Taking the Eastern Caribean cruise on Carnival Cruise's Valor. Advice on transportation on the islands please.

Question

With the short stop in Nassua it seems that shopping would be best. The St Thomas and St Maarten stops I am thinking of renting a car.. Any thoughts from people who have been there.. Thanks..

Answer 1

Was on the cruise in November.

In Nassau, the shopping is right at the dock so no need to rent a car or even get a taxi to shop. If you want to go over to Paradise Island (which is right across the way from the port) take a taxi and don't mess with renting a car.

In St. Thomas, there's a shopping area at the port (strip mall type) for shopping. Taking a taxi is the easiest to get around the area and to beaches with less hastle. Renting a car would be okay but if just going to a few places, kind of over-kill in my experience.

In St. Maarten, the only way is to take a taxi. The taxis are right outside the dock in the shopping area (right behind the Duty Free store - can't miss it, you'll see it when you get out on the dock (it'll be to your right)). Tell the porter where you want to go and when in the taxi, tell the driver what time you'd like picked up and it's done. If you want to go shopping in town while you're still at the dock, take the water taxi across the port into town (it's on your left side right outside the Port security gates). A taxi is so easy and they are so accommodating and very reasonable it's worth it (they also suggest a return time to pick you up to get back to the ship on time depending on the traffic that day).

Suggestion while in St. Maarten: Go into the Duty Free shop (you'll want to go over that way anyhow to get your picture taken in front of the "Welcome to St. Maarten" sign) to the little deli/snack shop and get snacks and cola there which is a lot cheaper than getting them on the ship, and take them back on the ship with you.  If you get liquor, you'll have to check it in when getting back on the ship for them to hold until the end of the cruise - and yes, they find it when you run your bags through the x-ray machine. But they do let you get away with bringing pop and snacks back on board.

For a little of what you'll see on your cruise, go here and see a few pictures I posted from the cruise: http://chez884.orfay.com/photo/394241

Answer 2

I am going on this same cruise in May. When are you going?

Answer 3

Take taxis when you are on the cruise.  It is much easier than renting a car.

St. Thomas and St. Maarten are both a lot of fun.  On St. Maarten, go on a catamaran excursion.  There will be lots of rum punch and other drinks, sailing around the island, stopping on a secluded beach and swimming in the crystal clear water.

Answer 4

There is not much to do in Nassua other than go to the straw market in town, the beach, or the Atlantis hotel on Paradise Island to see the hotel features and the aquarium  You can get to the straw market from the pier and don't need a car or taxi.  Take a taxi to Paradise Island if you want to go there.

Your shopping stop will be St Thomas and you don't need and shouldn't get a  rental car as all of the shopping is in one location along a couple of streets.  If you want to go to the beach, then take a taxi or go on a tour.   Same for St Martin, taxi or tour.

Remember that in these islands people drive on the wrong side (left) of the road and if you are not familiar with doing that you can get in serious trouble.  You may be OK on straight aways but turns and circles (round-abouts) will be a problem.  In addition, roads are narrow and the traffic moves fast.

Leave the driving to people who know

Answer 5

I went on that cruise in September.  In Nassau my husband and I walked around the town which is right next to where you dock.  In St. Thomas we took a bus downtown to shop and in St. Maarten we took the ferry to the shopping section.  I'm not sure how much it costs to rent a car but the taxis and bus shuttles are not that expensive.  If you want to go somewhere else like a beach or something then maybe renting a car or a scooter is a better idea.

Hope you have a great trip!

PS-We went on the horseback riding excursion and it was phenominal!

Answer 6

I personally would not bother renting a car. Take a cab.

In Nassau we just took the local bus to the beach, it was $1 per person.

In St Thomas we went on a short tour of the island. The bus/ cab showed us around the island, then dropped us off at one of 3 beaches, we got to chose. It was $20 a person for the round trip. In St Maarten we also took a cab. Do some research before you go so you know what on the islands you want to do. If you would like email me and I'll send you some info on the beaches I went to on the three islands. Or if you have any questions about the valor i'm here to help!

Happy Cruising!