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🛳️ What We WISH We Knew BEFORE Going on a Cruise for the FIRST TIME to St. Maarten

Jared and Britt
Jared and Britt
🥉Knowledgeable
👁️ 23K views📅 4 months ago⏱️ 36:01
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsCruise Vlog🥉Knowledgeable Creator
❤️ Best for CoupleCaribbean · WinterFirst-Time Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

We are cruising on Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady and is the coolest ship ever.

They have a guaranteed return to ship policy, which is huge, which gives you that peace of mind.

Highly recommend this tour that we went with.

The food on board this ship, it's incredible. It's just next level.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Book excursions through Shore Excursions for guaranteed return to ship.
Use a water scooter for easier snorkeling.
Check ship time vs. local time to avoid being early for reservations.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Nervous about booking excursions off the shipUse Shore Excursions for their guaranteed return to ship policy.
Getting sunburnedUV may be stronger than expected; use sunscreen.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat is it like to do a catamaran tour in St. Martin?
QHow does booking excursions off the ship work?
QWhat is the food like on Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady?

Topics Covered

Dining Specialty4½ Happy BaconService Crew4 Happy BaconShip Condition4½ Happy BaconPort Destination4 Happy BaconExcursions4 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

St. Martin4 Happy Bacon
Top: Catamaran Tour
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

Here's the excursion we did https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1463101 they offer amazing tours with a guarantee return to ship policy! And here's more info on what it's like sailing with Virgin https://bit.ly/49FhM4B Waydoo Subnado Plus https://amzn.to/3NlOCzW Camera Gear Used – Xtra Muse https://amzn.to/4d6b6yc – Xtra Edge Pro https://amzn.to/4dpFx3u – Xtra Sphra360 https://amzn.to/3QGcTm2 Filmed December 2025 - St Maarten *Virgin Voyages - Brilliant Lady - Easter Caribbean Cruise* Boarding Ship - https://youtu.be/5IX_qjBvm-M Grand Turk - https://youtu.be/NA8LsMRyO8A St Maarten - https://youtu.be/cw-M-K1MiYE St Kitts and Nevis - https://youtu.be/NQYWtOtutVY San Juan, Puerto Rico - https://youtu.be/NNyYw6Xu0FU Brilliant Lady Ship Tour - https://youtu.be/_PGkzcYIiEY *Celebrity - Celebrity Reflection - Bahamas* Boarding Ship - https://youtu.be/wosi3ptD5K4 Key West - https://youtu.be/KomUQBCw-ss Bimini - https://youtu.be/F9y_vChyNGI Disembarkation - https://youtu.be/gbQzfHqBi_s *Royal Caribbean - Allure of the Seas - Southern Caribbean Cruise* Departing Fort Lauderdale - https://youtu.be/js8YltsyFrY Allure of the Seas Ship Tour - https://youtu.be/C1h6mutABWw Allure of the Seas Zip-line - https://youtu.be/RO6tJVFnIvo Aruba - https://youtu.be/ItXggNTosco Curacao - https://youtu.be/d3-nPG5JYZc *Royal Caribbean - Oasis of the Seas - Western Mediterranean Cruise* Palma de Mallorca, Spain - https://youtu.be/1dOlY4N_7jg Pisa and Cinque Terre (La Spezia) - https://youtu.be/mnqYiUs9AAE Rome, Colosseum and Vatican City (Civitavecchia) - https://youtu.be/e19PSRX-LcY The Amalfi Coast and Positano (Naples) - https://youtu.be/YWrB8mY09B4 Oasis of the Seas Ship Tour - https://youtu.be/IONEoTOe32w Barcelona - https://youtu.be/JfPmwhiS9K4 *Royal Caribbean - Symphony of the Seas - Western Caribbean Cruise* Ocean Balcony Stateroom – https://youtu.be/YRgoy7Fn_8o Perfect Day at Cococay Bahamas – https://youtu.be/lDLxnjZkv-M Symphony of the Seas Ship Tour – https://youtu.be/_BATjXYMy7I Cozumel, Mexico – https://youtu.be/I4ElKOtViJg Roatán, Honduras – https://youtu.be/cUlBM6w-CFM Costa Maya, Mexico – https://youtu.be/ZVSBvHZ6gBU Symphony of the Seas Ship Activities – https://youtu.be/Int2fuHSmbs Disembarkation – https://youtu.be/VQPfWwVA10I Things to Know Before Cruise Q&A – https://youtu.be/bSAjHr6HzQE *Royal Caribbean - Harmony of the Seas - Eastern Caribbean Cruise* Port Canaveral - https://youtu.be/hSpyQHL2lz4 Perfect Day at Cococay, Bahamas - https://youtu.be/8ipgBbsxF1Q Harmony of the Seas Ship Tour - https://youtu.be/7-B-s-gjD_M St Thomas, USVI - https://youtu.be/5JmRIsA1C4U St Maarten/ Saint Martin - https://youtu.be/WMwCNhFUf8c Sea Day - https://youtu.be/uLy0fTzbIs4 Disembarkation - https://youtu.be/vuR-mRIS06w *St. Maarten Cruise Port Guide: Top Things to Do & See* St. Maarten is one of the Caribbean’s most unique cruise destinations, offering two cultures on one island. The southern half is Dutch (Sint Maarten), while the northern half is French (Saint-Martin). *Top Things to Do in St. Maarten* 1. Maho Beach (Airplane Beach) One of the most famous beaches in the world, Maho Beach sits directly next to Princess Juliana International Airport. Watch massive jets fly just feet overhead as they land—an unforgettable and totally unique experience. Arrive early for the best views and photos. 2. Orient Beach Located on the French side, Orient Beach is known for its soft sand, turquoise water, and lively beach clubs. It’s perfect for swimming, relaxing, and enjoying lunch with ocean views. Some areas are clothing-optional, but there are plenty of family-friendly sections as well. 3. Philipsburg Boardwalk Just minutes from the cruise port, downtown Philipsburg offers a beautiful boardwalk lined with shops, beach bars, restaurants, and casinos. Great for souvenir shopping, duty-free jewelry, and an easy beach day close to the ship. 4. Great Bay Beach Steps from the cruise terminal, Great Bay Beach is ideal if you want minimal travel time. Calm waters, chair rentals, food service, and a relaxed atmosphere make this a top choice for cruise visitors. 5. Island Tour (Dutch & French Sides) A guided island tour is one of the best ways to see both cultures in one day. Most tours include scenic viewpoints, local neighborhoods, beaches, and stops on both the Dutch and French sides. 6. Fort Louis Viewpoint Located above Marigot on the French side, Fort Louis offers panoramic views of the harbor, coastline, and nearby islands. It’s a great photo stop and a quick way to experience a bit of the island’s history. 7. Snorkeling & Water Activities St. Maarten has excellent snorkeling, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and boat excursions. Popular spots include Little Bay, Creole Rock, and offshore catamaran tours that combine swimming, snorkeling, and open-bar cruising. Business inquiries: hello@jaredandbritt.com Music provided by Epidemic Sound https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/0aebew/