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Product Reviews
Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
The 'Explorer' boat features vast sundecks and shady areas with two bars offering unlimited complimentary rum punch. Cruise through Simpson Bay Lagoon, Port de Plaissance Resort and Palapa Marina. Take a peek at the homes of the rich and famous as you listen to great calypso tunes while sailing. Arrive at Marina Royale in the heart of the Marigot shopping area. After shopping, you'll be taken on an island tour with your driver/guide detailing the history of the island and pointing out places of interest as you wind your way past Grand Case, French cul de Sac and Orient Bay. Make a short stop at a lookout for a breathtaking view of the northern side of the island and then head back past the French Quarter to the Dutch Side. Finally, you'll arrive back in Philipsburg, where you'll be able to visit the Front Street shops or return directly to your ship.
Note: Participants must be at least 4 years of age and weigh no more than 300 lbs. Order of tour may vary.
Average:
(11 Reviews) 11
Rating Snapshot (11 reviews)
5 stars
4
4 stars
2
3 stars
1
2 stars
2
1 star
2
6 of 11(55%)customers would recommend this to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Review 1 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
4
out of
5
Cultural:
4
out of
5
Entertaining:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
BirdTravels
Location:Virginia
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:March
Cruise Date Year:2012
Favorite activities:Relaxing
Favorite port:Cannes, France
I want to go here next:Bahamas and Florida
Date:April 30, 2013
Caribbean Relaxation
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
A leisurely day out which took us to both the Dutch and French side of St. Maarten. The morning started with a drive through Phillipsburg with our guide providing a history of the island and its two cultures. After a short drive, we boarded the Explorer (pictured) for a relaxing cruise across Simpson Bay Lagoon. We had the whole boat to ourselves as we sailed past the seaside villas and the yachts their owners sail. The Explorer crew made a special effort to make our trip fun and relaxing. The ship’s bars served rum punch and soft drinks while we were entertained with live Caribbean tunes. Shops on both sides of the island sold souvenirs priced in US Dollars with a very favorable exchange rate from Euros. For passengers who wanted to be dropped in town, we arrived back in Philipsburg with ample time to shop along Front Street and sit on the beach. After the afternoon in Philipsburg, we caught the water taxi back to the dock in time for all-aboard.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
2
out of
5
Cultural:
1
out of
5
Entertaining:
1
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
2
out of
5
Sassypants
Location:Wisconsin
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:April
Cruise Date Year:2013
Favorite activities:Adventure
Favorite port:Nassau, Bahamas
I want to go here next:Mexican Riviera
Date:April 18, 2013
Dull-unless your over 80
Don't waiste your time. You spend more time waiting and loading on the bus then you do site seeing. Waited forever and when we got to the bus, they asked if anyone wanted to go to the bathroom. More waiting. Everyone was old and slower, so don't be in a rush. There isn't any good sites to see on the island. The guide told us a few interesting things, but mainly we learned what time the kids went to school and got off. Then the bust drove by and pointed out all the good shopping but dropped us a mile away next to the tour boat and expensive shops. Who could possibly walk a mile back to the resonable shops when its 90 degrees. The boat tour went out one harbor and right into the next harbor. The entertainer on board was awful. He didn't even sing. Just made up songs about nothing which blasted into our ears. If was very difficult to enjoy what little scenery there was.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
1
out of
5
Cultural:
1
out of
5
Entertaining:
3
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
1
out of
5
cindia1965
Location:Valley Falls, NY
Party size:3
I traveled with:Friends
Cruise Date Month:April
Cruise Date Year:2013
Favorite activities:Adventure
Favorite port:Samana, Dominican Republic
I want to go here next:Europe
Date:April 12, 2013
SoSo
This was ok. The boat ride and the rum was fun, but that was about it. Nothing to write home about. We were on the Norwegian Gem from 31 Mar 13-9 Apr 13.
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Review 4 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
3
out of
5
Cultural:
3
out of
5
Entertaining:
3
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
3
out of
5
travelfamily
Location:California
Party size:4
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:March
Cruise Date Year:2013
I want to go here next:Alaska
Date:March 31, 2013
Pass on this excursion!
