best shore excursions/activities for San Juan, St Thomas, StMaarten........

Charles wrote in news:200120082111525573%
lid:

In article , RICK
DAVIS wrote:

San Juan - Most likely your a night stop. Really wouldn't waste you
time getting off the ship. San Juan at night can be dicey - thats a
nice word for it. There is really nothing to see here. I was there
in
Dec. and we docked around 5pm till midnight.

This is not true. I have been in Old San Juan at night many times and
never felt unsafe. And there is stuff there, shops, restaurants and
casinos. Many times there are street vendors selling local arts. We
were there the same night in December. There were Christmas
decorations
then. Shops open and street vendors. You should have got off. Too bad
we did not know you were there. We would have showed you a good time.


San Juan can be dicey. take a right off of the ship and walk toward the
new part of town if you don't believe me. past hte capitaol one must go
by a neighborhoood that is sketchy in the daytime, as told to me by
locals and witnessed with own eyes. up along the ocean side is a waren
of homeless right across from the capital building. Old San Juan on the
main streets OK for the adventurous, it is filled with potential
excitement.

--
Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacations
www.josephcoulter.com

877 832 2021
904 631 8863 cell

In article 6, Joseph
Coulter wrote:

San Juan can be dicey. take a right off of the ship and walk toward the
new part of town if you don't believe me. past hte capitaol one must go
by a neighborhoood that is sketchy in the daytime, as told to me by
locals and witnessed with own eyes. up along the ocean side is a waren
of homeless right across from the capital building. Old San Juan on the
main streets OK for the adventurous, it is filled with potential
excitement.

Why would you walk out of Old San Juan at night? I am talking about
Old San Juan which is the area the ship docks in. There is plenty in
the Old San Juan area and that is not dicey. I am familiar with the
area you are talking about past the Capital but you would not be going
there. There is no reason too. I have in the daytime because it is an
interesting walk if you are staying at the Carbe Hilton or another
hotel in that area. No one bothered me in the daytime but of course you
would not venture that way at night.

--
Charles

Charles wrote:

Many times there are street vendors selling local arts. We
were there the same night in December.

Yes! There was a little park down the block from the pier
(across from Citibank I think, and near some small tourist
building) that had great local crafts. There were also some food
vendors selling local stuff for excellent prices. Great ice
cream, too.

Bill

"Rosalie B." wrote:

What I did was hire a guide with a van and she took us (and three more
pax) to El Yanque Rainforest, and then a short city tour and ended up
at Fort Cristobal. But that is a drive out of town and cost us about
$45 @.

We will have several hours free (flight home not until 6:50pm)
in San Juan after our Galaxy cruise next month. I was thinking
of renting a car at the airport, hopefully after checking our
luggage, although it seems like we might not be able to check it
that early. I was planning to drive to El Yunque.

St. Maartin - I have not been to the beach here but that is what most
people do. You can rent a car right at the cruise ship dock (which
makes it one price for all of you rather than paying per person for a
taxi) and the island is pretty easy to get around. The place I liked
best on St. Maartin was the zoo.
http://www.stmaartenpark.com/english/map.htm

We will be in St. Marteen and have a car rented (although it is
much more expensive than last time we were there, I have to
email them and try to get a better price). Missed the zoo last
time, will have to check it out this time. Sadly, we will be
there on a Sunday, and most of the stuff on the French side is
closed on Sundays (hopefully not quite as bad as the last time
when it was a religious holiday and almost EVERYTHING was
closed). What's amazing is that there will be *4* ships in port
that day. Don't the cruise lines realize that Sunday is a really
bad day to be there?

Bill

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:33:37 GMT, Bill wrote:

We will be in St. Marteen and have a car rented (although it is
much more expensive than last time we were there, I have to
email them and try to get a better price). Missed the zoo last
time, will have to check it out this time. Sadly, we will be
there on a Sunday, and most of the stuff on the French side is
closed on Sundays (hopefully not quite as bad as the last time
when it was a religious holiday and almost EVERYTHING was
closed). What's amazing is that there will be *4* ships in port
that day. Don't the cruise lines realize that Sunday is a really
bad day to be there?

Bill

Of course they do. So what? Are you cancelling?

Bill wrote:

"Rosalie B." wrote:

What I did was hire a guide with a van and she took us (and three more
pax) to El Yanque Rainforest, and then a short city tour and ended up
at Fort Cristobal. But that is a drive out of town and cost us about
$45 @.

