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paula mae
Guest
Does anyone have any thoughts on this port? I have read both good and bad reviews and would like some imput from all the seasoned cruisers here! Paula and Randy
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Darlene
Guest
The island is beautiful although some of the people seem a little snobby. The beach we went to was topless. Ithink many are in Martinique. I had a daughter and my friends had a 7 year old son who was used to the topless beaches in Europe. We didn't tell my husband so he was quite surprised. Darlene
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gene
Guest
Hi Paula - we were there two years ago off the Ocean Princess. We took the water taxi across the bay to a resort area (beaches are narrow but nice and open to the public), cool shops there, also some good but expensive food. The drop dead gorgeous French girls who walk up and down the beach selling bathing suits ( which they will model for you - no need for changing rooms on this beach :~) are very entertaining! We went back to the the town but found it to be rather dirty and smelly and not very nice - there was also a bit of a problem with language, some of the people we met were either reluctant or could not speak English and the general vibe of the place was not as friendly as most of the other islands we've visited. This is based on just one, one day visit though so take it for what its worth. Hey, any island works for me! Have fun! Gene
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JohnG
Guest
From my Dec 02 Legend review:
Day 6 Martinique: Arrived 7am. 8am cleared to go ashore. We left at 9am, took a taxi for $8 per taxi to the town, where the ferry landing was located, off the city park. For $6 each, round trip, we took a 20-minute ferry ride from Fort du France, to Pointe du Bout. Two hotels make their beaches available to the public, and we chose the Meridian. The famed black sand beaches were not here, as they had soft white, probably imported, sand. Chair rental was $5 each. Some topless. Snorkeling was excellent around the rocks and a nearby rocky point of land. Saw many fish and a few schools of larger ones, and even a sea snake on the bottom. The resort town there had many little shops and restaurants. After returning on the 12:15 ferry, we went into Fort du France to locate a CD of French popular music for our daughter’s French teacher. We asked a woman on the street where we could have a glass of wine, and she walked three blocks to lead us there. Despite frequent forewarnings, on this our second visit to Martinique, everyone we met was polite. Not as much English spoken here, but pidgeon French will do. We stopped at a waterfront place near the newer pier in town, and had great French wine for $1.50 a glass. Taxi back to port for $8 per taxi.
Day 6 Martinique: Arrived 7am. 8am cleared to go ashore. We left at 9am, took a taxi for $8 per taxi to the town, where the ferry landing was located, off the city park. For $6 each, round trip, we took a 20-minute ferry ride from Fort du France, to Pointe du Bout. Two hotels make their beaches available to the public, and we chose the Meridian. The famed black sand beaches were not here, as they had soft white, probably imported, sand. Chair rental was $5 each. Some topless. Snorkeling was excellent around the rocks and a nearby rocky point of land. Saw many fish and a few schools of larger ones, and even a sea snake on the bottom. The resort town there had many little shops and restaurants. After returning on the 12:15 ferry, we went into Fort du France to locate a CD of French popular music for our daughter’s French teacher. We asked a woman on the street where we could have a glass of wine, and she walked three blocks to lead us there. Despite frequent forewarnings, on this our second visit to Martinique, everyone we met was polite. Not as much English spoken here, but pidgeon French will do. We stopped at a waterfront place near the newer pier in town, and had great French wine for $1.50 a glass. Taxi back to port for $8 per taxi.
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milla
Guest
I too have read so many negative reviews about Martinique, many who voiced their opinions this way barely took a step off the ship at Fort-de-France, or didn't at all. The view of an island when you pull into port surely doesn't alway speak for the REST of the island, so I feel bad for those who took a look here and didn't give Martinique a chance. The jungle and les pitons in the north central part of this island was some of the most beautiful scenery my husband and I saw on our Southern Caribbean cruise last June. I have a photo of a mountain river flowing throught the jungle with towering peaks overhead...it's absolutely stunning. And the day we were there, it was overcast & drizzled...nuf' said! I hope you make the most of your visit!
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Sidetracker
Guest
Was in Martinque last week. It is a beautiful island and we wish we could have spent more time there. We did what JohnG suggested (see above) and it worked out perfect! Have a great time!