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

[bigblue82]

We prebooked with Bernard's for our Dec 14 cruise. Our tour guide/van driver was the Mailman and he was fantastic. There was a cooler of drinks in the van and every time the rum punch was gone, there was always more to be found. We spent about 40 mins at the Sunset bar. We spent 2 hours at Orient Beach. It was Sunday, so most shops on French side were closed. This tour was the best value for the price (40/p). I would book again if I could get the Mailman.

[craftymom914]

Also if you said 9am that is really 10am Island time. That causes so much confusion during daylight savings. The ships tend to stay on EST time but the Island time is different.

 

His email stated "9:00 Am local Island time." The Eclipse did change the clock. And he did have a tour that left at 9:00 but we were told that wasn't for us. The others on our van, also from The clipse, had confirmations that said 10:00 or 10:30 but we were all on the same list.

 

Oh well it is done. Chances are I won't get back anytime soon, but at least when I do I know what I want to see.

[gtaylor]

<snip

 

Also if you said 9am that is really 10am Island time. That causes so much confusion during daylight savings. The ships tend to stay on EST time but the Island time is different.

 

<snip>

 

Perhaps this is what causes so much confusion.

 

During Daylight Saving Time, Florida time (EDT), St. Maarten time (AST) and San Juan time (AST) are all the same.

 

gary

[CrusinAgain]

Perhaps this is what causes so much confusion.

 

During Daylight Saving Time, Florida time (EDT), St. Maarten time (AST) and San Juan time (AST) are all the same.

 

gary

 

She just went this month which is not daylight savings time and her ship changed to island time. She plainly said she was there at the right time and groups left at the time she was told to but she didn't leave at that time cutting her time short.

[gtaylor]

She just went this month which is not daylight savings time and her ship changed to island time. She plainly said she was there at the right time and groups left at the time she was told to but she didn't leave at that time cutting her time short.

 

Perhaps this is what causes so much confusion.

 

During Daylight Saving Time, Florida time (EDT), St. Maarten time (AST) and San Juan time (AST) are all the same.

 

gary

 

You're missing my entire point, not directed at this mishap, but at the information posted here in general.

 

Originally Posted by Willbcruisin

<snip>

 

Also if you said 9am that is really 10am Island time. That causes so much confusion during daylight savings. The ships tend to stay on EST time but the Island time is different.

 

<snip>

 

That is just wrong. I corrected the information in my post.

 

Nothing at all to do with the person that had a problem with Bernard's tour.

 

gary

[CrusinAgain]

You're missing my entire point, not directed at this mishap, but at the information posted here in general.

 

Originally Posted by Willbcruisin

<snip>

 

Also if you said 9am that is really 10am Island time. That causes so much confusion during daylight savings. The ships tend to stay on EST time but the Island time is different.

 

<snip>

 

That is just wrong. I corrected the information in my post.

 

Nothing at all to do with the person that had a problem with Bernard's tour.

 

gary

 

Thanks Gary. Understand now what you are trying to do.

[burnsis]

we just had a tour with John of Bernard's Tours. He did a great job, and I'd say everyone in our van enjoyed themselves. He knew that Orient Beach would be rough and that Le Galion would be a better choice. He did take us to show us Orient just to see it, even though he knew we wouldn't want to stay. We got to stop at Maho and while it was time to go, he was kind enough to let us stay for the big 747.

[Warm Breezes]

We were on the Dec 17 -24 sailing of NCL Epic with a stop in St. Martin. We had the $40 Bernards Tour with Slim. We had an awesome time. Drinks were well supplied and Slim was very informative. We stopped and saw the Iguanas and Sea Urchins before spending approx 1 1/2 hours at Orient Beach. From there we spent an hour at Maho Beach seeing many jets land and take off. Our time in Marigot was short...approx 20 minutes but that was ok with us. We had a full tour van but it was very organized and we had a blast.

[craftymom914]

We were on the Dec 17 -24 sailing of NCL Epic with a stop in St. Martin. We had the $40 Bernards Tour with Slim. We had an awesome time. Drinks were well supplied and Slim was very informative. We stopped and saw the Iguanas and Sea Urchins before spending approx 1 1/2 hours at Orient Beach. From there we spent an hour at Maho Beach seeing many jets land and take off. Our time in Marigot was short...approx 20 minutes but that was ok with us. We had a full tour van but it was very organized and we had a blast.

