Time in St. Thomas and St. Maarten

[debster818]

We have booked excursion at both ports and they told us what time to meet. Is the time on the ship the same time as in port. Part of the confirmation letter said to make sure this is the case. We are in port in St. Thomas at 7 am and have to meet our excursion at 8:20. Do we go by the time that is on the ship? Who do we ask what time it is?:confused:

[DarthGrady]

You should always keep to ship time. If you booked your excursion through Carnival then it should already be based on ship's time.

[debster818]

We did not book through Carnival. Carnival did not offer anything we were interested in. So, do we go by ship time? Is it different that port time. I guess that would help us also, so we know when to be back on board after the day.

[lynyrd]

Here is a link to the World Clock site.

 

http://www.myworldclock.com/timezones/countries/St%20Maarten%20and%20St%20Martin

 

Here is a quote that attemps to explain ship time vs port time.

 

"Ship Time" or "Island Time"—Which Is it?

 

No one wants to be standing at the pier as their ship sails off into the sunset. Before going ashore, be SURE you really know what time it is!

 

Ship time vs. local time is a cause for considerable confusion. Whether clocks stay set on "ship" time or are changed as the vessel moves through time zones depends on the ship, the itinerary, and the time of year (whether the US is on standard or daylight savings time).

 

Most ships adhere to the time zone they are in and clocks are set forward or back to adhere to local time. Passengers are also advised to change their watches to the 'correct' time—there is usually a reminder card on your pillow before you go to bed. However, not all ships do that, particularly in the Caribbean! Some ships stay on "ship" time, which can be different from "island" time.

 

Here's where it's tricky on a Western Caribbean itinerary... Florida embarkation ports are in the Eastern time zone (and Eastern daylight savings time). Grand Cayman is in the same time zone so during standard time (from the last Sunday of October until the first Sunday of April) there is no problem. However, during daylight savings time, Grand Cayman will be one hour behind Florida because Grand Cayman doesn't observe daylight savings time.

 

If you arrive in Grand Cayman at 9am and your ship DOES NOT make the local time adjustment, it will be 8am ashore when the US is on daylight savings time. If Cozumel is on the itinerary, it is in the Central Time Zone, but DOES observe daylight savings time on the same schedule as the US. Therefore, Cozumel is always an hour behind Florida (and it's the same time there as in Grand Cayman during daylight savings time). Are you confused? Many passengers are.

 

The best way to insure that you return to the ship on time is to check—and double check—what time the ship is observing before you go ashore and make certain your watch is correct. Allow plenty of time to get back on board, especially in Grand Cayman where tendering is mandatory. Local tour operators are accustomed to the ships' schedules and will lend a hand with timing when you book your excursions.

 

Hopefully, this is clearer than mud!

[zqvol]

We have booked excursion at both ports and they told us what time to meet. Is the time on the ship the same time as in port. Part of the confirmation letter said to make sure this is the case. We are in port in St. Thomas at 7 am and have to meet our excursion at 8:20. Do we go by the time that is on the ship? Who do we ask what time it is?:confused:

 

The Eastern Caribbean does not observe daylight savings time. They are on Atlantic Standard Time year round. When the East coast is on daylight savings time, the time in the islands is the same as Miami. When we are not on DST the time in the islands is an hour ahead. (6:00 a.m. in MIA is 7:00 am in St. Thomas) Most ships change their clocks to match local time, some do not.

 

Based on your count down clock, ship time and island time will be the same so it will not be a problem for you.

 

Also just an FYI finding an excursion in St. Thomas is easy they usually meet you right off the ship. Very easy.

[Bruce&Pam]

My 2 cents:

 

FYI, two Carnival ships at the same port at the same time may be on different ship times. Once, when we at a port off the Triumph, I got to visiting with some pax from the Liberty who were in port with us. Turns out their ship time was different than ours.

 

---Bruce