The boat tour was boring and not very scenic, and the bus tour was awful! There is nothing nice to look at and they did not stop for pictures! You don't get to even see Orient Beach. Totally disappointed!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
4
out of
5
Cultural:
4
out of
5
Entertaining:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
MarianneC
Location:Ottawa ON Canada
Party size:4
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:March
Cruise Date Year:2013
Favorite activities:Relaxing
Favorite port:Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Date:March 21, 2013
Great Time
We had a great time on this tour. Anke our guide was great & very informative about the history of the island. We had time to shop at the market - of the 5 ports where we stopped on our cruise, this market had the best prices for T-shirts, hats & coverups. The area was also clean & safe & the vendors didn't harass you. The boat cruise was also great, with island music, & complimentary rum punch & beer. There was room for everyone on the boat to have their choice of either sun or shade. Altogether a relaxing & fun day.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
4
out of
5
Cultural:
4
out of
5
Entertaining:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
Charmar
Location:Chicago
Party size:2
I traveled with:Friends
Cruise Date Month:February
Cruise Date Year:2013
Favorite activities:Relaxing
Date:March 4, 2013
Great time
This excurtion was a lot of fun and a good value. I would recommend this for everyone.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
5
out of
5
Cultural:
5
out of
5
Entertaining:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
5
out of
5
DoggieMomofTwo
Location:Jackson, GA
Party size:4
I traveled with:Friends
Cruise Date Month:January
Cruise Date Year:2013
Favorite activities:Relaxing
Favorite port:Philipsburg, St. Maarten
I want to go here next:Hawaii
Date:February 28, 2013
Well Worth the Money!
Images for this Review
(click to see full-size image)
We really enjoyed this cruise excursion … we are in our 60’s and 70's so we needed an excursion that required less walking. The air conditioned bus was very nice and our bus tour guide, MiMi, was great. She did speak with a bit of an accent, but we were able to understand her very well. Her tour comments were informative yet cute. She kept the bus laughing and engaged. The boat tour was very enjoyable – they played Caribbean music and served refreshing rum punch – it wasn’t very strong but it was fine (they also had beer available). The boat tour included both the French and Dutch sides of the island. The scenery was lovely – so many beautiful yachts and boats too! The tour was well worth the money if you wanted to see and experience the island.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
2
out of
5
Cultural:
2
out of
5
Entertaining:
2
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
2
out of
5
True
Location:Denver Co
Party size:4
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:January
Favorite activities:Relaxing
Favorite port:Samana, Dominican Republic
Date:January 31, 2013
Forgetable tour
Was disappointing. Tour guide on bus had such an accent you could not understand her, spent most of the time talking to the driver and giggling. Was very confusing as to where to go and no one to tell you. On the boat mostly all the tour guide did was sing. learned very little.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
4
out of
5
Cultural:
4
out of
5
Entertaining:
5
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
Weezer
Location:Hernando Beach, FL
Party size:1
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:December
Date:December 30, 2012
This was our third time to St. Maarten and our
second time on the explorer boat with "Shine".
Obviously, we liked it so much the first time we
selected it again. This time we had a bus tour
as well. Lot's of music, fun, and rum while getting
a history of this beautiful island.
second time on the explorer boat with "Shine".
Obviously, we liked it so much the first time we
selected it again. This time we had a bus tour
as well. Lot's of music, fun, and rum while getting
a history of this beautiful island.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
1
out of
5
Cultural:
2
out of
5
Entertaining:
1
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
1
out of
5
martih07
Party size:4
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:February
Favorite activities:Adventure
Favorite port:Cartagena, Colombia
I want to go here next:South America
Date:March 5, 2012
Avoid this one
This was one of the worst ever shore excursions we've done. Boooorrrriiiing! The "boat" hardly offers "vast sundecks". It is old and dirty. The rum punch was okay - but the sound system was terrible - you couldn't hear what was being said most of the time. Dropped us off on the French side - not much to do or see there. Then boarded a bus to return to the ship and one of the highlights of the trip was a "pasture" where there was a cow! Really? We fell asleep!
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for Ultimate Island Tour & Explorer Cruise
Overall:
Historical:
5
out of
5
Cultural:
4
out of
5
Entertaining:
4
out of
5
Cultural/Educational:
4
out of
5
RoseAndMark
Location:Aiken, SC
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:November
Cruise Date Year:2011
Favorite activities:Educational
I want to go here next:Caribbean
Date:November 13, 2011
Enjoyable Tour
We started our tour on the bus heading for Marigot. Onkie was our tour guide and she was superb. The bus ride across was informative and enjoyable. We were there on a Sunday so the stores in Marigot were closed, but the local venders were out. I got a coconut milk drink in an actual coconut. When I finished the drink, the Coconut Man cut the coconut up for me so that I could eat the meat. The crew of the Explorer were also very knowledgeable and were willing to answer any and all questions asked of them. The rum punch was plentiful, but weak. The fruit juice on the other hand was excellant. I would recommend this tour.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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