What's at these ports in walking distance?

[firsttimecruiser1986]

I am taking my 20 month olds on a cruise in February. I'm hoping for calmer waters that time of the year. Anyways, I don't know if I need to bring car seats with? I'm hoping just a small stroller and baby carrier, but I don't know how to transport at any ports without a car seat... is anything in walking distance? If not, do I need a car seat? TIA!

 

We are stopping at:

 

Road Town, Virgin Islands

St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda

Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis

Fort de France, Martinique

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

[Homosassa]

Fort de France is Martinique is very walkable. When leaving the pier, pick up a tourist map of the town that has all the interesting places to walk to.

 

There will be official Martinique tourist guides at each stop that will give you a talk about the point of interest and will give recommendations on where to walk next and how to get there.

 

The guides will have a distinctive vest and hat on. Sorry, I don't remember the color as it has been a while.

[Homosassa]

I should also add that in Fort de France there is also a small beach close to the pier that one can wade in.

[Essiesmom]

In St. Maarten there is a shopping area at the pier, but walk a little further and take the water taxi to the main part of town. Lots more shops and a beach in front of it all. EM

[waterbabyfish]

St.kitts,walkable with stroller

St.johns, take taxi to a beach

 

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[pjhootch]

Check the day of the week and date you will be in Martinique. On Sunday and holidays they roll up the sidewalks. :-) If you speak any French, brush up on it. Martinique is a lovely island but less centered on cruise tourism than most other ports. English speaking tour guides or drivers are at a premium and sometimes scarce. We arrived on a holiday when nothing was open. We were on a Journeys cruise so there were many elderly cruisers and some of them turned into the classic “ugly American” tourist stereotype expecting English speaking taxi drivers and throwing temper tantrums in the taxi lines. It was pretty awful. My husband and I jumped in a cab with a couple of young casino staff that had the day off ship. Our driver took us up to a botanical garden where we had a great time and merrily butchered the French language with locals. Then he brought us back to the pier area and the gentle rain turned into a gale. We wound up in a hole in the wall (literally) bar with a bunch of Australians, drinking beer until it was time to get back on board. This is a beautiful island, and there will be a bunch of vendors set up near the pier if the weather is decent.

[waterbabyfish]

I was there on a Sunday and there were quite a few shops open. If your a shoe lover there are several inexpensive stores for shoes.

 

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[Mom2B&Z]

We’ve been to all of those islands with our boys, here are my suggestions:

St Kitts: if your little one loves trains, try the train ride around the island. Transportation was on large coach buses which means you don’t need a car seat. The train moves slowly and there are lots of things to see. My second choice would be a beach, you’d need a car seat for the taxi but most places will let you store the seat inside if you ask...I’ve never had anyone refuse me!

Martinique: you can definitely walk the city, there is an online walking tour map you could print ahead of time. Last time we were there we toured the fort, I wouldn’t suggest it for a little one. My boys are preteens now and love history, they got bored towards the end. The botanical garden is another option, you can take the city bus, taxi or a ship tour.

Antigua and St Maartin are both good places to either walk around or take a taxi to a beach. Again, you need a car seat for taxis, but I have always found taxis with seatbelts suitable for a car seat install.

We travelled with a car seat that had a built in lock off, they are amazing as they make the seatbelt install almost as easy as UAS/LATCH. Ours was a Britax Marathon, but there are less expensive options available now, especially if you live in the US.

Some people will tell you that you don’t need a car seat. I’m of the opinion that I don’t want to see a trauma centre as part of my island tour, and a bit of inconvenience is worth my children’s safety. The laws of physics don’t change because you’re on vacation. My youngest just outgrew his booster before our last trip, I’ve spent 9 years dragging car seats and boosters around the world. I feel almost naked running through airports now ;)

 

 

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[Giantfan13]

I believe there are tow places where your ship can dock in St Marteen. One you are basically right in the town and the other, you would have to walk, maybe 1/2 a mile ort take the water taxi.

 

FYI-if you have never been to St Marteen, it is THE place to buy liquor, if you wish to take any back. We have been maybe 4-5 times and without a doubt, they have the best prices on most liquors. Once into town, there are many shops, bars, restaurants and many outside vendors selling all sorts of stuff.

 

If that doesn't interest you, skip it and enjoy the beaches.

 

Cheers

Len

[Moz]

This is maybe a couple of new questions. Where is the best place and cheapest to buy Gouda cheese. Also which place will the boat dock. We will be sailing in October on the Seaside and wondering which dock. If we sail into the dock away from the city how far is it to walk to the ferry to take us to the main city. Thanks for any responses.

[Giantfan13]

This is maybe a couple of new questions. Where is the best place and cheapest to buy Gouda cheese. Also which place will the boat dock. We will be sailing in October on the Seaside and wondering which dock. If we sail into the dock away from the city how far is it to walk to the ferry to take us to the main city. Thanks for any responses.

 

 

I got this off a web site, see if it helps

Mass market cruise lines dock at the A.C. Wathey Pier & Port Facility outside Philipsburg on the Dutch side, while some smaller ships dock at Marigot on the French side. The island’s small size and lack of border controls make it easy for visitors to see both sides, regardless of where the ship is docked

Dutch St. Maarten

 

The cruise terminal is less than one mile from the capital city of Philipsburg. The area surrounding the port has a plethora of duty-free shops, while a five-minute walk leads to Dock Maarten, where you can catch a water taxi to Philipsburg or get a bite to eat. Philipsburg’s downtown is easily walkable, but cabs are readily available. The area is well-known for its vibrant nightlife, so this is the place to be if you're looking for evening activities.

French St. Martin

 

The port is in the heart of the capital city of Marigot. The area is filled with shops, restaurants and attractions, and is best explored on foot. If you want to travel farther afield, hail a taxi on any of the main roads. Enjoy one of the beachside bars or restaurants, or spread out a towel at Orient Beach, one of the island's most popular stretches of sand. There is a more European feel to this side of the island, although the Dutch side is easily accessible so it's possible to see both.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Len