Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #251 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Our tour included an hour stop at Orient Beach, La Playa. I've seen some recent reviews complaining of excessive seaweed. There was some, but it is still a beautiful beach... It was $10 total for two beach chair and an umbrella. The loungers are padded so they were quite comfy. This was not included in our tour price. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #252 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Stops to see Calvin the Sea Urchin man, and some iguanas 😄 Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #253 Share Posted February 26, 2015 We than had a half hour in downtown Marigot to stop at the famous Seraphina's for a pastry...YUM! There are some beautiful views around the island, but there are also many impoverished areas 😔 Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #254 Share Posted February 26, 2015 We had an hour and a half at Maho Beach. Tables are reserved for those ordering food, but we were lucky enough to find one on the outside perimeter, and just ordered appetizers. It was a lot of fun! There is so much energy here and the crowds really get into the plane spotting! Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #255 Share Posted February 26, 2015 The BIG GIRL! Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky616 Posted February 26, 2015 #256 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Your pictures are amazing. Especially liked the ones at Orient Beach. We were on Bernard's tour in December and didn't stay because of the seaweed issue and we only had 45 minutes at Maho. We were disappointed. Going back in a little more than a year so hope to get to one of these two beaches for the whole day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smarcbie Posted February 26, 2015 #257 Share Posted February 26, 2015 We are now just pulling out of St. Maarten...it was an AMAZING day, but I think I have definitely over served myself!!! Our Bernard's tour was fabulous...I'll report more tomorrow, and catch up with my backlog of photos Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Sincerely thank you for your efforts. I know it's not easy bringing us along. When you have time, I would love to hear more about Bernard's tours; how far in advance did you reserve and why a private vs group tour? Also, what was your itinerary? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baman Posted February 26, 2015 #258 Share Posted February 26, 2015 We did the same thing in oct. I booked a month out but with the hurricane that went through the week before i was on edge. But they did our tour it was great. It was cheeper for us not through the ship. We went to a beach at the end of the road . Was nice. Same other spots but our tour guide gave us an hour at maho we adjusted it to our needs for the people on the bus Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #259 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Your pictures are amazing. Especially liked the ones at Orient Beach. We were on Bernard's tour in December and didn't stay because of the seaweed issue and we only had 45 minutes at Maho. We were disappointed. Going back in a little more than a year so hope to get to one of these two beaches for the whole day. Sincerely thank you for your efforts. I know it's not easy bringing us along. When you have time, I would love to hear more about Bernard's tours; how far in advance did you reserve and why a private vs group tour? Also, what was your itinerary? One of the reasons we booked the private tour with Bernard's is we could customize their standard itinerary (look at their website, Tour 2) We wanted more time at the beaches and less time in Marigot, where normally they would also include a stop for lunch. We were only in Marigot for a half hour, instead of an hour and 15 minutes. The standard tour also stops to see the iguanas and calvin's sea urchins, but we only stayed maybe 5 minutes at each of those stops. On a private tour, you just let them know when you are ready to move on. We would up staying at Maho for about an hour and 45 minutes. The tour is very informative, and it was the perfect combination of sight seeing and relaxation. They also provide beverages on the van... Beer, rum punch, soda and water. I would highly recommend Bernard's. The private tour was more expensive since there were only 5 of us...about 72 dollars per person plus gratuity, instead of 40-50 pp for the group tour, but we thought it was well worth it. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterBill99 Posted February 26, 2015 #260 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Yes, in a RCL type of way. The Diamond Lounge has now been moved there from what had been its new location post dry dock on deck. It had been in part of a side wing of the dining room. With DD not being rolled out I understand that they reclaimed the dining room space on deck 4 for table area. We were on Oasis in November and all continued changes were going forward at that point. Once DD dining was put on hold for the Oasis class ships, due to its poor implementation on Quantum, wonderland was scrapped. Thanks for the detailed info. I was kind of hoping that they'd still open Wonderland since it's really just another specialty dining venue, and that it would be open for our cruise since DD was originally supposed to start the following week. On the other hand, we're Diamond for the first time this cruise, so I guess it works out well for us, other than not being able to try Wonderland. I guess I'll have to wait for Anthem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ksimpson76 Posted February 26, 2015 #261 Share Posted February 26, 2015 8-10 dollars, depending on what you order, if you ask for a drink "topper", it is $2 extra Yes, the wave pool in the H20 zone is working 😄 Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Are there any really great bar tenders you have run into that you can name? I will be on Oasis in 2 days and love finding a couple bar tenders that are truly great. Also, what bar are they at? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunny AZ Girl Posted February 26, 2015 #262 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Our group went on Bernard's tour in 2013 for the second time. We also customized the tour that time, skippng Orient Beach and the sea urchins. We spent more tme in Marigot to shop and also a lot of time at Maho Beach. The following year (last year) we were back and we had enjoyed Maho Beach so much we took cabs there and spent several hours. As stated, it is a fun beach and the crowd vibe was very good. We had spent several hours at Orient a few years before on our first visit and had enjoyed that, too. Once we visit an island and get a good taste of that island on a tour we like to choose a favorite beach and just stay for several hours or the day, relaxing and taking it all in. But, for a nice overview of St. Martin, Bernard is the way to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #263 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Are there any really great bar tenders you have run into that you can name? I will be on Oasis in 2 days and love finding a couple bar tenders that are truly great. Also, what bar are they at? Thanks, Sam and Randy at the pool bar. Sam makes a mean piña colada with dark rum and a Myers Rum topper 😊 Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #264 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Leaving St Maarten yesterday... Sunset Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ksimpson76 Posted February 26, 2015 #265 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Sam and Randy at the pool bar. Sam makes a mean piña colada with dark rum and a Myers Rum topper 😊 Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Thanks. Sorry to see your trip is coming to an end soon...but a bit happy since that means I am next. Enjoy the rest of your trip.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #266 Share Posted February 26, 2015 The boardwalk Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #267 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare niksmom630 Posted February 26, 2015 Author #268 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinse4par2 Posted February 26, 2015 #269 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Great pics of Boardwalk. Never really saw any good ones before. Would like similar pics of Central Park. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesr3939 Posted February 26, 2015 #270 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Can you check and see how difficult it would be to book the entire Chef's Table for a family dinner? Would any night be better/easier than another? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissimmee-cruiser Posted February 26, 2015 #271 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Which floor(s) of the dining room is for traditional dining? We have early seating in May and we are on Deck 6. Just curious our distance to dinner! It is all about the food!! Haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 26, 2015 #272 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Which floor(s) of the dining room is for traditional dining? We have early seating in May and we are on Deck 6. Just curious our distance to dinner! It is all about the food!! Haha! I believe someone posted that they are using deck 3 for traditional, and decks 4 and 5 where being used for MTD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissimmee-cruiser Posted February 26, 2015 #273 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zteamtwo Posted February 26, 2015 #274 Share Posted February 26, 2015 TO: niksmom--great review. IMPORTANT QUESTION FROM MANY CRUISE CRITIC MEMBERS--Are the drink prices listed on all/most bar menus? The Royal CEO told me on Dec 16 2014 that they would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ksimpson76 Posted February 26, 2015 #275 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Sam and Randy at the pool bar. Sam makes a mean piña colada with dark rum and a Myers Rum topper 😊 Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Another quick question; are the drink prices on the menus yet? I heard there was a printing error and they were fixing it and getting new menus printed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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