suejk

traveling in June w/my high school graduate and college student son (along w/family friends) I've reserved St. Thomas for shopping & Coco Cay (Bahama island owned by Royal Carribean Cruise Line) for beach day. Looking for ideas for St. Maartin? I'm thinking we may want to explore but not sure I want to be stuck in a taxi or vehicle for long. Appreciate any suggestions, first trip for the kids to the carribean.
suejk

Statia

The only way to really explore St. Maarten (outside of Phillipsburg where the cruise ships dock) is to hire a taxi for a tour, or rent a car and tour on your own.

There are a few car rentals at the pier, although most are near the airport and take time to get to with the traffic. Taxis are available near the courthouse in the middle of Front Street, and probably also at the pier where passengers disembark, as well.

It's really just a matter of preference, but you will defnitely need some type of transportation if you plan on leaving the Front Street/Phillipsburg area. The island isn't all that big, so you can stop at very many places to enjoy beaches, shopping, excursions, etc. and you really wouldn't be stuck in the car, per se, all day.

schmerl

There are taxis where the ship docks. We love the beach and just hired a taxi to take us to Orient beach. It is on the French side, so we got to see some of the island on our way over.

MIM04

I definetely would not bother with an excursion. I went on one cruise and all expenses were paid so I could have gone on the excursions, but did not as I really prefer to see things on my own and to get away from all the others on the ship. Plus since you already have a couple of them planned, I would go off on your own. Statia makes good recommendations and I think you would have a lot more fun just exploring the island. There are plenty of things to see and do, shopping, fantastic restaurants, beaches. I would just do a little bit of research on the island itself and maybe plan out the day a little bit before the trip.
For example, morning shopping in Phillipsburg or Marigot, lunch at Port Royal Marina, and a beach after lunch. Something like that. Just make sure you plan well as the traffic can be terrible there. Have fun! Just keep in mind they are 2 different countries, french and dutch, so its like 2 different worlds. Casinos on the dutch side, etc. However, I did have fantastic chocolate croissants on the Dutch side.

suejk

Statia, schmerl & MIM04,
Thank you for your suggestions. I will most definately do more research before we go but I was also thinking the excursions may not be what we want so I was glad all 3 of your also agreed. Thanks again! Sue