Cruise Talk: Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten

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Topic: Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Maarten

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 12-30-2000 04:45 PM

We're sailing on the Enchantment in February and I'm trying to decide what to do on shore. I'm going to try to steer clear of ship excursions this time around. I'd really enjoy going to a nice beach (where the snorkeling is good right off the beach if possible.)

In St. Thomas I'm thinking about either Trunk Bay (St. John) or Magen's Bay. Is it possible to do both in one day? If not, which is better?

In St. Maarten, I was considering Orient Beach. Anyone recommend this or have other suggestions?

In Nassau, I have no idea what to do. Any suggestions for good snorkeling spots? Been to Cable Beach and would like to see something new. What about Paradise Island???

Any ideas or suggestions would be great!!!!
Thanks!

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 12-30-2000 06:33 PM

Laura - you can't do Trunk Bay and Magens Bay in one day. You have to take a taxi to Red Hook then the ferry to St. John's and another taxi to Trunk Bay. If the ship has an excursion to St. John's take that. The other beach you could go to is Sapphire Beach. A lot of the paxs on our ship last week went there.
Orient Beach is very nice but if the seas are rough there will be NO Swimming signs posted. The undertow is very strong there. Also, one end of the beach if for nudists or as they put it "clothing optional".
Can't help you with Nassau.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 12-31-2000 11:02 AM

Sympatico,

What other beaches are nice in St. Maarten that swimming would be ok? Any recommendations? (We're not interested in shopping or site seeing...we just want to go to a nice beach to relax and swim and maybe do some snorkeling if there are reefs nearby.)

Do you know if the snorkeling is good off of Saphire Beach in St. Thomas?

Thanks so much!

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 12-31-2000 11:43 AM

Laura: I would have to respectively disagree with sympatico. I believe that one could easily do both if your ship is in port the usual time 6-8 hours. You could spend only a couple of hours at one of the beaches but that is probabally enough at Trunk bay. I believe that ascendancy said that they have life gaurds at St. John now so part of the experience is gone. there are two ferries or two ways to get to St. John and I would suggest taking the one from downtown St. Thomas over and the other one back with a quick stop at the home of the banana daquri.
Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 12-31-2000 02:13 PM

Laura - Guess it is my age talking. If Kevin says you can go to both beaches then I guess you can.

Don't know of any other beaches in St. Maarten but I am sure there are others and I don't know about snorkelling at Sapphire Beach. I don't really know much, do I! Nowadays I prefer to stay on the ship where it is quiet and I have the pool to myself, when everyone else if off the ship.

Have a great time.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

hhornblower
First Class Passenger
Member # 1047

posted 01-01-2001 09:52 AM

The last time I sailed the Enchantment, by friends and booked the cheapest St. John tour, which disembarked at about 7-7:30 in the morning. that was the only way to get off ship. We took a taxi to Trunk bay and spent about half the day, then took the ferry back to St. Thomas about noon. If you don't want to do any shopping or anything else, you could do both Trunk and Magens in one day. I have never been to Magens despite several trips to the VI, including a 10 day stay!! But I plan to cruise to St. Thomas this summer and plan to check out that beach. Trunk bay is fantastic and very beautiful. If you are an inexperienced snorkler, you will like Trunk Bay - even before you get out to the reef, you will see tiny fish. Coki Beach on St. Thomas is also another good snorkling spot, not too far from Magens.
As far as St. Martin, I usually did a lot of shopping there and took the ferry to Anguilla for the beach - but the ferry has gotten to be expensive. Sorry, I can't really help you with Nassua, the time we were in port there, there was a storm and we couldn't dissembard for hours. We only had 3 hours in port - really only enough time in port. I have heard from friends that have gone to the Bahamas to go to the Atlantis resort for a great beach and lots of activities.

Posts: 84 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Willy Paul
First Class Passenger
Member # 473

posted 01-01-2001 12:32 PM

On St. Maarten rent a car and beach hop. There are a lot of beaches close to one another. Grab a map and just drive. It is only 10 or 15 minutes between beaches. We did it a few years go and it was fun. Don't miss Grand Case beach, you should plan to have lunch there. Great shacks and restaurants. A few good bakeries for a make your own lunch, too.

