C and I have a cruise coming up this summer on the Allure of the Seas.  We're experienced cruisers (me more than C) but need a little help with the ports. 

We're looking for suggestions on things to do/see/visit etc.  We're pretty adventurous and prefer to avoid the super touristy things that all the guide books tell you about.  For instance, last time in St Maarten, we rented a car for the day drove over to the French side (boat ports on Dutch side) to have lunch in a French Café.  We like to eat like the locals ($5 fried chicken from a street vendor on the side of the road in St Lucia was amazing) and see the more out of the way places.

We've been to St Maarten once and are looking forward to going back.  We're probably not going to go back to the French side since did that last time.  Anyone have any suggestions or FHE with things to do?  We'll be porting in the Dutch side again, and taking the water taxi over to the main beach area.  From there?  we're not sure or committed to anything

We've never been to St Thomas.  We're not big shoppers, and we did look at grabbing a Ferry to Jost Van Dyke, but the time tables are risky for getting back to the boat on time.  What else is there?  Again, not looking for touristy things like the sky tram thingy.

Thanks for any input! 

JM

Whike in St Maarten, go grab a burger at the beach bar on Orient Beach.  You will thank me when you get back.

Also there are (or were when I was there last) semi organized drag races near the "old airport".  The races start early Sunday morning, literally on a two lane road with a gully on either side.  Saw everything from stretched hayabusas to a drag car with parachute that beat said hayabusa.  It gets interesting when cars, trucks and or front end loaders drive through the middle of the races.  There was also a concession stand there......a hollowed out school bus that was towed to the parking lot/pits. Served a tasty meat on a stick.

Have a blast!

I've been to St. Thomas a coupla times. While it doesn't meet the criteria, I'd still recommend the aquarium place there-one can go swimming with the fishes, and even come back up. If going underwater directly doesn't suit, the built a glass surrounded staircase that goes way down deep where one can look at the local underwater critters. In other words, Please, try the fish.

There's a small area outside of where you'll dock where you can rent scooters. I'd recommend it but be aware they drive on the wrong side of the road. It's hard to remember that on the bike, as at least on a car, the wheel is on the wrong side, too. You can see most of the island in a matter of hours puttering around, and stop at some of the less touristy destinations. I had some terrific jerk chicken on the side of a mountain somewhere on there.

Don't drink the mushroom tea.

Be aware St. Thomas suffers from the same extreme poverty most of the islands do, and if you get too far off the track, you may not find yourself on a really pleasant journey, man. It's a sunny place for shady people.

If you're into snorkeling and/or hiking I'd highly recommend hopping a ferry to St. John's. Take a taxi across St. Thomas to Red Hook and hop the ferry there (shorter ferry ride (15-20minutes), better schedules compared to ferry from Charlotte Amalie).

You can rent a car near the ferry port on St. John, and most of the shops and restaurants are within walking distance of the port. 80% of the island is national park and there are many beautiful beaches and the water is so clear. If you hike, you can hit the Reef Bay trail, which goes downhill past some petroglyphs to an old sugar mill and ends at a nice, usually deserted beach.

The island is inhabited my mostly ex-pats. No glitz, crime is low and it is very peaceful. It's easy to get around and relatively inexpensive.

Have fun!