Bernard's Tours

[STLATL]

I sent a request to Bernard several days ago and haven't heard back. Does it take a little while for him to get back to you? Or, should I email him again?

[mikemike404]

I sent a request to Bernard several days ago and haven't heard back. Does it take a little while for him to get back to you? Or, should I email him again?

 

Call him again. I talked to him on three separate occasions and all after 8 pm our time :)

[luv2travel29]

i got my email confirmation the very next day from bernard... so excited for our tour.... it has great reviews!!! :D

[yeah mon]

anyone have a number for Bernard or email address

[mikemike404]

anyone have a number for Bernard or email address

 

(954)376-6582

 

 

Sent from my iPad2 using Tapatalk HD

[Mmketeer]

Looks like I am not the only one on here that wants to skip the two hour beach stop.

 

This is his published itin:

Pickup at the cruise pier

* 9:00 am to 10:00 am sightseeing including stop at the French and Dutch border

* Brief stop at Oyster Pond over looking the island of St Barths

* Swim at Orient Beach for up to two hours, as time allows.

* Marigot - open market (French Capital).

* Sunset Beach bar ( Maho Beach ) 40 minutes where you can see the planes land right over your head.

* Cayhill overlooking Simpson Bay marina.

* Great Bay overlooking Phillipsburg and harbor.

* Return to Philipsburg will be between 1:30 and 2:00, depending on factors

 

Can anyone comment that has taken his tour and skipped the two hour beach stop? What did your itin consist of?

[dutchgal46]

We just got back from our cruise, booked a tour with Bernard, Rudy was our driver, we were supposed to stop at a beach for a longer time, but it was windy, the water choppy, so we decided not to stay there as was planned and stayed longer at a different place.

Going back after watching some airplanes landing and taking off, what was incredible we got stuck in traffic just past the airport. Rudie called the office and it was suggested to turn around and drive all the way back over the French side.

It appeared there was a truck accident which blocked the road.

Thanks to Rudy we made it back in time to our ship.

There were people who did not make it back in time and we sailed without them.

Great tour

 

Anneke

[We-R-Off]

We just got back from our cruise, booked a tour with Bernard, Rudy was our driver, we were supposed to stop at a beach for a longer time, but it was windy, the water choppy, so we decided not to stay there as was planned and stayed longer at a different place.

Going back after watching some airplanes landing and taking off, what was incredible we got stuck in traffic just past the airport. Rudie called the office and it was suggested to turn around and drive all the way back over the French side.

It appeared there was a truck accident which blocked the road.

Thanks to Rudy we made it back in time to our ship.

There were people who did not make it back in time and we sailed without them.

Great tour

 

Anneke

 

I have booked this tour but now I am stressing a bit just thinking of not making it back in time !!!! is it worth mentioning this when taking the tour, I certainly would prefer less beach time.

[We-R-Off]

Looks like I am not the only one on here that wants to skip the two hour beach stop.

 

This is his published itin:

Pickup at the cruise pier

* 9:00 am to 10:00 am sightseeing including stop at the French and Dutch border

* Brief stop at Oyster Pond over looking the island of St Barths

* Swim at Orient Beach for up to two hours, as time allows.

* Marigot - open market (French Capital).

* Sunset Beach bar ( Maho Beach ) 40 minutes where you can see the planes land right over your head.

* Cayhill overlooking Simpson Bay marina.

* Great Bay overlooking Phillipsburg and harbor.

* Return to Philipsburg will be between 1:30 and 2:00, depending on factors

 

Can anyone comment that has taken his tour and skipped the two hour beach stop? What did your itin consist of?

 

I was hesitant about booking this tour because of the two hours on Orient beach. When are you taking the tour? I think I may write to him and ask if there's any chance of having less beach time on Orient, maybe like yourselves & us, there's others that prefer less time.

[cruisee<3]

I have booked this tour but now I am stressing a bit just thinking of not making it back in time !!!! is it worth mentioning this when taking the tour, I certainly would prefer less beach time.

 

I was about to book this tour until I read about people missing their ship and now I'm stressing but he seems like he runs a good tour operation .. Is it common for people to iss the cruise when they book private tours? I've done it before but the previous posts just made me nervous :(

[We-R-Off]

I was about to book this tour until I read about people missing their ship and now I'm stressing but he seems like he runs a good tour operation .. Is it common for people to iss the cruise when they book private tours? I've done it before but the previous posts just made me nervous :(

 

Driving myself a bit crazy now. I booked the ships trip and cancelled for Bernards Tour. The ships tour is less than 3 hours. Now I'm not sure what to do. We want to visit both sides and a little shopping - again not over keen on too much of that either.

 

Bernards seemed to be the answer until I heard about people missing the ship and not a fan of sitting on the beach for hours.

 

I have written to him to ask him if he can run a trip with less time on Orient. He probably will write back that we should take a private tour.

We are just 2 so it's not really worthwhile. I may try and connect up with others on our Roll call looking for less beach time.

[Willbcruisin]

I have posted before we are going back this month for tour #6 with Bernard.

 

We have been in port on Holiday sailings with 7 ships in:eek: Traffic horrible. Bernard always has had us back to the ship in time. We have never ever come close to missing it, always have time left over at the end. I asked him last time there is January about has anyone ever missed and all of his years in biz no one on his tour has ever missed the ship.

 

We do book private. It is worth every cent. The peace of mind and no stress. It is our favorite Island. We will be there in 22 days and just can't wait!

[cherylroslyn]

I was about to book this tour until I read about people missing their ship and now I'm stressing but he seems like he runs a good tour operation .. Is it common for people to iss the cruise when they book private tours? I've done it before but the previous posts just made me nervous :(

Just to be clear. the person who said people missed the ship was speaking about OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT ON A TOUR WITH BERNARD.

