Bernard's Tour in St Maarten...is it a good tour

[CrusinAgain]

The Island is one hour ahead of EST.

 

"Most" ships stay on EST. So if your ship docks at 8am EST, It is (am Island time.

 

It get's confusing:o

 

Oh gosh, you are making me guess. So its 9 am island time, 8 am ship time and we meet him ship time or island time. Princess always changes their time so that makes it easy.

[Kelane]

Oh gosh, you are making me guess. So its 9 am island time, 8 am ship time and we meet him ship time or island time. Princess always changes their time so that makes it easy.

 

I think my email from Bernard told me to get off the ship and meet them as soon as possible. I'm not even sure if they said a time. I can go back and look, but basically we got off the ship, walked 5 mins over to them and when 8 of us were there, left. (and as 8 more showed up, they left...till all were present and accounted for.) We were on a tour with 4 folks from the Oasis...we were on The Dream.

 

Ship stays on ship time (EST if out of FL) and Bernard uses ship time in his emails. I'm an overthinker and I got it right...so you won't have any issues!!

 

Karen

[CrusinAgain]

I think my email from Bernard told me to get off the ship and meet them as soon as possible. I'm not even sure if they said a time. I can go back and look, but basically we got off the ship, walked 5 mins over to them and when 8 of us were there, left. (and as 8 more showed up, they left...till all were present and accounted for.) We were on a tour with 4 folks from the Oasis...we were on The Dream.

 

Ship stays on ship time (EST if out of FL) and Bernard uses ship time in his emails. I'm an overthinker and I got it right...so you won't have any issues!!

 

Karen

 

Exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[pianogal83]

We met up with Bernard's tours immediately after the ship docked. They were waiting for us and we had a GREAT tour with Slim! Highly recommend!

[CrusinAgain]

We met up with Bernard's tours immediately after the ship docked. They were waiting for us and we had a GREAT tour with Slim! Highly recommend!

 

And you just went on the Miracle as well. Super. Thanks for posting.

[enborgle]

I just sent Bernard an email to book for April 4 2012 - we'll be there on the Ruby Princess and felt this was far and away the best choice given the reviews here and on TA.

[CrusinAgain]

I just sent Bernard an email to book for April 4 2012 - we'll be there on the Ruby Princess and felt this was far and away the best choice given the reviews here and on TA.

 

We used him when he was first starting out and was referred to us by a tour on St. Thomas. Looks like he has really got it together now as back then there was only 2 of us that day and he didn't realize that Maho was one of the stops people wanted to see. If anyone notices, he has made his tour like the ones in St. Thomas, time at the beach, sightseeing, and shopping. We will be using him again next week. :)

[lizygirl3]

Just got to chime back in about Bernard Tours. Just returned from FOS and used Bernard on Dec. 8/11. Have been on many tours around the world. But for $40.00 Bernard was the best so far.

 

Left at 8:30 with Slim and Returned to pier at 2:30. Traffic in the direction we took was moving freely no conjestion.

 

First stop was seeing marine life and a good vantage point for picture.

 

Second stop Orient Beach time for swimming, eating, and viewing.

 

Third stop Marigot Time for shopping and others were escorted by Slim for french pasteries.

 

Fourth Maho Beach swimming and many viewing of great airplanes taking off and landing.

 

In between a few other stops for pictures. Slim gave informative tour information, was funny and we had a cooler full of Beer, Rum punch, water and sodas,

 

Only 18 in our van and this was well worth the $40.00

[snowbirds2]

Thank you for your great feedback lizygirl! Glad you had a good tour with Slim from Bernards. We booked Bernard for March based on feedback from CC!

Supposed to meet at 9 a.m. Island time - not sure when the ship changes time - we are arriving from Dominica. Hate the thought of having to get up an hour earlier if the clocks go forward during the night before we reach St. Martin!