We will have several hours free (flight home not until 6:50pm)
in San Juan after our Galaxy cruise next month. I was thinking
of renting a car at the airport, hopefully after checking our
luggage, although it seems like we might not be able to check it
that early. I was planning to drive to El Yunque.

The traffic is terrible - especially on Friday. Our guide Miriam said
it was Sociable Friday when everyone leaves work early to start
partying for the weekend. If you rent a car, you can put the luggage
into it.

St. Maartin - I have not been to the beach here but that is what most
people do. You can rent a car right at the cruise ship dock (which
makes it one price for all of you rather than paying per person for a
taxi) and the island is pretty easy to get around. The place I liked
best on St. Maartin was the zoo.
http://www.stmaartenpark.com/english/map.htm

We will be in St. Marteen and have a car rented (although it is
much more expensive than last time we were there, I have to
email them and try to get a better price).

I did it by email and made the mistake of renting from Alamo, and they
don't have a rental kiosk at the cruise ship pier. And it was more
expensive than it was supposed to have been from the internet.

Missed the zoo last
time, will have to check it out this time. Sadly, we will be
there on a Sunday, and most of the stuff on the French side is
closed on Sundays (hopefully not quite as bad as the last time
when it was a religious holiday and almost EVERYTHING was
closed). What's amazing is that there will be *4* ships in port
that day. Don't the cruise lines realize that Sunday is a really
bad day to be there?

Bill
I think that it just works out that way. We were there on a Sunday
the time we went to the zoo also. The Dutch side doesn't seem to
close.

"Rosalie B." wrote:

Bill wrote:

"Rosalie B." wrote:

What I did was hire a guide with a van and she took us (and three more
pax) to El Yanque Rainforest, and then a short city tour and ended up
at Fort Cristobal. But that is a drive out of town and cost us about
$45 @.

We will have several hours free (flight home not until 6:50pm)
in San Juan after our Galaxy cruise next month. I was thinking
of renting a car at the airport, hopefully after checking our
luggage, although it seems like we might not be able to check it
that early. I was planning to drive to El Yunque.

The traffic is terrible - especially on Friday. Our guide Miriam said
it was Sociable Friday when everyone leaves work early to start
partying for the weekend. If you rent a car, you can put the luggage
into it.

We'll be there on a Monday. And if I have to worry about my
luggage, I will need a larger car than I rented (there are 4 of
us). Someone on CC said that AA may have a deal where you can
check your luggage at the pier for $20pp. Since you can check 2
bags per person, we'd only need to pay it for 2 people. Might be
worth it (or else I can see if I can get a larger car for less
than that, although I'd feel more comfortable not driving around
with all of my luggage).

St. Maartin - I have not been to the beach here but that is what most
people do. You can rent a car right at the cruise ship dock (which
makes it one price for all of you rather than paying per person for a
taxi) and the island is pretty easy to get around. The place I liked
best on St. Maartin was the zoo.
http://www.stmaartenpark.com/english/map.htm

We will be in St. Marteen and have a car rented (although it is
much more expensive than last time we were there, I have to
email them and try to get a better price).

I did it by email and made the mistake of renting from Alamo, and they
don't have a rental kiosk at the cruise ship pier. And it was more
expensive than it was supposed to have been from the internet.

I booked with Hertz, who I used last time. They are right at the
pier. Last time I got off the ship as soon as they docked and
went to the counter and rented. This time I figured I would
prepare in advance since there will be 4 ships in that day and
they may be full booked (plus it's a Sunday). They quoted me $84
including tax.

Missed the zoo last
time, will have to check it out this time. Sadly, we will be
there on a Sunday, and most of the stuff on the French side is
closed on Sundays (hopefully not quite as bad as the last time
when it was a religious holiday and almost EVERYTHING was
closed). What's amazing is that there will be *4* ships in port
that day. Don't the cruise lines realize that Sunday is a really
bad day to be there?

I think that it just works out that way. We were there on a Sunday
the time we went to the zoo also. The Dutch side doesn't seem to
close.

Perhaps but it's just really annoying to be St. Maarten again
and ONCE AGAIN have most of the French side closed (we wanted to
go back since we missed most of Marigot last time). The good
news is that we found this great cafe that was open last time
and they had some really wonderful French pastries, but I had
hoped to see a little more of Marigot this time. Maybe more
places will be open since so many cruisers will be around, I
read that some of the larger places do this. I really feel sorry
for the suckers who book the ship's tour and find the town
closed.

