Nassau, Charlotte Amalie, Philipsburg

[Nate123]

Cruising the Glory from Jan 17-Jan 24th, and these are my stops. I have never cruised before, and my wife and I are looking forward to it. So to ask...

 

I'm looking for advice as to what to do. Anything that anyone here would recommend? Are there inexpensive activities that can be a lot of fun? Where is the best place to do shopping? Anything that we should not miss?

 

Also, if we were to skip an excursion, which of the ports would you recommend?

[Aplmac]

Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas:

We went ashore and took a 2.5 hr. island tour for US$25 per person.. on one of these things..

that got us back to the ship area around noon.

 

There are some nice views to be had along the way,so take that camera.

There's also good Duty Free shopping to be had, right near the pier.

______________________________________

 

 

 

Philipsburg, St.Maarten: An even better place to shop than St.Thomas.

Great deals..to be had!

Good place to buy that new camera(Boolchands) or a new lens

not to mention jewellery stores by the mile.

 

 

Personally, going over to MARIGOT on the French side of the island is a lot more charming

and almost 'Riviera'..South of France a la Caribbean feel to it.

 

Great shops and patisseries, sidewalk cafes, etc.

 

Do the French side first.

Save the serious shopping for when you come back over to the Dutch side(P-burg)

before going back to the ship.

.

[rrunner]

Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas:

We went ashore and took a 2.5 hr. island tour for US$25 per person.. on one of these things..

that got us back to the ship area around noon.

 

There are some nice views to be had along the way,so take that camera.

There's also good Duty Free shopping to be had, right near the pier.

 

______________________________________

 

 

 

Philipsburg, St.Maarten: An even better place to shop than St.Thomas.

Great deals..to be had!

Good place to buy that new camera(Boolchands) or a new lens

not to mention jewellery stores by the mile.

 

 

Personally, going over to MARIGOT on the French side of the island is a lot more charming

and almost 'Riviera'..South of France a la Caribbean feel to it.

 

Great shops and patisseries, sidewalk cafes, etc.

 

Do the French side first.

Save the serious shopping for when you come back over to the Dutch side(P-burg)

before going back to the ship.

.

Can you tell us how we would get from the ship (Crown) to Marigot on the French side. Also how far is it approx. We are good walkers if the roads are safe to walk on. Thank you

[Aplmac]

Can you tell us how we would get from the ship to Marigot on the French side. ===> Taxi. At the pier.

Also how far is it approx. ===> Ten miles? on not-so-great roads with zero sidewalks! :D

We are good walkers if the roads are safe to walk on. ===> I don't think so!

We jumped in one of those long maxi-taxis that hold about 8-10 ppl

sharing it with other cruisers from other ships

and got over to Marigot for about US$6 each.

 

Don't even think about walking it.

You'll see what I mean when you get there

[whatnot]

On St Maarten.it's all about how many ships are in that day. I would allow at least an hour to get to Marigot and another for return, not knowing the traffic that day. Traffic can be terrible because the roads are all 2 lanes and curvy and since they had a hurricane there a month or so ago they could be washed out! We encountered that several years ago after a late fall hurricane. Go online to the St Maarten web site an check on how many cruise ships they are expecting. You can also take a cab but it probably is pricey, or rent a car. I love Marigot. It is more laid back French riveira style, while Phillipsburg is gold shop after gold shop. Where ever you buy gold, cameras , etc know what you are looking for before you go, what it would cost you here and then shop around.

 

Have a great trip!