[Kelane]

Thank you for your great feedback lizygirl! Glad you had a good tour with Slim from Bernards. We booked Bernard for March based on feedback from CC!

Supposed to meet at 9 a.m. Island time - not sure when the ship changes time - we are arriving from Dominica. Hate the thought of having to get up an hour earlier if the clocks go forward during the night before we reach St. Martin!

 

Ship time will NOT change unless it is the weekend of daylight savings time (which it was on our Nov. cruise.) in which they will make announcements and post it everywhere. Bernard goes by ship's time not local time.

 

Loved LOVED our tour with Dave (only 8 of us in the van) last month and will book Bernard again should we get back to St. M!

[CrusinAgain]

This was our 2nd time with Bernard's Tours with the 1st being when he was just starting out. We did not get Bernard but got someone whose main concern was getting to the airport in time to pick up someone that afternoon. He did not know the schedule of the big jets at Maho Beach so we only saw one and another one came in as we were leaving and after most folks in the van asked him to stop so they could take pics thru the windows, he ignored them. Our stop at Marigot was cut short giving us 30 minutes. Marigot is on the French side where all the pastries and shopping huts are. He also moved the van so most of us had a hard time finding it since the island was crowded with 5 ships in port including the Oasis of the Seas. He did not stop at Rimel's and claimed no one asked even after several of us asked. He said he only stops if everyone wants to stop and he does not have to stop since it is not in the itineary. I should have gave him my copy of what is on Bernards website that said it stops at Rimel's but time might be short. We had high hopes for this tour but our driver did not go along the way and tell us anything of what we were seeing. Once in a while he would point out something but we did not learn anything of the island. Have no idea why he had to stop for lettuce to feed the iguanas which cut into our tour time when he could have done this before he picked us up. Also didn't appreciate it that they picked us folks that paid $30 each to fill up the van when the rest of us paid $40 each booked in advance.

 

The Rum punch was always given to the back of the van and never made its way to the front and he didn't make sure the folks in the front had any so we just took a soft drink out of the ice chest. He also got perturbed that people would come back to the van with wet bathing suits on but he only gave them 45 minutes at Orient so not sure what he expected. They also got fussed at for sand on them as well. Apparently these mini-bus vans are rented as they were larger than a typical van.

 

We won't do this tour again. Next time we will just go to Maho Beach and see the jets as that was suppose to be the highlight on the tour. There are a few bars and a casino at Maho Beach and it was packed.

 

Others we met had a tour with Joyce and described what we thought we were going to get. Good luck everyone. Hope your driver doesn't have to make it to the airport that afternoon since we learned more about that event and how he was going to have to get there after he dropped us off than anything else.

[audcc77]

We did not get Bernard but got someone whose main concern was getting to the airport in time to pick up someone that afternoon.

 

Do you mind if I ask you the name of your driver?

[Willbcruisin]

This was our 2nd time with Bernard's Tours with the 1st being when he was just starting out. We did not get Bernard but got someone whose main concern was getting to the airport in time to pick up someone that afternoon. He did not know the schedule of the big jets at Maho Beach so we only saw one and another one came in as we were leaving and after most folks in the van asked him to stop so they could take pics thru the windows, he ignored them. Our stop at Marigot was cut short giving us 30 minutes. Marigot is on the French side where all the pastries and shopping huts are. He also moved the van so most of us had a hard time finding it since the island was crowded with 5 ships in port including the Oasis of the Seas. He did not stop at Rimel's and claimed no one asked even after several of us asked. He said he only stops if everyone wants to stop and he does not have to stop since it is not in the itineary. I should have gave him my copy of what is on Bernards website that said it stops at Rimel's but time might be short. We had high hopes for this tour but our driver did not go along the way and tell us anything of what we were seeing. Once in a while he would point out something but we did not learn anything of the island. Have no idea why he had to stop for lettuce to feed the iguanas which cut into our tour time when he could have done this before he picked us up. Also didn't appreciate it that they picked us folks that paid $30 each to fill up the van when the rest of us paid $40 each booked in advance.

