I have been planning this cruise for 18 months and am down to 6 days and havent chosen an excursion for St Maarten. I've heard good things about Bernard's tours. Anybody with an opinion? I need help fast please.  We really want to snorkle, relax on the beach and do some sightseeing (and when my husband isnt looking, some shopping). Thanks

I was in St. Maarten in Feb. First, if you like to shop there is a great shopping district that is easily accessible from the ship terminal. Next, if you go to the beach at all, watch out for the girls going around trying to sell you necklaces etc. The price of the necklace is usually reasonable and they are really nice but they will then try really hard to talk you into having your hair braided. DON'T DO THIS. My friend wanted us to have our hair braided so I went along with it. We told her not to go over $20.00. When she was finishing up with mine, everyone from our tour was already on the bus and they were waiting on us. The girl charged my friend $60. and me $90. We could not get around it because she had friends with her and we were by ourself. So, be very careful at the beach but havae a great time while there.

So would you say its an easy place to get around?  Like walk to shopping, get a cab to a beach, etc?  I'm in charge of all of this for the group and am a nervous wreck about choosing right.

I absolutely loooove St. Maarten.  I went there 2 years ago and we didn't plan anything.  There is a wonderful shopping district right off the boat and it is so nice and clean. There are plenty of taxi's that are very reasonable and the group of us decided to take one to a beach.  We just told the taxi driver and she took us.  She was very nice and friendly and told us all about the island and traditions on the way to the Orient Beach.  When we were ready to leave the beach we just took a cab back and it was great. 

We used Bernard for a tour in 2008 and it was the highlight of our cruise!  We spent a few hours at Orient beach, and hour at Maho Beach to watch the planes land, a tour of the island and shopping (Bernard will customize the tour for you).  I highly recommend Bernard.

Actually I was on this cruise in October & My husband and I just went into port and joined a group renting a tour van.  There were about 8 people and we paid $25.00 pp to get a great tour of St. Maarten & St. Martin.  The guide was geat.  Best tour of the cruise.......

Be warned if you end up going to a beach called Boo Boo Jam -- it's very nice but right next to that beach is a topless beach!  My 11 year old son had to sit down for a few minutes with a towel covering his face/head while a couple of topless beauties walked by along the shoreline!