Bill

Hey Charles, I've been to San Juan a number of times. I look at that
port the same way I look at Ocho Rios....I stay on the ship. I've
walked the streets of OSJ many times. To be honest OSJ does nothing for
me. I liked going to the old El San Juan Hotel & Casino (before it
changed hands) or the Carribe Hilton. Crime in San Juan is bad.
Especially at night. Not to say its not in any other island....just
some worse than others.
They have increased the police presence due to past trouble. Lets
face it a huge amount of money is walking off every ship that docks in
OSJ. The locals know that. This was told to me by a waitress in the
hotel & casino across from where the ships dock. It used to be a
Raddison now it a Sheraton I believe.
She also said she hates walking to her car at night because it usually
when the ships are about to pull out and the police are off the streets
then. She didn't feel safe. She wears a hotel uniform and to the
locals thats a very high paying job. She said the workers often get
mugged leaving work after midnight.

About 2 years ago we were in OSJ for a night stop. We took a taxi to a
rooftop bar we know in the hotel & casino zone . On the way back the
taxi driver told us to lock our doors and keep the windows up. It was
common for taxis to be robbed at gunpoint because the locals know its
tourists in the car. Especially taxis leaving the hotel zones. They
would often rush the car while at a stop light. Demand cash and jewelry
and be gone before the light changed and disappear into the crowds. The
cab driver said the robberies were getting really bad by the capital.
Taxis would stop to allow tourists to take pictures of the capital at
night and gunman would rush the car. This only a couple blocks from the
cruise ships. This told to me by the taxi driver.

I've now been told by two locals who live in San Juan how bad the crime
is. Any reason you can think of why they would make this up? I doubt
San Juan police dept. has cleaned up the crime in just 2 years. If it
was so safe all those police you saw wouldn't be there. I'll just stay
on board and enjoy an uncrowded ship get a good nights sleep and spend
my time and money in St. Thomas the next day.

In article , RICK
DAVIS wrote:

I'll just stay on board and enjoy an uncrowded ship get a good
nights sleep and spend my time and money in St. Thomas the next day.

I get it that you don't like San Juan. But to tell others not to get
off because it is unsafe is just plain wrong. San Juan is not one of my
favorite ports but Old San Juan is not unsafe. No one is telling people
to venture off to other areas of San Juan at night or stay past behind
when the ships leave.

--
Charles

On Jan 21, 9:52*am, Charles wrote:
I get it that you don't like San Juan.
Its OK, It is one of my least favorite stops. I think night
stops in
San Juan your very limited in activity. Either see a Flamingo show
or
go to a Casino & bar. I've walked OSJ enough to know I don't need to
do it
again.

But to tell others not to get
off because it is unsafe is just plain wrong. San Juan is not one of my
favorite ports but Old San Juan is not unsafe.
Charles, When the locals call the area unsfe and I repete it I am
sharing information passed along by the people who live there on a
daily
basis. No offense But I think they know a little bit more about the
area
than a passenger who is traveling thru on a few hours shore leave. I
will
take the locals word that its unsafe. When every large hotel in San
Juan
has to post armed guards at the beach/pool deck access that tells me
its
not a very safe place. Every home has iron bars on their doors and
windows
tells me alot also. I don't need a gun put in my face to know its not
a place
I want to be or spend my vacation.

No one is telling people
to venture off to other areas of San Juan at night or stay past behind
when the ships leave.
So for the locals who work in the area and work until midnight....too
bad so sad for them?
Just so long as your safe in the comfort of your cabin?
A first time visitor is supposed to know the boundries of the "safe"
zone
vs. the "un-safe" zone? The same tourist who gets off the ship is
supposed
to know once outside the terminal to turn left and not right because
its not safe
if they turn right?
They are to know the diffrence of OSJ vs. the neighborhood 1 block
beyond is
not the "safe" zone?
A visitor on the island who brings his/her date to the dock to see
the ships sail is supposed to know that is the unsafe time because
once the ships are about to sail the police go off duty?
Sounds like a lot of rules to know for such a safe place don't ya
think?
I would hate to think I was a victom of robery simply because I zigged
when I
should have zagged on such a friendly safe port.
No offense but I think I'll listen to the locals who know. I still
say San Juan
is dicey after dark. Reading back thru the other posts I'm not alone
in this
opinion.