 

The Rum punch was always given to the back of the van and never made its way to the front and he didn't make sure the folks in the front had any so we just took a soft drink out of the ice chest. He also got perturbed that people would come back to the van with wet bathing suits on but he only gave them 45 minutes at Orient so not sure what he expected. They also got fussed at for sand on them as well. Apparently these mini-bus vans are rented as they were larger than a typical van.

 

We won't do this tour again. Next time we will just go to Maho Beach and see the jets as that was suppose to be the highlight on the tour. There are a few bars and a casino at Maho Beach and it was packed.

 

Others we met had a tour with Joyce and described what we thought we were going to get. Good luck everyone. Hope your driver doesn't have to make it to the airport that afternoon since we learned more about that event and how he was going to have to get there after he dropped us off than anything else.

 

:confused: I am shocked at this experience. For sure not the tour we know and love and return to every time! Who was your driver?? Did you ask to speak with Bernard?? Did you ask to pass the punch??

[CrusinAgain]

Do you mind if I ask you the name of your driver?

 

Found my notes and his name was Thomas.

[CrusinAgain]

:confused: I am shocked at this experience. For sure not the tour we know and love and return to every time! Who was your driver?? Did you ask to speak with Bernard?? Did you ask to pass the punch??

 

We were shocked as well. Not the tour we expected either. Thomas was our driver and that is what he did was drive from point to point and at that point he would say a few things, basically what time to get back to the van. The van of folks were very quiet which really shocked us since normally a good tour operator can get them pumped. Only two got off downtown.

 

No, we didn't ask to speak to Bernard - remember Thomas was in a hurry to get to the airport and he had to drive around the whole island again to get there to pick up his passengers from Jet Blue.

 

As far as the rum punch, we patiently waited for it as the rest of the folks in the front. There were no more cups when it did finally reach us after Maho which was the last stop which by that time, we were past caring as well as the others in the front since they also did not have a cup.

 

Actually, we were really surprised that our whole group was a cruise critic group arranged by our roll call (except for the folks picked up for $30 each) and Bernard told us at the dock that his plan was to be our guide so we had no idea why we had Thomas.

 

Maybe Thomas would have been different if not for his concern of making it to the airport on time. We know everything about that plan except for the names of the folks to be picked up. He showed us the traffic as well up the roads that he would need to avoid to make it on time.

 

If anyone wants to stop at Rimel's we passed right by it but it perturbed us when he said he wasn't stopping because no one asked. Really? Guess we are no one. Wow.:(

 

Oh...one more thing I have in my notes: at the iguana stop, the first stop, someone got their finger bit by an iguana and Thomas did not have a first aid kit and the man was dripping with blood. Did not get a close look but the man was given an ice cube from the ice chest to put on his finger and Thomas did not do anything else. I have not researched about iguana bites but really? No bandaids or antiseptic to put on the wound? I believe the man's wife gave him something to wrap around his finger.

[Kelane]

Wow...you guys need to write Bernard and tell him your experience with "Thomas". He has a reputation to uphold and a business to protect. It takes a LOT of good reviews to build up a business but only 1 bad review to put doubt in our minds. I'd think Thomas would be down that road if Bernard knew he let so many down.

 

Dave did our tour and talked the whole time, laughed the whole time and answered every question asked. He was an absolute gem.

 

Dave asked up front who would ride shotgun and be his "bartender". I volunteered and had a blast handing out drinks to all. I don't think there were any complaints about lack of beverage. When another driver came over insisting Dave give him some of his "beverages", Dave refused saying it was all for his guests. I obliged and handed out all of it! Dave even made up more rum punch to hand out.

 

Not sure what Rimel's is but I guess we missed it too? Did you stop at the beach with the sea urchins and starfish? That was pretty incredible.

