I feel like I have to inform all you cruisers that when booking a day trip to the most exciting beach on the island of St. Martin at Maho beach!!! What they don't tell you, that they drop you off at Maho beach on the Dutch side of the island with NO chairs or umbrellas. Leaving you to stand all day, no bathrooms either!!! SMH!!! See for yourself. This is the camera way above Tortuga restaurant (amazing food, great views too!!) over looking Maho beach and PJIA . On busy days when there is more than a few ships in, this beach is wall to wall crowded!!! Pay the extra money, take the Orient beach day trip!! There you will find chairs umbrellas and beach food/drink service!!! You'll thank me!!!
David--sorry, a lot of what you say is not true. You see chairs and umbrellas in the first screen shot. There is food available at Driftwood and Sunset. As far as bathrooms are concerned, they do have bathrooms at Sunset BB. The bathroom they have at Driftwood is for TRUE emergencies only. As far as wall to wall people, now THAT is true. I really don't have any idea what they charge to go to Maho, but as far as I know, it's billed as just transportation.
Maho versus Orient is a whole different experience. There is no reason to book a ship shore excursion to Orient. Just walk to the row of taxis and take one to Orient. Then check out the various restaurants once you get there and decide where you want to park yourself for the day. We were on SXM on a ship in November. We got a private taxi, just for the two of us. Can't remember how much it was, but it wasn't much. We had a lovely long lunch on the beach, which is exactly what we wanted. We did arrange a time in advance for him to pick us up. Easy peasy. BUT you don't have the experience of planes landing over your head.
With all due respect. Since I started posting on FB about no chairs and umbrellas. They started to bring them out. I have the Tortuga cam On everyday that I'm home. I watch in horror for these passengers standing ALL day!!! Thinking what a bad taste in there mouths they would have about "our island"!!! I remember the tourist would get a free rum punch at the beach on Orient. Cabs??? When they leave, they leave. I've seen people stranded on Orient. You and Eric are seasoned travelers. You know to tip the driver to when he is to return. They don't know that. That's why I said take the bus. I have not seen the bathroom at Sunset in a long time, but if it was anything like the old days???LOL!!! The "outhouse" at Drift isn't much better!!! LOL!! My point is that anyone reading this post, needs to ask questions about the excursion to Maho and what is included.
David-- They have always had chairs and umbrellas at Sunset. Could be there wasn't any sand, etc., at some points, so there weren't umbrellas out. Have you BEEN to Sunset recently?? They have a pool there now. It is not the old Sunset at all!! Very upscale now. Definitely NOT an outhouse there. Now Driftwood, that is bad. As far as taxis from Orient, one needs to head back from Orient earlier than you think necessary, but there are definitely lots of taxis around on Orient. But arranging return transfers ahead of time is a good idea. No need to take the cattle car bus.
Over priced short drinks the last time a couple of years ago. Will not be returning. My point with the chairs umbrella's is that "SS" knows how many ships are coming in per day. The 'few" set-ups they put out for these new-bees to "our" island is an insult to these paying cruisers!!! Today Jan 28th there are FIVE big ships in. Check out the camera around 11:00 am that beach will be wall to wall people with no place to relax, having to stand ALL day!! If this is there first impression of SXM, it's not a good one!! That is my point. If we want more tourists to stay for a vacation, we have to show them that in fact we are "The friendly island"!!!
David--this morning, there are some chairs and umbrellas right up against Sunset, but because of the way the sand is, only a few. There is very little sand on the end by Sunset and it is tilted way down. No one HAS to stand. Most people have towels and are lying down. There are chairs at the other end of the beach also, yellow and white ones. I assume the yellow ones are for the hotels though.
Who in their right mind stays for hours at Maho beach on purpose?! Also, the island has quite a few tourists, I don't think they really "need" cruise people.
YES!!! "SOME" chairs, not nearly enough for five ships and where can they lay towels down when there are HUNDREDS of people standing??? I'm simply trying to make people aware that although Maho is very exciting beach to be at, there are catches to spending the day!! That's all!!
