Do I have time for sail, Marigot & Short Orient Beach Stop?

[cruisefanatic2b]

Hello there - I am scheduled to be on RC's Mariner of the Seas on Sunday, December 11. On Thursday, we are scheduled to be in St. Maarten. I am interested in the Golden Eagle sailing trip, which begins at 8:30 and lasts about 4 hours. However, we both want very much to see Marigot - go through some shops, have a bite in a little street-side cafe, see the Fort. If at all possible, I'd also like to make a one-hour stop at Orient Beach since I've heard and read so much about it. Do we have time to do all this? If I took a cab or rented a car to go to Marigot and/or Orient Beach following our Golden Eagle sail, what time would you recommend I leave to return to the cruise pier? All must be aboard by 5:30 and the ship sails at 6 p.m. I suspect I'll have to forgo Orient Beach, but would like some feedback.

 

Also, if you had to make a choice between the Golden Eagle sail and seeing Orient Beach - any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Gina

 

Mariner of the Seas 12/11/05

Caribbean Princess '04

[kris1863]

I wouldnt recommend you do all 3 things, as your day would be extrmely hectic and you would only partially enjoy everything, rather than completely enjoy. Your tour has good timings, morning 8:30 - 12:30. However you are arriving on a sunday, and Marigot will be extremely quiet, and most stores will probably be closed as it is a Sunday. There might be a few stores and restaurants open, no guarantee, but majority of the town will be closed and I would not recommend it.

Orient Beach on sunday might not be a bad idea, as it wont be as crowded as it usually is when there are several ships in port. Traffic would not be much of a problem either, so you will not waste too much time getting around.

Personally I would suggest, do the tour, go to Orient Beach for a quick swim and lunch, and if your up for it, go into Philipsburg for shopping. Most stores will close by 4:30. It will not be very crowded, so actually even a good day to go shopping, you might score some deals.

[The Big Booper]

Where does Golden Eagle leave from? Marigot is on West Coast, Orient on East Coast. The Mariner pulls in the gangway at 5:30 PM, you would be cutting it close. It is not a short walk from the cab stand at the pier, at least 5-10 minutes. Run, cruiser, run:eek:

 

St Marteen is in Atlantic Time Zone at Western edge, so it would be getting dark at 5:30 or so. If Golden Eagle leaves near pier it is doable to take it, get off and hop a cab to Orient for an hour or two (20-25 minutes) and then double back to P-Burg. Marigot is across the Island and no road runs across the Island at that point. You would have to go to the Northern tip and swing past Grand Case, 20-minute trip, leaving you 25-30 minutes from the pier after you finish Marigot. Way too tight a time-frame. We have stayed on the Island twice for a week at a time, in addition to 8 stops off ships.

[cruisefanatic2b]

Kris1863 and Big Bopper - Thanks. Sounds like we should pick either Golden Eagle and Orient, or forgo the Golden Eagle and head for both Marigot and Orient. Thanks for the advice - I really appreciate it!