Private Excursion Recommendations for St. Martin/St. Maarten

[ILoveScotland]

• Three friends and I will be in port of St. Martin later this year.  I've been there 3 times:  once took a private tour all around the island, once just stayed at the port itself and once did a ship's tour.  My friends and I are interested in a private tour that won't require a lot of walking.  Any recommendations?  Thanks.

[bac513]

According to Celebrity’s website only their excursions are permitted in St. Maarten. Not sure if this means that you cannot otherwise disembark.
 

[YouthD]

Do you by chance have a link to this?

[bac513]

https://www.celebritycruises.com/health-and-safety

[Mike45LC]

Bac513 said "Not sure if this means that you cannot otherwise disembark."

 

I do not know what the rules will be tomorrow, but the cited language from Celebrity makes it clear that passengers will not be allowed to disembark unless they are on a Celebrity excursion.

[susiesan]

Celebrity is the only cruise line with this policy at this point in time. Why? A likely money grab to force people to pay for their overpriced excursions.

[Mike45LC]

SusieSan, Celebrity allows passengers off the ship for unescorted tours in some ports.  In others, only those passengers taking "bubble tours" are allowed off the ship.

 

From this, I conclude that the port authorities get to make the decision as to whether escorts are required.  It could be based on the number of unvaccinated passengers and crew (remember, children are not eligible for vaccines), on how many ships will be in port on any given day, on the current Covid numbers on the island, on the number of Emergency Room beds available, on the percentage of islanders who are vaccinated, and numerous other factors I have not even thought about.  

 

I doubt that it is simply a money grab by Celebrity.  Otherwise, they would probably impose bubble tour restrictions on every port.

 

I have decided to cancel my Dec 2021 Edge cruise (Aqua class) in part because of the bubble only requirement.  Cancellations do not make Celebrity much money!!  When the ships are sailing at full capacity, if I cancel, they might be able to sell my cabin to someone else, but my guess is that during Covid, my cancellation will simply cost Celebrity money.

 

[bac513]

New! From Celebrity’s website
 

On your own tours are permitted in St. Croix , St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Excursions provided by Celebrity Cruises are required in Nassau and Tortola.

[doublej]

Check out www.Shoreexcursionsgroup.com for ideas