One Day Port Day Doable?

[shyly8585]

Hi,

 

My cruise (Royal Caribbean) stops in Philipsburg late May between 12:15pm - 7:00pm.  Is it doable to go to Pinel Island?  Is May considered low season?  Is the last ferry from Pinel Island 4pm or 5pm?  What's the best way to get to the ferry stop to Pinel Island from the cruise port, and back?  

 

My other option is Mullet Bay.  What's the best way to get to Mullet Bay and back?  

 

Thanks.

[PORT ROYAL]

10 hours ago, shyly8585 said:

Hi,

 

My cruise (Royal Caribbean) stops in Philipsburg late May between 12:15pm - 7:00pm.  Is it doable to go to Pinel Island?  Is May considered low season?  Is the last ferry from Pinel Island 4pm or 5pm?  What's the best way to get to the ferry stop to Pinel Island from the cruise port, and back?  

 

My other option is Mullet Bay.  What's the best way to get to Mullet Bay and back?  

 

Thanks.

Yes it’s doable….. yes it’s low season - Ferry to Pinel timetable link - https://www.caribbeanpaddling.com/blog/ferry-schedule-to-pinel-island

Plenty of taxis from to Ferry from Port and from Ferry to Port.  And one’s outward driver will be pleased for a timed booking for on’s return.

Even visiting in low season, it’s better to book one’s beds/ day in advance with

Yellow Menu - https://www.yellowbeach.restaurant/menu

Or

Karibuni Menu - https://www.lekaribuni.com/restaurant/menu

 

 

[shyly8585]

1 hour ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Yes it’s doable….. yes it’s low season - Ferry to Pinel timetable link - https://www.caribbeanpaddling.com/blog/ferry-schedule-to-pinel-island

Plenty of taxis from to Ferry from Port and from Ferry to Port.  And one’s outward driver will be pleased for a timed booking for on’s return.

Even visiting in low season, it’s better to book one’s beds/ day in advance with

 

Yellow Menu - https://www.yellowbeach.restaurant/menu

Or

Karibuni Menu - https://www.lekaribuni.com/restaurant/menu

 

 

Thank you.  Second time cruiser, still learning everything.  Is the ship time local time (St. Martin time) or is the ship time the same time zone as your original departure Port?  Our ship is coming from NJ. 

Edited February 4 by shyly8585

[PORT ROYAL]

1 hour ago, shyly8585 said:

Thank you.  Second time cruiser, still learning everything.  Is the ship time local time (St. Martin time) or is the ship time the same time zone as your original departure Port?  Our ship is coming from NJ. 

No idea on time zones etc., but the island only operates on it’s own “Island Time” not a random USA city time.

[shyly8585]

On 2/4/2024 at 8:43 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

No idea on time zones etc., but the island only operates on it’s own “Island Time” not a random USA city time.

Thank you.

[crewsweeper]

St Maarteen is on Atlantic Standard Time ( 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time) and does not observe DST.  So if your ship embarks out of an East Coast US port in May ship time and St Maateen time will be the same.

[shyly8585]

5 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

St Maarteen is on Atlantic Standard Time ( 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time) and does not observe DST.  So if your ship embarks out of an East Coast US port in May ship time and St Maateen time will be the same.

Thank you!

[SnorkelAway]

I think the general understanding is that low season is May 1 to November 30, so you will be there in low season.  Schedules for the ferries to Pinel from cul-de-sac are not 100% reliable - you can only be certain of last ferry time from Pinel back to cul-de-sac when you get the ferry over to Pinel. 

 

Unless something weird is going on, your Royal Caribbean ship will have the same time as the local time on the island.  There will be no difference in ship time and local time no matter the time of year.

 

If your ship is scheduled for 12:15 arrival, then you may be unable to get off until 12:45 or so - it may be a hour or  more after you disembark before you are on Pinel.  Your time on Pinel might be only 2 hours.

 

I would recommend you go to Mullet, as opposed to Pinel, on this trip.  It will be easier and less complicated to go to Mullet.  Go to Pinel when you have more time on island.

[shyly8585]

On 2/16/2024 at 2:36 PM, SnorkelAway said:

I think the general understanding is that low season is May 1 to November 30, so you will be there in low season.  Schedules for the ferries to Pinel from cul-de-sac are not 100% reliable - you can only be certain of last ferry time from Pinel back to cul-de-sac when you get the ferry over to Pinel. 

 

Unless something weird is going on, your Royal Caribbean ship will have the same time as the local time on the island.  There will be no difference in ship time and local time no matter the time of year.

 

If your ship is scheduled for 12:15 arrival, then you may be unable to get off until 12:45 or so - it may be a hour or  more after you disembark before you are on Pinel.  Your time on Pinel might be only 2 hours.

 

I would recommend you go to Mullet, as opposed to Pinel, on this trip.  It will be easier and less complicated to go to Mullet.  Go to Pinel when you have more time on island.

Thank you for your advice.