 

We stopped at the iguana place and they had bananas there for us to feed them. Wasn't even aware they would bite us or I wouldn't have held the big iguana he handed to me! We also didn't even know this was a stop for us.

 

It rained while at Orient but Dave had not one complaint about wet bodies in his van; nor did he mention the sand.

 

Our trip was just enough of each stop to give us a wonderful overview of the island.

 

Dave got tipped very well and he deserved it. I sure hope Thomas made his trip to the airport with empty pockets due to NO tips.

 

I would definitely write Bernard and let him know your disappointment. Seriously. If we book again with Bernard and get "Thomas" or anyone like him, I would be so upset.

 

So sorry to read your horrible experience.

[Willbcruisin]

We were shocked as well. Not the tour we expected either. Thomas was our driver and that is what he did was drive from point to point and at that point he would say a few things, basically what time to get back to the van. The van of folks were very quiet which really shocked us since normally a good tour operator can get them pumped. Only two got off downtown.

 

No, we didn't ask to speak to Bernard - remember Thomas was in a hurry to get to the airport and he had to drive around the whole island again to get there to pick up his passengers from Jet Blue.

 

As far as the rum punch, we patiently waited for it as the rest of the folks in the front. There were no more cups when it did finally reach us after Maho which was the last stop which by that time, we were past caring as well as the others in the front since they also did not have a cup.

 

Actually, we were really surprised that our whole group was a cruise critic group arranged by our roll call (except for the folks picked up for $30 each) and Bernard told us at the dock that his plan was to be our guide so we had no idea why we had Thomas.

 

Maybe Thomas would have been different if not for his concern of making it to the airport on time. We know everything about that plan except for the names of the folks to be picked up. He showed us the traffic as well up the roads that he would need to avoid to make it on time.

 

If anyone wants to stop at Rimel's we passed right by it but it perturbed us when he said he wasn't stopping because no one asked. Really? Guess we are no one. Wow.:(

 

Oh...one more thing I have in my notes: at the iguana stop, the first stop, someone got their finger bit by an iguana and Thomas did not have a first aid kit and the man was dripping with blood. Did not get a close look but the man was given an ice cube from the ice chest to put on his finger and Thomas did not do anything else. I have not researched about iguana bites but really? No bandaids or antiseptic to put on the wound? I believe the man's wife gave him something to wrap around his finger.

 

What date were you there and what ship do you sail in on?? I have contacted Bernard due to our upcoming tour in 19days as I am 100% sure he will not be happy about this at all. Just to bad you did not speak with him as he is a true professional, this is his living and only seasonal and he has always gone above and beyond. Also the only way I know that people pay just a little less is if a travel agent books. The get a $35.00 rate with $5.00 of that going to the travel agent.

 

We have been to the iguanas each time and never been bitten. That's to bad.

 

Also do you mean Rimas???

[CrusinAgain]

What date were you there and what ship do you sail in on?? I have contacted Bernard due to our upcoming tour in 19days as I am 100% sure he will not be happy about this at all. Just to bad you did not speak with him as he is a true professional, this is his living and only seasonal and he has always gone above and beyond. Also the only way I know that people pay just a little less is if a travel agent books. The get a $35.00 rate with $5.00 of that going to the travel agent.

 

We have been to the iguanas each time and never been bitten. That's to bad.

 

Also do you mean Rimas???

 

We were there off the Carnival Miracle on December 7th. Didn't take pics of man with bleeding finger but I should have. Yes Rimas, the place for souvenirs and other things.

 

Like I said before we were with Bernard himself when he first started his business and at that time there were only 4 of us in one van so he has really grown. This guy, Thomas, claimed he was with Bernard from the start of his business. If he was, Bernard never brought him up when we were on his tour in 2007.

 

I know from having the first seat for 2 behind the driver across from front door that the couple paid $30 each for their tour because they asked twice how much is the tour and that was the reply from Thomas and they hadn't paid for it yet. Then the lady said to me at one stop how nice it was for $30 and I believe Thomas heard because he later said all of us had booked in advance.

