Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,433
Posts310,110
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
jazzgal 40
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
louismcc
louismcc
Houston, Texas
Posts: 833
Joined: October 2000
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
LONGISLANDSHARON, Sca2la
Who's Online Now
2 registered members (MrEZgoin, 1 invisible), 1,037 guests, and 71 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question #193188
04/24/2019 11:24 PM
04/24/2019 11:24 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
S
ShariGD Offline OP
Member
ShariGD  Offline OP
Member
S
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
Hi. This is my first post so I hope I'm doing it right. I am cruising on Saturday from Florida and am very excited that one of our port of calls is St Martin. My husband and I are traveling with 4 family members who have never been to SXM. My question is.... we plan to go to El Zafiro to use beach and have lunch and also visit Sunset Beach bar ... will it be difficult for us to find a cab to take 8 people ? I don't really want to book an excursion thru the cruise line.
Love ❤️SXM. Spent a week there this past November

SXM Sponsors
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193191
04/25/2019 07:01 AM
04/25/2019 07:01 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Many of the taxis are full size customized vans so finding something for 8 people will not be a problem. There should be a line of taxis at the pier. Find a driver and vehicle and tell them what you want to do, negotiate a price and you should be set. Agree on specific times and ask about making payment and tip when you are returned to the ship, this way you are assured the same driver will work with you the entire trip.


J.D.
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193192
04/25/2019 07:02 AM
04/25/2019 07:02 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
B
bizzottom Offline
Traveler
bizzottom  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
u shud be able to rent a van from a car rental and they cud probably met u as u get off the boat

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193194
04/25/2019 07:20 AM
04/25/2019 07:20 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
PelicanPirate Offline
Traveler
PelicanPirate  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
Unless it has changed after the storm, there is a circle at the exit of the pier with signs saying Maho or Orient and others. You would get in the “Maho” line. There were many Econoline full size fans that easily take 8. There are also many Toyota vans, bigger than a Sienna here at home, that crammed 8. Shouldnt be a problem. Worst case two smaller cabs. Tell them when you want to be back to the ship and they should offer to bring you back. We did a Maho/Mullet beach roundtrip and didnt pay til the return at the end but it was a long afternoon not a whole day.

They will take US dollars.

Do the cabs on SXM take credit cards anybody?

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193198
04/25/2019 09:25 AM
04/25/2019 09:25 AM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
S
ShariGD Offline OP
Member
ShariGD  Offline OP
Member
S
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
Thank you for the replies! I was also concerned with traffic and how bad the traffic is with road work, etc... Paying with US dollars is how we would prefer to pay.
Is there any way to find out how many cruise ships will be in port on May 1st? The ship we are sailing on - Adventure of the Seas is pretty big

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193199
04/25/2019 09:38 AM
04/25/2019 09:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Regarding how many ships in port, scroll UP this page and there is a link to the cruise schedule.

As far as traffic, best bet is to take advice from your cabbie as to when you need to head back. They are best able to know current traffic conditions.


Carol Hill
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: bizzottom] #193203
04/25/2019 10:42 AM
04/25/2019 10:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
Originally Posted by bizzottom
u shud be able to rent a van from a car rental and they cud probably met u as u get off the boat

How about using the spell check feature. Just a suggestion.

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: SXMScubaman] #193207
04/25/2019 11:15 AM
04/25/2019 11:15 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
You know Scubaman, I have seen you make a few typos in the past, so not sure you're the best one to be making that statement.

Regardless, I use Edge as a browser and it AUTOMATICALLY underlines a word if it is misspelled on TTOL. It doesn't help if you type in the total wrong word, but it is a very useful feature. Try it. You might like it.


Carol Hill
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: Carol_Hill] #193209
04/25/2019 11:21 AM
04/25/2019 11:21 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
Yep. I have made a few typos but when I catch them I try to edit them. Sometimes my posts are from my phone or tablet and the auto correct feature changes words before I hit send. But bizzottom's post is way off the charts.

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: SXMScubaman] #193210
04/25/2019 11:27 AM
04/25/2019 11:27 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
OK


Carol Hill
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: Carol_Hill] #193215
04/25/2019 12:05 PM
04/25/2019 12:05 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
Biturbo Offline
Traveler
Biturbo  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
I also use Edge. It catches misspells, but not grammar & wrong words (your instead of you're, to instead of too, dingy instead of dinghy, for example). "Just a suggestion".


I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193219
04/25/2019 12:36 PM
04/25/2019 12:36 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
S
SammyM Offline
Traveler
SammyM  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
Ditto to all the above info. The price-per-person should drop based on the occupancy of the taxi. Presently, for two people the price from the port to Maho Beach is $25. Eight people in one taxi might be a stretch, but they do exist. Might be easier to take two taxis with four people each. It is wise to pay close attention to when your ship leaves the port at Philipsburg and allow ample time to get back. If memory serves me correctly, Royal Caribbean ships typically dock at 8:00 a.m. and head out at 5:00 p.m. Traffic back to the port from the Maho Beach area is one of the worst on the island, so play it smart and make sure you grab your taxi(s) around 3:00 p.m. and no later. Trust me ... been there and done that!

