sunfl0wer

Just back from Star Pride.  There were no chairs to borrow.  We usually rent at the beach, from $5 (St. Maarten) to 40 euros (St. Bart) depending on where you go.  See Ports of Call section or Trip Advisor to find beaches and prices.  There are packable chairs (Back Jack or inflatables from Amazon) or depending on where you start the cruise and if you are arriving early, you might be able to purchase (CVS, Walgreens, Dollar Store in San Juan) and then leave at the last beach you visit for someone else to adopt.  One other thought, if you tender at a lot of ports, it might be challenging to board the tender with chairs.  We had strong winds and some pretty bouncy tender boardings two weeks ago.

We did it last Feb and have re-booked for two weeks from now.  We did it post-cruise.  They stored our luggage, provided towels, chairs, wi-fi, and $20 each for lunch.  It's a beautiful property.  No problem getting a cab to the airport.

Are cabs available at Lindqvist for return to the ship or do you have to arrange for your driver to come back for you?

Thank you Misty Morning.  It is difficult to find current info about chair rentals on St. Barths.  I recently learned that

Caribwaterplay on St-Jean beach also rents chairs and umbrellas for 20 euros.  They don't have a restaurant, but they will reserve chairs in advance if you email them.  Not sure about the current rental fee for a chair at Shellona is (in 2018 it was 50 euros each), but you do need an advance reservation and you have to telephone rather than email.

We are sailing on Star Pride in Feb.  Received the same email yesterday.  According to WS website, we will dock.  I assume it will be Crown Bay based on past experience, but have been unable to confirm.  The Ferry to Water Island runs hourly on Sunday, so that's our current plan for being away from the crowds.  There are several other smaller ships in port that day, with Celebrity Summit being the largest, so it shouldn't be too crowded, and shops should be open.  Any additional info would be appreciated.

Last Feb, we left Pride in San Juan around 8AM and we were not in the first group.  We had a day pass the Marriott and arrived there before 8:30.

We have a full day in Vieques in Feb.  Any suggestions for snorkeling from the beach?

On 11/6/2018 at 2:46 PM, Luv my furbaby said:

Thank you so much for your reply. I usually do not think twice about negative comments, but the pictures scared me. Considering the amount of favorable reviews I should have just ignored the post. 

I know that food is very subjective so I ignore those comments, the same for nasty crew - who could be happy all of the time. 

Im looking forward to booking my first Windstar cruise to the Caribbean for next year and hopefully Tahiti for 2020. So excited!

We're from Ewing and on Pride on Feb. 9.  Would be happy to meet you if you happen to choose that sailing.

We've been there twice. Yes, you can walk much of the island if you're in good shape. That's what we did the first time. There are nice beaches on the Atlantic side, but there might be kelp as well. The walk up to the fort is a bit strenuous and hot (not much shade). Views are great when you get there. You can also rent scooters or golf carts at the port, using a credit card and US drivers license. Two people on a scooter will be a challenging ride uphill to the fort. Husband rode up, I walked most of the way. Scooter didn't have enough power to go uphill with two riders. Other than the hill to the fort, no problem with the scooter on the rest of the island. We're going back in Feb. 2019. Might try the golf cart option. The fort accepted only Euros for entry, no credit cards or dollars. Don't count on finding an ATM for Euros. Get some before you depart the US.

We had dinner at the GreenHouse on Feb 9. Good food and good service. Lots of variety on menu.

Depends on what you want to do. Bonaire has better snorkeling. Curacao is more interesting around the port and also has reasonable snorkeling (we like to snorkel). Aruba is usually crowded with tourists from NYC and NJ, with lots of restaurants, shopping, and great windsurfing.

Unfortunately the taxi site isn't listing zones and rates--says new rates and sheets are coming soon! We'd be a party of 5 going to Friar's Bay Beach (I know it's far--about 45 min) any guess on approximate cost? Will they have taxis for 5 ready at the port? Do they take credit cards or just cash--and are American Dollars ok for taxi?

 

Thank you! We are brining Euros for restaurant but would rather do credit card or cash for taxi.

In early 2016, it was $12 per person for a group of 5, each direction. No problem using dollars, but I have never seen any taxi at the port accept credit cards

sorry to jump in here

but anyone know the cost of a taxi to Marigot from the cruise port ??

not sure about the current price (last visited in Feb 2016), but it was $25 for 2 people in a taxi

If you purchase tickets in advance for 148th floor, you can go directly to the 'will call' window and will only need to be there about 15 min before desired time. This provides access to a shorter queue for the elevators, both up and down.

