RMH

22 hours ago, Libbiroed said:

Where do you catch the bus from in Philipsburg? I would love to take the bus but have not seen the street/area that you catch the buses at.

If you walk to Back Street (2 streets from the Boardwalk) there will be a small area about every 3 intersections where the buses will pick up passengers.  It is a rectangle shape painted on the street and the buses are really just min-vans with a placard in the window that says "Maho" or "Mullet Bay".  You can also just flag them down and they will pull over and stop.  You have to go Back Street, however, since that is a one-way street heading out of Philipsburg in the correct direction.  

Which specific port are you talking about?  The forum covers half a dozen of the cruise lines 'private islands'

On 3/3/2019 at 2:54 PM, soonernstlouis said:

Of course the devil in me says (based on the aerial pic the older thread shows): why not cut past that motel? to the left of Mullet Beach and go past the housing on the back-side of the golf course to Maho?  I guess the additional 10 minutes saved could result in a trespassing charge, so I doubt I’d risk it.

From what I understand, you are not able to access the hotels and beach from the back-side of the golf course.  I can't confirm that, but the photo in the link below does show a pretty unscalable fence which looks like it could go the entire length of the road.   The walk via the golf course is easy and it puts you right at traffic circle and the beginning of the little road that goes perpendicular to the edge of the runway.  However, if you do find it really is a short-cut, please let us know.  We would be very interested!

https://www.google.com/maps/@18.0406055,-63.1237408,3a,47.7y,342.39h,76.39t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipOz6i8L31FZU1qCCBwk1UOjt2Z6ZMPzCoJuwTrg!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOz6i8L31FZU1qCCBwk1UOjt2Z6ZMPzCoJuwTrg%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya229.90471-ro-0-fo100!7i14000!8i7000

That is pretty much our itinerary every time we stop in St Maarten and it is usually the best day of the cruise.  Mullet Bay is beautiful, not crowded, and very laid back.  They do not have any fancy restaurants or day passes, so if that is what you are looking for, it may not work.  We typically take the bus from Philipsburg ($2 a person) to Mullet Bay.  The buses are all marked and easy to catch.  You pay when you exit.  Cabs are just as easy to catch, and you can get them from to port if you do not want to go into Philipsburg - but I don't know the cost.  After swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying Mullet Bay in the AM, we walk over to Maho beach - which is the next beach over - in the early afternoon when the big planes from the US and Europe start to arrive and depart.  It is an easy 15-minute walk through the golf course and the small town of Maho.  The planes are very cool and always a highlight.  Just don't set up on the beach directly across from the runway or the jet blast will blow all your stuff into the water when they take off.  After you have your fill of planes, it is easy to catch a cab or a bus at the roundabout back to Philipsburg.  Great day and if you bring your own food the total cost is about $9 for the bus and a beach chair.  Not too bad.

On 2/23/2019 at 8:08 PM, carnival03 said:

 

I would also like to know if you can still rent paddle boards and for how much?

Yes, stand-up paddle boards and kayaks are available to rent at Nellie's beach.  When we were there last year, the price was $20 for a half hour (paddle boards, did not ask about kayaks).

They do sell out of the All Day passes on the website, but I think they are available once you get to Labadee at the same place you get your wristband and sign your waivers.  Also, if you plan to take a free passenger along, the passenger has to have a (free) wristband too.  I think that is to show the people manning the ride that they have signed a waiver.

We never waited in line longer than 30 minutes, but I have read posts of people waiting 1+ hours in line.  The lines are much shorter at the beginning and end of the day.  You can literally walk right up and get on a cart an hour or so before the All Aboard.  A lot also depends on the attendant who tells people when they can go.  One guy was joking and talking to people and he would forget to tell people to go on time so the line got long with him.  The All Day Pass is a good value if you plan to go more than once - you can also take passengers (adults or kids) with you for free.  The coaster is much more thrilling than the zip line, in my opinion, and when we return we will get the All Day Pass again, unless it is crazy expensive.

On 2/18/2019 at 6:58 PM, sbcatcher1 said:

We want to experience the planes but also want to buy some French pastries. Is there a place within walking distance to buy pastries?

