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Bernard's Tours

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dmbfiredancer03

dmbfiredancer03

Posted
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I have a question, on Bernard's website it lists the tour as:

 

All day tour includes sightseeing, beach and shopping.

9:00am - 11:30am ~ Sightseeing

11:30am - 1:30pm ~ Orient Beach

1:45pm - 3:30pm ~ Shopping in Philipsburg

 

But many people say that they did the beach last? I'm just wondering because I am not sure my mom would be able to last 2 hours on the beach. So it would be nice if she could maybe skip that part and just head back to the ship. I thought that might be possible if the beach was at the end of the tour, but it looks like its actually in the middle of the tour???

 

Please clarify for me,

Thanks.

Maggie

 

I haven't gone on his tour yet, but I have a similar situation. I'm interested in everything he has on the group tour EXCEPT for staying 2 hours at the beach. I inquired about a private tour, and it was more than I wanted to pay, but Bernard offered me this:

 

"Erica

 

Since you don't want to stay at the beach for two hrs i will arrange to take you back or i can arrange to take you to marigot while the others are on the beach so my group tour will be better for you,please let me know if you are satisfied with this..

 

Thanks!

Bernard."

 

I thought that was very sweet and kind of him to offer, so we are going to do his tour and hopefully figure it out. I was hoping the beach is at the end, though because that would make most sense for me to leave at that time...

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gtaylor

gtaylor

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Are there showers at Orient Beach to rinse off the sand before continuing the tour? My husband really doesn't enjoy being in a wet sandy bathing suit, especially if I'm making him shop in it!

If you take advantage of the clothing optional section of the beach in front of Club Orient, then you won't have a 'wet sandy bathing suit'. :)

 

gary

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Willbcruisin

Willbcruisin

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Thanks.

 

Bernard did call me over the weekend to get the dates straightened up. Very nice man. Love the accent. :) He also said not to worry about the deposit right now - contact him 2 months prior to our cruise to set that up. But we are on his books.

 

Those that have done private tours with Bernard - what do you recommend seeing? I was trying to get an idea if there would be time to do the Butterfly farm along with other things we want. Bernard didn't think there would be a problem, but wanted a visitors perspective - if anyone has one.

 

We let Bernard call the shots when we toured with him. But we did have to ladies who wanted a casino not beach and it was not a problem at all.

 

Maho and watching the planes take-off and land is amazing. I would say more time there in the afternoon.

 

I'm glad Bernard called you. Yes, he is a VERY nice man:) I don't speak on the phone but a few times a year with Bernard as we email more but when we do get to chat I love his accent as well:)

 

Just to note again......for some reason people seem to think 2 hrs at Orient is long.........trust me.....it goes by wayyyyy to fast!

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gtaylor

gtaylor

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When I went on Bernard's web site the tour says the beach is the last thing, not in the middle. Does this change depending on the time of year you go? My friend and I are leaving this saturday. WOOHOO!! :eek:

 

Karen, FL :cool:

The website says:

All day tour includes sightseeing, beach and shopping.

9:00am - 11:30 am ~ Sightseeing

11:30am - 1:30pm ~ Orient Beach

1:45 - 3:30pm ~ Shopping in Philipsburg

 

The beach couldn't be the 'last thing' or you wouldn't get back to the ship.

 

gary

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skatie

skatie

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It sounds like from the previous posts that the tour does sightseeing and beach and then gives people the option of being dropped off for shopping or being taken back to the port. So for some people the beach could be the "last" thing on their tour.

 

How do you think 10 and 13 year olds would fare during the sightseeing? Would they be bored? Three years ago we did a couple of hours at Orient beach and enjoyed the waters there, so this trip we were just thinking of seeing the planes at Maho and our original plan was to just take a taxi to Maho and hang out there for a few hours, but Bernards tour also sounds interesting but long possibly from the kids' perspective. Thoughts?

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maggieworkman

maggieworkman

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Just to note again......for some reason people seem to think 2 hrs at Orient is long.........trust me.....it goes by wayyyyy to fast!

 

I don't think the time at Orient Beach is too long, in general. But my 66 year old mom would be miserable in the heat! Unless I could find her a nearby air conditioned restaurant to sit in.

 

Maggie

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deb63

deb63

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We let Bernard call the shots when we toured with him. But we did have to ladies who wanted a casino not beach and it was not a problem at all.

 

Maho and watching the planes take-off and land is amazing. I would say more time there in the afternoon.

 

I'm glad Bernard called you. Yes, he is a VERY nice man:) I don't speak on the phone but a few times a year with Bernard as we email more but when we do get to chat I love his accent as well:)

 

Just to note again......for some reason people seem to think 2 hrs at Orient is long.........trust me.....it goes by wayyyyy to fast!

