From Dam Square,  you can walk a few blocks to the Anne Frank house.   However, this is a very popular attraction in Amsterdam and the queue lines may be long to get through.  The cost is just under 10 Euros for admission.  You can also grab a taxi from the Cruise Terminal to the Anne Frank House.    You can also walk to Amsterdam Central which is the main transportation hub to Amsterdam.  Public Transportation, such as trains, trolleys, bikes, and walking is the main mode of transportation in the country.

Dining – If you are going to eat out in Amsterdam, it is well noted for it’s Indonesia cuisine since the Dutch discovered Indonesia’s culture and trade.  There are many fine restaurants in town.  If you just wanted try a restaurant from the cruise terminal,  exit the terminal and walk  left.  There is a restaurant called the Fifthteen that has a unique dining experience right near the port.

While in Dam Square, be sure to check out some of the small restaurants, pubs and cafe’s.   This picture is from O’reilly’s Irish Pub in Amsterdam.

‘In summary, Amsterdam is a port where you can do your own excursion.  You will want to plan what stops you wish to make ahead of time so that you can map out your travel and walking.

They also offer snorkel, coral reef tours, and dives.  Check out the information on their web site.  http://www.stuartcove.com/     From here, you can book online.

USA Today posted some useful information on top Cruise Ports.  You can read this article by clicking HERE on Top Cruise Ports by USA Today.

St Maarten is divided between the Dutch Side (Philipsburg) Sint Martin, and the French Side called Saint Maarten has it’s capital at Marigot.

Philipsburg has a fairly new cruise terminal and is a popular stop for ships.   Once the ships dock here, it is just a short water taxi ride over to the Philipsburg, or you can walk to town that will take you about 20 minutes.  Once in town, you will find a beach and a paved area that resembles a board walk at some of the USA beaches on the east coast.  The mile long paved walk is lined with shops, cafes, and bars. There are also hotels around this area. There are also very nice cafes and bars along the strip. So, if you wanted to do something on your own, you can explore the shops and cafe’s spread across Philipsburg and experience some local cooking.

When you walk into town just outside this beach area on Front Street,  there are plenty of shops, so this is definitely  a port-of-call for shoppers.

Many shops line the streets in both directions. Jewelry shops, electronics,  and alcohol cater to those looking for duty free shopping.

The water and beach areas are very beautiful and clean.      This is a very beautiful stop for cruise travelers.   Check with your cruise shore excursions list to see what beach tours they have available.  This port-of-call has many shore excursion opportunities as it is a popular stop for Cruise Lines.  However, if you plan to just use the water taxi and head into Philipsburg’s town, there is plenty to see and shop too.

Phillipsburg Cruise Terminal, Sint Martin

When you are ready to head back, simply catch the water taxi back to the cruise port.  At the cruise port, you will also find more shops and duty free shops so you don’t need to rush back on board.

There was also a local steel drum band playing at the pier.  While waiting to board, you can stop at a cafe, local bar, and just hang out on the pier listening to the local bands playing.

Cruise Lines: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Disney, Celebrity.

Bermuda Horseshoe Bay Beach

Bermuda is a magnificent cruise stop for travelers. This article will discuss the beaches you can find during your stop at Bermuda.  Some are public beaches and some are private.

For first time travelers, a little unknown secret about Bermuda is their public buses.  For a small fee, you can take the public buses just about anywhere on the island.  The fare depends on the distance you plan to to travel. But, the price is not bad if you plan to do your own shore excursion.  They also have taxis.

If you are docked out by the Naval ship yard, you may want to go to Snorkel Park Beach. There is a fee, but you will find this a very popular stop as it is within a few minutes walking distance from the pier.  A commercial establishment, but you will find amenities, water sports, rentals, entertainment, rest rooms. Click Here for their web site to see what it is about.  Near the ship is a visitor’s center, water taxi and shopping.

