<BR>4 nite/3 day cruise Royal Carib to above islands. anyone who has taken this cruise, are land trips well organized, are there any musts, any do not do suggestions Thanks

Royal Caribbean has some great tours on these islands. In St. Thomas, try the Five Star St. Johns Snorkeling Tour on the Leylon Sneed Oyster Boat. It goes to Trunk Bay for gorgeous snorkeling and was a really entertaining tour. I don't really recommend snorkeling tours in St. Martin, as the snorkeling is not that great there. If you can't find an organized tour you like on the cruise, try just walking off the cruise and exploring on your own. The locals are very friendly and helpful (one of the really charming things about St. Martin), and you can get a cab or a rental car right at the pier. Or there is a lot of exploring and shopping to be done on foot. Have a great time. Please email me directly if you have any further questions. We have been on Royal Caribbean several times and to St. Thomas a few times, although only once to St. Martin.

In general, I avoid any tour that is called a "Highlights of ---" tour. You generally ride around in a bus for 2-3 hours, stop several places for 5-10 minutes, and may hit several shopping malls, that aren't necessarily the best deal. A tour that actually goes somewhere specific (for example Coral World)is better in my opinion. I am leaving Friday for these very islands, and I agree with the previous response. I intend to take a snorkel tour to St Johns, and do my own thing in St Maarten. <BR> If you can get 4-6 people together, on these islands you may do better and cheaper hiring a cab on your own. Do some research in Fodor's (or Frommer's) guides of the Caribbean, then do your own thing. One of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean is Magen's Bay on St Thomas. Another neat trip in St Thomas (particularly if you are not snorkelers) is the Atlantis Submarine. If Coral World is open again, this is also excellent (it was severely damaged 2 years ago in Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn). I took the Atlantis submarine on my very first ever cruise, and it is STILL one of the neatest excursions I have ever been on. <BR>

Hi; You will enjoy both these beautiful islands. We went to Magens Bay for the afternoon it is breathtaking and the open air taxi there was spectacular. We went on the catamaran to Bucks Isalnd to snorkle with the giant turtles it was fun! On St. Martins we picked up a pre-arranged rental car at Bobby's Marina. This island is tailor made for people who like to explore on there own. The roads are in good condition and the drivers not quite as aggressive as in St.Thomas. You can see alot of the island in a day. The car also gives you a place to keep your articles safe while you explore. Now that we've been to these islands we are will prepared for our next visit this April. This time we will be going to St. John Island to snorkle and sight see as well as going up the tram ride in St.Thomas. In St.Martins we will be going to Orient Bay to have a beach day and maybe to Green Cay or Pinel Island for snorkling. Have a great vacation. Karen <BR>

Hi; You will enjoy both these beautiful islands. We went to Magens Bay for the afternoon it is breathtaking and the open air taxi there was spectacular. We went on the catamaran to Bucks Isalnd to snorkle with the giant turtles it was fun! On St. Martins we picked up a pre-arranged rental car at Bobby's Marina. This island is tailor made for people who like to explore on there own. The roads are in good condition and the drivers not quite as aggressive as in St.Thomas. You can see alot of the island in a day. The car also gives you a place to keep your articles safe while you explore. Now that we've been to these islands we are will prepared for our next visit this April. This time we will be going to St. John Island to snorkle and sight see as well as going up the tram ride in St.Thomas. In St.Martins we will be going to Orient Bay to have a beach day and maybe to Green Cay or Pinel Island for snorkling. Have a great vacation. Karen <BR>

It is usually less expensive to explore these island on your own. If you like beaches, Megan's bay on St. Thomas is beautiful. I like Orient Bay on St. Martin even better. You can get transportation to either place right when you get off the ship. Plenty of taxi and van drivers to take you for a reasonable price. Most of the ship tours have time limits. If you go on your own, you can stay as long as you want. On St. Thomas you might want to ferry over to Trunk Bay on St. John--absolutely gorgeous.

Royal Caribbean organizes their shore <BR>excursions very well. Just got back <BR>from a 7 night southern that stopped <BR>at St.Thomas/St.Martin. Very happy with <BR>the selection of excursions and the <BR>helpfullness of the crew. French side <BR>of St.Martin a must for beach/water <BR>activities. Don't take the Paradise <BR>Point Tramway,it's a tourist trap and <BR>a waste of time. Much better view from <BR>MountainTop in my opinion. You can get <BR>a taxi to MountainTop for $5 pp. <BR>

DO NOT leave anything in a rental car, particularly on St Martin @Orient Beach. We lost a small daybag with a change of clothes in it -- not valuable, but rather a pain. This was from a locked trunk (and car). However, do go to Orient Beach. It is an extraordinary people-watching experience, and there are multiple places to rent chairs, umbrellas from and have lunch, drinks, etc brought to you. Very cool.