What to do in St Martiin?

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blkgator

St Maarten is a Caribbean island, on which you can do basically two things: Shopping and Resting on the Beach. Though the island is divided on a dutch and a french side, several cruises arrive on the Dutch side, where duty free gadgets, perfumes, jewelry, etc. are way cheaper than in the rest of the world.

If you like art, crafts, etc. Stop by on the local market, where you'll find a lot of nice Caribbean souvenirs, exotic food and very nice people.

If you like to, I invite you to take a look on my personal collection of St. Maarten picts:

http://jesus.salazarmaya.com/st_maarten/

And do not forget your camera!

Hope it helps.

mace_5150

Drink heavily.

Geneo

There is the never-ending duty free shopping. However for something a little different take a local bus, visit the French part of the island. Visit some of the foreign owned compounds, go bar-hopping and get to know some of the locals that have made the island home. You'll get an interesting perspective on island living to say the least.

chickenlittlecookie

lie on the beach and take pics of plane bellies that fly overhead

flguy36

I was there in 1994, on a cruise to the eastern caribbean. If you like to lay on the beach and tan. Go to Orient Bay Beach, it is considered to be in the top 10 of the worlds best beaches. The water is so clear you can see your feet clearly in 5ft of water. The sand is as smooth as powdered sugar.

If you want to shop on the Island, you want to visit phillipsburg where most cruise ships will dock on the island. You can buy so many items are very reduced prices. Everything from jewelry to camera equipment to tv's you name it.

There is also great shopping in Marigot as well. But if you are already in Phillipsburg there is no need to go there.

St Martin is one of my favorite Islands in the Caribbean. I am sure you will love it there. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy.

hope this helps

gramwaah1

Take a tour to get a feel for the two cultures, French and Dutch. Then there is good shopping and dining, and the beaches are lovely.

JSP

lay in the beach and keep putting that little flag in the sand for another drink!!! Enjoy!

lala

First of all, ignore anyone that tells you to not do excursions from the cruise line. What these people may not realize is that even though the excursion may cost more, you're most likely much safer with one that is dealing with the cruise line. Just last month on the news there was a bus accident where several cruise passengers died. As it turns out, the bus driver was not even supposed to be driving because his license was revoked. This was an independent tour that was not offered through the cruise line. The cruise lines have strict safety guidelines that the tour operators must follow, and if they don't follow them then the cruise line can terminate their contract with the tour operator, thus the tour operator will lose money. Also, if you go with an independent operator and they don't get you back to the ship in time, that ship WILL leave without you -- I have seen it happen more than once! However, if it is an excursion offered through the cruise line that is late, they will not leave without you. But, hey, it's up to you on whether you want to take your chances. Now, that being said, when I was in St. Maarten I went to Orient Bay Beach. It was absolutely beautiful. The water is so blue and so warm!

marble

St-Martin is the paradise for shopping. Everything is so cheap and you have a lot of stores (cameras, jewelery, diamonds, clothes, etc...).

CRocket

Definitely don't purchase excursion through cruise line. As soon as you disembark the ship in St.Maarten, you will see a bevy of activities within walking distance. There are a bunch of tax and duty free shops literally 2 min. from the port. Also, there is a cheap ferry to take you to one of the beautiful beaches nearby, or if you want to go further inland there's a bunch of taxis there waiting when a cruise ship comes in. I made the mistake of purchasing excursions never being there before. When we got off the ship and saw all the shops, bars, and transportation 200 yds. from our ship we were kinda disappointed that we paid $50 pp. for a short taxi ride, a beach chair, lunch, and two weak rum-punches. Plus we had to wait around an hour cause our excursion started an hour after debarkation that's precious island time when your on a cruise.
Good Luck and Enjoy. St. Maarten is paradise

brittme

Get of the ship and you can just walk to the shops. They do have great beaches and you might be able to get a taxi or shuttle to take you there when you get off the ship. A lot of the time, they will have them waiting at the pier and they can be pretty expensive when you pay at the time of disembarking. I would be very careful when it is time for the ship to leave port, if you get into a situation where you can't make it back in time, they WILL leave without you. I would highly recommend booking an excursion with the ship because there is a guarantee of getting back in time.

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