ISLAND TRANSPORTATION TIPS

There are several options for ground transportation that someone visiting the Islands might want to take advantage of.  Your choices will largely depend upon your budget. 

You can book a shore excursion through the Cruise Line.  These are highly organized and escorted.  This can be done online weeks before you go on your cruise.  Your Travel Agent can also assist you.  Or… you can wait until you depart on your Cruise, and then simply book your excursion, which will include the necessary ground transportation, at the “Excursion Desk” on the ship.  This is convenient, but it is also  probably the most expensive.  The biggest advantage of joining a excursion offered by the Cruise Line is that the ship will not leave port without you.  If something goes wrong with your ground transportation, the Cruise Line will be aware and will make sure you are safely back on the ship before they depart.

I have done this only a very few times.  Now, however, I get off ship, walk past the lines of pre-paid and escorted groups, and head out on my own spontaneous (albeit, usually researched) adventure.  This provides several options. 

One can rent a van and driver for a full day, which can cost perhaps $350.  This might be a great option if you are traveling with a group of friends or family, and you can all agree on a schedule and places you would like to see.  The advantages to this option are several and obvious.  Here is a link to just such an option on St. Maarten: FULL DAY PRIVATE VAN ON ST. MAARTEN

Or you can create your own adventure.  This will mean completely freelancing your day, your destinations, and your ground transportation.  As crazy as this might sound, it really is not that bad of an idea.  As a matter of fact, this has become my preferred method.

Once you get off the ship you are very likely going to have to walk through a crush of tour operators / guides.  This is where it is important to have a pretty firm idea of where you want to go.  If you’ve done good research, don’t let them sell you something else.  Once, on St. Thomas, USVI, I had to get “very” insistent. “NO!  I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO MAGENS BEACH.  I WANT TO GO TO EMERALD BEACH!”

They warned me, “You’ll get out there and there will be no way to get back.  You might not be able to get back before the ship leaves.”  This of course was NOT true. 

What they should have said was, “There will only be 5 taxis waiting to bring you back, instead of 25.”

What else should you be aware of if you are going to freelance your time on an Island?  You are probably still going to wind up with a group… a group of strangers. 

Usually there are “hawkers” that are offering tours.  Once you agree on a tour and a price, you will be given to a driver.  Your vehicle might be a worn-out ol’ car...  On our first cruise back in '85, Joni and I toured Nassau and New Providence Island in a rusted old Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.  Your options today will more likely be a minivan, full size passenger van, or any number of types of open-air trucks or trolleys.  It might be an air-conditioned shuttle bus.  So… chances are good that you are going to be a part of a group.  Few tour drivers will be willing to leave without a full vehicle.  This means that once you are shown to a vehicle you may still have to wait for a few minutes for others to join your ad hoc group.

This is where life can get “interesting”.  Your random “group” can be a blessing or a curse.  And… you have no control over the matter.  So, why not take control.  We will assume that you don’t want to pay the “full van” price for your ride.  That leaves you with only one other option.  Spend a little time on your cruise getting to know your fellow cruise mates.  Make some new friends.  With a friendly smile and some pleasant conversation you may very well create your own tour / beach group. If you find someone who happens to be headed to the same beach, you might ask if they want to share a ride.

So… whatever your final choices are concerning how to get around while visiting the Islands, it is a good idea to remain flexible, friendly, and most of all, be determined to have fun.