St. Maarten question - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

askdad · 10-01-2005, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annew55

Thanks for the tips. I think Mike has told Joyce Prince we will meet her in Phillipsburg. How do we get to Phillipsburg from the port?

Thanks

There is a taxi stand at the end of the pier (opt. 1). You can walk, about 20 mins (opt 2). you can ride the water taxi which lets you off in the middle of town (opt 3 and my personal favorite)

Lightsluvr · 10-01-2005, 03:53 PM

From the looks of the posts, Joyce is assuming that you would want to get off the ship and explore Philipsburg before embarking on the afternoon excursion. Makes sense.

Our excursion with Joyce is first thing in the morning, so she didn't even offer that option...pretty cool!

LL

sweet angel · 10-01-2005, 10:50 PM

I'm interested in how this works out. We'll be in St. Maarten in November and have no clue what to do. We're thinking of Orient Beach. We're not really big shoppers. Is there anything to do near the dock? How far is the Harley shop? Any can't miss restaurants/bars?

askdad · 10-01-2005, 11:54 PM

Orient beach is a very beautiful beach. Not all the beach is clothing optional. If your modest then head left up the beach as you walk from the parking lot. If your a bit more adventurous go to the right. Other fine beaches include Friars Bay and Maho, where the landing airplanes fly very close to the ground. Check with the tourist information booth at the pier about landing times and wind conditions. Shopping is great in Phillipsburg especially linens, jewelry and alcohol (Stoly at $5.00 pe liter last time I was there). The Harley store is easy to find right in town. You can walk, about 20 mins. take a taxi or rid ethe water taxi. We like the water taxi.

sailyn · 10-02-2005, 12:05 AM

Thanks askdad!!!

We are still trying to determine what to do before our tour with Joyce Prince! Your info is greatly appreciated.

Sue, you might check out Joyce Prince ... I'm hear she is a fantastic tour guide and quite resonable. I'll know more the end of the month!

askdad · 10-02-2005, 12:08 AM

No prob sailyn. St. M is one of my favorite places

sailyn · 10-02-2005, 12:11 AM

You hear so many differing opinions!

I can't wait to visit and experience St. M for myself. I'm not hard to please. I'm always just glad to be there ... where ever there is!!!

karenandbrian · 10-02-2005, 08:44 AM

Sweet when are you going? We can tell you all about the Harley shop when we retun November 5. It is a must see on my MIL's list. We will be the only HOGs around here with a shirt from the Virgin Islands!

We are so looking forward to the tour as well. I want to see the low flying planes, that sounds very cool! I know that is on the tour but I dont know what section of Orient Beach Joyce is taking us to. She said where we go is up to us and the other couple.

Has anyone been on a tour with fuddy duddy's? I always worry about that.

sweet angel · 10-02-2005, 09:47 AM

Karen, we leave Nov. 5. I don't really have any interest in the store, but I know DBF will want to see it. He's a wanna-be biker. If you're truly HOGS, you're taking the wrong cruise! We were originally booked on the Mariner, leaving 11/6 on the western itinerary. I found out that they would be holding a HOGS on the High Seas rally and decided to change my plans. Nothing against bikers -- I checked out their pics from prior cruises and it looks like they had a blast -- but it looked like the ship closed off certain areas for their events and I didn't think that was really fair. Plus, I think sailing with 1500 of ANY group is a potential invitation for trouble (I'm sure there was no trouble, or they wouldn't have been invited back).

karenandbrian · 10-02-2005, 10:18 AM

We are weekend bikers HAHA. We goto rallys and such and ride on the weekends. We looked into a cruise that had a thing where you could take your bike with you. VERY expensive and they don't allow trikes (which my MIL and FIL have).