In Port 2-10pm

[Newbcruiser1]

Hello,

 

My cruise itinerary on the Explorer in June has just been changed, and we won't be arriving in St. Maarten until 2pm (leaving at 10pm). Our original plans of spending the day at Orient Beach are now out the window, and I'm looking for other ideas. We're 2 girls in our early-mid 20's, so hopefully nothing too too sedate! ;)

 

Are there any tour operators that have island tours in the afternoon/evening? Does anyone have any other ideas of what we can do at that time (something safe please! Venturing out after dark in unknown territory somewhat scares me!).

 

Thanks in advance!

[chickadee1]

Hello,

 

My cruise itinerary on the Explorer in June has just been changed, and we won't be arriving in St. Maarten until 2pm (leaving at 10pm). Our original plans of spending the day at Orient Beach are now out the window, and I'm looking for other ideas. We're 2 girls in our early-mid 20's, so hopefully nothing too too sedate! ;)

 

Are there any tour operators that have island tours in the afternoon/evening? Does anyone have any other ideas of what we can do at that time (something safe please! Venturing out after dark in unknown territory somewhat scares me!).

 

Thanks in advance!

I think I am on your cruise - EOS May 28. So far, at least 6 of us are going on a tour with Bernard's - you have to e-mail him at www.bernardstours.com, I think that is the address, he will pick us up at 2:30, go to the beach, sightseeing, shopping, etc. We are all probably older than you - 50s - but it will be a good time during the day. Cost is $35 per person cash - but won't go into the fun, evening hrs.

[Newbcruiser1]

I think I am on your cruise - EOS May 28. So far, at least 6 of us are going on a tour with Bernard's - you have to e-mail him at www.bernardstours.com, I think that is the address, he will pick us up at 2:30, go to the beach, sightseeing, shopping, etc. We are all probably older than you - 50s - but it will be a good time during the day. Cost is $35 per person cash - but won't go into the fun, evening hrs.

 

Thank you for your reply! I'm actually on the June 11th cruise, but it's the same itinerary as you. We're not looking for any wild parties, just nothing too boring either! :) We were just planning for a relaxing day at the beach but that plan isn't going to work now.

 

I actually e-mailed Bernard earlier today and got a reply with the same thing - that he has one from 2:30-7:30pm. Do you have a detailed breakdown of the day though? I know the beaches will be winding down shortly after we arrive and the stores probably close somewhat early. Did he give you some sort of a schedule though and the exact places you'll be visiting?

[chickadee1]

Sorry - I don't have the itinerary. Depending on how many are on the van - that probably determines where you go. I know people on my van want to get to the beach, hit the shops, see the planes land at Maho, so it will be varried. I've heard on other threads that the beaches don't close too early and with Bernard's there is plenty to drink. I don't know what to do about dinner or shopping as I would prefer to eat on the ship and the shopping doesn't interest me too much. I think the stores close early.

 

My whole idea of getting off the ship is to see some of the islands where we stop so that is why I dislike the changes. Being in PR overnight doesn't let us get a chance to see some of the island. We were going on the rain forest tour but unless it starts at 6 am it will probably be canceled.

[Newbcruiser1]

Okay, so now I can't decide whether to do a tour with Bernard for $35pp, or just take the water taxi to Phillipsburg and walk around and check out the beach there? Any advice? It sounds like everything is going to be closing shortly after we get there anyway.

[chickadee1]

Okay, so now I can't decide whether to do a tour with Bernard for $35pp, or just take the water taxi to Phillipsburg and walk around and check out the beach there? Any advice? It sounds like everything is going to be closing shortly after we get there anyway.

 

 

And yet, despite the itinerary changes, my ship's balcony staterooms and suites are almost all sold out! I think people just don't want to fly before they cruise!! I know I don't.

