MikeinHungerrford Posted August 11, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Are there any excursions that you can take from independent sources in St. Thomas and St, Marten ports as we will cruise on the Allure next April. Royal Carribean excursions don't seem to be that good. Looking for things to see and do and places to eat while in the ports. Any information will be appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted August 11, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 11, 2017 If you go to the port of call section of CC and pull up those islands you will find loads of recommendations for non-cruiseline sponsored excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski-Lady Posted August 11, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 11, 2017 You might have better luck on the Port of Calls Board. You can find St Maarten here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93 And you can find St Thomas/St John here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted August 11, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 11, 2017 We always just take a taxi to Orient beach on St Maarten under 10 dollars, loads of restaurants , can rent chairs and umbrella's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete1681 Posted August 11, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Go on trip advisor, lots of options Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted August 11, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 11, 2017 A guidebook (libraries have them in the reference section!) is a HUGE help! There is seldom a reason to book anything thru the ship...or even, as a private excursion! The Caribbean is very easy to DIY! Info is key, tho...read up on your ports...have fun and save a bundle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoopster95 Posted August 11, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 11, 2017 #1 per Tripadvisor: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=45026794&highlight=Soualiga#post45026794 On your own at a fraction of the price: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=50940969&highlight=st+marten#post50940969 I've never done the following as St Marten is extremely easy to do on your own, get to the beach yourself, to Maho and then shopping drop off.... you don't need a tour for $50 to do that, however many here on CC rave about Bernard's Tours. If it's your first time this may be a good way to familiarize yourself. I rarely do a RCL excursion, but here I opted for one just for the ease of not thinking about it: Turtle Bay Sail & Snorkel Adventure http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=46196178&highlight=ST97#post46196178 This was only 3.5 hours I think so had tons of time to walk around town, shop, etc. Note it's been reported that the Havensite pier as depicted in my review is no longer used by RCL, you'll be at the other side of the Bay (and town shopping district) at Crown Bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BalogMom Posted August 11, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 11, 2017 We plan to rent a car on St. Marten - really easy to get around. I think we are just going to take taxi to Magen Bay on St. Thomas then do some shopping near port. We have done that in past and had fun. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeinHungerrford Posted August 12, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happymanitee Posted August 12, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 12, 2017 In st. Maarten, I recommend Captain Bob Soualiga tours. We had an amazing day with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katiel53 Posted August 12, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 12, 2017 A few weeks ago on Allure, we took an island tour with one of the locals. We took the water taxi to the main part of Phillipsburg and saw vendors offering tours. The price for four was $160 and I told the one we chose that I had $100 only. He agreed to take us on a tour and it was great. We were able to stop at several places including Maho Beach, Orient Beach, and at Serafina's in Marigot. In St Thomas, I have done tours of the island with Geoffrey and Sonny Liston. They both basically go to the same places albeit Geoffrey's tours are more sedate as Sonny has music blasting most of the tour. They both end up at a beach. We were given choices of beaches. They were Magen's Bay (has a charge to use the beach), Coki Beach or Sapphire. I haven't ever gone to Coki, but I have the other two and enjoyed them. St Thomas and St Maarten are two of my favorite islands. My favorite excursion ever was from St Thomas. It was though, a ship sponsored one, to St John with snorkeling at Trunk Bay. I would do that again in a NY minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeinHungerrford Posted August 19, 2017 Author #12 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Any good places (restaurants) at any of these ports? Thanks for any help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Septemberbride07 Posted August 19, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 19, 2017 We used captain Alan's in St. Maarten. Best snorkeling in all of our cruises. Great lunch and super helpful crew. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truffles2 Posted August 19, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Any good places (restaurants) at any of these ports?Thanks for any help Gladys's Cafe is very popular in St. Thomas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted August 20, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Any good places (restaurants) at any of these ports?Thanks for any help As suggested above for excursions, check out the ports of call forums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhondaC Posted August 20, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 20, 2017 We love Horizons Day Sail in St Thomas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dacsmom Posted August 20, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 20, 2017 I like Bernard's tours in St. Maarten. You see both the French and the Dutch side. He has a couple of different tour options. You might want to check out TripAdvisor for some other ideas. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deecruzer Posted August 20, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 20, 2017 I absolutely recommend Bernard's Tours in St. Maarten. You will see a lot of the island and enjoy some beach time. The guides are entertaining and knowledgeable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teknoge3k Posted August 20, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 20, 2017 I like Bernard's tours in St. Maarten. You see both the French and the Dutch side. He has a couple of different tour options. You might want to check out TripAdvisor for some other ideas. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Forums mobile app Another vote for Bernard's. They're awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynncarol Posted August 20, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Years ago, independently, we took the local ferry out of St. Thomas to Water Island, a short ride away. From there you can walk up the hill to several beautiful beaches. We even did some snorkeling with our own gear. At the time there was no place to eat so we brought food, but that may have changed now. Google Water Island, Virgin Islands and see if it interests you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clackey Posted August 20, 2017 #21 Share Posted August 20, 2017 We have a Southern coming up in November and I found a lot of good stuff on Aviator and TripAdvisor. Google baby, google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57redbird Posted August 20, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Another vote for Bernard's on St. Maarten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetz Posted August 21, 2017 #23 Share Posted August 21, 2017 St. Maarten- Americas Cup http://stmaartencruiseexcursions.com/StMaartenAmericasCup.htm Or Trikes-StMaarten http://www.trikes-stmaarten.com/ St Thomas-Fury Charters http://www.trikes-stmaarten.com/ These excursions are excellent. The Trikes are a blast. Americas Cup is booked only thru the cruiseline I believe. That may have changed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrmkr Posted August 21, 2017 #24 Share Posted August 21, 2017 I would highly recommend Godfrey Tours in St. Thomas. Well worth the money. In St. Maarten, Another vote for Bernard's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted August 21, 2017 #25 Share Posted August 21, 2017 St. Maarten- Americas Cup http://stmaartencruiseexcursions.com/StMaartenAmericasCup.htm Or Trikes-StMaarten http://www.trikes-stmaarten.com/ These excursions are excellent. The Trikes are a blast. Americas Cup is booked only thru the cruiseline I believe. That may have changed We did the Trikes on Aruba just before their expansion to St. Maarten and agree that they are a blast. The America's Cup excursions is also fantastic especially if you are a sailor or want-to-be sailor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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