 

If this board (jd1966) is correct and Slim and Thomas are the same person, then we would have been the same tour. Different ships, however. We had 1hour at Orient Beach, from there we went to Marigot for 30 minutes and ended at Maho with 30 minutes.

 

Hmmmmm...

 

I think the take away is everyone has different expectations and it is critical to be upfront when booking with a tour provider as to what your expectations are.

 

Didn't mean to rattle the cage about Island Time. If I wanted to rattle the cage I'd go over to the Celebrity page and post about dress codes! LOL :D

[Willbcruisin]

Thanks Gary. Understand now what you are trying to do.

 

Hi CrusinAgain:

 

Trying to catch up since my vacation and sailing. We had a fabulous tour with Bernard even though the port load was over 20K they gave us a very memorable day on the Island. We docked at 8am ship time but it was 9am Island time that we met and actually a little after by the tome we were cleared to disembark.. Since we on the EST have not ...."sprung ahead" yet. Our ship stayed on EST time.

 

I hope you & Bernard have worked things out as I know he is very honorable and fair.

 

I have just started checking to see any follow ups but I don't see anymore posts from you??

 

BTW: The G guy created Bernard's website and won't give him the password to make changes and updates. How sad. Just expects free tours and won't even tip his drivers :( So sad to see such respectable hard working tour operators being taken advantage of. I learned this while there on 1/4 as being a cruise critic member as well as other forums I had to ask what was going on.

 

Happy New Year and Happy Sailings!

[XmnwildX12]

I am planning on doing a private tour with Bernard's Tours. I haven't really gone anywhere in St. Maarten, did the sea trek excursion and then went to the beach near the pier and ate at the Blue Bitch. I have always wanted to see the planes flying in and when I saw this tour, it got me really excited.

 

Does anyone have must go to stops on a private tour, I must say that our group is not a very big shopping group. Although the talk about pastries has got my sweet tooth curious!

[Flopthis25]

This was our 2nd time with Bernard's Tours with the 1st being when he was just starting out. We did not get Bernard but got someone whose main concern was getting to the airport in time to pick up someone that afternoon. He did not know the schedule of the big jets at Maho Beach so we only saw one and another one came in as we were leaving and after most folks in the van asked him to stop so they could take pics thru the windows, he ignored them. Our stop at Marigot was cut short giving us 30 minutes. Marigot is on the French side where all the pastries and shopping huts are. He also moved the van so most of us had a hard time finding it since the island was crowded with 5 ships in port including the Oasis of the Seas. He did not stop at Rimel's and claimed no one asked even after several of us asked. He said he only stops if everyone wants to stop and he does not have to stop since it is not in the itineary. I should have gave him my copy of what is on Bernards website that said it stops at Rimel's but time might be short. We had high hopes for this tour but our driver did not go along the way and tell us anything of what we were seeing. Once in a while he would point out something but we did not learn anything of the island. Have no idea why he had to stop for lettuce to feed the iguanas which cut into our tour time when he could have done this before he picked us up. Also didn't appreciate it that they picked us folks that paid $30 each to fill up the van when the rest of us paid $40 each booked in advance.

 

The Rum punch was always given to the back of the van and never made its way to the front and he didn't make sure the folks in the front had any so we just took a soft drink out of the ice chest. He also got perturbed that people would come back to the van with wet bathing suits on but he only gave them 45 minutes at Orient so not sure what he expected. They also got fussed at for sand on them as well. Apparently these mini-bus vans are rented as they were larger than a typical van.

 

We won't do this tour again. Next time we will just go to Maho Beach and see the jets as that was suppose to be the highlight on the tour. There are a few bars and a casino at Maho Beach and it was packed.

 

Others we met had a tour with Joyce and described what we thought we were going to get. Good luck everyone. Hope your driver doesn't have to make it to the airport that afternoon since we learned more about that event and how he was going to have to get there after he dropped us off than anything else.

 

 

 

What is Rimels?

[Willbcruisin]

What is Rimels?

 

I "think" they meant Rima's. Rima's is a wonderful store where you can purchase almost anything sold on the Island for much less. We love this store.