[daisy1978]

hello.

we have the same problem. sailing the 28th of may, our itinerary changed and now our plans are all messed up. we wanted to go to that Pinel Island and now, with the change, we cannot go and don't know what to do. we are thinking should we head to the beach that is close to the port and would not take a long time to get to or should we just walk around and be bored by going from one store to another.

hm, has any of you been to st. maarten before. are all the stores closing at 6pm or are they open late, when the ships are in port? is there anything to do from like 6pm till 9pm. thank you

[chickadee1]

hello.

we have the same problem. sailing the 28th of may, our itinerary changed and now our plans are all messed up. we wanted to go to that Pinel Island and now, with the change, we cannot go and don't know what to do. we are thinking should we head to the beach that is close to the port and would not take a long time to get to or should we just walk around and be bored by going from one store to another.

hm, has any of you been to st. maarten before. are all the stores closing at 6pm or are they open late, when the ships are in port? is there anything to do from like 6pm till 9pm. thank you

 

There seem to be at least 6 of us on Bernard's from that ship. We understand we will be on a tour from 2:30 until approx 7:30 with beach time, shopping time, sightseeing time for $35.00 a person. Contact Bernard's tours if you are interested.

[daisy1978]

There seem to be at least 6 of us on Bernard's from that ship. We understand we will be on a tour from 2:30 until approx 7:30 with beach time, shopping time, sightseeing time for $35.00 a person. Contact Bernard's tours if you are interested.

 

hello. thank you very much. i am gonna google his website and see what the itinerary for this tour is like.

have a nice vacation!!:)

[aqhacruiser]

Okay, so now I can't decide whether to do a tour with Bernard for $35pp, or just take the water taxi to Phillipsburg and walk around and check out the beach there? Any advice? It sounds like everything is going to be closing shortly after we get there anyway.

 

We always take water taxi, go to the beach off the boardwalk as it's so close to everything. You can rent chairs/umbrella for about 12.00, some chair sections have other deals like 2 chairs and 6 beers for 10.00, etc. They provide beach service for drinks and food or Burger King and Subway right off boardwalk and all the shops are right there also. As your time is limited and you want the beach that would be your fastest way to get to one and St. Maarten has some gorgeous sunsets! Shops should be open until 5-6, casinos open late. We arrived one time at 4pm as delayed by a storm

[daisy1978]

:D hello. thank you very much for the pictures!!!

it is a shame that almost everything closes at 5 or 6pm. they should stay open late when the cruise ships are in port.:(

[Poohb]

We're on the EOS May 14th. Would love to be on the beach for the beautiful sunset time. Don't want to miss dinner either. Anyone know about what time the sunset will be in May? thanks.

[chickadee1]

:D hello. thank you very much for the pictures!!!

it is a shame that almost everything closes at 5 or 6pm. they should stay open late when the cruise ships are in port.:(

I think we have to remember that this late arrival is only 1 day, every other week. Probably not worth it to the stores to stay open later.

[Newbcruiser1]

I think with 3000+ people on the ship, many whom are willing to spend money, it WOULD be worthwhile for them to stay open late for that 1 day every 2 weeks (although not every day).

[daisy1978]

I think with 3000+ people on the ship, many whom are willing to spend money, it WOULD be worthwhile for them to stay open late for that 1 day every 2 weeks (although not every day).

 

 

hello. i agree with you. we are going to be in st. maarten till 10pm and it would be nice if they stayed open till like 8pm {i mean to stay open this late 2 days out of the whole month would not kill them and i am sure it would make them some extra money}, just so we would have something to do in the evening. we are going to go to the beach first, then it would be cool, just to take a shower on the ship, grab something to eat, and go to town, walk around the stores. we are not really into bars and stuff. oh, well.:)

[smile1234]

I love ur idea of taking the water taxi over..... it seems like a perfect compromise for arriving late. How much was it, where do u get tickets, how long did it take to get there? What was the name of the beach in the picture?

[The Big Booper]

I love ur idea of taking the water taxi over..... it seems like a perfect compromise for arriving late. How much was it, where do u get tickets, how long did it take to get there? What was the name of the beach in the picture?

 

The water taxi is $ 6.00 pp for an unlimited all day ticket. The ticket booth and ramp to the service is at the end of the pier. Big sign, you can't miss it.

The beach is Great Bay Beach, Phillipsburg's beach. It is a great photo-op as the shuttle boat leaves the cruise ship pier to head into the downtown dock at Great Bay, if your camera can take wide angle pictures, even better.

 

The St Martin tourist board(s) don't like to talk about it but there can be a slight crime problem in Philipsburg which is why most of the stores are shut by 6 PM. The stores located inside the cruise ship facility tend to stay open later when a ship is in (Boolchands, Lil' Switzerland, etc).

 

The public restrooms next to the downtown dock are shut down and locked by 6 PM.

[smile1234]

Thanks so much for the info :) Much appreciated