Johnny Pie

We will be cruising to St Thomas & St Maarten in late April. I want to buy a Omega seamaster. Does anyone know any reliable watch store? I will know the price beforehand. Do they offer good price there and do I need to bargain crazy? Which place is better to watch St Thomas or St Maarten? Do they usually accept credit card with a good price?

Thanks

Glin930: I had same question and am int'd in same watch (are you looking at auto. or quartz? Was int'd in former but now leaning to latter). I too am hitting St. Thos. and St. Martin in late April (Oasis of the Seas, 4/24/10). The two things I have concluded are that you are crazy not to buy in an authorized dealer (so you have a manufacturer's warranty) and that if the price is close, better to buy in St. Thomas than St. Martin (as duty free max is 1600 per family for former and only 800 for latter; I am guessing that the Seamaster will be over 800, hence I may buy 2). Sent you friend request in order to email on the subject, as it sounds as though you and I are investigating on parallel tracks. Happy hunting, John :cool:

We want to book with an independent tour operator to go to Stingray City and ran across Stingray Sailing tours. Not much mentioned on the website and just thought I would run it past some people on here.

 

website: stingraysailing.com

 

Rosemont5380

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Rosemont: My wife, three daughters and I went with Stingray Sailing during our RCCL/FOS cruise last week of April, this year. I booked online with Michelle (co-owner) and she did not even require a deposit. I think it was $30 kids and $45 adults. Captain Chip met us at the pier (I called on cell on way in on tender, which helps) and he drove us in a nice van to the boat (only about 16 on the trip, including the 5 of us, plus 2 crew; some of the other tours looked loaded to the gunwales). The boat, the "Dry Tortuga," is a catamaran, with nets and deck in front to lounge and shade in the cockpit. Waters and fruit complimentary; beer and soda and snacks for nominal amt. Bathroom on board and snorkel gear provided. Chip and Bert (pilot) were great. We did the snorkeling first (reversed order due to crowds on the sandbar) and our wading with the rays afterward. We motored out and sailed back (going under sail, rather than motor is like having whole extra excursion included). The whole trip was 3 to 4 hours (though flew by); my kids (9, 8 and 5) loved it -- Chip dove over side on the way back and brought up huge starfish and urchins for them to hold (great photos). Chip will drop you anywhere you want to go afterward (beach, shops, pubs). I thought it was a great excursion, uncrowded, reasonably priced, easy to book, nice boat and well worth it. Email me if you have questions (and I can share photos if that helps): jcurran@getmanstacey.com. Good luck with planning and have a great trip, John

PS -- if you do book w/them, tell Chip and Michelle hello for me......

We just returned from 7 day Western Caribbean on Freedom of the Seas and used Stingray Sailing on April 30th. Michelle was great during the booking process (quick, informative and funny); her husband, co-owner, Chip, met us at the pier (call ahead on cell to give them your ETA, means a lot when they are trying to corral folks from 2 or 3 ships, but they do so). Short van ride to the Far Tortuga catamaran and with pilot Bert, we were off. We had only 16 guests on board (plenty of room, in shade and sun) and passed motor boats filled the gunwales with passengers. Was nice to spread out. We snorkeled before the stingrays (as sandbar was crowded). Water was choppy, so little tough for the kids, but the rays are once in a lifetime experience. We sailed back in and Chip dove over the side and brought up all kinds of marine life for the kids (great photo ops). They will drop you anywhere after (we opted for Margaritaville and then some shopping). We had three kids (5, 8 and 10) and they loved it. [Mama Parrot Head: Sent you friend request, as you asked for photos; happy to share, but just don't want to put kids' pics on public page; send me email and will send you the photos of the boat; PS -- you of all folks will LOVE Margaritaville, too!]. Kudos and recommendations for Stingray Sailing. Be sure to say hello to Michelle and Chip from John in New Hampshire!!

do you have and be willing to post contact info. for the sail charter you used? am going to cayman on RCCL FOS at end of april (wife and 3 daughters). thx. John