Rare Georgia_Peaches Posted February 9, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Hello all, We will be on the Equinox in March and one of the ports of call is Phillipsburg, St. Martin. We've been there before but only walked around the boardwalk. We are interested in visiting the French side of the island this time around, I think...not sure. But we do have some leftover Euros to spend so was thinking about the French side... What have you done in St. Martin? What should be avoided? Have you ever rented bicycles to tour around the island? Thanks in advance for tips and suggestions. Christina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerelmx Posted February 9, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 9, 2018 We booked with Celebrity shorex to Orient Beach, I have not receive a notification of the change but when I was looking my cruise planner I noted they switched us to Kim Sha Beach (Simpsons Bay Dutch side). you can go tho the St Maarten port of call https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted February 9, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 9, 2018 America's Cup Race. I would avoid the French side for now. Very slow rebuilding after Irma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcpc Posted February 9, 2018 #4 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Agree with Orator. For now, avoid the French side and stay on the Dutch side. The French side has been very slow to re-build (as evidenced by Celebrity changing their beach shore excursion to a beach on the Dutch side!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted February 9, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 9, 2018 (edited) Celebrity has only returned to St. Maarten this week, so I'm hoping to start seeing some updated reports on conditions. In the mean time, you might want to consider taking a tour with Bernard's Tours http://www.bernardstours.com. Very highly rated and gives you a full island tour. You'd have to check to see what they've done to modify the tours since the hurricanes. Edited February 9, 2018 by Fouremco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted February 9, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 9, 2018 I have a friend who has a place there. Recently told me that the French side was flattened and help from France is very slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ghstudio Posted February 9, 2018 #7 Share Posted February 9, 2018 While it won't take much time, St Martin (dutch side) is one of the best places to buy Liquor in the Caribbean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robhawk Posted February 9, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 9, 2018 We really enjoyed the a Random Wind boating excursion. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Georgia_Peaches Posted February 9, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Agree with Orator. For now, avoid the French side and stay on the Dutch side. The French side has been very slow to re-build (as evidenced by Celebrity changing their beach shore excursion to a beach on the Dutch side!) Wow, how insensitive of me not to think about the hurricane impacts on the island. Was wondering if Celebrity would change the itinerary but since they haven't, I made the assumption that things were OK. Thank you for all the suggestions...perhaps tourist dollars will help speed up the recovery. Christina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orator Posted February 9, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Wow, how insensitive of me not to think about the hurricane impacts on the island. Was wondering if Celebrity would change the itinerary but since they haven't, I made the assumption that things were OK.Thank you for all the suggestions...perhaps tourist dollars will help speed up the recovery. Christina You might find some bargains in the smaller shops as they need cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted February 9, 2018 #11 Share Posted February 9, 2018 We were looking forward to a food tour that included Grand Case. Heard that area was in bad shape.. We enjoyed the bucaneer beach excursion with X...not sure if that area was affected...maybe doing something on the water would work better.. Or shopping on the boardwalk and local lunch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmmcruiser Posted February 9, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 9, 2018 Grand Case was mostly destroyed. Very few buildings have been repaired and none replaced. The restaurants in Grand Case were nearly all destroyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudiaB Posted February 9, 2018 #13 Share Posted February 9, 2018 We have taken the food tour, same as the one Celebrity offers, same company, but a good bit less $$ and one more stop, and less people if you schedule it independently. However, much of the tour is/was in restaurants and places on the French side. I think it's called Taste of St. Maarten. Check out the Amsterdam shop on the walk between the pier and the town - it's a nice walk, great way to avoid that bumpy and noisy water taxi. Not sure the America's Cup race is up and running again, but if it is, it's really fun. We'd do it again. Going to watch the big planes arrive at Maho Beach is fun - once - but the bar next door may not be rebuilt yet and who knows if watching planes is going to be a "thing" still. We're scheduled for an overnight March 8-9 on Reflection but some port sites show us elsewhere so who knows. No real confirmation yet. If we do go, we'll head on out and try and spread some $$ to the local shops and whatever restaurants/bars are open, as I know they can use the tourist money. Sad that France isn't as forthcoming in fixing their sweet little island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmmcruiser Posted February 9, 2018 #14 Share Posted February 9, 2018 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147347-d2083816-Reviews-Soualiga_Destinations_Boat_Tours-Philipsburg_Sint_Maarten_St_Martin_St_Maarten.html This is THE BEST thing you will ever do. We went 2 years ago. Going again in March. Highly recommend captain bob and his son Brett. