Dos and Don'ts on a Cruise

I found this article that gave some good advice and may help a new traveler:

Remember that  tips are already included in the flat fee that goes towards a central fund for the staff, so there is no need to tip separately!

Do 

Be courteous. When you are polite and friendly with the crew, you'll find that they are far more willing to help you out than if you are always snapping orders at them. Be nice and they'll be nice right back.

Take the time to thank people. While on a cruise, you should still keep your manners about you and thank everyone who does something for you . . . even if they are being paid to do so. A simple thanks can go a long way.

Don't

 

 

Criticize everything. Yes, you paid good money to go on this cruise, but hopefully you did enough research to know what to expect. Relax and enjoy the cruise, rather than looking at the bad side of things.

Become a cruise stalker. While you are bound to make new friends on the cruise, it's one thing to get together in the hot tub or for drinks, quite another to follow them around the ship all day! It's a good idea to befriend several people so you have a variety of friends to hang out with.

Complain to random crew members. If you have a complaint, you should go through the proper channels and not just pick someone at random who probably has no idea what you are talking about and can't possibly help you. Instead, speak to the manager of the area you are having issues with. For example, if your problem is with the waiter, speak to the head waiter.

Slam your cabin door. Taking a moment to close it quietly, particularly at night, will help keep the peace among your neighbors! The same goes for talking loudly in the corridor . . . it can really be obnoxious to fellow passengers.

What not to bring on board

What not to bring onboard:
Please remember that you must pass through port security, which is a division of homeland security, to
board the ship. So, here are some tips:

Do make sure you understand the TSA regulations for carry-on items if you fly. Go to TSA.Gov and click on the tab marked Travelers. Liquids are subject to the 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.

Don't pack medicines or valuables in your luggage. This applies both to airline check-in and cruise ship check-in. Take a small carry-on bag on the ship with these items and anything else you may need for the first afternoon on the ship. Your luggage may not arrive in your stateroom until 6:00 PM or later. It is a good idea to include a change of clothing if you have an early dinner seating.

NO Metal or Spiked floggers, real or police issue handcuffs, contraband of anytype (even if unused), pocket knives, alcohol, metal swords/dagger props, cane swords, fake guns (not even plastic colored water guns. Do not try to bring these onboard. They will take them from you and not give them back. These items will be destroyed.

If you wear padlocked jewelry or collars, take off the padlocks and put them into your checked baggage.

Armor Rings and spiked jewelry or spiked boots - Each individual security officer is different. I have seen some of you get through with these, and some of you have had them confiscated. Put them in your checked baggage. Don’t try to wear them through the port security. It just makes them frustrated.

Fetish Items. Many of us have fetish items. I suggest everyone pack these in their checked baggage if you really want to bring them. Keep in mind that port security does random bag checks and all bags now go through XRay. Do not put them in your carryon bag, unless you want to be embarrassed at check in/security screening.

Make sure your boots don’t have screws on the bottom that can scratch or gouge the deck. Make sure they are tightly screwed up into the soles.

Insure any chains on your clothes are within reason, not so long as they catch on other people or furniture. Tuck your chains into your pockets when walking on the open decks if the winds are strong.

St. Maarten/St. Martin comes to life after dark!

St. Maarten/St. Martin comes to life after dark. If you're a night owl, you've chosen the right destination!

'Let's Party!'

Take your chances at one of our famous casinos located across the Dutch side of the island and offering everything from high stakes gambling to penny slots. The Jump Up Casino in Philipsburg offe rs the widest variety of slots and life entertainment. H ollywood Casino in the Pelican Key/Simpson Bay area has all tables games plus all popular slots and a sports book desk.

Live entertainment from around the world changes from month to month so ask your activity desk for details and tickets.

There are innumerable discos, nightclubs and bars on both sides of the island that will have you partying all night long. Rhythms of Techno, live Rock and Roll, classic Jamaican Reggae, Meringue and Souk are just some of the sound sensations of St. Maarten/St. Martin. Casual attire is usually permitted, though some nightclubs require shirts with sleeves and no bare feet.

The island has several movie theaters, including one 6-plex, showing the latest releases. There is also a great bowling alley for those who fancy sports after dark! The fact that St. Maarten/St. Martin provides such a wide choice in entertainment means a night of fun need not cost the earth!

Shopping in St Martin - Duty Free!!

Shopping is one of the big attractions on St. Maarten. The island's completely Duty Free status and the complete absence of any Red Tape for importing goods, guarantees great bargains for cosmetics, jewelry, liquors, cigars, electronics and much more.