 

I did not see Bernard when we got off the van and Thomas was too much in a hurry to leave so I thought I was just going to email Bernard and know better the next time. Thomas told us Bernard would be emailing us for our comments but I haven't seen anything yet.

 

Cosol's tour on St. Lucia was truly a fabulous tour and we didn't have Cosol.

[Willbcruisin]

You should email Bernard

 

bernard1332002@yahoo.com

 

I have emailed with him and he very much wants to speak with you.

 

This is for sure not near what we have experienced with him. St Martin and Bernards is one of our favorite ports.

 

From what I know of Bernard I know for sure he would want to know personally so he can address this. Let us know how you make out.

[CrusinAgain]

Wow...you guys need to write Bernard and tell him your experience with "Thomas". He has a reputation to uphold and a business to protect. It takes a LOT of good reviews to build up a business but only 1 bad review to put doubt in our minds. I'd think Thomas would be down that road if Bernard knew he let so many down.

 

Dave did our tour and talked the whole time, laughed the whole time and answered every question asked. He was an absolute gem.

 

Dave asked up front who would ride shotgun and be his "bartender". I volunteered and had a blast handing out drinks to all. I don't think there were any complaints about lack of beverage. When another driver came over insisting Dave give him some of his "beverages", Dave refused saying it was all for his guests. I obliged and handed out all of it! Dave even made up more rum punch to hand out.

 

Not sure what Rimel's is but I guess we missed it too? Did you stop at the beach with the sea urchins and starfish? That was pretty incredible.

 

We stopped at the iguana place and they had bananas there for us to feed them. Wasn't even aware they would bite us or I wouldn't have held the big iguana he handed to me! We also didn't even know this was a stop for us.

 

It rained while at Orient but Dave had not one complaint about wet bodies in his van; nor did he mention the sand.

 

Our trip was just enough of each stop to give us a wonderful overview of the island.

 

Dave got tipped very well and he deserved it. I sure hope Thomas made his trip to the airport with empty pockets due to NO tips.

 

I would definitely write Bernard and let him know your disappointment. Seriously. If we book again with Bernard and get "Thomas" or anyone like him, I would be so upset.

 

So sorry to read your horrible experience.

 

Now that sounds exactly what we had been looking forward to. That sounds like fun. What a difference. There were no bananas for iguanas only iceberg lettuce that he stopped at the store and bought. At least the shuttle type bus was air conditioned and yes we stopped at the beach where the sea urchins and star fish were but the same lady who got the tour for $30 also took living coral from that beach and showed Thomas. I thought that was a no-no. She said the man gave it to her but I think the man was letting her hold it.

[CrusinAgain]

You should email Bernard

 

bernard1332002@yahoo.com

 

I have emailed with him and he very much wants to speak with you.

 

This is for sure not near what we have experienced with him. St Martin and Bernards is one of our favorite ports.

 

From what I know of Bernard I know for sure he would want to know personally so he can address this. Let us know how you make out.

 

I will email him, but I don't know what he could do especially when according to Thomas, he was with Bernard from the start so there's a relationship there. Thanks for emailing him with the concerns.

[craftymom914]

We took Bernard's Tour last week while in port on The Eclipse. Thomas was our driver. While no one got injured to my knowledge, it was a very unispiring and disappointing tour.

 

First, my email confirmation said to be at the meeting place at 9:00 a.m. I was there, but the tour did not leave until 10:30 a.m. Others had different, and later, times on their confirmation. As far as I was concerned that was wasted time and I was aggravated.

 

Second, Thomas was not very exciting as a tour guide. As others have pointed out, he was a driver. There was very little commentary and when there was, he was hard to hear and understand.

