What I did in St. Maarten

[TamaLee]

We decided to take a tour of the island via a taxi cab. The taxi stands are at the end of the pier outside of the shops. Very easy to find and a great tour. I believe we paid $25 per person for the tour. It was very good and covered a lot of ground. We were in a van with 8 people total. We had the driver drop us at Orient Beach and finish the tour with the rest of the group without us. The cab back from Orient was $5 per person.

The driver dropped us off near the nudist resort. Right away we got an eye full. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

We walked down the beach and there were a lot of individuals asking if we wanted chairs and umbrellas. The farther down we walked the cheaper it was. The best deal was $5 for a chair, umbrella and a free drink. Every stand has the same offer....chair, umbrella and drink...you just have to negotiate for the best price.

We had a very nice afternoon laying in the sun. We did see a few totally naked couples walking up and down the beach. But believe me they were older and not worth looking at! A lot of the women were laying out in the sun topless.

The beach and the water were very nice.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Spirit 3/22/04
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Carnival Jubilee 4/97
RCCL Majesty of the Seas 4/99
Norwegin Sun 4/00
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Carnival Pride 3/03

[Guest]

I'm assuming you were lying in the sun, not laying!

[Marie & Ian]

Thanks TamaLee. I was thinking of renting a car and driving to Orient Beach but is it really only a $5.00 cab ride per taxi?

How long is the drive from the ship?

If we went first thing in the morning, is it a place you'd want to spend the day?

Thanks for your help.

Marie

Summit 4/04
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Celebrity Mercury 1999
Norweigan Dream 2000

[kal]

The cab ride would probably take 15 minutes from the pier to Orient. Just depends on traffic.

You could spend all day at the beach, but I would suggest you explore other parts of St. Maarten in the morning, then arrive at the beach about 11:30 or so. Leave at 3:30 or 4:00 depending on ship's departure schedule.

[Chas_P]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> The driver dropped us off near the nudist resort. Right away we got an eye full.

We had a very nice afternoon laying in the sun. We did see a few totally naked couples walking up and down the beach. But believe me they were older and not worth looking at! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Once again a typical response. What did you expect? Would young 20 somethings make it worthwhile for you?

[kujobie]

I've heard many people say it's more like $18-20 each way for a cab to orient for 2 people. ??

Jubilee..May 2002
Sensation...May 2003
Glory...April 2004
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[TamaLee]

Marie & Ian - We paid $5 per person to take the cab from Orient Beach to the Pier. He did drive around the beach area to find a few more people to fill up his van but it was only $5 per person. I would only rent a car if you want to see more of the island.

It took about 15 minutes to get from the beach to the pier.

We only spent the afternoon at the beach but I could have spent the whole day there. The beach was very nice and there are places to eat and drink where ever you decide to set up base.

Chas_P - Thanks for jumping to conclusions. Just because I said I got an eyeful doesn't mean in anyway we were offended. I just didn't expect to see a naked person right as I stepped out of the cab. I only mentioned this because a lot of individuals with children have expressed a concern about the nudity at the beach.

Spirit 3/22/04
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RCCL Viking Seranade 4/95
Carnival Jubilee 4/97
RCCL Majesty of the Seas 4/99
Norwegin Sun 4/00
Carnival Destiny 5/01
Carnival Destinty 4/02
Carnival Pride 3/03

[Chas_P]

TamaLee, I did not jump to conclusions. didn't you also say:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>We did see a few totally naked couples walking up and down the beach. But believe me they were older and not worth looking at!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It seems to speak to your attitude.

[TamaLee]

You're right. That is my attitude and I'm not ashamed of it. Please address any future remarks on this thread to St. Maarten and not my attitude.

Spirit 3/22/04
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RCCL Viking Seranade 4/95
Carnival Jubilee 4/97
RCCL Majesty of the Seas 4/99
Norwegin Sun 4/00
Carnival Destiny 5/01
Carnival Destinty 4/02
Carnival Pride 3/03

[Chas_P]

Simple solution, if you don't want people commenting on your attitude, don't inject it into a post to begin with.

[Freddie's Mama]

Does anyone suggest the "Everyting Cool" beach day shore excursion through Carnival? We will be in St. Maarten in June on the Triumph and this excursion sounded pretty reasonable. Have all day at the beach of Everyting Cool restaurant, a beach mat, a chair, come and go as you please...not to mention the 99 cent beer and over 80 different choices of daquiris!!!! Anyone experienced this? Is it a good choice?

Carnival Triumph Here We Come!!!
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[Marie & Ian]

There's a whole thread on Everytin Cool somewhere on these boards. Everyone seems to agree it's a place you definitely can go on your own and that it's not necessary to do it as a ship excursion.

It seems to come highly recommended by many, with a lot of people using it as a final stop ground before getting on their ship, as I understand it's not too far from the ship).

Marie

Summit 4/04
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Days remaining

Celebrity Mercury 1999
Norweigan Dream 2000

[kmbierworth]

I agree with the post about doing everyting cool on your own. It is very easily accessible. I also agree that it is a great spot for your final stop on the way back to the ship.

[Nancy3Lily]

This is my first attempt at "chatting" so I apologize if my topic change is not appropriate??

Anyway, I am cruising to St.Marteen in October. Does anyone know of anyone who has been married on that island while visiting on a cruise ship??

Thanks,
Nancy

[Chas_P]

Nancy, while we did not get married on St Martin, here's a usefull link to get you more info in the meantime.

[url="http://www.experiencestmaarten.com/islandfacts/wedding.htm"]Weddings[/url]

[Nancy3Lily]

Thanks! I had not been to that site before.

After looking through the information, I am not sure if you could get married on either the French or Dutch side? It looks like I may need to contact them for some information!

Thanks,
Nancy