TTEllis

Getting off the ship in itself with that many ships in port is going to be a difficult proposition, much less taking ANY island tour you choose.

I'm not sure it really matters what you do your going to be inundated with cruisers. 

If you've been to this destination before or have plans to go back, this time you could plan something on the ship or wait until everyone is off the ship and then maybe go into town. I hate not getting off the ship at any destination in this case it would be definitely something to consider. Have fun whatever you decide. 😎😎😎😎

I can answer this question for you.

You'll be able to sit pretty much wherever you want. The further you go down the beach the more "birthday suits" you'll see. If you have a issue with that then just stay up towards the (West end) of the beach.

There's plenty of beach bars renting pretty much anything you want as far as chairs, umbrella's go. 

One of the best things about Orient Beach because it's on the other(French side) of St. Maarten there can be 3-4 ships in port and it's still not busy. 

Many of cruisers relate French to nudity and stay away, that's why it's so nice up there and that's why I keep going back going on 25 years now. 

Orient one of the nicest bays in the Caribbean. Go have fun.😎

Spend your day at Goffs Caye. Been to the destination twice both times booked a tour to Goffs and will never do anything else when I'm visiting this destination. Have fun.😎

There were so many tour operators at the port on both sides of the sidewalk. Waving maps in everyone's faces including mine, the local government made them move. 

There's no longer tour operators on the Left side of the walkway coming out of Port security. 

It was ridiculous. Everybody was done with it, no more getting plastered in the face with maps of Aruba anymore.😳😎

I've said this before come out of Port security on Aruba, Exit Stage Left. 

Keep going left to the bus station don't look back yep keep going LEFT!!😎😎😎😎

Your Welcome.

"Sardine Central"😂😂😂😂

You need to take your time, with a 7 year old in tow(sounds like you have a great little travel partner) there's a lot you two can do visiting this destination. 

I've never done one but there are great island tours on St. Maarten at the end of the tour they'll drop you off and wait for you at a beach. Other than Orient most beaches are pretty close to the port. No worries.

 If I were you I would book a nice tour for the two of you and forget it. 

Have fun😎

Millions of them. You'll figure it right out. 😎

Oh I see, what happens if there name is on the list? Is it just a heads up or warning of some type to swimmers?

It couldn't last very long. A good afternoon rain down there never hurt a thing. Thanks for the info. 

18 minutes ago, blue_water said:

What @Ms411 said...pesticides and human waste are the big ones in many areas. 

Damn!! I didn't know that even though it does make sense. 

Hey Ms411 if you get on the email list that sends you the results of the water testing please let us know here so we can get in the list too. Thank you 

So where would these contaminates originate from? I think it's great the EPA tests the popular beaches in the USVI.

I understand there's all this little thingys in the water we can't see that might hurt us. Did something leak out or was there a "spill". Someone dump something they shouldn't have? 

I never really thought about that but probably should have. 

That's why I keep going back because of the crystal clear water.😎

Thanks for the heads up!! Appreciate you. 🤜🤛

A beach for 8 active seniors. You've chosen the correct beaches.

Darkwood or Valley Church same bay almost next to one another. 

Same beach same water different beach bars either way you go it's nice. No or less children Valley Church. 😎🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟😎

Absolutely seedy, Mexico??!! I've been in some wonderfully just dilapidated bars especially back in the 90's in the old Cozumel.

The only thing undesirable was me.😁.

These bars were not modest they were what drinkers like myself refer to as a "Dive". Best "Dives" in the world are in Mexico have been for the last 50 years. Ice cold Coronas $1(US) all day long. I love Mexican Dives I make a point to find one every chance I get. 😎

Rundown(so to speak) Caribbean beach bars are the best bars to go too. I've been in some beauties total hellholes, best time ever. 

The more rundown the better!!!

On 4/2/2024 at 8:25 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Thank you so much for this valuable update…. Will now make others aware of the poor state of Plywood, so they make the right and informed choice.

