mytank

:confused:Question about the return trip from Maho; I've read on other boards about people being ripped off by the cabbies. Sometimes being charged 2 to 3 times as much to get back to the ships. Anyone have any experience or able to confirm this? We want to go direct to Maho by taxi and spend the day there, but we are concerned that the return taxi ride could leave us with a bad taste!

We settled a fare with the cabbie when we started our trip and he waited for us at the beach while we did our thing all for a flat rate.

Kari

Coffee... I have yet to find a decent cup of coffee on a cruise... :/

Kari

I just ask our cabin attendant for extra drinking glasses and put them inside the bathroom cabinet for toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.

I do that with the cups, they make great storage for various things including pens, or hair ties...

Kari

Thanks for the wonderful review so far!

I'm sorry to hear a about the loss of your dog. Pets are truly part the family. {hugs}

Kari

This describes what DH and I would like to do when we go in October (except for the "official hold onto the fence" part. We'll skip that.)

 

Are you we could probably find a taxi or van when we get off the ship, even if there's just 2 of us? Or would it be better to arrange something in advance.

They had a stand right at the end of the pier with the rates listed, a map of "stops"/route and the cabs. We asked for a van to fit our group, but I recall their being standard cabs or the ability to be in a smaller group... I believe this is the company servicing the cruise terminal... http://www.stmaartentours.info/ We signed up for the loop we wanted to take and the driver was so flexible with what we wanted to do and how long... We shopped, saw the planes, etc.

Kari

When we went there a group of about 6 of us hired a van once we got off the boat for a flat rate for the day and asked for a nice tour of the island, telling our guide that we wanted to go see the planes land... He took us around shared the history of the island, if we wanted to stop somewhere he would stop and wait for us... He got us to the airport just in time to see the planes... I guess they are busiest in the afternoon... You might want to look at flight schedules to see when they come in during your day there... But our cabbie pretty much knew when the action happens on the island. We wore out swim suits under our clothing off the boat so we took a dip at the beach right there at the end of the runways and had some drinks at the bar that is right there too while waiting. We did our official hold onto the fence and be really stupid while the planes took off... (Ridiculously stupid, but seriously fun) Did that for a few rounds and then headed out. Did a little shopping and grabbed a bite to eat back at port before boarding the boat. It was a very enjoyable trip and we were able to do as we wanted all day. According to the website for the island the tour via government regulated taxis is $90 for up to two people... I think that's about what we paid plus tip, because our driver was amazing!

Kari

Thanks for the photos! I'm not eating from now until my cruise in September so I can eat all this yummy stuff!

Kari

I am surprised that they do not have a ball point pen in your cabin that you can circle the items of interest. I have never been able to figure out what is so special about a hilighter.

 

DON

They do have pens... The highlighter just makes it easier to see what to do among the sea of tiny font in the schedule.

Kari

That's cool! You never know what words children hear and really take to heart! Sounds like his dreams will be realized after all his hard work.

Kari

Looking for a rental car near the port, but not on the airport proper so as to avoid the additional charges. Any suggestions?

Check Alamo... We are renting them one way from Orlando dropping off at the airport with no one way fee...price was reasonable. If you have a Costco membership they had some good deals through their travel website for Alamo.

Kari

I'm with you there, I thought the pizza was rank awful, more like a frozen supermarket thing. The pasties and pies were good though.

 

 

 

No typo in tellyaddict's post that I can see.... Pasties (not pastries) and pies (steak & kidney, cheese & onion & pork etc) are served at Sorrento's on sailings from Southampton.

Having gone to college in the UP where pasties are common, I was wondering if that was your reference. Tough I would be scared to google image that... I fear it wasn't a meaty filled pastry that would appear, lol...

Interesting though they offer a regional food like that at the pizza place of all food venues.

Kari

One time I got a "man". We nicknamed him Bob.

 

That's too funny! We had a dead body under our bed once. The cabin attendant took my husbands pants and filled them with towels and put his shoes on the end and they were sticking out from under the bed. It looked way to real! We really had fun with the attendant!

I love the animals, and love when they leave them so I have a zoo in my room...I love the monkey when they hang it some place random in the room or the dog with my sun glasses. To me it's what makes our sleeping quarters a little special rather then just being a floating hotel... I can't believe though they are getting so cheap they can't leave a chocolate each night... :/ it's nice having a little sweet in the room for a late night treat.

Like the others said its not memorable the pizza, but it certainly was yummy after a long day as a midnight snack... Then a quick walk across the promenade to get some cookies and coffee. :)

Why not just raise prices and pay the staff decent wages instead of relying on all the prepaid gratuities that most pay any way?

I know many, myself included usually adds a little to that any way for those that go above and beyond... Which would now be true tips, not what's now basically expected for doing their job.