We will be travling on the Golden in March. (Cruised on the Grand same time this past March and loved it.) 40-something couple with two 16 year-old boys. Can anyone recommend good things to do in St. Thomas and St. Maarten? Should we book the cruise's shore ex, or do our own thing? Any good scuba and snorkling trips on either island? Thanks in advance.

Laura, I'd be interested in replies- as my 12 year old son and I will be sailing the Golden in April.

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I have been to St. Thomas and St. Maarten. We are swimmers, not snorklers. In St. Thomas we swam at Magens Bay and Sapphire Beach. Nothing to see underwater. In St. Maarten we swam on a beach next to where we got off the tender. Have heard that Orient Beach is nice. Ask taxi driver to take you far from the nude part. Shopping is within walking distance of both places if you would like to squeeze some of that in. Ask for a list of excursions from your cruise line, see what the boys are interested in then come back and ask specifics.

I recently returned from a RC cruise. In St. Thomas I would recommend (if it is offered, of course,) a tour to St. Johns for snorkling to Cinnamon Bay. It is one of the best. I figured the cost and it is just about the same if you book through the ships excursion as on your own. Considering ferry costs, Taxi's etc.etc. We had booked it but there was a storm in the previous days and it had been canceled unfortunately. We did end up going to Megans Bay which was also a nice day. No complaints. You can as previous posts state go to the beach right by the cruise ships in St. Martin. It is very crowded however, if there are other ships in port. We now wish we would have gone to Orient Beach. Many people did, it is was voted as the favorite Island we visited. I would get out and see it. I wish I would have. I also shopped in St. Martin quite a bit. Have fun.