 

Some have read these last few posts from this resurrected 2009 thread and have gotten a bit confused.

 

The poster who spoke about people missing the ship was praising Rudy, one of Bernard's drivers for making it back to the ship on time despite the fact that there was a major accident.

[cherylroslyn]

Driving myself a bit crazy now. I booked the ships trip and cancelled for Bernards Tour. The ships tour is less than 3 hours. Now I'm not sure what to do. We want to visit both sides and a little shopping - again not over keen on too much of that either.

 

Bernards seemed to be the answer until I heard about people missing the ship and not a fan of sitting on the beach for hours.

 

I have written to him to ask him if he can run a trip with less time on Orient. He probably will write back that we should take a private tour.

We are just 2 so it's not really worthwhile. I may try and connect up with others on our Roll call looking for less beach time.

No one has missed the ship from a Bernard's Tour. The poster who spoke about people missing the ship was speaking about other people who were not on Bernard's tour.

[MAZ100]

Since the tour is for 40 minute stay at Maho Beach..

 

My friend does not feel comfortable staying the whole 40 minutes on the Maho beach because of the planes..

 

Can anyone tell me if they know if there is anything around the Maho Beach area like shopping area or sightseeing places you can walk to from the beach until Bernard comes backs to pick us up to continue the tour..

 

We just want to hang out for maybe 15 - 20 minutes and maybe walk around if there is anything close to beach walking distance.

 

 

Thanks

Lidia

[We-R-Off]

Just to be clear. the person who said people missed the ship was speaking about OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT ON A TOUR WITH BERNARD.

 

Some have read these last few posts from this resurrected 2009 thread and have gotten a bit confused.

 

The poster who spoke about people missing the ship was praising Rudy, one of Bernard's drivers for making it back to the ship on time despite the fact that there was a major accident.

 

 

Thanks for the clarification. We have booked this trip and looking forward to it.

[Ashland]

Since the tour is for 40 minute stay at Maho Beach..

 

My friend does not feel comfortable staying the whole 40 minutes on the Maho beach because of the planes..

 

Can anyone tell me if they know if there is anything around the Maho Beach area like shopping area or sightseeing places you can walk to from the beach until Bernard comes backs to pick us up to continue the tour..

 

We just want to hang out for maybe 15 - 20 minutes and maybe walk around if there is anything close to beach walking distance.

 

 

Thanks

Lidia

"Doesn't feel comfortable staying on the beach"..No need to stay/stand on the beach..Sit at the Sunset Beach Bar/Grill and have a drink and watch the planes..the 40 min will go by quicker than you realize..Bernards bus doesn't really "go" anywhere..our private tour van parked very close and you can go get back in any time you want ;):)

[ibcnusoon]

I believe there is a casino within walking distance to Maho Bay if people in your party just want to go inside and walk around, or gamble. That's where I'm going to send my parents if the plane landings become too much for them, while the rest of us enjoy Maho Bay.

[nicknack]

I was hesitant about booking this tour because of the two hours on Orient beach. When are you taking the tour? I think I may write to him and ask if there's any chance of having less beach time on Orient, maybe like yourselves & us, there's others that prefer less time.

 

Seems to me that if you don't want the two hours beach time that others are signing up for based upon Bernard's description of the public tour, you should look elsewhere.

[LondonTowner]

Having read the good reviews regarding bernard's Tours we booked a trip through him.

 

Unfortunately, our captain changed the itinerary and we docked in St Maarten a day later than scheduled.

 

Bernardo still managed to get us on a tour with a group of French girls. Agustine, our driver/guide really only did the commentary in French, although English is the official language. I understand some French if I listen carefully, but had to then interpret for my partner. I think she should have done it both in French and English.

 

We were lucky to visit about 10 islands on our cruise, but St Maarten was our least favourite. Too many large ships in port and too many loud people around. Strangely enough, on another cruise Aruba was our least favourite place. The Dutch islands appear to be over commercialised.

[MAZ100]

Thanks for the great suggestion for us to do.

 

Lidia

[LuckyZ]

Driving myself a bit crazy now. I booked the ships trip and cancelled for Bernards Tour. The ships tour is less than 3 hours. Now I'm not sure what to do. We want to visit both sides and a little shopping - again not over keen on too much of that either.

 

Bernards seemed to be the answer until I heard about people missing the ship and not a fan of sitting on the beach for hours.

 

I have written to him to ask him if he can run a trip with less time on Orient. He probably will write back that we should take a private tour.

We are just 2 so it's not really worthwhile. I may try and connect up with others on our Roll call looking for less beach time.

 

I don't think anyone is going to miss the ship. You're panicking for nothing in my opinion.

[vplsh]

Our group of 18 from the Eclipse took Bernard's tour last week in St. Martin from the Celebrity Eclipse. We met Bernard as soon as we got off the ship, paid for our tour, and he had us on a bus with Junior within a half hour.

 

Junior was wonderful- he gave us lots of information about the island while driving to our various stops. I was concerned there would be too much time at the stops at the beaches, but it was just the right amount of time.

 

After stopping at Maho Beach to watch the planes and grab a quick lunch at the Sunset Bar and Grill, Junior took us back into town and dropped a few of us of at the shopping area and took the rest back to the ship.

 

I highly recommend this tour! Bernard's operation is professional and top notch!!

[CruisinGirl777]

Bernard has really good reviews, it seems. I am thinking of booking his tour for our December Celebrity Summit trip. I want to spend time on the French side, do some shopping at the market in Marigot and see the planes at Maho. Guess I will see what others are doing on my roll call. It may be better to do a private tour.