Just returned from Dubai. People wore whatever they wanted. I packed conservative attire based on other posts, but this was unnecessary. Shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops were seen everywhere, even in Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa but Dubai is the most liberal of the emirates. Can't comment of the others. Pack quick dry fabrics. At the beginning of our trip, Dubai was 80F and humid. One week later, temps were in the mid-60s during the day.

We were just there last weekend. Although they prefer AED, they will accept both US dollars and Euros, for both fares and tips. There are plenty of ATMs, so it's easy to get AED.

We have 2 nights pre-cruise next month in Dubai. I made my reservation for At the top/Sky for 17:00 on Saturday. I need to go to the 'will call' window for the tickets. Can anyone provide details on how it works after that? How long should I expect to queue to pick up the tickets? How long is the queue for the lift? The ticket says that you are only allowed 30 min on the 148th floor. How is this enforced? Sunset is at 18:10. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bethanne

There won't be a problem using the phone, but calls will cost about $2/min. You can purchase a global data plan before you leave. Details are available:

https://scache.vzw.com/dam/businessportal/content/assets/files/Available_Global_Services.pdf

Just back from 7 days on Legend. Before we left, we opted for the lowest level ATT package. It cost $30 and provided free text, 120 MB roaming data, and $2/min phone. Extra data was $.25/MB. It worked well for checking the news and email for the port intensive itinerary. Also purchased 2 hr of ship's wifi for $30. The ship's internet was horribly slow, but useful for nights and one sea day. If we were to do a similiar cruise in the future, we would purchase more ATT data and avoid using the ship's.

Some notes for those departing soom: Road Bay, Anguilla, took a cab to Meads Bay ($5 pp, 4 in cab). Got 2 chairs (nice strap loungers) plus good qualtiy umbrella for $6 (total) at Blainchards. They have good food, bar, and facilities. Others went to Shoal Bay. There is ongoing construction at Shoal, so a good bit of jackhammer noise unless you walk farther down the beach from taxi dropoff point. Third popular beach was Rendevous Bay (Cap Juluca). No chair rentals--hotel guests only.

Le Marin, Martinique, there was a shuttle to the beach by Club Med ($5 pp round trip). Weather was not good so we didn't stay very long. Can not use Club Med facilities. Beach is narrow and shady. Did not find facilities or chair rentals or the advertised jet ski rentals. I was pretty deserted. If weather had been better, I would have taken a taxi to Le Saline. Don't know what it was like, but wouldn't have to improve much to be better than the beach by Club Med. There is a covered market across from the pier with a nice selection of local merchandise, jams, liquors, art work. You will need euros to shop there.

Bonaire, we took a taxi to Spice Beach ($2.50 pp if 4 or more people). Snorkeling was excellent. There is a pier into the water, with stairs that allow easy access. There is an underwater trail if you head in the direction of the ship. Chairs $5 each, no charge for umbrellas. Chairs are close together, the plastic frame, sling-lounge type, not very confortable. There is a pool, showers, and restrooms, all included with chair rental. Food and a bar also. Others took ship's excursion to Klein Bonaire. Snorkeling was good there. Can also go to Klein via water taxi, but logistics were sketchy. The distance fromwater taxi dropoff to snorkeling entry point requires some walking. It's drift snorkeling, so you don't come out where you went in. Your shoes are elsewhere and you need shoes in order to retrieve your shoes. Easier to go by boat. No facilites on Klein.

In Antigua, we took a taxi to Valley Church Beach. $32 for cab, each way. Chairs $5 each. Umbrella $10. Food and facilities available. There is a significant dropoff getting into/out of the water, so could be challenging if you if aren't agile. Only ship in port with us was Seabourn Spirit so beach was quiet, and we loved every minute.

We just arrived in St. Martin, leaving on Legend tomorrow. I'll try to post some port details when we return. In Anguilla, I'm planning to take a taxi to Meads Bay. I got euros in the airport before leaving the US. We took a similar cruise last year and needed euros in St. Barts and Guadeloupe. In LeMarin, my plan is a taxi to Plage des Saline.

In 2011, it was $32 each way for 1-3 people, for a van with more than 3, it was $8 per person. If $64 is round trip, it's consistent.

Coupon available for a first time cruiser who will be making final payment before the end of Oct. 2014. Please contact me at bw11@hood(dot)edu.

you can just walk in and snorkel. The reef is just off shore. Had a wonderful time there 2 weeks ago.

Did a day pass at Hilton last weekend. There are 2 versions, $40 US without lunch, $55 US with lunch. Lunch is anything from the pool bar menu (you can view it online, prices are in BD$ and include tax and service). Lunch is served starting at 11:30. We only had a half day, but really enjoyed it. Taxi from the port was $15 US for 2 people.