nightryder Posted June 11, 2007 #1 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Our cruise, Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas, has a stop at St Martin and we wish to shop some in town and then catch a taxi to Orient Beach. Is the main shopping area in walkind distance from the cruise dock area? Then after shopping is it relatively easy to find a taxi to the beach? Do you have any idea of the cost of taxi's also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebeljohn Posted June 11, 2007 #2 Share Posted June 11, 2007 You will see the taxi stand just off of the dock area. It is clearly marked, and they will have signs for specific destinations. You will also find it easy to get a cab for the return trip........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zark427 Posted June 11, 2007 #3 Share Posted June 11, 2007 There is some shopping at the pier, however the majority of the shopping is in town, which you'll be able to see across the bay from the pier... It's not a long walk to the town, but we tend to just jump in a taxi... My advice would be to take to taxi from the pier to Orient Beach, hang out (get it? ;) ), then taxi back to Philibsburg. The driver can drop you off at the entrance to the main shopping area. After shopping either walk, take a taxi, or I believe there is a water taxi back to the pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace2U Posted June 11, 2007 #4 Share Posted June 11, 2007 It's like a 5 minute walk to where all the taxis and vans pick up. So painless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Booper Posted June 11, 2007 #5 Share Posted June 11, 2007 The best plan is to cab directly from the pier to the beach then cab back to P-Burg for shopping. If you shop first then you have to leave your goodies at your chair when you go in the water, not a good idea. After finishing shopping, just hop on the water taxi (really a small ferry) for the short ride back to the ship. You get impressive views of the harbor and the ship so have a camera ready. It is a 25-30 minute walk back from downtown to the pier and it will be at the end of a long hot day so splurge ($3 pp) for the water taxi. The taxi dispatchers will put together a group from the pier to Orient so it will run $6 pp, one way. Lots of cabbies use vans that hold 8-10 people, the more people the lower the fare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilPony Posted June 17, 2007 #6 Share Posted June 17, 2007 The best plan is to cab directly from the pier to the beach then cab back to P-Burg for shopping. If you shop first then you have to leave your goodies at your chair when you go in the water, not a good idea. After finishing shopping, just hop on the water taxi (really a small ferry) for the short ride back to the ship. You get impressive views of the harbor and the ship so have a camera ready. It is a 25-30 minute walk back from downtown to the pier and it will be at the end of a long hot day so splurge ($3 pp) for the water taxi. The taxi dispatchers will put together a group from the pier to Orient so it will run $6 pp, one way. Lots of cabbies use vans that hold 8-10 people, the more people the lower the fare. OK - so this will be our first attempt to 'go it alone' without planned excursions - can someone help with the timing - we will be off the ship ASAP as we want to make the most of our day - Orient BEach and shopping - so your suggestion fits perfectly- on board will probably be at 5:30pm - so I want to be on board at 5pm Also - Orient Beach - any water parks for older kids - DS is 14 - thanks so much!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earl_m Posted June 17, 2007 #7 Share Posted June 17, 2007 There was no problem getting a taxi at the port but coming back from the beach i had a hard time finding a taxi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Booper Posted June 17, 2007 #8 Share Posted June 17, 2007 There was no problem getting a taxi at the port but coming back from the beach i had a hard time finding a taxi. Usually, we catch a cab back from Orient at Pedros (near Club O) and at Bikini Beach Bar. These are the major drop off points and cabs will wait for fares back rather than go back empty (aside from the morning time when no one is going back) To my knowledge, Orient Beach is a beach, no water parks. Kids shoud have no problems but parents should stay with them. (edit - your son is 14, no problems for him, he will like the scenery ) Le Gallion Beach, close by, has the gentler water but nowhere the activities or "scenery" of Orient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilPony Posted June 17, 2007 #9 Share Posted June 17, 2007 To my knowledge, Orient Beach is a beach, no water parks. Kids shoud have no problems but parents should stay with them. (edit - your son is 14, no problems for him, he will like the scenery ) LOL - Have already had that 'discussion' with him AND DH ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fllady61 Posted June 20, 2007 #10 Share Posted June 20, 2007 how much is the taxi from the pier to the beach? We just want to go to a beach there, then pick up a few souvioners on our way back to the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Booper Posted June 20, 2007 #11 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Pier to Orient, $6 pp each way. The dispatchers bundle people into groups for the van cabs; same going back, the cabbies waiting combine people. The price is higher for just 1 or 2 people. They will drop you off downtown for shopping after the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fllady61 Posted June 20, 2007 #12 Share Posted June 20, 2007 thanks Bopper, we will opt for that option rather than rent a car. That way I won't get lost and confused and frustrated. still would like a map to have for a souvioner and for learning the island for next year's cruise to St. Maarten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Booper Posted June 21, 2007 #13 Share Posted June 21, 2007 thanks Bopper, we will opt for that option rather than rent a car. That way I won't get lost and confused and frustrated. still would like a map to have for a souvioner and for learning the island for next year's cruise to St. Maarten. Here is a link to a great map of the island. It can be blown up on screen to show details. http://www.stmartinstmaarten.com/map/psmap0198.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55J5-5 Posted June 27, 2007 #14 Share Posted June 27, 2007 Thanks for all the great info. I didnt have to post any questions and I have this day planned. Now on to the other 7 islands...........:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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