Need advice on Eastern Caribbean ports.

[delgadofam2002]

I will be sailing on the Caribbean Princess and not sure what to do in ST. Thomas & St. Maarten.
I was thinking of just renting a car & doing a bit of everything. Any suggestions.

[brucejr]

The suggestions might be a bit more helpful if you first gave us a bit more information about yourself and your interests.

For St. Thomas, go to Coki Beach and do a discover scuba with [url="http://www.cokidive.com/"]Coki Beach Dive Club[/url].

On St. Maarten, taxi over to the French side and go to Orient Beach. Be sure to take sunscreen for those areas not usually exposed to the sun [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

I would think twice before renting a car on either island.

<font color="FF6600">
if there's a way to construe my post as non-argumentative, please do so.</font>
Cruise photos on my [url="http://www.brobertson.org/"]Home page [/url]<font color="990066">
Spring Break was on the Grand Princess </font>21, March 2004
So when is the next cruise?

[Bucky3]

What is your concern regarding renting a car on either or both islands. We're seriously thinking of doing that. Thanks Bucky

[Cruise Miriam]

I agree with brucejr about not renting a car in St. Maarten. I was there in Nov. and Jan. and the traffic going to and coming back from the French side is horrible. I've also been reading on other boards that people have had those rentals broken into. Yes, it could happen anywhere and it's hard for me to know if it's a higher incidence in St. Maarten over elsewhere, but it's something to consider.

If you've never been to St. Maarten, and you don't want to do a beach (I did Orient beach in Jan. and loved it), I'd recommend taking an island tour so you can see the entire island.

In St. Thomas, I highly recommend getting over to St. John. It's beautiful.

If you're into shopping, of the two, I think the shopping is better in St. Maarten (Philipsburg) than St. Thomas. Some might not agree.

Host Miriam
Community Supervisor
[email]ldrscruisemir7@aol.com[/email]

[url="http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=55"]Mariner of the Seas 10/16/05 Cruise Info[/url]

[brucejr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bucky3:
What is your concern regarding renting a car on either or both islands. We're seriously thinking of doing that. Thanks Bucky<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't actually have a concern about renting a car, it is more like a taxi is likely to be cheaper for me, and definitely more convenient. If I'm not diving, the whole family usually just wants to go to a nice sandy beach for the day. Of course, I'd prefer to go diving in the warm water, but sometimes family has to come first.

No, driving a car on either island shouldn't be too much of a hassle for a competent drive, just more work than I'd want to go thru for the day. If I wanted to see the sights, I think I'd just hire a taxi for a couple of hours and have myself a private guided tour.

If you do rent the car, have yourself a great time.

<font color="FF6600">
if there's a way to construe my post as non-argumentative, please do so.</font>
Cruise photos on my [url="http://www.brobertson.org/"]Home page [/url]<font color="990066">
Spring Break was on the Grand Princess </font>21, March 2004
So when is the next cruise?

[bostongal]

We have been to St. Thomas 5 times and I would recommend going to Sapphire Beach or take the ferry over to St. John's for the day. Wonderful island.

Shopping is okay in St. Thomas. Like the outdoor market in town and found the prices to be a little less at the Havensight Mall if your ship is docked there.

St. Maarten has better shopping and if you drink you must try the Guavaberry Liquor. When you get off the ship, walk down the small street to the main street, turn right and walk down until you come to the guavaberry hut. Have a guavaberry colada (you can drink on the street so window shop). Everyting Cool is popular and is right near the dock - it's a beach with a restaurant and nice big drinks. The ships always sell a package but you can do it cheaper yourself.

Enjoy!

Meg

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do then by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

[coiran]

Try [url="http://www.godfreytours.com"]www.godfreytours.com[/url] in St. Thomas - for $20 he will give you a 2 hour shopping in town - 2 hour island tour and 2 hours at one of the beaches - He is a very good guy!!

NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA Oct. 2004
SUN PRINCESS 2004 Caribbean
REGAL PRINCESS 2003 Europe
GOLDEN PRINCESS 2002 Canada New England
SUN PRINCESS 2002 Panama Canal
SUN PRINCESS 2002 Mexico
DAWN PRINCESS 2001 Caribbean
DAWN PRINCESS 2001 Caribbean
SEA PRINCESS 2001 Alaska
REGAL PRINCESS 2000 Mexico
REGAL PRINCESS 1999 Panama Canal
PACIFIC PRINCESS 1999 Europe
SUN PRINCESS 1998 Caribbean
ROYAL PRINCESS 1996 Panama Canal

[delgadofam2002]

We would like to do some snorkeling & shopping. I also would like to see around the island. We are a group of 8 and possibly will end up being 14. Do you think we could find someone with a shuttle bus to take us around?