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: SammyM] #193221
04/25/2019 12:49 PM
04/25/2019 12:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
There are many full sized taxi vans that will accommodate 12 or more passengers. There would be no need for 2 vehicles if the party secured a van and with one vehicle it should be less $$ than taking two. According to the port schedule one can access from TTOL, the Adventure of the Seas docks at approx. 7:15am. Departure is listed as 18:00/6:00pm. I would think one could be off the ship no later than 8:00am so they would have a full day, if desired, to do what they want to do.

PORT SCHEDULE


J.D.
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193247
04/25/2019 07:11 PM
04/25/2019 07:11 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
S
ShariGD Offline OP
Member
ShariGD  Offline OP
Member
S
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
Thanks for the info on cruises in port Carol Hill! It appears our ship is one of three in port that day. Yikes!! And harmony of the seas is one of them. Do you think there are enough taxis or should we look to book excursion thru cruise. I really don't have a sense as to how plentiful taxis are on the Island as we've rented a car the three times I've been to SXM.

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193248
04/25/2019 07:22 PM
04/25/2019 07:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
You will be fine getting a taxi van on your own, especially if you are off the ship fairly early. Taxis are very plentiful.


J.D.
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ruralcarrier] #193251
04/25/2019 09:17 PM
04/25/2019 09:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
S
ShariGD Offline OP
Member
ShariGD  Offline OP
Member
S
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
Thanks!!

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193252
04/25/2019 09:49 PM
04/25/2019 09:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
Traveler
islandgem  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I would suggest taking a tour from the ship excursions. It might be a bit more expensive, but if there are any problems encountered during your tour, the ship will wait for you. If you choose to do your own tour, you are on your own and if you do not get back in time for any reason , the ship will sail without you. Then it becomes very expensive as you have to fly on your own dime to catch the ship at the next port. I have been on the ship many times and while sailing away I have seen people running to get to the ship only to realize it was away from the dock and on its way!




Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: islandgem] #193257
04/25/2019 10:25 PM
04/25/2019 10:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Elizabeth--I would agree with you if she was talking about going to Anguilla or St Barts, etc. However, to go to Simpson Bay, absolutely no reason to book a ship excursion, especially for that many people, with the comparable cost.

That said!!! To the original poster, I don't think I would plan to go to El Zafiro because they do ship excursions there, with around 100 people with the big ships. The experience will NOT be what you are expecting. The beach will be JAM packed with people. I would go to Mary's Boon instead. The chairs will be much further apart and the food and service should be better than El Zafiro, frankly on most any day, but especially on a day when there is a cruise ship excursion there. OR head to Mullet or somewhere on the French side.


Carol Hill
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: Carol_Hill] #193261
04/25/2019 11:30 PM
04/25/2019 11:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
Traveler
islandgem  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
I know people who missed the boat coming back from Orient Beach so it does happen. Taxi showed up late for their return and they got caught in traffic. Just saying it could be risky but they have to be willing to take that chance.




Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: SXMScubaman] #193280
04/26/2019 08:37 AM
04/26/2019 08:37 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 381
CT,USA
DICKG Offline
Traveler
DICKG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 381
CT,USA
Get real lighten up Scubaman ,no one is writing an official paper

Last edited by DICKG; 04/26/2019 08:44 AM.
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: ShariGD] #193284
04/26/2019 08:51 AM
04/26/2019 08:51 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Chill, people! Relax. Enjoy. Try not to get tense about ‘stuff’ that really doesn’t matter all that much. Perhaps not grammatically correct, but we mostly all got the idea........


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: islandgem] #193285
04/26/2019 08:52 AM
04/26/2019 08:52 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Elizabeth--we've been on over 30 cruises and know the drill. Years ago, we were on the last tender back to the ship numerous times. Of course that shows you how long ago it was, that I'm even talking about a tender! Regardless, unless something catastrophic happens, no one should be afraid to use a taxi in SXM. Just don't cut it too close. If a person does only cruise ship excursions, you miss out on 95% of what the island is. Again, years ago, we got off the Norway (again, got to be YEARS ago!!) and took the White Squall to St. Barts for the day. No way I would do that now, but we were much younger and braver. To stay on SXM? Take a cab. Cost will be half, the experience will be double.


Carol Hill
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: PelicanPirate] #194191
05/06/2019 11:51 AM
05/06/2019 11:51 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Quote
Do the cabs on SXM take credit cards anybody?


Digging this up as I finally got an answer to this particular question.

I just now spoke with a taxi driver friend and asked about this. He said some taxis at the port are set up to handle credit card transactions but not the majority of them. As far as your average taxi not working the port or the less "high tech" drivers, it will likely be cash.


J.D.
Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: Carol_Hill] #194194
05/06/2019 12:01 PM
05/06/2019 12:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,376
SXMWendell Offline
Traveler
SXMWendell  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,376
Carol

Just a heads up. Last Feb. We went to Mary's Boon after we went to Karacters ( zilch seating at Karacters) MB had zero beach chairs available too. And all were on top of each other. There was a separate area with loungers for MB patrons but that was for MB patrons only. Anyhow we left and went to Mullet.

Wendell

Re: Royal Caribbean cruise SXM port May 1 taxi question [Re: SXMWendell] #194195
05/06/2019 12:08 PM
05/06/2019 12:08 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Wendell--thanks for the note. Surprised to hear that regarding MB. It must have been a really big ship day, that day.


Carol Hill

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1