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneputt18 Posted February 9, 2018 #15 Share Posted February 9, 2018 [quote) = Going to watch the big planes arrive at Maho Beach is fun - once - but the bar next door may not be rebuilt yet and who knows if watching planes is going to be a "thing" still. . Planes are still the thing, beach still needs some work. Sunset Bar is open and remodeled including a pool. Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ontario Cruiser Posted February 9, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 9, 2018 We were there on the Jewel of the seas two weeks ago. Took water taxi to the beach. Some of the restaurants were open and lots of beach chairs. The beach was okay Didn't go to main street Ontario Cruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shukapaw Posted February 9, 2018 #17 Share Posted February 9, 2018 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147347-d2083816-Reviews-Soualiga_Destinations_Boat_Tours-Philipsburg_Sint_Maarten_St_Martin_St_Maarten.html This is THE BEST thing you will ever do. We went 2 years ago. Going again in March. Highly recommend captain bob and his son Brett. I couldn't agree more! Captain Bob is consistently rated #1 on tripadvisor. This is an outstanding way to spend the day! ~Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted February 10, 2018 #18 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Grand Case was mostly destroyed. Very few buildings have been repaired and none replaced. The restaurants in Grand Case were nearly all destroyed. So sad...Grand Case was charming with good spots for food,,...Hope they rebuild and come back strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stcruiser1 Posted February 10, 2018 #19 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Another vote for Bernards tours, we are going in March and booked him again! Look at his website, a couple different tours, He was always great, this will be our 4th time with him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaveitallbehind Posted February 10, 2018 #20 Share Posted February 10, 2018 We have never done any ship sponsored tours in St. Martin on our many visits there but have rented cars twice to explore the island, have gone to Orient Beach, Maho, Marigot, as well as spent time in Philipsburg. Very easy island to see on your own through taxi's, car rentals, or if you prefer, private tour companies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miched Posted February 10, 2018 #21 Share Posted February 10, 2018 (edited) On our first visit there we did the tour to Orient Beach. It was rather windy that day, fairly cool and a little rain. The bus pulled into the parking area near a “designated space” and as we were getting off a resident appeared out of a nearby bush slowly strolling by strutting his stuff with his middle leg sweeping the ground and then disappearing into another bush. I was expecting him or the driver to solicit tips after that performance or at least come back and pose for photos 🤗. He was also the only person at the beach because of the weather. We didn’t have a chance to enjoy any of the beach because of blowing sand and the bad weather. Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅 Edited February 10, 2018 by miched Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mommy Posted February 10, 2018 #22 Share Posted February 10, 2018 We have done 'Cool Runnings' a few times, visited a beach resort for the day - Mango Bay Club or the new Sandals. What about Silver Moon charters.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvincruising Posted February 11, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 11, 2018 Just booked the island tour. The tour takes in the Dutch and French sides including the open air market in Marigot. We did this tour before but I doubt that we will be going to Orient beach, this time. Celebrity has some of the tours up-to 20% off [for the next 24 hours] for our cruise next month. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
in2up2 Posted February 11, 2018 #24 Share Posted February 11, 2018 We really enjoyed the a Random Wind boating excursion. Sent from my iPad using Forums We loved the Random Wind. Unfortunately, It sank in the hurricane. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcyonce Posted February 11, 2018 #25 Share Posted February 11, 2018 Best thing we ever did on St Maarten was make our own perfume at Tijon Perfumery. Great folks and very fun excursion ! The perfume shop/factory didn't suffer much damage from hurricane Irma (other than some looting), but the owner's home was completely destroyed. So ... if you want to do the perfumery tour or make you own perfumes, contact John at Tijon first ! They may or may not be able to accommodate your group. -- Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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