Bernard's Tour in St Maarten...is it a good tour

[bigque]

After the comments on here and visiting the website, I have booked a tour with Bernard. It seems better than anything the RCI has to offer on St. Maarten! :) Has anybody ever taken it all off while visiting Orient Beach in the Naturist area?

[cruiseAZ]

Four of us booked with Bernard in May - we had Bernard himself as driver/guide. We had a great time. Great value of the money!

[davenew]

Hi There.:)

Can anyone tell me if Bernard Tours are open to everyone or just group bookings.

We are a party of 2 and can not find a decent tour of the Island and would like prefur Bernards.

 

We've booked 2 places for our cruise starting Sep 25th with no problems. Got email reply saying we pay on arrival!! :)

[madmarti]

I wanted to book a tour with Bernard. My cruise is still aways off, but I wanted to know how far in advance should we book, thanks, madmarti:confused:

[sweetz]

Used Bernards last Tuesday and he is GREAT....A great guy with a wonderful personality...A lot of fun too...We road in an A/C van with plenty of water, soda, beer and rum punch to go around for the entire tour...Gave us so much information and time to do and see things...Got to know us and told us a little about himself too...Had many laughs that day!!!Made all other tours we took not able to measure up to his... Two thumbs up for Bernard....

Was the cost of the H20, beer, soda and rum punch included in the tour cost or were the drinks extra??:)

[mitsugirly]

Was the cost of the H20, beer, soda and rum punch included in the tour cost or were the drinks extra??:)

 

They are included. All you can drink from what I hear. :)

[JJSlim]

Just off the Norwegian Epic this past week. We pre-arranged a private tour of the island for our group of 12. Upon arrival we were greeted by Bernard's representatives at the information counter at the end of the pier. Within 10 minutes we were all seated in a very nice van which accommodated our group comfortably. The van appeared to be almost brand new (as did most of the other vehicles we saw from Bernard's company) and was super clean with great a/c. Bernard himself personally escorted our group! Since we arranged a private tour he asked us what/where we wanted to go. We decided to loosely follow his standard tour and set out first to Orient Beach. The drive there was nice as Bernard described details about the island. Along the way we stopped at a nature preserve with an amazing view and an observation platform. Bernard collected a variety of marine life from the shallow water for our group to examine (sand dollar, short spiny sea urchin, sea star, etc.). Everyone in our group was able to handle these creatures and the youngsters in particular were delighted. Our next stop was Orient Beach. It was cloudy and drizzling when we arrived and was not a particularly good beach day. We stopped for about 30 minutes to take in the view and a short stroll. On a nicer day we would have spent much more time here. The next stop was Grand Case where a nice assortment of local restaurants provided the opportunity for a snack or full lunch with a nice beachfront backdrop. From there we moved on to Marigot for a stroll through the local market and town shops. We then proceeded to Sunset Beach to watch the airplanes land and take-off. This was a very unique experience and one that I would highly recommend. Lastly we returned back to the cruise pier via the town of Philipsburg. A very full day and one which our entire group enjoyed. Our time spent with Bernard was very relaxed and friendly. Bernard has an interesting story to tell and was easy to converse with. Along the way he provided complimentary soft drinks, water, beer and rum punch which were generously consumed by our group. The weather steadily improved throughout the day and as we returned to the port area Bernard turned into a very small area for a great photo opportunity above the town/port/ship with a spectacular view. In the end, we all felt the tour was a very good value and an extremely enjoyable way to see the island in a relatively short amount of time.

[TexasOC]

We had Guillermo or 'Gizmo' as our driver. He was awesome! You won't be disappointed.

 

Great company.

[STARFISH*4]

I wanted to book a tour with Bernard. My cruise is still aways off, but I wanted to know how far in advance should we book, thanks, madmarti:confused:

 

his TOUR is very POPULAR you should BOOK as soon as you know you want to go:D

[cmodino]

just got back from bernards tour and i must say it was my favorite stop. had lots of time at each place to do what we wanted. But be warned dont stand behind the planes a couple that was in the van with us did and got pushed into the water witch would not have been to bad if there cameras were waterproof

[Clipsy01]

Just sent him the reservation form the wife and I. We will be there 9/15/10 and with all the postive feedback about him it seems like a no brainer! :)

[Willbcruisin]

We have toured with Bernard twice and loved every second of it.

For sure the best way to see both sides of the Island.

Always a favorite stop for us.

Bernard is the best tour and tour guide we have ever experienced on any Island so far.

We have also met some of his drivers and they are all pleasant and wonderful.

After all... it is the Happy Island!

We have booked Bernard again for next April! We will book him anytime we are on the Island!

 

We look forward to touring with him again!

[notsoonenuf]

I wanted to book a tour with Bernard. My cruise is still aways off, but I wanted to know how far in advance should we book, thanks, madmarti:confused:

 

Will be on St Maarten/Martin on Sept 1st and just booked this week with Bernard's. Not a problem and had a confirmation that night. On the website it says confirmation within 24/48 hours, but mine was same day for 4 people. Am very excited for this after all the reviews I have read.:D

[wssage4]

just got back from bernards tour and i must say it was my favorite stop. had lots of time at each place to do what we wanted. But be warned dont stand behind the planes a couple that was in the van with us did and got pushed into the water witch would not have been to bad if there cameras were waterproof

 

Did Bernard's tour include some history of the island and interesting facts along the way? It sounds like a great tour.

