St. Thomas/St. Maarten

DeniseN · April 5, 2004

My husband and I will be on the Golden Princess April 17. I've never been to St. Thomas or St. Maarten. I think we'd just like to go to the beach and do a little shopping. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help.

Denise

BoatrideLover · April 5, 2004

I can't help you much with St. Maarten; when we were there, I was sick that day and we didn't even get off the ship.

As far as St. Thomas, be prepared for paradise!! The island is spectacular!! Be sure and ride the gondola to the top of Paradise Point Mountain, which is right there at the port. The view from the top is just out of this world! As far as shopping, also right there at the port are tons and tons of little shops, everything from housewares, souvenirs, clothing, christmas ornaments, nic nacs, etc. It's a great place to shop!

Have a wonderful time in St. Thomas; I'm sure you'll just love it!!

TheSkipper · April 5, 2004

We will be following right along with you. Departing on the 19th aboard the Sun Princess.

Been to both islands many times. Beaches - Orient Beach on St. Martin (semi-nude), Megan's Bay on St. Thomas. Shopping - on St. Martin, grab a cab or a water taxi fromt he pier to the downtown area (Front Street) and there are tons of shops. In St. Thomas, we usually shop first in Havensight Mall where the ship docks in the morning, then have lunch aboard ship and grab a cab into town for some SERIOUS shopping.

Great shopping on both Islands, many of the same shops in both ports.

Any other questions?? :cool:

JohnG · April 5, 2004

If you are planning on buying liquor to bring back, the prices are far better in Philipsburg, Dutch St Maarten, than in St. Thomas. (The French side is St. Martin, but they use the Euro and prices are not so good.) However, if you buy at least one fifth of US Virgin Island rum you can bring back a total of one gallon (four liters or 5 fifths). We purchase most on St Maarten and then finish off across the street from the Havensite Mall (which is the mall next to the pier in St Thomas) at a place called Al Cohen's. I've found that much cheaper than the normal A H Riise and others in St Thomas. We have made some nice jewelry buys in both locations.

On St Martin, if you want something other than the usual trip to Orient Beach, there is a beach called La Galleon, just beyond the Butterfly Farm, which is very secluded, has chairs for rent, and there is a restaurant with restrooms and changing room. Or try Grand Case public beach on the north side. Huge starfish, no people, and beautiful scenery. Restaurants overlooking the water.