Limeia

Thank you so much for the descriptive review. It was a big help! We are going to pursue a more 'unstructured' beach day. Stay Warm!

Thanks, I hope it helped. Preparing for another cold spell :(

Cay Hill Lookout:

<a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/user/Limeia/media/DSCN2798.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/Limeia/DSCN2798.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN2798.jpg"/></a>

Maho Beach:

<a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/user/Limeia/media/DSCN2807.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/Limeia/DSCN2807.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN2807.jpg"/></a>

Ferry to Pinal Island:

<a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/user/Limeia/media/DSCN2825.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/Limeia/DSCN2825.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN2825.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/user/Limeia/media/DSCN2829.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/Limeia/DSCN2829.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN2829.jpg"/></a>

"yellow bird" loungers:

<a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/user/Limeia/media/DSCN2830.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/Limeia/DSCN2830.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSCN2830.jpg"/></a>

This photo is taken where you snorkel looking back toward "yellow bird" beach:

<a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/user/Limeia/media/911b26d9-ad64-4a56-9201-fdf12d35f58d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx268/Limeia/911b26d9-ad64-4a56-9201-fdf12d35f58d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 911b26d9-ad64-4a56-9201-fdf12d35f58d.jpg"/></a>

Geez..I thought the photos would show!

Yes we are back and settling down after the holidays and trying to get used to the cold michigan winter again!

Here is the good, and the bad of "Tiki Beach Island Tour" through Island Marketing.

Our ship arrived on St. Maarten @ 7am as scheduled to a beautiful sunny day. We were told to meet 15 minutes before 9am. at the "tourist information desk" in the port. We arrived by 8:30am. (we were a group of 16 and our reservation said we would have 2-12 seat vans.) Ok, so we're waiting and our guide says we are waiting for more people to fill up the vans. O.K. this is all fine, but we are still waiting. The next group of people are late...must be they didn't get the memo to be 15 min. early! Then they all have to use the rest rooms :roll eyes: So off to the vans. Nice vans except there is not what you would call a real isle way to get to the back, so it was quite a squeeze to get in and out if you set in the back. O.k. so far. Our driver was o.k. rather soft spoken, but rather informative.

Our first stop is Cay Hill lookout point. Just a quick stop to take pictures, then back in the van. (I just took my picture through the window..since I was in the back:eek: )

Next stop is Maho beach. This was suppose to be at the end of the tour, but o.k. which ever, wherever. Had maybe 1/2 hour here. Enough time to take a few pictures, order a drink and use the restroom. Beware of some topless women here. Never did see a large jet take off or land, just saw a small plane land.

Next we head to Marigot on the French side. Stop at the street market and only have 20 minutes here. Barely enough time to shop around. Then off to the ferry.

Pinal Island is BEAUTIFULL! We get dropped off and are told we are to use the loungers at "Yellow Bird" they have reserved for us. O.K. Sounds fine. So we start to park ourselves in the front row. Wait...no, no the "beach boy" says. We have to use the ones in the last row, that's were they put our "reserved" signs on!!! What's the difference, we paid to be at this beach...first come first serve, my philosophy. Ok, won't make a scene, we all park ourselves in the back row. It was after all only 3 rows back.

"Beach boy" brings us all a rum punch. Ok, so our 1 free drink was not just any drink to order. While the others are settling in, I take off to explore and take pictures. This is a very beautiful place, the sand is soft, the water calm. I had planned on doing some snorkeling but the area to snorkel was not the closest. Not terribly far, but then again, not right off the beach. By the time I got back to the loungers after taking a few pictures I find out that 2 of our couples wanted to use the little tables that were out in the water. (no one was using them). Oh, no,no,no...said the beach boy...they did not "ask" to use them and when they argued about it and said they weren't being used he told them Quote: "your acting like a bunch of kids"! Now, we are not a rowdy group of people, so where that came from..I don't know. Anyway, back to our loungers in the 3rd row!

Talked to a man from our other van (from the other group of people that rode with us) how the snorkeling was. He said not very well. Glad I didn't try to snorkel then. It looked like it would have been nice, but maybe it was just the time of day.

Well it was 3pm...time to head back to the ship. Oh no...what happened to our 3 hours at Pinal Island?! As it turned out we only had 2 hours there. Not sure where we lost the time, that we missed out on an hour. Was it the other group that was late...was it taking time at Maho beach? Don't know.

You can take this review how you want. These are just the facts on how our day went. I personally could do without Maho beach. Don't get me wrong, the beach was pretty, it was a nice stop, w/no jets. Pinal Island is wonderful if you get to choose where you want to lounge at. (there are two sections...yellow "yellow bird" or the white loungers at "karabuni". Did not order anything to eat, brought our own snacks. The prices are pretty steep IMHO. I tried to post pictures here but it didn't work. I'll find another way and post a few.

