What to do in St. Maarten and St. Kitts?

[Hudson_Hawk]

Fi and I are taking a little vacation next month to celebrate his mom and aunt''s 60th birthdays. It''s a 4 day 3 night cruise leaving from San Juan PR with stops in St. Maarten and St. Kitts. We''re heading to SJ one day early to have some time there before we go out to sea and we''re staying in Old Town which we''re psyched about. I''ve cruised before (but FI hasn''t) so I know all about the shore excursions, costs, etc. In the past I''ve found that you can get better deals on similar excursions if you book with a tour group once your on shore. For example a day of snorkeling with a trip to Sting Ray City in the Caymans is upwards of $80-$90 on the ship, but we got the same trip for $35 on shore and it was a smaller group going. We''re not opposed to booking an excursion through the ship if it''s something that we really want to do, but honestly, nothing really appeals to us. It''s all the same old stuff.

So my wonderful world travelers, what do you reccommend for activities/excursions in St. Maarten and St. Kitts? Neither FI nor I are dive certified, so scuba is out (boo), but we love water activities and just about anything outdoors. I''d love any and all suggestions!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

In addition, where can I find the best shopping?

 

[Sha]

Sounds fun! St. Maarten has two sides - a Dutch Side and a French side. You''ll probably be docking on the Dutch Side - most of the shopping there is located on two long streets, called ''Front'' Street, and ''Back'' Street. You''ll get good deals on jewellery, electronics, etc.

St. Kitts has a new shopping area located at Port Zante, which is the Cruise Ship Terminal. You can walk straight from the ship into the shopping area. There''s lots of new jewellery stores there as well as a few bikini/souvenir/clothing stores.

Not sure about shore excursions in St. Maarten -but in St. Kitts check out the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, which is an train excursion throughout the island, with drinks and music on board. I''ve heard it''s a good experience and allows you to see quite a bit of the island. Also check out Brimstone Hill - which is the largest fortress in the Caribbean. It''s set high on a mountaiin, with amazing views all around. The Fortress was built by the British to defend the island against the French, hundreds of years ago - there''s lot of history there.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[fansynancy]

I have been to both St. Maareten and St. Kitts. St. Kitts is a very small island that is very close to Nevis. If it were me, I would go over to Nevis. There is a beautiful 4 Seasaons hotel there and also the Nesbit Beach club which is terrific. I think you can beach it there gratis. At all costs, avoid the bus/tram trip around St. Kitts. Nothing much to buy on St. Kitts or Nevis.

St. Martin is big! TONS of jewelry stores. My favorite is Joe''s Jewelers. They carry Gurhan, which I adore. On the French side there is a linen shop, but I cannot remember the name. They carry gorgeous beach towels, table linens etc from a company called Carre Blanc. They are really beautiful and hard to find. There uses to be a shop in St Barth that carried them,, but they have eliminted that line. People tend to go to Orient Beach in St. Martin, from what I remember. THere are very nice catamaran, saliling and snorkeling trips that offer a stop there.

Nancy

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Do you ladies know if vendors sell excursions in the ports? I''m trying to decide if I should book though the ship or not. I don''t want to hold out only to find that these are ports where you HAVE to have prior arrangements.

 

[Sha]

Hmm.. I''m not sure. I think they usually prefer for you to pre-book the excursions on the ship, though.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I know the cruise line wants you to do that, that''s how they make money. However, on past cruises I''ve been able to find deals on comparable excursions by purchasing them from vedors who advertise right outside of the port.

 

[surfgirl]

HH, how long will you be docked in St. Kitts? I was there in Sept. on business and it wasn't that interesting. Port Zante is just the basic tourist crapola you find every island out there, though there is a quaint town clock tower circle that has a great eatery called the Balliloo (delish food and a great birdseye view of the little town center). I'd skip the duty free shops as they're also filled with crap.

If you're not there very long, I'd go inland to the volcano area. Or, what I really did enjoy was an afternoon luncheon at the Nisbett Plantation Inn. It's $$ to get there (other side of the island) but you get a round trip perimeter tour coming and going back to the boats. Check out my blog and you'll see the top post here has info and photos. The Inn is gorgeous, relaxed, has a pool, great views, amazing porch for lazing and reading. And grounds to stroll around, as well as lawn croquet, of course! You wont have an experience like the Inn at any other place. It's really a very special place but you need a whole day for it. I have a local taxi guy who's name I can give you. He was my driver all week. He's very reliable and has more reasonable prices though a RT ride to/from Basseterre town (where your boat will be docked) costs about $60 or so. The lunch is not more than $50, IIRC. Well worth it. Buffet with tons of local fare.


That said, if you have more time, I'd consider a trip over to Nevis. It's totally quiet, laid back and people are reserved but very nice. The boat ride over is about 40-60 minutes and very nice. You can walk from the dock into the tiny town. There's a lovely art cafe a 5 minute walk from the dock along the seaside quay. Great food there. You can get a taxi anywhere there and have them drive you around, or you can book a tour via a tour shop on St. Kitts. Nevis is at the bottom of that same blog page.