Don't think you can do Magens Bay and Trunk bay in the same day. Not enough time to enjoy both. If you go to Magens go early, it really get crowded late in the morning and through out the day.

Nassau has a lot of beaches, just pick a place and walk from beach to beach and catch a cab back to the ship.

Have fun and use lots of sun screen.

Posts: 151 | From: Auburn, Ma. | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

cncservo
First Class Passenger
Member # 532

posted 01-01-2001 05:57 PM

Laura:
We visited Nassau 1 year ago and took the Blue Lagoon tour in which I snorkeled at the local beach. It was very rocky with moderate waves , to say the least it was a struggle to stand or walk out far enough to swim. I was not the only injured returning to their ship

Posts: 170 | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 01-02-2001 07:47 PM

Thank you all so very, very much!!!!!! I think we will attempt to do both Trunk Bay and another beach in St. Thomas in one day. I figure we could go to Trunk Bay in the morning and do some snorkeling, then back to the ship for a 'lil lunch, and then off in a cab to either Magen's, Coki or Saphire Beach.

And I guess in Nassau we'll go to Paradise Island or Atlantis.

I'm still unsure of what to do in St. Maarten. Any more suggestions would be great.

Thank you all again. I really don't know what I'd do without this board. I've truly become an addict!!!!

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

WJCdiver
First Class Passenger
Member # 946

posted 01-02-2001 08:59 PM

Just to throw in my two cents if you are going to St. John's it doesn't make any sense to go back to St. Thomas to go to a beach.

St. Johns is nothing but beaches. There are about 7 or 8 separate and beautiful beaches on St. Johns. Probably the most beautiful is Hawk's Nest, Cinnamon Bay is also beautiful.
Frankly Trunk Bay is the least nice on the Island - its biggest appeal is the underwater snorkeling tour.

To get from on to the other they have shuttles - basically trucks with benches on the back - that charge about $1 per person to
go from one beach to another.

Don't waste two hours taking a shuttle to the ferry, waiting for the ferry, then a taxi to the ship. Just go beach hopping. If you want there are some nice restaurants in town in St. Johns.

Check out the website. http://www.st-john.com/

Posts: 159 | From: New York, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 01-03-2001 08:31 PM

That's a good point, WJCdiver. Thanks. I guess I hadn't considered just staying on St. John. I think I'm just worried that this might be my last cruise for awhile...I'm hoping for a "MagnmPI stow-a-way" this year, if ya know what I mean!!! For those of you who don't, just see the longest thread and most popular on this board and you'll find out!) Soooo, I guess I'm just trying to do it all.

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Pete n Earl
First Class Passenger
Member # 1301

posted 01-03-2001 09:09 PM

Took the SS Norway to St. Maarteen Nov 99, Rented a car from a guy right on shore so we could beach hop and sight see. But everything seem to take longer than expected, and we were on our own. Had a great time though. Went Paradise Peak (Point?), Marigot(should've skipped this, got caught in traffic) then went to Orient Beach. Orient Beach was really nice, the water was mostly calm, the beach had seaweed washed ashore, but the beach was spotless down by the nude section. That was the only beach we made it to.
At St. John's we got off the ship early and went on a Catamaran snorkling trip through the ship. the catamaran anchored offshore of Honeymoon Bay. It was very clear water with beautiful weather. Then the catamaran took us right to St. Thomas then bused us right to our ship, with plenty time left to enjoy St. Thomas. The Norway stops at St. John's at 7am then onto St Thomas at 9am, so if your ship stops at St Johns, you get two extra hours.
Have Fun, Laura.

Posts: 19 | From: Maple Grove Mn 55311 | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-03-2001 09:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Laura:
That's a good point, WJCdiver. Thanks. I guess I hadn't considered just staying on St. John. I think I'm just worried that this might be my last cruise for awhile...I'm hoping for a "MagnmPI stow-a-way" this year, if ya know what I mean!!! For those of you who don't, just see the longest thread and most popular on this board and you'll find out!) Soooo, I guess I'm just trying to do it all.

