bernard in December 2014. As I recall yes we paid the deposit online and we paid the balance when the tour was over. He takes credit or cash.

Your tour could be with anybody that is in port for that day. There were 7 ships in port the day we were there. Luck of the draw.

The tour overall was very good and informative. A good value for what you get. The only negative was when we toured we didn't go to Orient Beach but for only 10 minutes just to view. Weeks earlier a hurricane brought tremendous amounts of seaweed onto the beach. It was unbelievable. Obviously this was not the tour companies fault. So with all the leftover time we had we spent most of that in Marigot when we wish it would have been at Maho Beach watching the planes go right over us. I think we spent only like 50 minutes there. My wife and I could have spent all day there. But hopefully you won't and shouldn't have that issue with Orient Beach as I've heard the seaweed isn't an issue anymore. The guide was knowledgable about the island and knew his stuff. Also the free soda, beer and water was a plus. Hope this helps.

Still reading through your review but it is great. We had 12729 in December on Oasis. We love the ocean balconies but this was a nice change for just one time. Our kids loved hanging out on the balcony and watching the aqua show.

In the interview she said that NEXT TIME she would hold on with both hands.:eek:

Our future America, boy are we in trouble.

Ferries leave Marigot every 45 minutes from 8am to 7pm for the 20 minute trip to Blowing Point, Anguilla and return approximately every half hour from 7:30am to 6:15pm. One-way fare is $15 and there is a departure tax of $5 (make sure you tell them you are a day-tripper). Taxis are available to take you to your choice of beach (it's not a big island - only 26 x 5 kms).

 

Many would argue that Anguilla's beaches are among the best and most beautiful in the Caribbean. Some are pretty quiet and some are lined with lively bars and restaurants. They all have great sand and warm crystal clear turquoise waters. Our favourites (in no particular order):

 

1) Rendezvous Bay - about 10 min by taxi from Blowing Point. Very calm waters at this +2km long beach. Pearl white sand and bluer than blue water with a great view of St. Martin. There are at least three resorts there to eat, drink and rent a chair & umbrella.

 

2) Shoal Bay (East) - about 20 min by taxi. A stretch of 3km powdered-sugar sand. Water is fairly shallow and gentle. There is a coral reef not too far from the shore where you can do some decent snorkeling. Have lunch at Gwen's Reggae Grill, Uncle Ernie's or Elodia's (can also rent chairs and umbrella from them). There is a glass bottom boat ride you can take (sorry, don't remember the name).

 

3) Cove Bay and 4) Maundays Bay - next to each other about a 15 min taxi ride west of Blowing Point. Both beaches are about 2kms in length with brilliant blue water and platinum white sand. If you are looking for something romantic, try a horseback ride along the beach at Cove Bay. You could get a couples massage at a beachside tent on Maundays Bay. Have lunch at arguably the best resort in Anguilla, Cap Jaluca (certainly the priciest).

 

Early congratulations and enjoy your 20th anniversary trip

 

Greg

Thanks, Greg (canuck) this helps so much. We will definitely look into one of these beaches. Do you go to Anguilla on land vacations that you know so much? This does look like a perfect island to do a land vacation some year.

My dw really has her heart set on going over to Anguilla for the day for our 20th anniversary. After looking at the beaches I've agreed. Question is about the ferry. Is it only offered in Marigot or is there one that leaves from Phillipsburg? When we were there last December we were in Marigot and I saw where it leaves from but I've never seen or heard of one that leaves from Pburg. Just wanted to make sure. We sail next April on Adventure of Seas.

Planning as of now to ferry over to Anguilla from St. Martin next April on our Adventure of Seas cruise. Wife really wants to do this for our 20th anniversary. What are the best beaches to go to?

Can anyone remind me of the site that you can go to that will tell you which ships will be in which ports on certain days? Thanks so much!

I use cruisecal.com

Another one is cruisett.com

The OP may have had knowledge of the prices before leaving but in reality it probably doesn't hit you until you hand the bartender your seapass card and you actually see that charge. It is ridiculous. Glad I have some obc next year or I wouldn't be drinking at all except for on the islands.

Any beaches offer jet skis to ride on the island?

We use a GPS when we travel and have no problems. The roads seem in better condition than St Thomas. We did not have any traffic (but we were there on a Sunday). It's a very pretty island to explore. You get used to driving on the left once you do it, but that is easy for me to say as I am the passenger:):):)

We will be there on a Sunday as well and according to cruisett we will be the only ship in port. Looks like we have our day planned. Now just need to focus on St. Kitts, Martinique, Barbados and St. Maarten. All new islands except St. Maarten which will be our 4th time visiting and Barbados which will be our 2nd time visiting.

HAHA no the signs are definitely not great. But if you stick to the main roads (Centerline and the Highway) you'll get where you want to go. Study some maps before you leave and pick up one at the rental car place and you'll have a good time.

Thanks so much you are a great help. We are so looking forward to St. Croix for the 1st time. Any good bars near the pier?