 

I took the tour because I wanted to go to Maho Beach and his is the only tour that included that stop. Orient Beach was ok. We had a 1 hour stop - long enough to grab a bite to eat, not to swim. We only had 30 minutes in Marigot - not long enough to do anything. And 30 minutes at Maho. We had to leave before the big planes arrived but did get to see a departure.

 

Had the tour left on time, we could have had more time at Marigot and actually seen something other than the bathroom and the local market selling trinkets and sourvenirs. And more time at Maho. As promised in his description.

 

No good recommendation from me. Did not leave with a postive feeling about St. Maarten based on this experience.

[CrusinAgain]

We took Bernard's Tour last week while in port on The Eclipse. Thomas was our driver. While no one got injured to my knowledge, it was a very unispiring and disappointing tour.

 

First, my email confirmation said to be at the meeting place at 9:00 a.m. I was there, but the tour did not leave until 10:30 a.m. Others had different, and later, times on their confirmation. As far as I was concerned that was wasted time and I was aggravated.

 

Second, Thomas was not very exciting as a tour guide. As others have pointed out, he was a driver. There was very little commentary and when there was, he was hard to hear and understand.

 

I took the tour because I wanted to go to Maho Beach and his is the only tour that included that stop. Orient Beach was ok. We had a 1 hour stop - long enough to grab a bite to eat, not to swim. We only had 30 minutes in Marigot - not long enough to do anything. And 30 minutes at Maho. We had to leave before the big planes arrived but did get to see a departure.

 

Had the tour left on time, we could have had more time at Marigot and actually seen something other than the bathroom and the local market selling trinkets and sourvenirs. And more time at Maho. As promised in his description.

 

No good recommendation from me. Did not leave with a postive feeling about St. Maarten based on this experience.

 

Doesn't sound like Bernard was concerned enough about his reputation from my review with Thomas to ensure that never happened again. I know exactly how you felt about your tour. Bummed out.:(

[Kelane]

We took Bernard's Tour last week while in port on The Eclipse. Thomas was our driver. While no one got injured to my knowledge, it was a very unispiring and disappointing tour.

 

First, my email confirmation said to be at the meeting place at 9:00 a.m. I was there, but the tour did not leave until 10:30 a.m. Others had different, and later, times on their confirmation. As far as I was concerned that was wasted time and I was aggravated.

 

Second, Thomas was not very exciting as a tour guide. As others have pointed out, he was a driver. There was very little commentary and when there was, he was hard to hear and understand.

 

I took the tour because I wanted to go to Maho Beach and his is the only tour that included that stop. Orient Beach was ok. We had a 1 hour stop - long enough to grab a bite to eat, not to swim. We only had 30 minutes in Marigot - not long enough to do anything. And 30 minutes at Maho. We had to leave before the big planes arrived but did get to see a departure.

 

Had the tour left on time, we could have had more time at Marigot and actually seen something other than the bathroom and the local market selling trinkets and sourvenirs. And more time at Maho. As promised in his description.

 

No good recommendation from me. Did not leave with a postive feeling about St. Maarten based on this experience.

 

 

That absolutely stinks and is just wrong! Seems this Thomas is ruining St. Maarten for anyone who is unfortunate enough to get him when they book Bernards. I hope BOTH of you write Bernard and let him know your complaints, disappointments, etc. If he's not willing to fix this situation, then I know for sure I'll pass next time we're there...and I'd already decided we would book again with him when we go back. I'm not chancing a "Thomas" after the stellar tour Dave gave us.

[CrusinAgain]

That absolutely stinks and is just wrong! Seems this Thomas is ruining St. Maarten for anyone who is unfortunate enough to get him when they book Bernards. I hope BOTH of you write Bernard and let him know your complaints, disappointments, etc. If he's not willing to fix this situation, then I know for sure I'll pass next time we're there...and I'd already decided we would book again with him when we go back. I'm not chancing a "Thomas" after the stellar tour Dave gave us.

 

Well haven't received an email from Bernard yet about our complaint.