maryanne356 Posted August 8, 2013 #1 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Has anyone done this tour that takes you to both the French and Dutch side, Orient Beach and then to Maha Beach with the airplanes? Would like to book this. Just wondering if its safe and it gives you enough time to get back before the ship sails. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted August 8, 2013 #2 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Done it multiple times. Totally safe. Maho Beach Always back in plenty of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcvt Posted August 8, 2013 #3 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Done it. Love it! Safe as could be. No worries about getting back in time...not even close, really. We would do it over and over and over. Free beer and rum punch. Amazing value. It's a definite win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen haywood Posted August 8, 2013 #4 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Yes, done it twice....and once after an independant taxi nearly caused us to miss the ship...I appreciated Bernard's tour all the more!! You can't go wrong. He takes you to all the spots you'd want to see if it were your first time on the island and he makes CERTAIN you get back to your ship in plenty of time. In fact, he got us back in enough time that people who wanted to do some shopping still had time.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted August 8, 2013 #5 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Was a few years ago now, but loved his tour when I did it. Unless something have changed it is safe, a great value, run by good people and lots of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevSmith Posted August 8, 2013 #6 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Personally St Martin is such a wonderful island, I prefer touring it myself. Just rent a car and go where ever you want it's so simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighairtexan Posted August 8, 2013 #7 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Love Bernard's tour in St. Martin. And though I've considered renting a car, then i wouldn't be able to have more than one "adult beverage" on the beach. Bernard had a cooler full of beer, water and sodas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcvt Posted August 8, 2013 #8 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Yes, done it twice....and once after an independant taxi nearly caused us to miss the ship...I appreciated Bernard's tour all the more!! You can't go wrong. He takes you to all the spots you'd want to see if it were your first time on the island and he makes CERTAIN you get back to your ship in plenty of time. In fact, he got us back in enough time that people who wanted to do some shopping still had time.... Indeed. We had enough time to get back on the ship, take showers, get dressed again, and go back on land for some shopping. We just bought trinkets near the pier and had a snack & beer at whatever that place is with the green awnings, but they will offer to drop you in town if you like. Everyone on our tour went straight back to the ship - I think we were back at the pier by 2:00 or 3:00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigque Posted August 8, 2013 #9 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Personally St Martin is such a wonderful island, I prefer touring it myself. Just rent a car and go where ever you want it's so simple. You can do that but you don't know all the places to go and you don't get all the narrative. Also when we left Maho Beach traffic by the airport was backed up and at a complete standstill and John our driver with Benard Tours got us off the main road and took a lot of back road routes to get us back in plenty of time to still do some shopping and then catching the water taxi back to the ship. John said if we would kept in the traffic we would have been real close to missing the ship! As everyone else said Benards is excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted August 8, 2013 #10 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Loved the private tour we had with Bernards for our family of 6 adults...At the end some of us were dropped off in town for shopping and the others were taken back to the ship...Great tour and Rum Punch :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeywestK Posted August 8, 2013 #11 Share Posted August 8, 2013 We did Bernards Tours in St. Maarten in February and it was wonderful. Book it and have a great day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted August 8, 2013 #12 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Another endorsement for Bernard's tours. It's an excellent value, gives you a comprehensive tour of the island, and is one of the most highly recommended tours on Cruise Critic and on Trip Advisor. A guide like this would be out of business if there were issues getting you back to the pier on time. His reputation depends upon his reliability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyG12 Posted August 8, 2013 #13 Share Posted August 8, 2013 We've also taken it a couple times and had a great day with plenty of time to get back and walk around the port area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine Luvuh Posted August 8, 2013 #14 Share Posted August 8, 2013 He is great!! We have used him several times and never a problem and always a great time!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novicetraveller Posted August 8, 2013 #15 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I did it last year. Highly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justforkicks Posted August 8, 2013 #16 Share Posted August 8, 2013 definitely go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arzeena Posted August 8, 2013 #17 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Has anyone done this tour that takes you to both the French and Dutch side, Orient Beach and then to Maha Beach with the airplanes? Would like to book this. Just wondering if its safe and it gives you enough time to get back before the ship sails.Thanks Great tour! Dutch and French sides. Marigot, Orient Beach, Maho, and back in plenty of time. Free drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABCHICK Posted August 8, 2013 #18 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Love our tour with Bernard. My DH loved the rum punch, which Bernard made himself. I highly recommend him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adirondacksailor Posted August 8, 2013 #19 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Loved his tour last year. Our driver took us to Orient beach and said is this ok or would you like something less busy. So, he drove us to a quiet, empty beach a few miles away that was the gorgeous Caribbean beach I had always had pictured in my mind. And, he has Maho beach timed just right for some large plane landings. This year I just walked the town with my camera, enjoyed it, but will take a Bernard's tour again next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pam_1024 Posted August 8, 2013 #20 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Can you book online and how far ahead do you need to book. Cruise isn't until Nov 2014 but I am a planner. :) Sent from my N860 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novicetraveller Posted August 8, 2013 #21 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Can you book online and how far ahead do you need to book. Cruise isn't until Nov 2014 but I am a planner. :) Sent from my N860 using Forums mobile app You should be able to book online, but I don't know how far ahead you can book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel8730 Posted August 8, 2013 #22 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Was on this exact tour last Thursday. Book it! You will absolutely love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatlander204 Posted August 8, 2013 #23 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Always an amazing time with Bernard. Very punctual, puts on a great excursion with lots of things to see and do along the way. and has you back to the pier in time. Would recommend him anytime:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallie5446 Posted August 8, 2013 #24 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Has anyone done this tour that takes you to both the French and Dutch side, Orient Beach and then to Maha Beach with the airplanes? Would like to book this. Just wondering if its safe and it gives you enough time to get back before the ship sails.Thanks Last Nov we did Tour II, very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryanne356 Posted August 9, 2013 Author #25 Share Posted August 9, 2013 Thanks for all the replies. I booked this tour this morning and really looking forward to it. Sailing on the allure the week of Aug. 18. Have been to the island many times but never took the 3 kids to the French side. I also wanted to go to Maha Beach so this is a great way to see it and much more. 2 years ago DH, DS, and DD went scuba diving while myself and other DD went jet skiing. We also did a photo shoot on the beach with Carnival and got some really great photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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