Which Carib port, St Thomas or St Martin?

[billroddy]

There are two 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruises from Ft Lauderdale. One stops at St Thomas, the other at St. Martin.

Which would you recommend?

 

Bill

Ancient Mariner

[jaguarstyper]

I like St Thomas, but I love St Martin. I would choose St Martin every time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We prefer St Maarten. Much cleaner -- not hard to get to town. Either by the tiny ferry or by van -- some healthy people walk it. There are some shops at the dock.

In St Thomas HAL docks 99.99% of the time at Crown Bay -- they signed a 10 year contract to dock there a few years ago. There are very few shops there. It is not safe to walk to town from there. You either have to take a safari bus or a regular cab to get to town.

[rucrazy]

We love st maarteen!

 

Joseph

[sandbox]

St Martin any time over St Thomas.:)

[hi2you]

We prefer St Maarten. Much cleaner -- not hard to get to town. Either by the tiny ferry or by van -- some healthy people walk it. There are some shops at the dock.

In St Thomas HAL docks 99.99% of the time at Crown Bay -- they signed a 10 year contract to dock there a few years ago. There are very few shops there. It is not safe to walk to town from there. You either have to take a safari bus or a regular cab to get to town.

 

Are you sure you haven't mixed up the Islands? St. Thomas built that terrific walk-Charlotte Amalie-way to walk into town if you don't want to take a taxi. It is so pleasant. Shopping galore and everything is close-lots to see as well. It would be my first choice. I have been on cruises which usually stopped at both ports. Have fun in your decision.

[vcdarty]

Agree in general about a preference for St. Maarten, but it depends on your own interests. We find St. M largely over-developed with a heavy emphasis upon casinos, etc. But grab a cab to the French side, and it's a different story. Marigot has a European flair, and some good French restaurants are available.

 

Our St. Thomas high point was a private charter sail over to St. John for snorkeling and, simply, the pleasure of being under canvas. Wonderful.

 

J

[zookiebird]

My preference would be St Thomas, especially with its close proximity to beautiful St John. Also, Tortola is only a fairly short ferry ride away.

[George C]

There are two 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruises from Ft Lauderdale. One stops at St Thomas, the other at St. Martin.

Which would you recommend?

 

 

St Thomas used to our favorite port, my wife loves shopping there and love the beaches in St John, but it takes a couple of hours to get to those beachs, St Martin has great beaches less than a 10 dollar taxi ride away, good resturants and bars. Also only place in Carribbean to buy Cherry Marnier ( cannot buy it in USA do not know why). We like St Martin so much we are thing of doing a resort on the Island, also can get Cuban cigars.

[jtl513]

Are you sure you haven't mixed up the Islands? St. Thomas built that terrific walk-Charlotte Amalie-way to walk into town if you don't want to take a taxi. It is so pleasant. Shopping galore and everything is close-lots to see as well.

When? Are you sure you aren't mixing up Crown Bay with Havensight? Last time I was in St Thomas 3 years ago the walk to town from C.B. was neither easy nor pleasant!

 

In St Thomas HAL docks 99.99% of the time at Crown Bay

That would mean they would not go to C.B. just once every 10,000 visits. :eek:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Are you sure you haven't mixed up the Islands? St. Thomas built that terrific walk-Charlotte Amalie-way to walk into town if you don't want to take a taxi. It is so pleasant. Shopping galore and everything is close-lots to see as well. It would be my first choice. I have been on cruises which usually stopped at both ports. Have fun in your decision.

 

We were just in St Thomas -- again -- this past spring.

Crown Bay is the old navy area. The road into town is terrible.

I think you are mixing up Havensight with the new Yacht club and shopping area. And the new walkway and roads over there.

[mamaofami]

I much prefer St. Martin. The beaches on the French side are beautiful.

[sail7seas]

Are you sure you haven't mixed up the Islands? St. Thomas built that terrific walk-Charlotte Amalie-way to walk into town if you don't want to take a taxi. It is so pleasant. Shopping galore and everything is close-lots to see as well. It would be my first choice. I have been on cruises which usually stopped at both ports. Have fun in your decision.

 

When? Are you sure you aren't mixing up Crown Bay with Havensight? Last time I was in St Thomas 3 years ago the walk to town from C.B. was neither easy nor pleasant!

 

That would mean they would not go to C.B. just once every 10,000 visits. :eek:

 

I'm with KK and John. The walk from Crown Bay to Charlotte Amalie is neither pleasant nor particularly safe. There are sections where there are no sidewalks. We always used to walk from Havensight but never do from Crown Bay.

 

We prefer St. Maarten these days.

 

[KirkNC]

I like St Thomas, but I love St Martin. I would choose St Martin every time.

 

As would we, we rent a car an visit the French side for lunch and then usually stop by one of the less busy beaches.

[JJPacer]

Both islands have good shopping. We love the beaches in St. Martin. We'd choose St. Martin.

[Richjoxyz]

St Thomas and St Martin are both very nice. They both have nice shopping areas, nice scenery and nice beaches.

 

I would look at the entire itinerary. Look at the other ports.

 

What are the other ports on these cruises? What is the difference in ships? What is the difference in price? That is how I would decide.

 

On the scale of things both St Thomas and St Martin are in many ways equally good, but the other ports might make or break the deal.

[Richjoxyz]

Also look at the time in port. We prefer longer times in port over shorter times. Some cruises leave as early as 3:00 PM but others stay until 5 or 6. We prefer a full day in port.

[mkazmer]

There are two 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruises from Ft Lauderdale. One stops at St Thomas, the other at St. Martin.

Which would you recommend?

 

Bill

Ancient Mariner

St. Maarten every time-have been to both many times - no contest LOL

[sail7seas]

If you intend to do some serious shopping, keep in mind you have double the duty free exemption for purchases made in USVI. Also much larger liquor allowance if you are one who totes liquor home..... mostly those who drive to the port.

[momatibm]

what are the different ports for the cruises -- it is hard to determine which would be better just asking about 2 ports are they on the same cruise or different ones?

[innlady1]

For me, it's a toss up...I think they're pretty equal. I'd base it on the other ports on the itinerary.

[gentlemancruiser]

have been to both islands about 7 times now, I would suggest St. Maarten is much better for beaches, shopping, touring.

[twinkletoes4445]

Another vote for St. Maarten. If you end up going to St. Thomas, I'd do an excursion to St. John.

 

St. Maarten has a nice shopping area next to the docks. It's also an easy boat ride over to town. We also like the French side. Docking at Crown Bay on St. Thomas is a negative for us.

[shandryl]

Both St Martin and St Thomas are great ports!! both many things to offer. Do both!! that way you dont miss anything!! :D

[JamesEM]

Unless you are going over to St. John, I would opt for St. Maarten, especially the French side.