 

 

http://www.best-stmartin.com/detail.asp?storeID=3656&catID=2&typID=9

 

 

 

http://www.mapsxm.com/rima-beach-world

 

You can google it and find all kinds of links.

[XmnwildX12]

I "think" they meant Rima's. Rima's is a wonderful store where you can purchase almost anything sold on the Island for much less. We love this store.

 

 

www.best-stmartin.com/detail.asp?storeID=3656&catID=2&typID=9

 

 

 

www.mapsxm.com/rima-beach-world

 

You can google it and find all kinds of links.

 

Willbcruisin-

 

What have you made sure to do on the private tour? I am booked for 02/29/12 and want to try to plan some things out, or should we just try to stick to the usual tour?

[Flopthis25]

I "think" they meant Rima's. Rima's is a wonderful store where you can purchase almost anything sold on the Island for much less. We love this store.

 

 

www.best-stmartin.com/detail.asp?storeID=3656&catID=2&typID=9

 

 

 

www.mapsxm.com/rima-beach-world

 

You can google it and find all kinds of links.

 

 

Is Bernards Tour Kid friendly?

I have a 7 and 9 year old.

[Willbcruisin]

Is Bernards Tour Kid friendly?

I have a 7 and 9 year old.

 

Oh Bernard's will take you to the most beautiful spot where this little man (that's what I call him) will get sea life for you and the kids to hold. It's wonderful. Also to see and feed the iguanas. They won't hurt you and the kids will love them. The area where they live is a poor part of the Island but don't let that bother you.

 

Maho is a must with the kids to see the planes. 5X we have been there and I could go back 100 more and I live next to the airport here. Nothing like SXM!

 

Bernard's tour is for sure kid friendly and just give him a heads up you have little one's. If you take the open tour, not the private there is free flowing coolers of beverages, adult and non. So it all depends on the people booked which you never know but you can encounter drunk people anywhere.

 

Nudity or topless is the culture. It does not bother us and did not my DD when she was little either.

[XmnwildX12]

Oh Bernard's will take you to the most beautiful spot where this little man (that's what I call him) will get sea life for you and the kids to hold. It's wonderful. Also to see and feed the iguanas. They won't hurt you and the kids will love them. The area where they live is a poor part of the Island but don't let that bother you.

 

Maho is a must with the kids to see the planes. 5X we have been there and I could go back 100 more and I live next to the airport here. Nothing like SXM!

 

Bernard's tour is for sure kid friendly and just give him a heads up you have little one's. If you take the open tour, not the private there is free flowing coolers of beverages, adult and non. So it all depends on the people booked which you never know but you can encounter drunk people anywhere.

 

Nudity or topless is the culture. It does not bother us and did not my DD when she was little either.

 

Drinks are not included in the private tour?

[Willbcruisin]

Willbcruisin-

 

What have you made sure to do on the private tour? I am booked for 02/29/12 and want to try to plan some things out, or should we just try to stick to the usual tour?

 

What do you enjoy??

 

We love Pinel, we love Maho, we love feeding the Iguanas, we love sight seeing, swimming in that gorgeous water. Every time we do something new and some the same and love it every time. It's so nice to relax, enjoy and not drive or worry about being back to the ship in time.

 

We are not big shoppers but there are many nice places as well as many nice bakeries and wonderful french food.

 

We also one time stopped at http://www.tijon.com which was a wonderful and educational experience.

 

The "usual" tour is great but we prefer the private. We do what we want, we follow Bernard's or his drivers recommendations.......... This is by far our favorite tour. One of these days we will spend more time there. It's just so hard being addicted to this Island (Thanks to Bernard's) and addicted to cruising.

[Willbcruisin]

Drinks are not included in the private tour?

 

Oh YES! Drinks are all inclusive on the private tour. Ice cold and beware of the rum punch:p

[XmnwildX12]

What do you enjoy??

 

We love Pinel, we love Maho, we love feeding the Iguanas, we love sight seeing, swimming in that gorgeous water. Every time we do something new and some the same and love it every time. It's so nice to relax, enjoy and not drive or worry about being back to the ship in time.

 

We are not big shoppers but there are many nice places as well as many nice bakeries and wonderful french food.

 

We also one time stopped at www.tijon.com which was a wonderful and educational experience.

