What to do at each port

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Mishelle

Guest
I was wondering if someone could help we are going to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Martin. I don't want to do shore excursions and was wondering do we have to or will we be able to get around easily by ourselves. Shopping and beaches will be just fine with me. Thanks for any input. This is our first cruise. Thanks Michelle
 
D

Darlene

Guest
You will have no trouble getting around in those 3 ports. I know the shopping is good in Old San Juan. I don't know about the beaches. I think you have to be even more careful about valuables on the beach than you might usually be. In St. Thomas you can shop at the pier or take a short, inexpensive taxi ride to town. Magens Bay is rated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. That is where we went the first trip. We tried Sapphire Beach the second. Both lovely. In St. Martin there are streets lined with shops at the pier. We stayed at the beach right there . Some people like the clothing optional part of Orient Beach. Check the review section or do a search on this site for more info.
 
K

Kar06

Guest
Here is what my family did:

St Thomas: Got off boat and walked around shops by the pier (there are lots, but I didn't find them TOO exciting), and then we took a cab downtown and walked down the main drag. (Again, I didn't find the shops that interesting, but I wasn't looking for any Jewelry or anything in particular). It was pretty though, and I took some pictures that came out well. After that we took a cab back to the ship for lunch, and we changed into our bathing suits and headed out again. We took a cab (GREAT driver, the "Godfather") who took us to a scenic overlook and then to Magen's Bay (BEAUTIFUL!) beach for an hour and a half or so. He came back and brought us back to the ship. There was some traffic on the way back, so while we waited he told us a lot about St. Thomas and the other U.S.V.I.

St Maarten: Took a water taxi ($5/pp for a bracelet...with it you could ride the water taxi as much as you wanted all day) to downtown and walked the main drag. There was a GREAT photo shop all the way to the right of the main street, Greenwich Galleries I believe. Again, I picked up a souvenir Tshirt and took some pictures.

My family is going on the RCI Serenade 11/22 and we are going back to both St. Thomas and St. Maarten. I booked the Water Island Bike Tour on St. Thomas. In St. Maarten I want to take a cab to Marigot (the french side capital) and shop/walk around, and then take a cab to Dawn Beach...it is on the Dutch/French border on the east coast of the island, it looks beautiful!

Hope that helped!
 
Y

YellowJacket1

Guest
Mishelle,

San Juan: The ship docks near Old Town San Juan which is great to wander around in during the day (however, be careful there at night). Lots of old stores, homes with balconies/flowers, churches, etc. Get a drink at any of the local bars, walk up to the fort for some great pictures. My cousin has gone on the tour of the Rum factory and she enjoyed the tour.

St. Thomas: Get up early, catch a cab to the Red Hook Ferry. The ferry leaves hourly for a 15-20 minute ride to St. John. Once at St. John, catch a cab for a 5-10 minute ride to Trunk Bay (my choice for the most beautiful beach in the Carribean). Spend the morning there swimming, snorkling, and laying out. Leave about 12 or 12:30 when it starts getting crowded. Catch a cab back to the Red Hook Ferry, ride the ferry back to St. Thomas. Catch a cab to either: 1) back to the ship for lunch and to clean up, or 2) to downtown Charlotte Amalie for lunch and the best shopping in the Carribean. Shop (liquor, clothing, jewelry, electronics, linens, china, crystal, and just about anything else) until it's time to go back to the ship.

St. Maarten: Two choices, 1) negotiate with a taxi driver for a tour around the island. It's a beautiful island (one half is Dutch and one half is French). On the French side there is some good shopping, good restaurants. The Dutch side is a bit poorer and less inviting shops/restaurants. Maybe have the cab driver drop you off at Orient Beach (my wife's favorite beach and my second favorite), or choice 2) catch a cab over to Orient Beach and spend the day. Great beach that has sections that vary from a typical beach to topless beach, to clothing optional. However, no matter what you wear, or don't, you'll have a great time here with waverunners, bars, banana boats, etc.

All three islands are easy to get around using cabs, ferries, etc.

Steve
 
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