Got your point Laura - now you have to let us all know if you get your wish
Have a super time. Do it all now when you can!

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 01-04-2001 10:08 AM

Laura; Why don't you go to Trunk bay and swim the underwater trail then as WJCdiver suggests beach hop. I would say (considering your adgenda) hop down to the clothing optional beach and relax a couple of hours. Then over to St. Thomas, go to the top of the Mountain (home of the banana daquri) have lunch with a couple of daquri's. Have your picture taken on the donkey for the scrap book. Then down to Magen's bay for a stroll. I think this has the makings of the perfect day for gaining a few pounds.
Kevin

[This message has been edited by K&K (edited 01-04-2001).]

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

RichardThorpe
First Class Passenger
Member # 1729

posted 01-05-2001 02:45 PM

On our cruise in Oct. 2000, we skipped St. John.
First thing in the morning, we took a taxi tour of St. Thomas, stopping up top for the banana daiquiri and great views of Magens Bay, St. John and Tortola.
In the afternoon we had booked the excursion for sailing and snorkeling to Buck Island. Six people go out on a 45 foot sailboat with great snorkeling off the boat. I thought it was a great value.
Our time in St. Thomas was the highlight of the cruise for me and one of the most satisfying days of my life.
In 1980, the Trunk Bay coral looked pawed over. I'm sure it's no better now. I've heard the underwater trail is still overrated.

[This message has been edited by RichardThorpe (edited 01-05-2001).]

Posts: 11 | From: Lewisburg, Ohio, USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

starfish
First Class Passenger
Member # 986

posted 01-05-2001 05:36 PM

In St.Maarten we went to Dawn beach. Nice beach,not too crowded,and the ocean wasn't ruff.I didn't see anybody snorkeling.
As far as Magen's Bay,we were not impressed,I still don't understand why it's rated as one of the top ten.

Posts: 225 | From: Dallas,PA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

WJCdiver
First Class Passenger
Member # 946

posted 01-06-2001 10:55 AM

Early in our marriage my wife and I spent 5 days on St. John's (at what is now the Hyatt), and had a spectacular time. Its my favorite island. We did of course go in to St. Thomas for shopping, and nightlife.

Also in my earlier post I said that Trunk Bay was probably the "... least nice on the Island". Just to put that in perspective it is a very nice beach, and the snorkeling tour is unique and well worth doing. But Hawks Nest is probably the most beautiful beach I have ever been on. Hawks Nest was in the movie "The Four Seasons" with Alan Alda and Carol Burnett.

What ever you do you are going to have a great time - enjoy.

Note: we are doing St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Princess Cay, on Grand Princess the week of Feb. 17. I can't wait. We will probably go to St. Johns, but may finish up in St. Thomas to go shopping.

Bon Voyage.

Bill

Posts: 159 | From: New York, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 01-08-2001 07:36 AM

WJCDiver... My husband and I are going to be on the Millennium in two weeks. We would love to take your advice and go to Hawk's Nest. Are there cabs that will take you there from the ferry and be available again when you are ready to leave? Is it a popular beach?

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

WJCdiver
First Class Passenger
Member # 946

posted 01-08-2001 05:44 PM

Its been a few years, about 5, since I have been to St. Thomas/St. Johns so I can't give the most up to date info. Check the web page I linked in a reply above. What I remember is the "informal" shuttles (i.e. the trucks with the benches) ran pretty regularly - maybe every half hour. There are some taxis available at the ferry terminal and you might be able to make arrangements with a driver to pick you up at a pre-dermined time.

I believe that Hawks Nest is the beach just before Trunk Bay so all of the taxis and shuttles run past it.

I hoppe you have a great time. I expect to be there on Feb 21st.

Bon Voyage,
Bill

Posts: 159 | From: New York, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 01-08-2001 07:01 PM

Thanks Bill. I guess we will find out when we get there

I just hope we have good weather!

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

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