Wait a minute!! Those rundown especially rundown Southern Caribbean beach bars serve the COLDEST🥶🥶🥶Beer EVER. 

I love rundown beach bars in the Caribbean they're nothing but fun and like you said PORT ROYAL they're not pretending to be something they're not.😉😎🌞🌞🌞🤜🤛

On 1/22/2024 at 10:49 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Out of courtesy one will let @TTEllis know of you kind efforts and the posting same. Todd is always seeking advice on AI’s

I appreciate that!!😁

LaPlywood sounds like a great plan for my day on Grenada.

Yes I'm the AI king PORT ROYAL😁😎😁😎, and I know your not real fond of AI but BUT I only have to swipe my credit card one time.🤗🥳😵‍💫😂
 

I've been to Grenada twice did absolutely nothing for me both times. Going back next year don't want to stay on the ship but have no interest in doing another island tour. 

Very few beaches. 

Someone figures out a nice day at this destination I'm all ears. Thanks 

When you get off the ship you'll walk into the Curacao Welcome Center. 

You can pick up a nice fold up walking map of the city it's FREE. Just pick one up as your walking into town. You'll see it. FREE. 

It helps a lot and it's very easy to figure out, and it's fun. 😎

Yes if you're going into town you want to go on your own time. No worries no hurry. People everywhere, great shopping great little pubs. 

It's a nice town to walk around great vibe. I'm just saying it can certainly be done by yourselves. I'm solo and I really like walking around Willemstad too many nice little bars to much to do and see on someone else's time. 

If your a bar hopper like I am you'll be in heaven. Have fun 🤜🤛

PORT ROYAL 

I found a cruise next year that's going to take me back to this destination. I have some time to decide on what I plan to do on the island.

If I don't end up doing an island tour with Karambola, gonna do a private rhum distillery tour, end up at DePaz and hang out on Mt. Pelee for the day. Hope you can join me I'll share the dates of the sailing with you later. No hurry.

Coral Princess 14 day Caribbean Circle. Next year, Great dates great itineraries nice ship. It'll work and I'm picky. 

Going to that Filibuste Distillery you were talking about. I don't really want to go up in the mountains again I want to drink rhum all day and hangout at the Depaz distillery on Mt. Pelee. They have a great bar inside the store I'll be there. Hopefully see you too PORT ROYAL.

🙏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🙏

The walking tour is free because you don't need a guide. I walked around town several times by myself. Willemstad is a very nice very family oriented town. Sidewalk entertainment great vibe and nice little home bars. 

You can walk all over town by yourself or with your own group on your own time do whatever you want without a guide. There's thousands of people everywhere you can't get lost. 

Bubble sounds just fine. You just made my choice for me. I love ethnic with a shabby ambience I'll fit right in. 

Thank you very much PORT ROYAL.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

No S.H.T., that'll work.

Appreciate you. 

On 4/13/2024 at 11:00 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

If taking a private tour, discreetly, and confidentiality, ask one’s driver if it would be possible to try “Bush Rum”.

The rum is basically Moonshine infused with various herbs (?) grown on the island.  
 

Certain infusions can have the effect of numbing one’s lips and mouth.  With other infusions giving the feeling that one’s eyes are trying to escape via the back of one’s head.

 

A vendor will have a great variety, with those for the very, very brave “under the counter”.

 

How brave is one? 😱

 

PORT ROYAL I love moonshine😁 I love herbs too!!😁😁😂😂😁😁

I have a question for you I found a cruise for next year it ports in Dominica. Seeing how our friend and pal Levi Baron is no longer doing island tours of some sort.

If you were to go back to Dominica what would you recommend or how would you spend you cruise visit?

I was thinking about trying to get a group together and get our own taxi van. I've never been to a beach on Dominica before I was hoping maybe to end up at a beach with a bar for the afternoon. Thanks for any help Todd

Thank you!! The water taxi to Soufriere which I was not aware of is a great idea. Thank you.