Most cruise ship visitors enjoy a stroll up and down Front Street in Philipsburg, where a huge number of stores boast competitive prices. The capital of the French side, Marigot, has some very elegant shopping with original boutiques offering the sophisticated designs of Parisian couturiers.

Visitors spending an extended vacation on the island will be surprised by the excellent supermarkets on both the French and Dutch side. The Dutch shopping centers tend to supply mostly American brands, and the stores in Marigot present a huge variety of European groceries with some fabulous gourmet stores.

If you are looking for local products to bring home as souvenirs, consider the unique Rum Jumbie Liquor, the perfect island souvenir. There are also several local musicians offering their own CDs, and artists with unique paintings to remind you of your stay on the island. And finally, don't miss the colorful Marigot market - excellent for locally made souvenirs and gifts.

Dining in St Martin, the "Gastronomic Capital of the Caribbean"!

Known as the "Gastronomic Capital of the Caribbean", St. Maarten/St. Martin offers the widest variety of cuisine and prices of any other island in the world! We boast well over 300 restaurants serving anything from local BBQ ribs and chicken, to first class French fare cooked by famous chefs imported for the season from Paris. It is said that one such chef, searching for a lighter side of French cooking for those vacationing in warmer climates, invented Nouvelle Cuisine right here in Grand Case. 

Other than local style and French culinary delights, worldwide cuisine is well represented on the island with choices from Italian, Tex-Mex, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Japanese and Chinese, to name but a few. There are also a number of outlets that specialize in health foods and vegetarian menus. And you will be astounded by the extensive wine lists and coc ktail menus offered by many of the island's dining havens. Prepare to put on a few pounds in St. Maarten/St. Martin! 

   And yes, we do have McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Subway's for those of you that must have a fast food fix every couple of days. One could eat at a different restaurant every day of the year and never repeat themselves once.

Bon Appetit!

  
All Listed Restaurants:

Jack Fish Restaurant Calmos Café White Flag Bar + Restaurant Butter Fish Restaurant Yellowtail Restaurant Esco Pazzo Pizzeria Pineapple Pete La Dolce Vita Pirates in Paradise Spago Ristorante Taco Macho Mexican Colombian Restaurant & Bar Pete's Village ESPN Café Topper's Restaurant and Bar Ocean Lounge Big Wood Grill Beach Bar & Restaurant The Stone Restaurant The Tides Beach Restaurant & Bar Sunset Bar & Grill Granduca Italian Restaurant Vesna Taverna and Bagelhouse Jimbo's Rock & Blues Café

 

What is the currency in St Martin?

Being an island of dual identity, there is also a choice of currencies. The official currency of Sint Maarten is the Antillean Guilder or Florin (fls). The Guilder is pegged to the US-Dollar and not free floating. The exchange rate is approximately 1.80 fls. for 1.00 $-US. IMPORTANT: Prices in the supermarkets and gas stations on the Dutch side are given in Guilders, but most other prices are quoted in US-Dollar.

The French side of the island is part of the European Union and uses the Euro, the currency of the European Community (EC). At the time of this writing US-Dollar 1.40 buys 1 Euro. Some vendors on the French side offer a 1 to 1 exchange rate. It might be wise to always carry a few Euros.

The US Dollar is accepted on both sides of the island and is in fact the most common currency on St. Martin/St. Maarten. ATM machines can be found everywhere, both on the Dutch and French side. They are located at banks, supermarkets and even inside gas stations. Most ATM card systems common in the US and Europe are accepted and it is not necessary to bring large amounts of cash to your vacation. All major credit cards are widely accepted as are Traveler's' Checks.

If you're coming early to St Martin, make sure to visit Marigot!

West Indies Mall

The quaint Gallic town of Marigot is the administrative center of French St. Martin. Both the French/European and Caribbean cultures are represented here and create that unique blend of the French Caribbean, with the castle of Fort Louis overlooking town and creating a permanent sense of history.

French St. Martin has never shown an extreme eagerness to attract the large cruise ships, which has turned so many Caribbean ports into shopping malls, without much civic activity. Marigot has been spared that fate and today, fancy boutiques and charming restaurants line the streets.

The Marina Royale is one of the anchors of downtown, where a wide selection of restaurants is framing the waterfront and moored yachts.

On the opposite end of the town's center is the West Indies Shopping Mall – a beautiful piece of eccentric architecture, inviting you to sample the goods of elegant stores in air-conditioned comfort. The mall is located next to the ferry terminal for the boats shuttling passengers to the neighboring island of Anguilla.

The present economic climate has not been favorable to Marigot; the Euro is the currency of the French side and for years the exchange rate to the US-Dollar has made life difficult for merchants on the French side of the island. This does not mean that there are no bargains to be found – Marigot is definitely worth exploring.