Regal Princess 7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 5            St. Maarten                          
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​Arrival: After sailing easterly through the Caribbean Sea over night, we arrived at St. Maarten at around 7:00am. It was overcast as we were approaching the island although the weather forecast was for sunny skies.  Those who exited the ship for early morning excursions got wet as a big rain shower came up. Hopefully they remembered to pack an umbrella.

Coming into St. Maarten (Dutch side)

Philipsburg - capital of St. Maarten

View from bus traveling through Dutch side

St. Martin/St. Maarten: An island (34 square miles) in northeastern Caribbean that had been settled by the Arawak Indians who were chased away by the Carib Indians. In 1493 Columbus sighted it on his 2nd voyage and he named it St. Martin, claiming it for the Spanish who were not interested in settling because of other interests in the area.  However, the French and Dutch both coveted the island. In 1631 the Dutch founded a settlement there and began its salt mining operations. French and British settlements also sprang up.  The Spanish became interested and captured Saint Martin in 1633, driving most of the colonists off the island. In 1648 when Spain no longer needed the island, the Dutch and French re-established their settlements. Instead of going to war to see who would own the island, they divided the island in two parts, roughly 60/40 with the French side (St. Martin) being the larger and the Dutch (St.  Maarten)  being the smaller. According to legend, the division occurred when a “walker” from each side stood back to back at a determined point and began walking in the opposite direction. Where ever they met would become the other point and a dividing line would be draw between the two points to determine the boundary between the two sides. Today there is only a small marker to designate the crossing from one side to the other. Although the Dutch side is the smaller side, it has a greater population.

View from bus traveling through Dutch side

Photo stop at Cole Bay

Photo stop at Cole Bay

​Excursions:  The choices for excursions were varied. Everything from visiting a butterfly farm or the St. Maarten Zoo to participating in an America’s Cup 12-metre yacht race! Other activities included a trail and beach horseback ride, several hours at the famous Orient Beach (caution: clothing optional in some areas), a cruise to St. Bart’s, and tours visiting the Dutch and French sides of the island.
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Our Excursion: The rain stopped just before we were to exit the ship and meet up with our tour group which was on the pier by our ship.  It took a while for the tour guides to get organized, but finally we were led a considerable distance to get on the waiting coaches. We had chosen the tour which would take us on a scenic drive through both the Dutch and French sides of the island. My hope was to see both sides equally, but we saw much more of the French side than the Dutch. However, what we did get to see was interesting and picturesque.  Our longest stop was in Marigot, the capital of St. Martin. There was time for independent sightseeing, eating or shopping at the colorful market stalls set up close to the marina where we stopped. 

Photo stop at Cole Bay

Black sea urchin - were cautioned to always wear shoes in water

Homes on Dutch side

Church on Dutch side

Now on French side - St. Martin - Just a small marker on the road between the Dutch & French sides of island

Iguanas all in the bushes

Church on French side

Very hilly

Houses along the road

Margot Bay - Marigot is the capital of St. Martin

Ft. Louis - built in 1767- on hill behind marina at Margot Bay

One of many restaurants in marina area

Street scene of older West Indian style buildings

Old homes being made into boutiques and galleries

Decorations along the street

Gingerbread trim

Some in better condition

than others

Brightly colored business

Others for art/craft gallery

Eglise Catholique Marigot built 1941

​Afternoon Activities:  Since we did not visit Philipsburg on our tour, there was time after lunch to make the 1 mile trip either by taxi or water taxi.  The best shopping was on Front Street where there were a variety of places to make your purchases. Other activities on the ship were several movies in different areas of the ship or catching a popular movie on the movie channel on your stateroom’s TV; games such as “Celebrity Heads” or afternoon trivia; and a shuffleboard competition or the hoopla toss. 

Open air market days around marina each Wed. & Sat.

Indigo Bay - one of many bays on the island

​Dinner:   Another wonderful dinner created by the executive chef. His goal was to serve unique dishes representing the cuisine of the Caribbean to give diners a taste of the region as well as other traditional food choices.

Baked goat cheese appetizer

Sorbet

Scallops Caribbean style

Sugar free dessert

Triple chocolate dessert

Evening Entertainment: The evening show, “Bravo”, in the Princess Theater was spectacular. It had lavish costumes, outstanding props and show stopping hits performed by the Regal Princess singers and dancers along with the featured guest soprano Chelsea Coyne from Ft. Worth, TX. The cast received many standing ovations at the end of the show. 
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Later that evening we went up to Center Court (Deck 18, Aft) to attend the Stargazing event. We were each given a headset to use and a knowledgeable staff member guided the assembled group to discover and identify the stars that were visible from the darkened viewing deck. There were many stars to be seen as the sky was very clear, however, the smoke from the smoke stack kept some of the stars hidden. It was a fun experience and a great way to end our day. 

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