Circle Island Scenic Cruise- St. Marteen

[prettyprincess2011]

We are going on a princess cruise in December. Has anyone been on this excursion and what did you think?

 

Circle Island Scenic Cruise, Snorkel and Beach

Board your high-speed, inflatable power rafting boat and zoom down the scenic coast into the beautiful Simpson Bay Lagoon. Pass under the Dutch-side lifting bridge and experience a myriad of sights in this natural lagoon. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will tell you about St. Maarten's history.

 

Your route will take you all the way to the French side of the island for a look at Port Royale Marina, home to magnificent yachts, and then out to the ocean after sailing under the French bridge. Cruise along the waterfront of Marigot and see the bustling flea market with its colorful stalls.

 

A stop at Happy Bay reveals one of the Caribbean's most spectacular beaches. Here, you can take a refreshing dip in the sea or relax on the sugar sand.

 

Your tour continues around the north coast of the island for a snorkeling adventure in the crystal-clear waters of Green Cay Island. Snorkeling equipment is provided and the waters are calm and easy to navigate.

 

If the weather permits, your exhilarating ride will travel down the east coast, completing a 360-degree cruise of the island before returning you back to the pier.

[lightninbug]

I'd love to know about this tour too.

 

We're thinking of taking it in February and as we've never been to St Maarten/St Martin it sounds like the best way to see the island and experience some great beach time.

 

Enjoy your trip... and be sure to post a review of the excursions when you return!

[kruisinkris]

Did either of you take this tour?

 

If so, was it worth it?

 

I'm especially wondering about the snorkeling stop and the stop at Happy Bay.

 

I'm a non swimmer, but do snorkel with a vest. In the description it talks about being a strong swimmer at the snorkel location and it doesn't say how someone would get to the beach.

 

Thanks for your help.

[vmom]

Anyone have any feedbach on this tour?

[Karysa]

We are going on a princess cruise in December. Has anyone been on this excursion and what did you think?

 

Circle Island Scenic Cruise, Snorkel and Beach

Board your high-speed, inflatable power rafting boat and zoom down the scenic coast into the beautiful Simpson Bay Lagoon. Pass under the Dutch-side lifting bridge and experience a myriad of sights in this natural lagoon. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will tell you about St. Maarten's history.

 

Your route will take you all the way to the French side of the island for a look at Port Royale Marina, home to magnificent yachts, and then out to the ocean after sailing under the French bridge. Cruise along the waterfront of Marigot and see the bustling flea market with its colorful stalls.

 

A stop at Happy Bay reveals one of the Caribbean's most spectacular beaches. Here, you can take a refreshing dip in the sea or relax on the sugar sand.

 

Your tour continues around the north coast of the island for a snorkeling adventure in the crystal-clear waters of Green Cay Island. Snorkeling equipment is provided and the waters are calm and easy to navigate.

 

If the weather permits, your exhilarating ride will travel down the east coast, completing a 360-degree cruise of the island before returning you back to the pier.

 

I have not done this but it looks interesting. Two things caught my eye. The first is that by cutting through the Lagoon you bypass a large section of the island. If you look at a map you bypass all these beaches: Maho, Mullet, Cupucoy, Long, Plum and Rouge which I would say is about 25% or so of the circumference of the island. So even if the water is calm for the return trip and you travel on the Atlantic side which is the east side, you are not doing a 360-degree cruise of the island. This to me is a misrepresentation. The second point is that I would like to know how often they travel on the way home on the Atlntic because it is often rough so I would think that on many trips you would be going and coming on the same route.

[Candycruiser3]

We did this excursion on Carnival and it was AWESOME!!! We snorkeled at

Creole Rock in the French nature reserve and it was by far the best snorkeling we have done in St. Maarten. We then came back around the part of the island that we skipped by going through the lagoon, and went to the most amazing little beach. (water was too rough to go around the island) The boat pulled right up to the beach and you could wear your life jacket or float on a provided pool noodle while the crew served us drinks. You definitely dont need to be a strong swimmer to get to the beach. They bring you in as close as possible with the boat. It was a perfect way to see spend the day in St. Maarten. Even if you don't make it all the way around the island the trip is well worth it and you see more of the island by water then you otherwise would going on a sailing boat. Two thumbs up from this cruiser.

Edited November 14, 2012 by Candycruiser3

[vmom]

We did this excursion on Carnival and it was AWESOME!!! We snorkeled at

Creole Rock in the French nature reserve and it was by far the best snorkeling we have done in St. Maarten. We then came back around the part of the island that we skipped by going through the lagoon, and went to the most amazing little beach. (water was too rough to go around the island) The boat pulled right up to the beach and you could wear your life jacket or float on a provided pool noodle while the crew served us drinks. You definitely dont need to be a strong swimmer to get to the beach. They bring you in as close as possible with the boat. It was a perfect way to see spend the day in St. Maarten. Even if you don't make it all the way around the island the trip is well worth it and you see more of the island by water then you otherwise would going on a sailing boat. Two thumbs up from this cruiser.

 

Thanks for the feedback. The excursion sounds awesome! Did you get off and go into the town of Marigot or just go by on the boat? How much time are you off the boat on the beach or in the town vs time on the boat?

Edited November 14, 2012 by vmom

[Candycruiser3]

Thanks for the feedback. The excursion sounds awesome! Did you get off and go into the town of Marigot or just go by on the boat? How much time are you off the boat on the beach or in the town vs time on the boat?

 

On Carnival there are 2 options for this tour. One that has shopping in Marigot and one that does not. The one that stops in Marigot you have 1 hr shopping, 1hr snorkel, and 1hr at the beach. The version without shopping has 1 hr snorkeling and 1.5 hrs at the beach.

 

On Carnival the tours are called

Power Rafting - Around the island;

and

Power Rafting - Snorkel, Shop and Beach.

[Cleocruiser]

Is there any update on this excursion that anyone would like to share?

[JudeAnn]

I think I will try this excursion, I will update with photos when I return.