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Beautiful St. Maarten/St. Martin on The Smooth Jazz Cruise

Posted on February 2, 2014

I decided that this would be the perfect spot to do a beach excursion. Although Orient Beach on French St. Martin has always been one of my favorite white sand beaches, I had read reviews that it was overcome by peddlers, harassing you to buy their wares, even while you tried to nap. I was NOT having any of that! I read about a Catamaran Cruise, that took you snorkeling, could ride you to the uninhabited beach if you needed in a dingy, and had CHAMPAGNE onboard. Ding, ding, ding, we have a WINNER! Chris and I, Sheryl, Sharlene and Gretchen signed up for the Cruise and met up that morning onboard.

Sailing, sailing.... — Sailing, sailing….

The crew got some volunteers to help hoist the sails:

They're wonderful, check them out when you're in St. Maarten! — They’re wonderful, check them out when you’re in St. Maarten!

Once we were sailing over to French St. Martin, they offered beer or juice. I asked if they had champagne. They told me that it was being chilled, and minutes later, I was in heaven!

The others getting their snorkeling gear on, ready to get in

This was filled with different drinks, beer and champagne. He rode it around in a Dingy! — At one point, this was filled with different drinks, beer and champagne. He rode it around in a Dingy!

Me and Sheryl having a Champagne meeting while floating in the Sea

A beautiful beach on St. Martin *waving*

Having a funky, good time! — Sharlene and Sheryl having a funky, good time!

I rushed back, excited to see the “Guitars Get Together Q&A” featuring Jonathan Butler, Keb Mo and Peter White, hosted my Marcus Miller. It should have been named “The Marcus Miller Q&A of Keb Mo”, because that’s basically the main person he spoke with. Since I’m still hot about this, I will only say this– be fair to the paying passengers. Give everyone their equal time. Larry Braggs and Alonzo Bodden made jokes about how Peter and Jonathan were being ignored..it was only funny because it was true.

Chris got a photo with both Peter and Marcus, I realized that it was my dream photo, so I asked for one as well.

After this photo was taken, I said I could jump off of the ship now, my life was complete!

We noticed that Brian Simpson and the band were coming in for sound check, I figured that it was a good time to get a photo with Dwight Sills.

I decided to forego the Jeffrey Osborne concert, which I had seen on our cabin t.v. earlier that evening, (it was phenomenal!) and see Brian Simpson’s show.

I then snuck into the Mainstage Show Lounge late show to see Boney James again. I was able to sit with Sascha, Markus, Estella and Christian, and Estella and I jumped up and danced to 2 songs- “Batucada (The Beat)” and “Ride”. Such fun! Chris readied for the Mardi Gras party, and although I brought 11 masks with me, I was worn out, and decided to stay in and get some rest. Chris looked stunning in her mask!