Zeno

That's odd - I was able to update my personal info etc.

My Windstar is FINALLY available!

Is the taxi fare the same from actual Cruiseport area and Boardwalk/Phillipsburg area to Orient Beach?

Good question - I doubt that there would be much (if any at all) difference. Taxi fares are regulated by the taxi association. The advantage to getting one at the cruiseport is there is a large sign with the rates posted for various destinations. If you are willing to share the rates are less.

http://taxistmaarten.com/zones-rates/

Great Review! I really enjoyed reading it.

Another vote for Royston. He is relaxed and most accommodating. He will also customize a tour to your needs. We thought that the tour we had with him was the best of any we have had in the Caribbean.

All this info is great! Thx to everyone.

Already planning on how to "spend" OBC

1. laundry

2. possibly an excursion

3. drinks (we are very light drinkers so it should go pretty far) and/or a souvenir

Thank you to everyone who has posted about taking the bus to the Dockyards! We love to travel like this in the islands.

 

I have a few questions about once we get there:

 

1. Is there a fee to enter the dockyards?

 

2. How much time would you budget to look around?

 

3. Where does one get the water taxi to Galleon Bay and how much does it cost?

 

4. Is Roxy's at Galleon Bay permanently closed?

 

Cheers,

I can't answer 3 and 4 but for 1 and 2

1. Yes NOTE: When I was there this single fee would get you into all the historic sites in the area (SAVE your ticket/receipt).. Besides The Dockyard, you should REALLY see Dow's Hill, the Blockhouse and Shirley Heights (all are close to each other above English Harbour). They are nearby and the views are simply spectacular.

2. Assuming you choose to see all , I would budget 2.5 to 4 hours depending on how much you like historic sites and great views.

I checked the Maurice website and you are correct most of their vehicles appear to be automatic - great news for us. Thx for info

VG is a very easy island to drive, and Mahogany car rental is a great resource for a rental. But taxis are quite reasonable and the driver will work with you. You can even call him/her if you want more flexibility than a pre-planned pick-up.

 

Are you in port from 8 - 6? If so you could enjoy a nice day on VG with either option but it sounds like you would have a nore enjoyable experience by using a taxi.

 

I would still suggest Spring Bay for the snorkeling, a stop at the Baths after the main crowds, and then Mineshaft for their lunch and panoramic view, but that is our preference.

You'll find tons of info and suggestions on the Virgin Gorda forum on tripadvisor as well!

Enjoy your day exploring VG!

Would it be possible to get a taxi at Gun Creek? Our ship will be anchoring off The Bitter end Yacht Club and I understand that there is a free ferry between BItter End and Gun Creek.

But be careful - its inboard credit, so if you book and pay for the laundry or excursions online in advance you cannot use it.

 

It can only be credited against purchases or services bought onboard. The laundry is not a problem, you just sign up for it in your cabin on the first day. Would highly recommend it!

I had wondered about that but figured to be on the safe side I would wait until I was actually there.

We are considering renting a car on St. Bart's but it would have to be automatic - will that be a problem? We are thinking of using Turbe. They seem to get good reviews and their prices are reasonable.

Also is their somewhere convenient to gas up when we return to Gustavia?

Thx for info!

Thx so much for info. I was pretty sure that we could not use it for the gratuities but I thought I would ask anyway - so no problem there. Really glad to hear about the laundry package!

Did you have any onboard credit and if so how did you use it?

Because the price of our cruise went down since we paid for it, we have been able to get a fair amount of onboard credit - so a few questions on how we will be allowed to use it.

Can we use it toward getting the laundry package? Would REALLY like to do that!

Towards the daily service charge (or whatever they call it)? I think this the least likely and I am fine with paying it.

Excursions?

Alcoholic drinks?

Purchases in the store onboard?

In the Spa for treatments?

Can anyone who has used onboard credits help me with this?

Thx very much

Yes, CGB is a fun vibe with lots of fellow cruisers (even more if there's also a larger ship docked in Road Town) and several beach bars to choose from. We like Myett's and Tony's. Brewers has the one beach bar with fewer people but it's still a popular beach. So just a matter of the experience you want. You can find youtube videos of both, but that can spoil the anticipation too...

Have you checked the cruise ship schedule that day? http://www.cruisett.com is pretty accurate.

Thx so much for that website - very helpful!

Thx again blue_water

Now I just have to decide which beach.

Thx for info blue_water

Another question:

What about a taxi to Cane Garden Bay or Brewers Bay from Soper's hole?

