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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)
Coming into St. Maarten (Dutch side)
Philipsburg - capital of St. Maarten
Philipsburg - capital of St. Maarten
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.
St. Maarten
View from bus traveling through Dutch side
Cole Bay
Photo stop at Cole Bay
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.
​
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. 
Cole Bay
Photo stop at Cole Bay
Black Sea Urchin
Black sea urchin - were cautioned to always wear shoes in water
St. Maarten
Homes on Dutch side
St. Maarten
Church on Dutch side
St. Martin
Now on French side - St. Martin - Just a small marker on the road between the Dutch & French sides of island
Iguanas In Bushes
Iguanas all in the bushes
A Church
Church on French side
Hilly Area
Very hilly
St. Maarten
Houses along the road
Margot Bay
Margot Bay - Marigot is the capital of St. Martin
Margot Bay
Ft. Louis - built in 1767- on hill behind marina at Margot Bay
Margot Bay
One of many restaurants in marina area
St. Martin
Street scene of older West Indian style buildings
St. Martin
Old homes being made into boutiques and galleries
St. Martin
Decorations along the street
Gingerbread trim
Gingerbread trim
Building
Some in better condition
Building
than others
A Business
Brightly colored business
Gallery
Others for art/craft gallery
St. Martin
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
Open air market days around marina each Wed. & Sat.
Indigo Bay
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.
Regal Princess Food
Baked goat cheese appetizer
Regal Princess Food
Sorbet
Regal Princess Food
Scallops Caribbean style
Regal Princess Food
Sugar free dessert
Regal Princess Food
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. 
​
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. 

Click Here To Continue To Day 6's Review
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