This will be the first time visiting St Marten & St Thomas. I will be traveling with my daughter age 18. What shore excursions are the most fun? My daughter like all teens loves to shop. Thanks in advance for this info.
Hi Ms Sut- I have been to both places back in 2005 and I loved both of them. St Martin we went to Little Divi Bay and stayed on the beach most of the day (it was a beach break through our cruise line). I was 19 at the time we went there so I was about the same age as your daughter and I had a blast. We got to swim in the ocean and I got my hair braided (even though it was a bit more expensive than it was when I was in Labadee). I don't remember much about shopping in that port. In both St Martin or St Thomas they have several shops right by the pier so it is close and you can shop as well as do a shore excursion. St Thomas was absolutely beautiful. We ended up going on the Skyride to Paradise Point and it was such a beautiful view. I am actually going to be back in St Thomas in about 5 weeks from now and we are going to St John on a tour through our cruise line to Trunks Bay which is supposed to be wonderful from what I have heard from other cruisers on here. As far as shopping I have only been on RCCL and they always have "Cruise Port Chats" with shopping specialists that I try and go to and see where the best places to shop are. I'm sure other cruise lines have them as well. Our cruise line was selling a discount shopping book for the entire cruise and I believe it was about $20 but I wouldn't recommend it unless you are really serious shoppers or were looking for jewlery. Have a wonderful vacation~~
Before you book anything go to the find icon at the top of the page and search for information on Trunk Bay. We did this on our own (cab to red hook/ferry/cab to Trunk) and stayed all day and still had a couple hours to shop in St. Thomas. Had our then 19 year old with us. She has been on 8 cruises and counts this as her favorite day.
Laurie RCCL Nordic Empress 1993 RCCL Nordic Prince 1994 RCCL Explorer 2003, 2005 RCCL Navigator, 2004, 2007 RCCL Mariner 2006 RCCL Liberty 2008
Yes, I agree. Instead of booking through the cruise ship, book through (someone recommending a site) a website, or getting a Taxi with one of the natives taking you around. That way you can really see/do (talk it over first with the Taxi driver)what you want to do.
We have done both, and they have worked out good for us, and you save money too. When you take a Taxi, be sure and talk about the price, before you leave, then there will be no confusion, if they ask you for more than what you thought it would be.
