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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: kimberly2]
#192324
04/15/2019 10:13 AM
04/15/2019 10:13 AM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
SammyM
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Posts: 933
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Hi Kim ... typically the cruise ship's shore excursions will be much more expensive than planning this yourself. Also, we've been on a few cruises to St. Martin in the past and I can't recall seeing a shore excursion to PInel. Different cruise lines offer different excursions, but I've never seen one to PInel and back on Princess or Celebrity. But, with that said if your time frame is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. you'll need to plan this well, but it shouldn't be a problem. If you're off the ship by 7:30 bear to the right after you leave the cruise port and you'll find a taxi circle. It's really not hard to find. A taxi for two to Cul-de-Sac on the French side of the island should be $25 USD and no higher. Get a quote from the driver before you accept the ride. Let them know that you are planning to catch the ferry to Pinel Island and they will drive you to Rue de Cul de Sac and 'Ferry pour Ilet Pinel'.
It will take about 25 minutes or so to get there, so my guess is you'll arrive around 8:30 a.m. The cost of the small ferry boats to Pinel was $12 per person the last time we did this, but I'm not sure what they are presently. The ferry rides depart every half hour, but before exiting the taxi ask the driver if he or she can return to the same spot that afternoon to take you back to the cruise port. You should try to make this arrangement in advance just in case you have difficulty finding a taxi when you return from Pinel. I would suggest maybe 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. The boat to PInel is fairly quick (10 to 15 minutes), and if all goes as planned you'll be on there by 9:15 or so. You can rent beach chairs and an umbrella at either Yellow Beach or Karibuni. And, you can enjoy a nice lunch there as well. You can even take a hike to the far less crowded north-facing beach, but be sure to wear sneakers if you plan to do this.
Check with Pinel Ferry when the last boat returns to Cul-de-Sac. This should not be an issue for you, and I would suggest catching the ferry back from PInel around 1:30 to 2:00 at the latest. Overall, that should give you four hours or more to enjoy this lovely little island. Overall cost depends if you plan to eat lunch, but between the taxi, ferry boat, and beach chairs rental you're looking about $80 for two of you. I doubt you would find a shore excursion with the cruise line that would be this low. Good luck and I hope this works out well for you.
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: SammyM]
#192326
04/15/2019 10:33 AM
04/15/2019 10:33 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,852
Central Florida!
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I'm not exactly sure, but I don't think the ferry opens that early? I thought it was 10 AM, but I could be wrong.
Carol Hill
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#192329
04/15/2019 10:40 AM
04/15/2019 10:40 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,541 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Posts: 17,541
Ohio
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I'm not exactly sure, but I don't think the ferry opens that early? I thought it was 10 AM, but I could be wrong. I believe the ferry does start at 10:00 but not 100% sure. While this is a few months off, I would follow the current strike situation and if it is still an ongoing situation, I would be very leery of venturing to the French side if on a cruise ship. Getting back could be a problem unless one knows the strike is over or the exact location of any actions.
J.D.
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: kimberly2]
#192335
04/15/2019 10:49 AM
04/15/2019 10:49 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,577 St Maarten
BillandElaine
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Posts: 18,577
St Maarten
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They probably won't offer the excursion if there are road blockages. May want to think of a nice beach day on the Dutch side. IF this strike is not over my then. I cannot imagine it would be allowed to go on that long.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: BillandElaine]
#192344
04/15/2019 11:39 AM
04/15/2019 11:39 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,852
Central Florida!
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I'm REALLY hoping it will be over by June. This will be our first trip staying on the French side in a long time, and I'm hoping we won't have a problem.
Carol Hill
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: SammyM]
#192348
04/15/2019 12:41 PM
04/15/2019 12:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,889
Bahston
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,889
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You might be right, Carol. I thought it was 9:00 a.m., but I haven't done this in a little while. For those interested who have international calling, the Pinel Ferry phone numbers are: 0690-10-31-35, 0690-40-90-95, or 0690-50-57-94. Might be a good idea to call and check on that in advance. Can also verify the price of the ferry when you call. The phone numbers are French-side mobile numbers. If calling internationally, drop the leading 0, and put a country code of 590 in front of them, for example 590-690-10-31-35.
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: kimberly2]
#192355
04/15/2019 02:55 PM
04/15/2019 02:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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I would not chance this Pinel trip on your own. If the cruise ship does not offer this excursion, choose something else of interest to do that day. Not worth missing the ship and they won't wait for you if it is not a cruise excursion!
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#192385
04/15/2019 10:00 PM
04/15/2019 10:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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Posts: 13,143
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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The ship won't leave without passengers that have booked excursions through the ship. They Do Not wait for those who arrange things on their own and are late for departure. They have to fly to the next destination to meet the ship. Not fun for them.
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: bdeeley]
#192386
04/16/2019 12:26 AM
04/16/2019 12:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,799 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
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Posts: 18,799
Auburn, WA
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The Ferry starts service each morning at 9:30 a.m. That is for the workers. Normal tourist starts at 10.
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: bdeeley]
#192395
04/16/2019 08:20 AM
04/16/2019 08:20 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,408 Rhode Island
RonDon
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Posts: 4,408
Rhode Island
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Again, the first scheduled ferry for visitors/tourists leaves from the dock at 9:30 a.m. daily.
what date (year) is that schedule?
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#192418
04/16/2019 11:26 AM
04/16/2019 11:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,541 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
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Posts: 17,541
Ohio
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And remember," island time", where actual schedules mean little.
J.D.
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Re: Pinel Island question
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#192419
04/16/2019 11:32 AM
04/16/2019 11:32 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,799 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,799
Auburn, WA
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And remember," island time", where actual schedules mean little. Correct
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