We're on the VALOR this Sun:Boarding & St.Martin advice Please

[jerzeyjen]

Hello fellow cruisers! I'm on the Valor this Sunday, the 5th....yippee!!! I haven't booked anything in St. Martin. Does anyone have an absolute "Must see or must do" excursion for this stop? My family loves to snorkel and swim and wouldn't mind some "adventure" either. Anyone tried beach quads here or elsewhere? Good snorkeling at a beach? How about a rock wall in the water? My 3 kids loved these in Cozumel ...I haven't heard of any in St Martin though.

 

Also...our boarding passes say 1:30 embarkation...is this the true time or can we board earlier? What time would you get to the Port in Miami?

 

Thanks!!!!!!

[neighbour_lady]

Hi Jen

 

We are aboard same cruise as you. On St Martin we booked jeeps to tour the islands ourselves and find the beach we want too for snorkeling as well.

 

We booked the jeeps through a major rental company ourselves. Looking forward to snorkeling too. I have brought my own gear with me as I own it already.

 

We have tours planned for Miami, and St Thomas and we'll do our own thing in Nassau.

 

PS I am planning on getting to ship in the morning and getting on if we are allowed too.....that way we enjoy the day too...and see some of the ship before everyone boards.

 

I hear our ship isn't sold out too. Kinda nice!!

[campdaan]

We always go to Orient Beach. $5pp taxi ride from the Port. $15 to rent 2 chairs and an umbrella. Lots to do, see, eat and drink.

 

Beach has nice waves unlike other carribean beaches I have been to.

[MamaParrotHead]

I'd definately do Orient Beach and/or Pinel Island. We got stuck on a ship sponsored excursion ("See & Sea") and it STUNK. IMO another "must do" is to grab a bite or eat or a drink at "The Greenhouse"...SUPER. Very casual, but excellent food, drinks and service (with REALLY reasonable prices).

 

We got to the terminal/pier around 10:30 and were onboard a bit after 12:00.

[tommyjoe61]

;) I also like Orient Beach. Beautiful water, great views, and lots of soft sand. But beware, it is a French beach, meaning tops are optional. Also on the far end of the beach there is a nudist section.. When we went last year, we took the taxi along with other cruisers and he took us to a spot that was 90% cruisers. We also had our 6 year old daughter with us, we never felt uncomfortable. The few topless sunbathers put their tops on when they got up from sunning.

We will definitely go back. There are a lot of standard water rentals, seadoos, trampoline, parasailing, but I don't remember a climbing wall.

Have a great time,

tommyjoe:)

[jerzeyjen]

I appreciate the advice - thank you everyone for your time. I can't wait...just a few more days til I leave. Yippee

[Light Tech]

Hay everybody, I am a former crew member from the Valor just so you know, the Valor does not start General Boarding untill after all guests from the last cruse is off. Usually starts around 11:30am. You may not be able to get to your cabin untill after 1pm.

You are going to have a blast!! If you like the 80's do not miss Far From Over, Friday night 8:30 and 10:30..Enjoy!!