Downtown Hamilton Bermuda

If you are docked near Hamilton, or wish to take the bus or taxi,  a popular public beach is Horseshoe Bay Beach or Elbow Beach.  This is just a short drive via the bus or taxi.   Horseshoe Bay Beach is public beach that has rentals, restrooms, and a lunch cart for small items to purchase.   Elbow Beach also has a private and public beach surrounding it, so, you may find an on ship excursion that may take you to the private beaches that offer more amenities.  Bermuda’s sand is not shell based, it is coral based.   So, you will find it cooler, soft, silky and smooth to touch. There is nothing like it.  Take off of your shoes and and enjoy the cooler feeling of coral based beaches.  If you decide to do your own excursions to these beaches, just remember to check your time and leave within plenty of time to return to your ship.  Allow for sufficient time to travel using their bus schedules or flag down a taxi to return. You don’t want to miss your ship!

Bermuda Channel into Hamilton

Check it out!   http://www.cruisecal.com/portal/

CruiseCal.com

Originally developed by Holland America, this is absolutely a beautiful island stop with white sand beaches, chairs to lounge, food and bars.

The Cruise Line had developed this port with a few shops, restrooms, some outdoor bars, and  food, of course.

Typically, the cruise line sends the staff on the island and they set up a buffet and provide service on the beach.  With Carnival, you use your Sail and Sign Card for all purchases.    They also have a hut where you can rent flotation devices, snorkel gear, paddle boats, and small tubes for a small fee.   There was also a small water park for kids with slides and fountains.     Additional items are available through the shore excursion desk, such as para sailing, tours, and

The ship uses 2 tenders stationed at the Island to ferry the passengers and staff to their port.  Once you depart, you walk into a small square of shops, a bar, and restrooms. From here, if you purchased an excursion, you will depart for the excursion.  Or for those just walking off the ship, you can head over to the beach or bar areas.

Once ashore, the beach presents a large crescent shaped view with absolutely stunning white sand and still blue waters that overlook the ship anchored off the b each.   The beach area had life guards and also contained a large, roped area for swimmers.  In towards the roads, there was a walking path for nature lovers, the food pavilions, and even a chapel.

We walked out to 6′ feet of water and were able to see straight to the bottom.  For those staying on the beach, there were plenty of lounge chairs to accommodate the cruise passengers who just wish to relax in the sun.  An excursion option, you can rent a cabana that featured some shade for you own group.

These cabanas sold out fast, so if interested in a cabana, you will need to book that way ahead of time.  The cabanas were a small 10×10 half shed sized platform with a sand shower on the deck, shaded area, and some had an A/C unit in the back.

There is plenty of food and walk-up bars are on-shore.  Carnival set up a food buffet at their food pavilion.  Overall, this excursion stop is a must stop for Cruise Travelers. It’s simply a paradise Island with all the amenties you find on board your ship! Feel free to post a comment on your experiences.

Cruise Director

Cruise Lines: Carnival, Holland America

Grand Turk, Caicos

Welcome!

Grand Turk and Caicos Island is a must stop for Cruise Travelers!   Once docked, you will find a nice walkway to the terminal. At the terminal are some local shops, and access to a public beach with plenty of  chairs. You can also rent snorkel gear or other floation devices at a small stand on the beach.

Grand Turk, Caicos

For those that want to get away from the crowd, a small walk down the beach , you will also find some beach cafe’s that may not be as crowded as the port’s cafes.   This port also features Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville right outside the terminal area.  This was a very popular area for the cruise travelers.  In addition to the beach access, you will also find a rather large swimming pool around Margaritaville and the public rest rooms featured a small changing area.    All of this was available just walking off the ship at no charge.

Those doing the Shore Excursions from the ship, the pick-up area is just a short walk from the pier to the center of the market area. The horse back riding trip was very popular on our Carnival Cruise.   Click HERE to see the website on the Grand Turk Cruise Center.  The Grand Turk Cruise Center web site has useful information as well as a web cam.

Cruise Lines that stop at Grand Turk:  Carnival, Holland America, Oceana, Silversea, Princess Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, Costa, Queen Mary2 and more.

This section will be used to post articles on key destinations and cruise ports.  We have categorized the destination menus to sort the articles for easier searching and reading.   In the coming weeks and months, we will be adding articles specific to Cruise stops.

If you have interest in contributing to our site, please contact the Cruise Director  info@excursionstoday.com