This year for the first time, will have some friends arriving on a cruise while we are on island. Looking for suggestions on where to meet them? anyplace that may be easy to get to for both...but won't necessarily have to park? Suggestions please. Going to be playing ''tour guide'' that day.

I have done this a lot and it basically sucks as far as picking up. Two alternatives, one is to have them come out to the entrance of the cruise harbor along the road at a certain time and pick them up with your flasher on, second give them directions for the short walk down to Chesterfields where you can park and can have a drink before they depart back for the boat at the end of the day.

Years ago locals could leave their driver's license with the guard and then collect it upon leaving, not anymore. If anyone in the party is disabled the guards will usually still honor the old leave your license scenario, I did that as late as last year.

Ed,

I don't know if it's still an option but 2-3 years ago we had our friends tender over to the Wathey pier and meet us at Barefoot Terrace. We got there early and enjoyed our breakfast and waited for them to find us in the restaurant. After coffee around, we set out on our day long personal island tour. We all had a great time and ultimately, since we ended our official tour duty day at the Towers pool, they took a bus back to town.

They are 'cruisers' like we are 'St. Maarteners' and to this day they maintain it was their best cruise tour day ever and they absolutely loved the local bus ride which I had prepared them for in advance! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I'm confused--you want to meet them somewhere that you don't have to park? Cruise ship passengers often aren't in complete control of what time they could meet you somewhere, IF you're trying to do it first thing in the morning. If the ship is coming in at, say 9, and you want to meet them somewhere at say 12, maybe.

Absent the later situation, possibly your best bet is either Chesterfield's, which they COULD walk to, if they are fairly fit, or the Greenhouse in P'burg, if they pay to take the water taxi to town, as that is where they should be dropped off. Chesterfield's parking is free if you are eating or drinking there--you could have breakfast and wait for them to come. Or the Greenhouse will validate your parking if you eat or drink there.

Do the cruisers have to exit to the road...or do they still ''tender'' them to front street pier?

If they are walking to Chesterfield's, yes, they will exit to the road. If the are taking the tender, they do not exit the cruise "park." I've done both.

In 2013, we picked up friends at the cruise terminal. We could drive through the gate, and the guard let us park along the curb, staying in the car until our friends showed up. Maybe it's not allowed anymore, I don't know.

Our friends had a cell phone so we knew exactly what time they could meet us there. Our stop at the terminal didn't last more than 10mn.

I avoid meeting my guests in town like the plague! LOL, bad parking and traffic many days just for a quick pick-up.

The last time we played tour guide for cruising friends, we arranged for them to meet us at Chesterfield's. We got there, had a Bloody Mary and a nice breakfast, and sat at the table for about another half hour and they still hadn't shown up. We walked up to Dave's booth (Happy Hour Tours) and chatted with him while we waited for them. They were an hour late because they were on "ship time" and not local time.

So Chesterfield's is a great place to meet, but be aware that there may be some time confusion.

This is my 10,000th post. I'll be waiting for the fireworks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

YAY!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/sorry.gif" alt="" /> I couldn't resist!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

LOL! Thank you Pat!

Now, sorry for the brief hijack; back to the original purpose of this thread.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

I didn't receive any fireworks Georgia when I reached that milestone but lots of other benefits you will soon discover! Congratulations! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Just take a bottle of champagne to bed with you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

WTG GA!!!!!!!! can hear the booming fireworks all the way to SXM!!

one easy question.....when leaving the cruise terminal...is it a right or a left to go to Chesterfields....I am saying a right..my wife is saying a left. Please advise folks.

Your wife is right!!

We recently met friends from a cruise ship at Walthey Pier. We parked at the pay lot and a short walk to the pier. Worked very well. They took tender to pier.

|\\\//////
\\\\\///// O
}//

^
^