Is this itinerary doable?

[Sun Lover]

We will be on Wonder of the Seas in a few weeks and have a few places we want to go and I'm wondering if it's possible to do this on our own due to distances and available transportation.  We'd like to go to La Sucriere Bakery, Topper's Rhum Tour and Maho Beach. We also want to have a couple hours to shop and maybe eat in Philipsburg.  Does anyone know how far it is from the port to any of these places?  Would we be better off starting with La Sucriere or Topper's first and then going to Maho Beach to see the planes in the afternoon, since I read that the big planes usually arrive in the afternoon?  Our ship is in port that day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Should we take a taxi and if we do, would we be able to get a taxi back to the ship from there easily?  What would be the approximate cost of taxis to do this?  Thanks for any advice.

Edited September 11, 2023 by Sun Lover

[PORT ROYAL]

12 hours ago, Sun Lover said:

We will be on Wonder of the Seas in a few weeks and have a few places we want to go and I'm wondering if it's possible to do this on our own due to distances and available transportation.  We'd like to go to La Sucriere Bakery, Topper's Rhum Tour and Maho Beach. We also want to have a couple hours to shop and maybe eat in Philipsburg.  Does anyone know how far it is from the port to any of these places?  Would we be better off starting with La Sucriere or Topper's first and then going to Maho Beach to see the planes in the afternoon, since I read that the big planes usually arrive in the afternoon?  Our ship is in port that day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Should we take a taxi and if we do, would we be able to get a taxi back to the ship from there easily?  What would be the approximate cost of taxis to do this?  Thanks for any advice.

This agenda all revolves around what booking times are available for the Rum Tour. Hopefully one will achieve an early one.

To assist.

Say $25 from Terminal to Toppers

Walk to Bakery is about 100 yards from Toppers

Taxi back to Town for Lunch etc say $20

Taxi to Maho say $30

Taxi back to ship say $35

 

No shortage of Taxis…..
 

[Sun Lover]

When you say, for example, $30 for a taxi, there are 6 of us so would that cost be per taxi and include all of us?  Are the taxis able to accommodate that many people?  If we were at Topper's or the bakery, how easy would it be to get a taxi from there?  Thanks for your help.

[PORT ROYAL]

20 minutes ago, Sun Lover said:

When you say, for example, $30 for a taxi, there are 6 of us so would that cost be per taxi and include all of us?  Are the taxis able to accommodate that many people?  If we were at Topper's or the bakery, how easy would it be to get a taxi from there?  Thanks for your help.

This number of pax changes the ride costs.  The Taxi (Cab/Saloon) now become a minibus.  
 

There are plenty of minivans at port to take one’s party, sadly have no idea of cost.  

The busy main arterial road from/to Town runs past Toppers, so there will be plenty of minibuses passing, just flag one heading to town, but Toppers will call a known local reputable (licensed) one if asked. Toppers will confirm the agreed price and driver name etc.. Again no idea of cost.

 

As a very rough guesstimate think $15 per pax would possibly be close to an actual fare to Toppers and $10 pp  from Toppers to Town.

 

Do not use an unlicensed carrier.  Bandit territory.

 

 

[crewsweeper]

If you're at Toppers, just eat at their restaurant.  or head toward Maho and eat at the Palm Restaurant. No need to trek back and forth.  Then after you see the planes, graba taxi back to the cruise pier.  If you want to stop and shop in Phillipsburg, its a easy walk back along the boardwalk.

[olemissreb]

11 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Do not use an unlicensed carrier.  Bandit territory.

 

 

If getting a taxi at the cruise ship pier, how can you tell if they are licensed or not? 

[PORT ROYAL]

9 hours ago, olemissreb said:

If getting a taxi at the cruise ship pier, how can you tell if they are licensed or not? 

Because only licensed (vetted) taxi drivers with fully insured vehicles, are allowed through security at the Port gates.

In addition, only licensed taxis are permitted to deliver a fare inside the secure port area.

 

 

 

[olemissreb]

15 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Because only licensed (vetted) taxi drivers with fully insured vehicles, are allowed through security at the Port gates.

In addition, only licensed taxis are permitted to deliver a fare inside the secure port area.

 

 

 

Thanks for that info. Good to know if we get something in the port area we have nothing to worry about. So if we book a taxi in the port area to take us to Maho Beach, how do we detemine licensed taxis when we get ready to head back to port?  Or will our original driver meet us there at a designated time?

[PORT ROYAL]

8 hours ago, olemissreb said:

Thanks for that info. Good to know if we get something in the port area we have nothing to worry about. So if we book a taxi in the port area to take us to Maho Beach, how do we detemine licensed taxis when we get ready to head back to port?  Or will our original driver meet us there at a designated time?

One’s original driver will be very pleased to be booked for the return.  Just confirm the time, plus they usually arrive earlier to give the pax peace of mind.

[olemissreb]

1 hour ago, PORT ROYAL said:

One’s original driver will be very pleased to be booked for the return.  Just confirm the time, plus they usually arrive earlier to give the pax peace of mind.

Great!  Thank you for all your knowledge! 

[Sun Lover]

Are there plenty of taxis at Maho Beach to go back toPhilipsburg where you can grab one and not have it reserved ahead of time?

[PORT ROYAL]

On 10/1/2023 at 2:58 PM, Sun Lover said:

Are there plenty of taxis at Maho Beach to go back toPhilipsburg where you can grab one and not have it reserved ahead of time?

Yes……There are many

[Sun Lover]

Thank you.