St. Marten with kids...

[bnsilly]

I know St Marten has nudity,etc...

How did you handle that with kids in tow?? I feel like I wouldn't even be able to get off the ship in that port........?? Any ideas...

[mom x4,grandma x4]

The only nudity you could see is at the beaches which you cant see from most of the island.

There is a nice butterfly farm excursion with a shopping stop which is nice with kids.

You didnt say their ages??

 

Also if they are a bit older an island tour in the open air buses are very nice. Lots of nice views and a bit of shopping.

 

If you dont want an excusrion, just walk to the end of the pier and on the left you'll see alarge sign that says water Taxi and for a few bucks per person you can take a water taxi for a 5 minute ride to the main shopping area. Make sure you get the round trip bracelet.

Beside shopping when you get off the taxi just a few feet ahead you can walk left or right along a nice small beach area. The beach is free, they charge for the chairs and umbrellas though.

 

We have been to St. Maartin 6 times and NEVER seen any nudity there. You can see the ships easily there too. If you want to shop there are lots of shps, a few will have t-shirts or a few items that are X- rated but not so bad to miss shopping there.

 

If youw ant when you enter the shopping area from the water taxi, go to the left 3 or 4 blocks, then turn right for a block and you will see open air markets. Lots of fun stuff for sale, cheap prices and NO X rated stuff that we ever saw.

 

we have noticed most stores keep those items towards the back of the store.

Please dont miss this beautiful island for fear of nudity. Just stay away from the popular beaches and you'll be fine.

[owensjro]

We have taken our 6 year old daughter to Orient beach twice now and I don't think she ever even noticed. The first time there was one older "gentleman" who decided to disregard the rules and walk the length of the beach naked. There were a fair number of topless women.

 

Topless bathing is accepted on the French side. I have also heard, though I personally have no experience, that the Dutch side can also topless bathers.

 

Really your children's reaction to it will depend on how they were raised in relation to nudity. If at home you make no big deal about nudity then your children should be fine on the beaches.

 

Jim

[bracy]

We,ve seen nudity at both the French and Dutch beaches. We loved the shopping areas. They made me feel like i was in Europe with the cute shops.

[FloridaGram]

Odds are you will not see nudity. They actually tighten it up on days that DCL is in port.

You will not see it at all on the beach right off the ship that you can get to by the water taxi.

That is a surprisingly nice beach for being so close to the ship. I would say don't miss St Maarten or the joy of the Magic worrying about something that there is a 99% chance you would not see (unless you go to Orient or another French side beach.)