Caribbean Cruise Trip Report: Day 6

Day 6:

On Wednesday we arrived in St. Maarten at about 7:30. I had an excursion booked that started at 8:30, so I had to be off the ship as soon as they opened the gangway. We were told right away that the water conditions were really rough and they gave us the option of skipping the catamaran tour of the coast for a discount of 25%. Having just been on a catamaran the day before I didn't feel like I was really missing out on much by skipping the water portion of the excursion. Plus, I had met a really nice pair of ladies who I hit it off with and they were going to skip the boat tour as well, so it all worked out the way it was supposed to happen. We got on a bus and the driver gave some commentary as we drove through first the Dutch side and then the French side. 

First glimpse of St. Maarten from the ship

Arriving in the port with lots of shops and colorful decorations

A look at the cruise ships from the tour bus

Lots of pretty things to see on the drive around the island!

I thought it was funny that the place we stopped for snacks and pictures was called Bethel. I told the man who owned it that my name is Beth and he told me it means "house of God".

Crossing over from the Dutch side to the French side

"Welcome to the French side"…and here's a traffic cone to go in your picture :-)

When we got to Marigot we were told we would have two hours to explore, shop, and eat lunch. I grouped up with the ladies I had clicked with.  Our first stop was a French bakery called Sarafina's that I had read about on Cruise Critic and that they had heard about from a friend. I had eaten breakfast earlier than usual so I was ready for lunch by the time we got to the bakery. I ordered a cheese sandwich on French bread and my favorite French drink called Orangina. For dessert I had a hard time deciding from all the options but I ended up getting an amazing chocolate mousse-type dessert that had a chocolate macaroon on top. It was heavenly!  

At Sarafina's bakery

Everything looked so amazing!

It was hard to pick just one dessert!

My cheese sandwich and the amazing dessert with chocolate mousse and a macaroon on top. Heavenly!

After eating we still had a lot of time to kill so we wandered down to the water and then through the market where all the souvenir vendors were set up. We also walked through a small mall and then relaxed on a bench in the shade until it was time to get back on our tour bus. We took a long winding ride along the coast and even drove past a nude beach. The driver offered to let us out for a few minutes to explore but we all declined. I saw enough skin from the bus window that I didn't need to get any closer!

Pretty soon we were back at the ship and I parted ways with my new friends. I went back to my cabin and took my first and only nap of the whole trip. I watched sail away and sunset from my balcony and then headed to dinner. 

In Marigot at the waterfront

Headed back to Oasis

These guys were just chillin' in the room. I wasn't sure if my room steward would leave them both, so I was happy they were there when I got back to my room.

Another amazing sunset!

After dinner we had the 70's disco party so I grabbed a spot on the upper level of the Royal Promenade to get some pictures and video. I didn't stay the whole time because it was so loud and crowded, but it looked like everyone was having fun. After the party I wandered over to the Boardwalk and took some pictures now that it was night. Then I went to the casino and stayed up well past midnight since I didn't have an early morning the next day.

Ready for the disco party

Love the hair!

Headed onto the Boardwalk

The carousel at night

They really did a great job of creating cool lighting on the ship

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Tomorrow's post will be my next day at sea.  This one was much more relaxing than the last one, so I won't have as much to write about.  It's hard to believe the trip report is almost over.  I hope you are enjoying reading it as much as I am writing it!