What would you all recommend for AM?

[ferretface]

The Triumph arrives in St. Martin at 7am, Wednesday 01/18/06. Joyce Prince wasn't available, so we booked at 12:15 - 3:45 Golden Eagle Catamaran tour through Carnival. What would you all recommend for the morning? Are there any flea market types of thing or is there time for a quick taxi tour? Any idea what an AM taxi tour would cost? We've never been to the island so would like to see check it out if there's time. Also will it take long to get off the ship, since this will be our 1st non US territory stop (1st San Juan, 2nd St Thomas & 3rd St Martin)?

 

Phyllis

 

10/1995 NCL Wind

01/14/2006 Carnival Triumph

[goneclear]

St Maarten has some of the best duty free shopping in the caribbean. So you can shop around , It is just a short walk from the ship. There is also a nice beach right off the main street with chairs umbrellas and a bar. I suggested these just incase you dont want to venture to far because of your 12.15 tour.

If you do have more time you can take a taxi to Maho beach, see the planes comming to land 60ft over the beach, there are also bars and shopping in Maho.

[kris1863]

There is no customs immigration for SXM, so should be better than STT. St.Maarten AM traffic is HORRIBLE! :mad:. You could start out really early like 7 - 8 AM early and MAYBE get a decent taxi tour. But if your gonna get out only after 9- 9:30, I wouldnt risk it. Besides another alternative is the shopping on St.Maarten which is absolutely fantastic. If your looking for Cameras, Electronics, Cheese, Souvenirs, etc etc, and oh Liqor, Cuban Cigars and JEWELRY JEWELRY, and did I forget to mention JEWELRY!!!

LOL, let me know what you think you wanna do, and I can maybe provide some specifics on where to take a taxi tour if you decide to. Or if you decide to shop, can suggest my favorite places.

[ferretface]

Shopping sounds like a good idea. We'll have water & a beach in the afternoon. We would probably be looking for jewelry or electonics. What are your favorites?

 

Thanks!

[kris1863]

Glad to hear you've decided on what you think you wanna do.

For electronics...I would always recommend Boolchands. From my experience great selection, honest pricing, outstanding service. Especially their cameras, not sure if any people try to lug a 42 inch flat screen from there... but yeah the cameras and smaller stuff is always good.

 

For Jewelry, well like everyone else on this board, we all have our own place of choice, and Im sure you will find yours too. But if you would like to give mine a try, its Gift World, next to the Del Sol store. Tell Anita, kris said to take care of you!. Very honest, trustworthy & will not let you down.

And if you decide tou get any liqor or forbidden cuban cigars, they will send the liqor back to your ship for you, and show you how to get the cigars back home, or they will even ship them home for you if u want.

 

Dont leave st.maarten without going to the Belgian Chocolate Factory, and Guavaberry Emporium. Although I must say, for Guavaberry, I personally enjoyed a lesser known, french brand Guavaberry from the Busco company (different from the Guavaberry Emporium kind). Ask Anita where to get it from, Im not sure if I tried it at her place, but she will tell you. Anyway personally I find this brand of guavaberry more appealing, because its less syruppy, not as sweet, and a little more flavour to it.

 

Let me know what you think... anymore questions, you know where to find me... :)

[CaribbeanBound]

7:00am - 6:00pm. Three other ships in port: RCI Empress, Crystal Harmony, and a Windjammer. This island half owned by the French and half owned by the Dutch. We dock on the southern Dutch side. The northern French side (actually a little more than half) is named St. Martin. We shared a taxi ($6.00 per person when you have at least 3 people) from pier to Orient Beach. Hint: if you only have 2 people, wait a few minutes for someone else to join you. We got dropped off at Pedro's Bar which was empty upon our arrival at 9:30 am but standing room only when we left the beach at 2:30 pm. After walking the beach we settled in at The Pirate Beach Bar Grill. We got two lounge chairs on the waterfront with a 3-inch-thick white chair pad, an umbrella, and two drinks for $14.00. Service by David was great. He'd check on us and reposition our umbrella to allow for more shade or sun as desired. Orient Beach is a beautiful white sand beach with blue and green waters which appeared clearer than Coki Beach on St. Thomas. This is a clothing-optional beach, and yes, folks exercising this option do walk the length of the beach or sunbathe along the beach. This beach had everything available for a price: jet ski, parasail, windsurfing, and more.

 

Here are some of the established cab rates from the pier for parties of 3 to 7 people: Philipsburg (Shopping Center) $3.00; Dawn Beach $6.00; Maho Beach $6.00; Cupe Coy Brach $7.00; Orient Bay Beach $6.00; Grand Case Beach $7.00; and Marigot (French Capital) $6.00.

 

The cab ride from the Dutch side to the French side, past the official border marker monument to Orient Beach, is rather interesting. We saw a large herd of feral goats, a couple of fighting rooster coops, a cockfighting ring, and two bordellos. (We weren't looking for the later. They were pointed out by our driver). Cockfighting is apparently legal on the French side, while the Dutch side has casinos.