Not sure if you want to be on the French side of the island to purchase French pastries, but Maho is on the Dutch side of the island.  The French side is about 3 KM (1.8 miles) from Maho in Rue des Terres Basses, but I don't know what the French Pastries are like there.

I would wait and see - especially for the water slide.  It is not a thrilling slide if that is what your kids are looking for.  I think the cost is the same, unless you get it on one of RCs excursion sales.  The advantage of waiting is that there may be reasons not to do it that you cannot foresee (weather, other more interesting things to do, etc.)  The disadvantage is that some excursions sell out before you get there, but I have never seen that with the aquapark or water slide.

4 hours ago, onecruise said:

Hello,  we will be on HOTS Feb 17.  When we go to Labadee we will be getting a beach bungalow on Columbus Cove.  My son wants to do the all day pass on the coaster.  He's 11.  Would he be able to go back and forth between the beaches or is it quite a distance, and a parent should be with him?  Also, does a parent have to ride with him on the coaster?  The info just says a parent may ride with children 5-11.  Any info would be great.

Under the Restrictions section for the coaster it says "Minimum Age 12 Years".  So, the 5 - 11 rule is if children want to ride with a parent, they can, however, I am pretty sure the rules will not let an 11-year-old ride alone.  With that being said, they are very chill at the coaster and I am willing to bet that if a parent shows up to do a ride or two (passengers are free, but you do have to get a passenger wristband) with an 11-year-old, they would let him ride alone after that - but that is speculation on my part.  I would not sent him alone at first.  The all-day pass is the greatest thing ever on Labadee and if your son is a thrill-seeker, it is possible you will not see him at all that day, it can be that much fun.

I also realize that was not your question.  So.... back to your question.  It is about 1/3 of a mile between the bungalows and the coaster.  The normal path takes you through Artisan's Village which has some VERY aggressive vendors.  I would think twice about sending an 11-year-old down that gauntlet alone.  It is not a safety issue at all, but he may not feel comfortable.   There is an alternate path under that water slide and via Nellie's beach that would bypass the Artisan's Village that I would recommend if he is going solo.

Hope that helps.

29 minutes ago, luvsun22 said:

Can anyone tell me if paddle board and kayak rentals are available at the beach or do they need to be reserved in advance. I’m not sure I want to plan it, but might be fun. Also, I’m wondering how the snorkeling is right off the beach? 

Paddle board and kayak can both be done on a walk-up basis.  The only risk is that they are all reserved for the day and you don't get to do them, but from what I understand this is rare.  You can ask about it at the rental shack at Nellie's Beach.  Snorkeling right off the beach is pretty much non-existent in terms of seeing anything other than sand.  You might get lucky and see something close to the rocks at Adrenaline Beach, but Labadee is not the place for snorkeling off the beach.  I have heard the snorkeling excursion is good, however,  They take you away from the regular beaches, but I have never done it.

6 hours ago, wheezedr said:

I know there is a tram but how long is the walk from the dock to Columbus Cove if you just want to walk.

If you walk the same route as the tram, it is about .6 miles from the end of the pier to Columbus Cove.  That will take you through Artesian Village that has a lot of aggressive vendors that some people would rather avoid.  There is a shortcut via Nellie's Beach and under the waterslide that will take about .2 miles off of that walk and it avoids the vendors, but you do have to ascent and descend some stairs, so it would not work if you had mobility issues.

The shuttle boat is still running for one-way trips in the morning from the pier to Columbus Cove.  But you have to return through the security tent so you can't take the shuttle back to the ship.

Adrenaline Beach

On 12/31/2018 at 9:22 PM, carnival03 said:

 

Perfect. I've heard great things about Columbus, but what makes Nellies a popular spot? You pass Nellies first, correct?

It is also closer to the center of the peninsula and shopping, hair braiding, splash pool, bocce ball, etc.  There are also kayak rentals and paddle board rentals at Nellies, so people interested in that will stay there.  The two beaches are literally about 50 yards apart, so if you don't find the perfect spot at one, you can go to the other one.

1 hour ago, Trinam2 said:

We have some snorkeling gear and wondered if there are any spots to get to from the beach?