P.S. A couple of girls, in the first row did take their tops off. So if this bothers anyone, just beware.

We made a brief stop at military headquarters.

 

Did you book a tour before you got to Barbados or did you get a tour just off the ship?

We are hoping to just get a tour at port. What did you have to pay for two people on your tour?

Has anyone used this company & taken the Tiki Beach Island Tour?

 

Betty :)

We are using them this December. When do you plan to go? We have used this company before for other islands and have been happy with them. Have never been to St. Marten, so I can let you know our thoughts after we get back.

I have a thread about this tour on here and haven't received much info.

Katie, glad your back to posting. I hope to see the entire review before we leave on our Valor cruise in December.

Thanks so much for the review, love it and the pictures!

I'm a big user of public transportation. My husband does use a wheel chair, and although In the US accessibility is just about always a given, it isn't everywhere (Bermuda isn't available).

 

I am not seeing an official city bus web site? I'm probably missing it, but if anyone has the link I would appreciate it.

A few years back we stayed in the Condado area and used the public transportation into OSJ and back. We caught it a couple of blocks from where we stayed and I believe it was .75 cents each way. The bus station is near the pier and the Sheraton OSJ. (Terminal Covadonga).

If I recall one time we had a veteran in a wheel chair on one of our rides. You would think all public transportation would be accessible.

Will be staying at Sandy Beach 1 night pre cruise. Aside from the beach, are there things to see/do within walking distance to the hotel?

Depends on what you like to see/do. All along Ashford Ave. there are a variety of shops and restaurants. Your not too far from a Walgreens. A short walk towards OSJ there is a nice park by the La Concha Resort. We stayed across from the park years ago and felt very safe. Lots of police patrolling the park. We will be staying at the Best Western Palms right by you in December.

what is the kayak tour operator web site that you list above with the transportation?

Yes, I am on the roll call list. If you google bio bay in fajardo by kayak. The first two that come up. The second one gives a list of all the company's. The cost average is around $45pp w/$20pp transportation.

read my reply at the bottom of page 1...maybe that will help with the car rental and drive questions :)

Thanks...I think we decided we are booking the kayak tour. Our plane gets in @ 1:30pm (if it's on time) and by the time we get our luggage, get to the hotel it will be cutting it close in time to get to Fajardo on time. With traffic and not knowing right where to go, plus the fact we really don't want to be driving back in the dark. Now I'm worrying if we're cutting it too close if there are delays...:(

So...finally heard from BioIsland and they only have 2 spots available for Friday Dec.6th. for the 6pm tour and 4 spots avail. for Saturday Dec.7th for the 7:30 tour. They do not provide transportation to and from hotel, but they gave me a name of a tour operator, Hector. Talked with Hector and he charges $150. round trip :eek: If no one else uses him for this tour that would be our cost, :eek: again! I think he told me his van holds 6 people :confused:, so if it was shared it would be $25.pp.

Does anyone know what the cost of a rental car would be for an evening? I don't think I would want to atempt driving especially at night tho.

So...I'm still lost at what I'm going to do. At least if we kayak they provide transportation and the cost would be around $68.pp.

Umm...decisions, decisions!

I am interested as well in this tour. I'll be in San Juan the same day. If you want to share transportation, and tour information, I'd be very interested.

 

Are you going on the Valor, 12-8?

We are going on the 8th. We are a group of 16, but the BioBay tour would be just DH and myself. Haven't heard anything from the tour yet. Are you going on the Valor also? If it works out, we would gladly share transportation.

We were hoping to do the BioIsland electric boat tour of the Bio Bay at Fallardo when we are in San juan before our cruise in December but when I checked with BioIsland for either Dec. 5 or Dec. 6 that were full. We're on their wait list but I'm not holding my breath.

 

I've tried contacting Baby Bay, the other electric boat company a few times and have gotten no response.

OH NO :eek: It's booked! I will do the kayaking one then if there is availability :)

Based on valentinebaby's information this morning, I emailed concierge at our hotel this morning to see if they could do anything to help with this, but I haven't heard back from them yet. We're talking now about maybe renting a car for a day, but I'll give concierge a bit more time to get back to us. We still have just over 3 weeks until we arrive, but I would like to get this nailed down sooner rather than finding out later that for the night we want the boat is already full.

I would be interested in what you find out from your hotel. I should try contacting our hotel and see what they say also. I also need to contact Hector and see what he charges. I called bioisland to see about availability and the gal that answered said one person was on vacation, so that probably explains why I haven't gotten an email back. She also told me when she got to the office she would call me back and let me know availabily....well I still haven't heard from her yet :mad: Guess I have more calling to do! :) Only have 3 weeks from Friday :eek: to get this confirmed.

