PORT ROYAL

Then one will have to debate/agree the itinerary, rotation, return time etc., with possibly 12 others. Other interesting aspect of a shared minivan tour is the need for comfort breaks, when 10/12 pax have different bladder requirements. 😱 Not for one….. Then there is the obligatory number of pains in the butt, the annoying, the whinging, price complainers, the done it and so on……

Know this may sound obvious Has one tried to click on the “Reply” button for the “reviewing” email received, or message via Face(hardback reading material) also Twitter?

Additional…. Contact Catherine’s and enquire about their day pass ( Caribbean $195) to be available from 10.30/11.00 am for the day of the visit. Caribbean Dollars 195 equates to US$ 82.00 for 2 pax - A no brainer- Book early - No T’erds https://catherines-cafe.com/summer-promotions-the-day-pass/ As January is considered part of peak season, Catherine’s could increase the price, but may not.

For the record. Jacqui O's Cecilia's Catherine's Café Are not ‘expensive’ per se. They deliver a total upmarket ambiance experience for genteel and discerning cruisers, vacationers and locals, at a fair price for the quality delivered. May one make a suggestion? Take a look at Catherine’s menus and see what is being offered. The prices are in Eastern Dollars. For a quick calculation into USD, take the Caribbean Dollars, divide by 2, then deduct 25%. Then look at a popular beach menu…. Compare……Then think…

So true……

One will not get “quiet and relaxing” at a place where food/drink is cheap, having lower priced beds and umbrellas, with basic services, being easy to get there by public transport, because the World of T’erds etc. have already discovered it. The only place one could get some modicum of isolation is Turners. There is public transport, one will have to join a longish queue there and return (take a shared minibus for about $8 pp e/w + tip). On arrival request, with a gratuity, to have the 2 chair/umbrella setup ($20) way outside the stalls area on one’s right on entry, away from the masses. But this does not remove “busy” from the scenario, when using bar/food/facilities.

Try St Lucia Tourist Board 800 2nd Avenue, 9th FloorNew York, NY 10017(212) 867-2950Fax 212-867-2795Email stluciatourism@aol.com

Thereby adding insult to injury……😃😉

Good choice, best to see it before it’s destroyed by cruise ‘day trippers’, just like Cades.

What also does one also require from a beach visit, such as dining, ambience, lack of T'erds etc.. As this will assist to determine the actual beach destinations to give one an excellent day. Copy/Paste a previous post to assist in one’s decision. If you wish a totally "T'erd free" experience with a Beach, then your list for considereration is: Jacqui O's Cecilia's Catherine's Café Without a Beach then "Sheer Rocks" All at various price points - Book your Lunch/Day in advance for all. For a luxury all inclusive option, then Curtain Bluff is the best, but do contact them in advance to discover if they have spare capacity. Also, take a tour of the accommodation, for future booking consideration. For a lower price point, with just an occasional Herd experience, then consider Rum Bus (Probably with a vibe more suited to a teens or younger adults). But Towles are now starting to discover it, being a new "Status" ego trip, considered to be more upmarket than their usual cheapo haunts, in addition a local public transport bus can be utilised. Again, book Rum Bus in advance for Cabanas and your day.

As the weather changes, so does beach snorkelling. The sea giveth and the sea taketh away. Best to wait for current information from a live participants just prior to visiting. Work on $30 e/w plus tip. Driver will be happy to collect at time requested.

Taxi to the gardens from port takes about 30/35 minutes - Plenty of taxis for return. It all depends on the cruise terminal, there are two. One is almost in the town, you’ll see it from the ship, being a 5/6 minute walk, while the other is about 20/25 minutes walk away along a busy main road. There are taxis available. Fort de France is a working French Port/Town, not a traditional Caribbean island market town. Think Calais, Le Havre etc.. The main shopping area is along and around Rue Victor Hugo with shops and supermarkets.

IMO the best best by far is Anse Chastanet (as indicted) take a cab. Allow 15 minutes extra for the return to ship because of port traffic. Last visit we had a day pass to the Hotel, so worth it. For current prices and availability contact ansechastanet@ansechastanet.com

😀 predictive stands corrected - Thank you

Try lawrenceofantigua@yahoo.com If no luck then Pete’s - petenathaniel@hotmail.com - Barry - vbarryoliver@hotmail.com

Contact Consol Tours, they may have spare capacity to deliver a bespoke private tour. If not then, Mystic Man, Fram and Edmond. Failing that, St Lucia Tourist Board in New York…. 212 867 2950.

Annie’s booking website gives reviews and a basic rum tour itinerary, with actual bars indicated. When on tour, very discreetly ask the tour leader if a full proof Hammond tasting could be arranged, as this is the only rum being 100% distilled on the island. If lucky to try. Take a large “shot”, one hit, with a glass of cold beer to hand, as an immediate chaser. Think one’s first word could be a loud “Wow!”, flowed by a concoction of various phrases with multiple expletives included.

Twice…. First time thought ‘it’s one off bad experience, try again’ - Second ‘never again’ and left minutes after arriving. Both were in peak season, maximum ships and pre COVID. But many like it, being cheerleaders and regulars. Everyone has there own ideas on what is deemed to be a genteel ambiance. Ships, Towels and Herds do not frequent the Marriott.

While thinking again, it appears one is fixated on a Tour Company to deliver a bespoke tour. However, for one’s part, the decision would be to take a private limo or a decent looking taxi from the terminal rank. Both options having the knowledge and contacts to deliver an excellent experience. As a rule of thumb, budget for about €60 per hour, plus €100 for admissions and tips. Then, allow up €1200 for top shelf Rhum from distilleries and/or Duty Free at cruise terminal, as there will be some very tempting gems to purchase. One’s tastebuds will be grateful. If not flying home, consider rolling small a barrel of Rhum onboard.

Have no personal experiences to recommend. However, from onboard conversations, can only remember two being promoted. Anoli Tours and Beyond The beach. Then there is always TripAdvisor or the Martinique Tourist Board.

Personally, one does take the day room for 2. For your party, $256 (4 pax) equates to only $15 pp additional over the $49 pp to change, shower, store and change. However, it’s one’s money and one’s choice. Wishing you a great day at the Marriott

FDF is a working French town (part of France) with a port attached, it has a high street and supermarkets, not a Caribbean Island such as Antigua or Barbados. To assist link to a guide https://martiniquepro.espressoprod.com/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Martinique-sales-manual-2015.pdf Make contact with one of the recognised tour companies to construct a tour that will suit one. Martinique is a beautiful island and it would be a shame if one missed out. Karambola would be a good tour company to start one’s enquiries, as they will be happy to arrange a bespoke private tour for one.

Never done this. Would have thought there must be at least one outlet. Your taxi driver would know where to go.

Pre COVID Private taxi @ $30.00 e/w - Allow 25 minutes out and 40 minutes return because of heavy port traffic. Shared shuttle minivans @ $10/12 pp e/w

Never heard of one. If visiting Martinique during cane cutting (Rhum) season, then take a private visit to La Favorite for the noise of huge steam driven Goliaths doing there stuff, as they have for over 100 years. If not, for the best sanitised visit then go to Depaz, not so commercial, informative and a beautiful setting. IMHO La Favorite is the better Rhum. The Duty Free at port will have wonderful selections of all Rhum marques at all price points