Costs? and especially for Brewers getting a return taxi.

I just discovered that Long Bay is probably not suitable for me ( I am recovering from knee surgery - so getting OUT of the ocean it is very rocky or has a steep incline could be very difficult)

So is there any beach that has relatively easy water entry and especially water exit?

Thx for any info.

How hard would it be to get a return taxi from Long Beach to Soper's hole?

I am assuming it would not be too difficult to get a taxi to Long Beach.

Also it there anywhere we can rent loungers or chairs on Long beach? and approximate cost?

Thx

I have an OBC and have definitely decided to use it for the laundry package. This will allow us to get away with one checked bag (our carryons are not that big).

Thank you so much for the replies. This is just what I need to know. Most of the things I am likely to bring are "wash and hang dry".

I would like to know about this too - anyone?

Especially getting items washed but not dried.

Beautiful photos!

Zeno,

 

Sorry to read about your knee replacement. Hopefully by the time of the cruise your knee will be in better shape. Loved this comment:

 

We are middle-aged - me a little more so. My DH is a bit of a fitness freak - he cycles and works out and does Yoga - so if you see some guy on the deck in lotus position accompanied by a distinctly less flexible limping woman - that's us.

We are a study in contrasts - pretzely hyperactive guy and the slow moving tubby hobbler. Luckily I love water stuff (it is kind to the less mobile and has become my main exercise). I like to walk and I miss long walks the most. However the knee replacement was a "good" thing - I am no longer in pain - stiffness and mobility loss is a minor price to pay.

So funny Zeno......I had the exact itinerary that you mentioned in your last post planned for us in Antigua.

 

Here is what we have in mind so far (just some thoughts...nothing "in blood"). We are really beach people and love snorkeling. Had been to Jost Van Dyke and Tortola area 25 years ago when my daughter was interning at Stouffer's, St. Thomas (washed away in hurricane I think). Celebrating our 25th anniversary on Windsurf.

 

St. Martin - Passangahran Hotel - arriving at 10PM!, 12/7. Thought it would be nice to spend a full day before Windsurf embarkation. Staying at beach there, hanging at beach bars & restaurants, walking around town OR perhaps revisiting Orient Beach.

 

St. Barts - Shell Beach and walking around town.

 

Tortola - Sopers Hole - Either doing a snorkeling tour via boat or heading to Smugglers Cove for snorkeling/beach.

 

Jost Van Dyke - Beach, Soggy Dollar Bar and other beachbars. Foxy's in evening.

 

Virgin Gorda - Skipping Baths this time and just doing the Prickly Pear event.

 

We enjoy the ease of cruising since we live in the Tampa area and wanted something special for our anniversary. My husband, Tom, is a personal trainer, specializing in seniors. After retiring from our mortgage business, he started this "new career" and loves it. I workout with him once a week, but my passion is dance/Jazzercise classes 3x a week.

 

So excited about seeing the night sky, doing water toys and reading/relaxing onboard a smaller ship.

 

Since our return flight back to Tampa through Charlotte doesn't leave SXM til 3:45 we probably will just head back to leave our luggage at Passangahran hotel and hang out in Phillipsburg til we head to airport.

 

Look forward to meeting everyone.

 

Barbara & Tom

 

 

 

Barbara

Same here nothing "in blood" yet but we have a rough island plan.

we are somewhat limited in choices because I still have a "not very flexible" knee from knee replacement surgery. Normally we would be snorkeling a lot and still intend to do some but probably just from shore.

SXM - We arrive on Dec 08 - late afternoon and will also be staying at the Pasanggrahan

St. Barts - we have been there before and are toying with renting a car - so probably that or shell beach

Tortola - still trying to decide which beach

Jost Van Dyke - beach for sure

Virgin Gorda - been to The Baths twice and with my knee I could probably make into down the hill but certainly not through The Baths - toying with the idea of taking the ferry to Gun Creek and then a taxi to Spring Bay - (the path to the beach is less challenging) But it seems most likely we will just do Prickly Pear - least complicated option

Antigua - like I said Pigeon Beach looks easy

When we return to SXM we are spending a couple of days on Orient beach before we fly home.

We are middle-aged - me a little more so. My DH is a bit of a fitness freak - he cycles and

works out and does Yoga - so if you see some guy on the deck in lotus position accompanied by a distinctly less flexible limping woman - that's us.

Greatly looking forward to the Wind Surf and meeting everyone