[Willbcruisin]

Bernard and or his drivers love to tell you about the Island they hold so Dear.

 

We learn more and more each time we go. It is always very interesting.

 

I think you will find and see so much during just a port day.

 

Someday, we hope to return for a land vacation there!

[kids1stcruise]

2weeks ago myself husband and 15 and 17 yr old sons did a tour with bernard. We had JUNIOR AS OUR GUIDE--HE WAS KNOWLEDGABLE-FUN-AND FRIENDLY. we enjoyed our tour -our punch and beer. we went to the beach and tour and to maho. yes i do wish we could have swam here at Maho but unfortunately there really was not alot of time because we wanted to take pictures of the planes coming in. We did see 3 planes which wee amazing. We were never in St.Martin so it was really nice having the tour instead of taxi to A beach and returning to the ship w/o seeing this Beautiful island. would not hesitate to book with Bernard.

[oliviaonthe beach]

Anyone recently book a private tour with personalized itinerary with Bernard? If so, how much mjore per person is this than the standard tour?

[xplor97]

Anyone recently book a private tour with personalized itinerary with Bernard? If so, how much mjore per person is this than the standard tour?

Here is the confirmation I received from Bernard for our private tour...

 

Thank you for Bernard's Tours,your reservation is confirm for our [private

TOUR]and we will be meeting you at [9:00 AM]in front of the yellow building at

the information desk next to the statue, please walk up to the [iNFORMATION

DESK]and ask for [bERNARD] We are located about three minutes walk on the

Pier...Have a great day and we are committed to make your day in Paradise the

best it can be,we greatly appreciate your business and look forward to assisting

you ..You pay on the day of the tour with cash or credit card, master card visa

or discovery $40.00/per person ...

 

Greg :D

[bokolo]

Anyone recently book a private tour with personalized itinerary with Bernard? If so, how much mjore per person is this than the standard tour?

 

Bernard emailed me yesterday. The cost for a private tour is $50 pp. The current cost for a group tour is $35 pp, but will be going up to $40 as of Sept. or October.

[xplor97]

Bernard emailed me yesterday. The cost for a private tour is $50 pp. The current cost for a group tour is $35 pp, but will be going up to $40 as of Sept. or October.

How many people do you have on your private tour? Wondering if a small group is

$50/person, where my group is 16 people at $40/person.

[dnl_in_Illinois]

Anyone recently book a private tour with personalized itinerary with Bernard? If so, how much mjore per person is this than the standard tour?

 

We took the "public" tour and were joined by about 16 people. We were there on a Tuesday in August. The cost was $30 per person ('altho' the price may be changing).

 

Benard's Tours has its act together. Junior was our driver and he was personable, accomodating and fun. The pop (soda for your easterners) and beer flowed early as well as a starter of heavy rum punch. After a few "site" stops we spent about a hour and a half at Orient Beach ($10 to rent 2 chairs and umbrella). We also spent enough time at Moho to get video of planes taking off and landing. Finally some were left in town for shopping (about a 10 min walk back to the ship after) while others were returned to the ship. On time at both ends - pick up and return. Highly recommend for a quick tour of St Maarten.

[Arizona Laura]

Bernard does wonderful tours and is the nicest person.

We have not been back to St Martin for DH cannot fly but so glad DD and her husband will be meeting him in October.

Everyone of the 14 of us on our private tour have always said he is fantastic!

Laura

[Willbcruisin]

Bernard does wonderful tours and is the nicest person.

We have not been back to St Martin for DH cannot fly but so glad DD and her husband will be meeting him in October.

Everyone of the 14 of us on our private tour have always said he is fantastic!

Laura

 

Hi Laura!

 

Sorry to hear your husband still can't fly. Very glad to hear though your DD will get the pleasure of meeting Bernard and enjoying his wonderful tour. I know he will be so happy to meet your family!

 

We'll be back with him again next April!! As always counting the months and days until we are back on tour with him!

[pokeypoke]

We booked a private tour with Bernard yesterday. It was $350 dollars with a $50 deposit for a group of 6 adults. Comes to $58.33 per person.

[Arizona Laura]

Hi Laura!

 

Sorry to hear your husband still can't fly. Very glad to hear though your DD will get the pleasure of meeting Bernard and enjoying his wonderful tour. I know he will be so happy to meet your family!

 

We'll be back with him again next April!! As always counting the months and days until we are back on tour with him!

 

Sorry I missed this post earlier.

We would love to go to the Caribbean again of course. Have been going to Mexican Riviera numerous times now because we are able to drive to California. May not even get off the ship in December but we love the Mariner. Unfortunately with RCL leaving us shipless on the west coast we will be forced to cruise another cruise line next yr.

We are just sick not being able to go see Bernard and St Martin again.

Praying St Martin avoids hurricanes this yr.

Hope your family is doing well.

Laura:)