 

Two hours doesn't sound too long to me. :) My parents rented a place in Galveston last summer. My DDs really loved the beach. From pics I've seen of Caribbean beaches - I'm pretty sure they'll love these even more. :)

 

I'm not sure about Maho beach for us. While I do believe DH and I would find it neat - right now our DDs scare pretty easily with loud noises. I took them to a movie theater this weekend and the loud sound scared the tar out of them. Granted, our cruise is still a year away so it could (and hopefully will) change. As I do believe it would be neat to see planes landing. I know all 4 of us like seeing them fly over head as is. .. .

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deb63

deb63

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I went over to utube after reading that the planes were not loud. I guess some are. I wonder if the tour guides have a schedule that shows them what type of plane is due in, or out.

 

This would scare the tar out of my children. (who aren't the bravest girls to begin with).

 

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Brblfsh

Brblfsh

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Bernard sounds great! But, we would like less time at the beach. Can he accommodate for that? Does he stop in Grand Case? How long is the stop in Marigot? And how long are you stopped in Maho (my husband is an aviation freak and he'd love to spend as much time there as possible). Thanks!

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Willbcruisin

Willbcruisin

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Bernard sounds great! But, we would like less time at the beach. Can he accommodate for that? Does he stop in Grand Case? How long is the stop in Marigot? And how long are you stopped in Maho (my husband is an aviation freak and he'd love to spend as much time there as possible). Thanks!

 

 

My advise would be to contact Bernard with your questions. It sounds like his private tour would be perfect for all that you wish to do.

 

We spent the extra $$ for the private tour and it is THE BEST we have ever taken on any Island;)

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Willbcruisin

Willbcruisin

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Two hours doesn't sound too long to me. :) My parents rented a place in Galveston last summer. My DDs really loved the beach. From pics I've seen of Caribbean beaches - I'm pretty sure they'll love these even more. :)

 

I'm not sure about Maho beach for us. While I do believe DH and I would find it neat - right now our DDs scare pretty easily with loud noises. I took them to a movie theater this weekend and the loud sound scared the tar out of them. Granted, our cruise is still a year away so it could (and hopefully will) change. As I do believe it would be neat to see planes landing. I know all 4 of us like seeing them fly over head as is. .. .

 

I agree........the planes are not that loud but boy are they low.

 

My DD 15 at the time jumped out of Bernards van when she saw the plane coming.............made for great laughs for everyone;) Bernard said he never had a jumper before:p

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Willbcruisin

Willbcruisin

Posted
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It sounds like from the previous posts that the tour does sightseeing and beach and then gives people the option of being dropped off for shopping or being taken back to the port. So for some people the beach could be the "last" thing on their tour.

 

How do you think 10 and 13 year olds would fare during the sightseeing? Would they be bored? Three years ago we did a couple of hours at Orient beach and enjoyed the waters there, so this trip we were just thinking of seeing the planes at Maho and our original plan was to just take a taxi to Maho and hang out there for a few hours, but Bernards tour also sounds interesting but long possibly from the kids' perspective. Thoughts?

 

Bernard loves kids. He's great with them. I would say they would be very happy with this tour........our kids on the tour loved it!

 

He also stops near beach and get sea urchins and other sea life to be held. It's quite interesting!

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  • 2 years later...
Willbcruisin

Willbcruisin

Posted
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Just curious has anyone made a deposit over the phone with Bernard ?

 

We have and are returning next month for tour number 6 with Bernard! Never had we ever had any issue with payment.

 

It's the only way we tour St Maarten. It has been my daughter and I mostly since she was 12 and is so nice to have no worries and feel safe. We have a fabulous time every time and look forward to tour #6!

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LuckyZ

LuckyZ

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Just got back on Victory and St Maarten.

 

We booked Bernards tour and they never asked for advance payment or credit card when booking. You pay $40 pp when you check in.

 

It was one of the best tours we ever had. Many stops for great photos and experiences. Spent 2 hours at Orient beach, and 1 hour at Maho beach. Not enough time at Marigot though (only 30 min).

 

Total tour was 6 hours and could have been 7 hours but we felt 2 hours at Maho was too long. On their website it's advertised as a 4.5 to 5 hour tour so you may want to check with the driver and your fellow passengers on the duration in case you have plans to shop upon your return.

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battybabe

battybabe

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We were with Bernard last week. $40pp payable that day, cash or credit. @6hours. Ample complimentary beverages. 6 people in air conditioned minivan, including an 11 year old. We all had a great time. Highly recommend this as a first class operation, and children receive extra attention from the guide. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

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