I'm very interested in this company. We'll be staying in San Juan for two nights before our cruise on Dec. 1. I'm not sure I would have the stamina for kayaks, so motorized boats would be a better option for me. We're staying at a hotel in Old San Juan and we won't be renting a car. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get out to this company or another one that offers motorized boats? Do any companies offer pick-up service at hotels?

I am checking on using this company for Dec. 6th. They gave me a phone number of "Hector" who would do a hotel pick up. Have not called him yet, so I'm not sure what his charge would be. I also have not heard back from the company if they have space available for the 6th.

There are only 2 companies that offer motorized boats from what I understand. I have positive results about this company from "valentinebaby" and others.

Our next stop was the volcano and the mud baths. This is the only time during the tour that I was a bit disappointed. We were given a choice of either doing the mud baths or a tour of the volcano. Basically the van stopped and they said if you wanted to do the mud baths to get out there, and gave them about 15 minutes and then said they had to walk up the road to meet the rest of us at the volcano site. Hubby and I hadn't really talked about it prior so we had to make a split second decision. He wanted to do it, I had read about it and read that it was really smelly and stained your clothing and that it was hard to wash out the smell and muck. So I said I didn't want to. So we ended up separating at that point. About half the van stayed at the mud baths.

 

 

The rest of us had an opportunity to hear about the volcano and history, and saw a little bit of the botanical gardens and a small waterfall.

 

 

 

 

You could see the earth bubbling in the volcano site. But boy did it stink! It was still raining on and off, and after a few minutes the stinky mud bathers joined up with us and we loaded back into the van to head to the next stop.

We are booked with Cosol tours for December. They make it sound like you get to go to both the mud baths and the volcano :confused: You said your DH went to the mud bath? What did he think of it? Were the people really stinky once they got back in the van? Did it really stay stuck to the bathing suits or stain them? I thought the mud baths would be fun to do but now I am having second thoughts.

Still waiting Katie....:( Can't wait to read more of your review. We will be on the Valor in December :D

Just booked with Cosol Tours for our December voyage. We are a group of 16, so they will have their hands full with our group :eek:

This tour is the one I'm most anxious for. We have booked a tour to Pinal Island on St. Martin and a tour on Barbados. Can't wait for December to get here! Woot, Woot!!:D

We are going on the Oasis in Oct. Nassau, St Thomas and St Maarten. I have found excursions through Island Marketing Ltd to seem really good. And they are in every port we are going to. But when I try to research them there are only very old reviews. Has anyone used them and what do you think of them?

I'm glad you started this thread. I started one back in August, but haven't gotten too many replies. :( I was hoping to get more info. on the "tiki" beach tour to Pinal Island. So if anyone out there has done this tour I would love to have more details of what you did. :)

Have used them 4 times so far, twice on Cozumel, once on Gr. Cayman and once on St. Kitts. Never ever had a problem.

We will be using them again this December on St. Martin. We are doing the "tiki" beach tour to Pinal Island. I would recommend them. :)

I used this tour company in the Cayman Islands back in 2009. We did a wave runner excursion to Stingray City. To this day it still stands out as one of the very best tours we've ever done! Staff were great, very helpful, friendly and mindful of the ship's time and getting us back to port on time. I'm thinking of using them again on my upcoming cruise in December in either St. Martin or Barbados. Long story short - I would recommend them! Hope this is helpful :)

We are booking the "tiki" beach to Pinal Island with this tour company in Dec. When will you be on St. Martin? We will be on the Carnival Valor.

We have also use this tour company 4 times already, twice on Cozumel, once on Gr.Cayman and once on St. Kitts. Never had a problem with them!:)

Oh, I'd LOVE to see your picture. I use both Shutterfly and Photobucket, but am using Photobucket for CC since I wasn't able to post pictures through Shutterfly.

O.K. going to give this a try:eek: Have a few pictures on photobucket of Saba, lets see if I can make it go.

Yeh it worked! :D:D:D

We really enjoyed sailing past Saba on our Victory cruise in 2009. I thought I would share our picture of Saba...it was a beautiful evening for this picture.

Guess I won't share my photo :(...Don't know how to get it posted here!:(

:confused:So how does one upload pictures to CC :confused: Do you have to go through photobucket or shutterfly or something? Can you upload pictures you have stored on the computer? Thanks.

 

In this picture there is an island that's barely visible. It's Saba. I used the zoom on the camera to get this picture. It's located southwest of St. Maarten

 

 

We really enjoyed sailing past Saba on our Victory cruise in 2009. I thought I would share our picture of Saba...it was a beautiful evening for this picture.

 

Guess I won't share my photo :(...Don't know how to get it posted here!:(

I understand that there are 2 beach bars w/food on Pinel Is., is that true? Which one were you near?

Also about the snorkel hut, is that an area where everyone has to go and snorkel, or can you just go in from the beach?