St. Maarten and St. Thomas shore excursions

[moodcruise81]

I am taking a cruise on Royal Princess that goes to St. Maarten and St. Thomas in April. I was wanting to snorkel at one stop and take a island tour on the other stop. I was wondering which place is better for each of these. In other words is St. Maarten better for snorkeling or is St. Thomas better. Same thing with sight seeing on the islands. I have never been to either place so any opinions would be much appreciated.

[Laurie S.]

I would sightsee in St. Maarten (don't miss Maho Beach) and snorkel at St. Thomas.

[satxdiver]

Both islands are great for snorkeling. St Marteen is a bigger island than St Thomas and better suited for an island tour. There is the Dutch side and the French side. Maho Beach on the Dutch side is great because of the airplanes overhead with the wheels down about to touch down. There also is Orient Beach on the French side which is beautiful and then there is the shopping on both sides of the island.