 

The "usual" tour is great but we prefer the private. We do what we want, we follow Bernard's or his drivers recommendations.......... This is by far our favorite tour. One of these days we will spend more time there. It's just so hard being addicted to this Island (Thanks to Bernard's) and addicted to cruising.

 

Our group is not big time shoppers either, leaving it in the hands of the guide sounds good. I am gonna check out that link, and the post before worried me for a second about the drinks. Can't wait to have some rum punch! haha

 

What bakery and what do you recommend to get there?

[asand5554]

I am looking into booking Bernard's tours for a first time visit to St Martin. We will be there on a Sunday from 8 am - 5 pm. Will Sunday pose a problem for any of the venues he usually includes (I am wondering about the markets and shopping)? Also, will traffic be impacted one way or another on the week-end (lighter in business areas, heavier in beach areas)

Thanks for the help.

[Flopthis25]

Oh Bernard's will take you to the most beautiful spot where this little man (that's what I call him) will get sea life for you and the kids to hold. It's wonderful. Also to see and feed the iguanas. They won't hurt you and the kids will love them. The area where they live is a poor part of the Island but don't let that bother you.

 

Maho is a must with the kids to see the planes. 5X we have been there and I could go back 100 more and I live next to the airport here. Nothing like SXM!

 

Bernard's tour is for sure kid friendly and just give him a heads up you have little one's. If you take the open tour, not the private there is free flowing coolers of beverages, adult and non. So it all depends on the people booked which you never know but you can encounter drunk people anywhere.

 

Nudity or topless is the culture. It does not bother us and did not my DD when she was little either.

 

 

Our kids are pretty easy going. They will just cover their eyes or look away.

I just don't want others on the tour "bothered" by our kids.

Lots of talk on the RCCL board about kids. Ya know?

[yj2cute]

We had the opportunity to visit the beautiful island of St. Martin on a recent cruise and spent the day on a tour with Bernard's. We were lucky enough to have Bernard himself as our guide for the day. We had a private tour, which were able to customize ourselves.

 

We did see a bit of both sides of the island, with a stop at the Iguanas/roosters. My DH enjoyed this stop very much, taking dozens of photos. Next we hit Orient Beach. The plan was to stay here for about an hour, but after we began sipping on some of the beverages provided for us by Bernard, and enjoying the lovely beach and water, we ended up staying about 2 hours! We headed straight for Maho so we could see the last big planes coming in that day.

 

We had a wonderful day and enjoyed the fact that Bernard just let us do what we wanted at our own pace. I loved that he provides us with a cooler full of drinks, including alcoholic beverages as well as water and soda. I will definitely be contacting Bernard again when we head back to St. Martin.

[miktek]

probably seems the best thread to ask on, as it's the biggest:p

 

we are booked for a tour with bernards when we dock in st maarten mid june.

however, we don't arrive until mid-day, and was wondering if the tour is tailored differently because of that?

Most earlier tours that i've read about END at Maho beach, due to the timing of the 'big birds' coming in to land. Do you think that there is a chance that because our tour will be starting about 12.45, we will START at Maho instead of finish there?

Basically, i'd hate to END our tour there and just see a couple of commuter jets instead of jumbos/A380's:p

 

thanks!

[yj2cute]

probably seems the best thread to ask on, as it's the biggest:p

 

we are booked for a tour with bernards when we dock in st maarten mid june.

however, we don't arrive until mid-day, and was wondering if the tour is tailored differently because of that?

Most earlier tours that i've read about END at Maho beach, due to the timing of the 'big birds' coming in to land. Do you think that there is a chance that because our tour will be starting about 12.45, we will START at Maho instead of finish there?

Basically, i'd hate to END our tour there and just see a couple of commuter jets instead of jumbos/A380's:p

 

thanks!

 

I think it depends on whether you have a private tour or a combined tour. I believe if you have booked a private tour, you can probably do whatever you want. That was our experience last month. If you have a combined tour, you will probably have to follow a set itinerary. However, I believe their group tours begin early in the morning and if you have confirmation for a 12:45 start time, it seems likely you have a private tour booked.

 

I think it's a good idea to start your day at Maho. The big birds were coming in as early as the 1:00 hour. I think it varies by day, though. I think Joyce Prince has a schedule on her website. Have a great day in St. Maarten!