Not really.  The beaches are very sandy which means not a lot of fish.  The are a few rocks under the water slide that has some very small fish, and there is a rock barrier at Adrenaline Beach that you can sometimes see one or two interesting things, but overall, the snorkeling at Labadee does not compare to most other places in the Caribbean

23 hours ago, Heyref said:

What is that beach called?

Great Bay Beach

20 hours ago, bobbie0253 said:

Does anyone know if they charge for chair rental there? If so how much?

There are two places to rent chairs at Maho Beach; one at each end of the beach.  Driftwood Bar is on the north end and Sunset Bar is on the south end.  The number of chairs is limited at both places since the beach itself is small, so you have to arrive early to get one.  I am not sure how much they charge.

Lunch is 11:30 to 1:30 and as previously posted it ends right on time.  We always go right when it opens because there are way less people and then if we get hungry again, before 1:30, we can go back.  It is not fancy, but it is good, and you can bring it back to your lounge chair and eat while lounging if you want - especially at Columbus Cove since it is so close.

Labadee is the quintessential beach day on a cruise.  There are three (four if you are in a suite) beaches to choose from and all are easy to access.  Most of the peninsula is easier walking than going through sand and they have a free tram system to take you from beach to beach or to the shopping area or different places.  The whole thing is owned and run by Royal Caribbean, so it is like a huge extension of the ship.  Lunch is included as are the lounge chairs.

If they like hanging out at the beach, I would take them to Columbus Cove.  There is not much walking after the tram lets them off and it is close to restrooms and the lunch buffet.  If they are not beach people, shopping in the Artisans Market is popular.  If neither of those are good, taking a tour of the entire peninsula on the tram might be an option.  And of course there are excursions you can pay for, but Labadee is a perfect no-cost port of call.

I think Labadee is the perfect beach day.  It can literally cost you absolutely nothing.  There are 3 great beaches you can go to, the lounge chairs are free, the lunch is included, and you can be at a beach 5 minutes after getting off the ship.

There are other things to do at Labadee, but for me the beach will always be #1 at that port.

(With that being said, I would not miss the beaches at St Maartin, either.  They are spectacular and it can be very inexpensive to get to one or two of them)

He was probably talking about the Clamshells that attach to loungers.  Yes, you do have to pay for those, but I was under the impression that they were only available on Adrenaline Beach.  Maybe they have migrated to Nellie's now too?  Years ago, those were free on a first-come first-serve basis, but I suppose RC figured out a way to make money so now you pay for them.

Mullet is a great beach option.  Even a big ship days it is not usually crowded and it is big enough you can get away from people.  It has always been fairly rustic, even before the hurricane with only Rosie's serving food and drinks.  They will be there, but likely to be serving drinks from a cooler and food from a bar-b-que.  Also, the only bathrooms are a port a pottie, so be aware of that.  Getting a taxi should be easy.  If you don't have one come pick you up at a set time, the popular roundabout at Maho Beach will have plenty of taxis and it is only a 10 minute walk from Mullet Bay.  There are also a lot of food options there too if the bar-b-que is not to your liking.  A lot of people do Mullet in the morning and then walk over to Maho in the afternoon to see the planes - which pretty much makes for a perfect day.

I have never done it, but my understanding is that you have to backtrack from Maho to the big traffic circle by the KFC, and then catch a bus to Marigot.  I do not believe that any buses go directly from Maho to Marigot.  I am sure the bus driver will let you know and will drop you off at the right place.

11 hours ago, rinse82 said:

Question RE: Beach Loungers

 

If I reserved a beach lounger through RCI pre-cruise, are these available everywhere at the port?

 

I have young kids and was thinking of heading to Columbus Cove this time; just wanted to make sure I'd be able to get our lounger there as well.  Thanks!

The clam-shell loungers are only available at Adrenaline Beach.  The loungers at Columbus Cove are free and plentiful.  They do not have the clam shell over it like the ones you pay for, but at Columbus Cove, there is so much shade you really don't need it.  I would not rent a lounger if you were planning on being at Columbus Cove.  The loungers there are all free.

There is a Splash Zone.  It is located in the middle of the peninsula right by Adrenaline Beach, very easy to get to.  I'll have to defer to others to answer your question about Adventure Ocean activities; other than to say I am sure they have them.