If it was me, I'd do the Nesbitt Inn lunch and plan to stay all day, or as long as possible. You should book reservations beforehand though. I was there off season and I imagine they have limited space during the season...Book online or call them if need be. Also, if you want my driver's name I'll give it to you and you can phone him beforehand to book him. He's a nice guy.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

We''re only going to be there for a day-7 hours or so. The one excursion we''re considering (booking through the cruiseline that is) is one that takes us to Nevis and around St. Kitts via catamaran. I''d love to do the volcano hike, but FI is concerned that it''s going to be opressively hot out and neither of us are hikers.

 

[Libster]

Never been to St. Kitts. The last time we were in St. Maarten, via a cruise, we did a last minute shore excursion purchase from the ship to a little beach place that you actually could see from where the ship was anchored. We just wanted some beach time and it was one of our best days on that trip. I can''t remember the name of it, though...sorry.

Another shore excursion that they used to offer in St. Maarten was racing an America''s Cup yacht and that was another excursion I would have enjoyed. An old poster "Websailor" and his wife "Cflutist" did this excursion and loved it and there are pics and info somewhere on Pricescope.

No matter what you decide, I''m sure it will be a great trip...have fun!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Ah-HA! That's what I wanted to know (if there were vendors that offered the trips on shore). Thanks!

Oh wait, I just read your post and it looks like you booked through the ship. Oh well

 

[Libster]

Date: 11/27/2007 1:07:39 PM
Author: surfgirl
HH, how long will you be docked in St. Kitts? I was there in Sept. on business and it wasn't that interesting. Port Zante is just the basic tourist crapola you find every island out there, though there is a quaint town clock tower circle that has a great eatery called the Balliloo (delish food and a great birdseye view of the little town center). I'd skip the duty free shops as they're also filled with crap.


If you're not there very long, I'd go inland to the volcano area. Or, what I really did enjoy was an afternoon luncheon at the Nisbett Plantation Inn. It's $$ to get there (other side of the island) but you get a round trip perimeter tour coming and going back to the boats. Check out my blog and you'll see the top post here has info and photos. The Inn is gorgeous, relaxed, has a pool, great views, amazing porch for lazing and reading. And grounds to stroll around, as well as lawn croquet, of course! You wont have an experience like the Inn at any other place. It's really a very special place but you need a whole day for it. I have a local taxi guy who's name I can give you. He was my driver all week. He's very reliable and has more reasonable prices though a RT ride to/from Basseterre town (where your boat will be docked) costs about $60 or so. The lunch is not more than $50, IIRC. Well worth it. Buffet with tons of local fare.




That said, if you have more time, I'd consider a trip over to Nevis. It's totally quiet, laid back and people are reserved but very nice. The boat ride over is about 40-60 minutes and very nice. You can walk from the dock into the tiny town. There's a lovely art cafe a 5 minute walk from the dock along the seaside quay. Great food there. You can get a taxi anywhere there and have them drive you around, or you can book a tour via a tour shop on St. Kitts. Nevis is at the bottom of that same blog page.


If it was me, I'd do the Nesbitt Inn lunch and plan to stay all day, or as long as possible. You should book reservations beforehand though. I was there off season and I imagine they have limited space during the season...Book online or call them if need be. Also, if you want my driver's name I'll give it to you and you can phone him beforehand to book him. He's a nice guy.

Surfgirl,

What a wonderful blog!!!! Can't wait until I have more time to read about all your travels. Tell Grandma Bea she was right....I know I'm going to enjoy reading about your adventures

 

[surfgirl]

Thanks for the kind words Libster...I hope you enjoy it!

HH, just a word of caution on the catamaran "cruise"...I was going to book that for my one day off too but they didn''t have enough people signed up to go so it was cancelled and I ended up at the Inn instead. Just an FYI about that cruise though - it''s really more of a booze cruise. I was reading some reviews online and that''s what it sounded like so I asked the tour company that runs it and she said "yes there is loud, fun music and an open bar...." She didn''t know I was looking for a quiet peaceful adventure so she told me that it''s a big party...If that''s what you''re looking for then you''d probably love it but I''m thinking you''re wanting more of a serene sailing experience? If so, I would pass on that one...

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Oh really? That''s a bummer.

BTW, your blog is great! I''m so jealous of all of your travels....even though you''re working while there

 

[surfgirl]

Why dont you email the Four Seasons Resort on Nevis and ask them if you can use their beach for the day if you''re taking lunch there? That way you could go over to Nevis on the ferry, get a quick taxi to the resort which is close to town and on a really nice beach, snorkel and lunch, and then go back to St. Kitts?

I''ve heard that the volcano/rain forest hikes are brutally hot and humid too...

And if you want to just enjoy the scenery, do the Inn...(can you tell I want you to go to the Inn?!?

)

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Is that where you had the colada? I''m down with that.

 

[surfgirl]

Yup! Best pina colada ever in the history of pina coladas! I challenge you to not say the same if you go there and drink one (or several!). The Inn is an old sugar plantation and you can roam around to your hearts content. Play croquet, look at the exquisite view, eat, swim in their pool. It''s like a day of living large, island style. You can snorkel anytime, right? But can you have an afternoon at an old plantation?

 

[zoebartlett]

Awww, Noodle Princess, great blog! Sorry, HH, I don''t have any advice for you. I''ve never been to either place but I hope you have a great time on the cruise.