TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin just a couple of stray thoughts/questions

first, as I read questions and forums, no one mentions blisters on kayak tours. The first time I kayaked, for about 45 minutes... I had huge blisters around my thumbs. another question would be, what kind of music do most tours play? I'm reading Lambada reviews now... no one mentions music styles. I'm kind of bored at work right now... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

on a second note... how would youns react to someone who brought their own cds and asked them to be played? I'd probably show up with mixes of reggae, soca, and Bahamian stuff (that damn dollar song I found years ago is still a favorite!)maybe I'll share some mixes later.. but to tell the truth I'd rather hear things I'm not as familiar with... just a thought.

on a third note, can you request beer? if the libation is Coor's light, can I show up with a case or two of Heineken? I'd share! Coor's doesn't cut it for me... BOY I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL QUITTING TIME

music on a Kayak tour? As far as blisters, my guess is you had a death grip on the paddle.

no i was thinking music on a snorkel tour like the Lambada.... I can have my private music when I kayak... and how else do you get the thing to go without a death grip on the paddle? maybe I'm delicate and other people don't have this problem?

Music and a case of beer in a Kayak?? No wonder you had blisters. Must have had a forty foot beam. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Keep in mind that what you like in the way of music may not be what the person next to likes. The crews put together music that is normally enjoyed by the majority of the passengers. They know what most people will like.

The music as Bob said is put together by the crew and is a very good mix for young and old. You can bring your own beer but it must be in cans. No glass on zee boat mawn. I'm with you, coors light is not the beer for me in the carib. Carib, Hini or Presidente is what I want in the Caribbean.

Suggest you check with whoever you book with, as to what they serve. Most of them serve a variety of stuff, like rum punch and wine, in addition to beer, so you should be able to find something you like, without bringing it yourself. Not really sure that they would allow you to bring along your own alcohol. As far as bringing music, as Bob says, that probably would be a no.

Lambada serves Rum Punch,Red/White wine and Coors beer. Sometimes they also serve Presidente when the wim strikes them. I have seen others bring alcohol on board the Tango and Lambada without being questioned. We always bring snacks with us for both the sunset and longer day cruises. The crew likes it when we do as we share with them.

Get back to work!! :-) Not easy, is it?

my son Captains snorkel trips in USVI, no drinking until you are done snorkeling. I don't know if that is a company rule or just a common sense rule

Snacks, I don't think they would have any problem with. I do wonder about bringing along alcohol though.

If it's not a company rule it should be. Very much a common sense rule.

Ok, I'll bite. Why is snorkeling and drinking any different than drinking and swimming, a favorite past-time of mine and many(all?) people I know when on the island?

because your dealing with a company that has to deal with USSG rules

What are USSG rules?

Anything that kills the buzz.

USSG stands for United States Sentencing Guidelines. As a captain you are responsible for the safety of your passengers. On my own time if I want to drink 10 rum punches and go swimming on a deserted beach, most likely no one will be held responsible if I am found dead the next day. If I allow that on my boat, I am responsible.If I over serve someone on my boat and nothing happens on the water, but they get off the dock, get into their car, and kill someone, I can also be held liable. If I beat the charges, but this becomes a rumor, will anyone charter with me?
I am all for fun, and I like a good time as much as the next guy, but on the water, or in car, you are responsible for the lives of your passengers, which means sometimes saying no for their own benefit.
As far as kayaking, you said it was your first time. That skin is not used to getting the workout it did. Kind of like muscles that you do not use often.Next time use gloves, or kayak more so your skin gets adapted and your technique becomes smoother.
As far as the music is concerned, you can ask if they would, but they are not obliged to, and like others have said they have to please all their guests. No offense.

Sorry, how does United States anything apply in SXM?

Hey carol, they were talking about a posters son who captains in the us I and has that rule. Nothing to do with sxm.

Well thank God that the US has guidelines as we wouldn't want people to have to rely on common sense! Another random thought, I think the OP was referencing St. Maarten and we strayed into rules applying to the US and not applicable to SXM.

Exactly chuck

I wouldn't bring it just for ME! I'd share with everybody... but asking first is a good plan..

i guess I could inquire/request ahead of time that we mix in a lot of local and/or islandy music.

sorry it's USCG, my mistake and I guess I forgot which board I was on <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

I wish I could get more details from people who have been on day/snorkel cruises. If I'm trapped on a boat for 4 hours listening to american wedding fodder I'll dive overboard
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

by the bye,, I do have a kayak mix.. not really islandy because I kayak on a river in pittsburgh, but it starts with the jaws theme. hawaii 5-0 , tail spin, the theme from psycho beach party, Fever, dreadlock holidy, the big bamboo, the dollar song.. bump and grind.. buffalo soldier and bob marley's Jammin.. takes me about an hour... to get there and back again

As I stated in an earlier post. It's a good mix of music on the Lambada and Tango. Lots of up beat tunes that make you want to drink and get up and dance along with ragga and island tunes. It's good all around music to fit with the mood and type of excursion.

There's like 50 people on the excursions, depending on which one you take, I'd think they would be opening a can of worms if they started letting passengers bring their own music! Next thing you'll have a half dozen people with music all vieing for the chance to play their favorite music! Just go with the flow and enjoy what the cruise has to offer, it ain't going to be a wedding mix, and have a good time. I have to suggest that if your favorite brand of beer and your favorite music is important a charter might be the way to go.

On a previous trip to SXM we went on a Sunset Cruise (a.k.a. Booze Cruise) on one of the AquaMania Cats and I asked why they only had Coors Light. The response was "Look up at the sail; (A big Coors Light Ad) They pay for the sail if we only serve Coors Light" I suggested that Carib or Presidente should be provided as an alternate choice and the bartender said "Then nobody would be drinking Coors Light!!" So I would say that Coors Light is increasing their marketing efforts in SXM.

We have done both- brought our own beer and also requested the beer we like. I just personally can't stomach Presidente so need my own brand. Wasn't an issue but also was not for the boats you mentioned. Give them a call to see what their policy is!

I didn't realize they held that many people.. I was thinking 20ish... no wedding mixes? are you sure? I really wish, when people take the time to comment on or review attractions, they'd add more details. Maybe my friends are right. Maybe I have too many rules! sigh.

Take a day cruise on the Passaat. The only music is the sounds of the ocean lapping and the sails flapping. It's a delightful experience. Then you won't have anything to worry about.

but I LIKE being surrounded by new island music..it's one reason why I go away...

Linda,

You are so right about the Passat. The beauty of this sail is that it's all about the sail.....not the liquid refreshment though it's there, not the food which is very good and not the music which doesn't happen, or at least didn't either time when we went out with them. It truly was all about the sailing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Or you can take your own music and play it with your sound cancelling earphones so all you hear is your own music. Just go with the flow and you'll enjoy your self much better. The Aqua Mania crews all play some great upbeat music. They like to get you going. Trust me.

We did a trip on the Lambada 2 years ago. Apparently the rum punch and music was good enough for me to be dancing. My wife was amused because I didn't do much dancing at our wedding...