[MRM]

Spring break is coming at just the right time this year, and we got a good deal on a cruise with Celebrity Cruise Line that docks in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Considering that today was "warm" because it got up to 14 (plus) and it was the first time I could wash the cars since Christmas, we're really looking forward to some fun in the sun.

Our situation is that we'll be traveling with mother-in-law ( a completely delightful and pretty sporting MIL) and our 17 year old son. We've done two prior cruises and quickly realized that the cruise's shore excursions are usually way too expensive for what you get and not nearly as much fun as can be had on our own. The pattern we've struck on is to disembark as early as possible, walk to the nearest cab stand, asking what the cabby would a friend who could only visit there once and for one day, and negotiate a flat rate for the cabby to take us to the whatever the locals think are the best attractions. We did this in Alaska and Hawaii and I can't recommend this approach highly enough.

The problem is that I know nothing about St. Maarten or St. Kitts, and what I see on the internet seems very basic touristy reviews of what tourists who don't know anything more than me did when they were wandering around without a plan or insider information. I don't think I could intelligently discuss a potential day trip with a cabby and make a good decision on what to do and where to go. And if we wanted to get on a sailing excursion or deep sea fishing, we would almost have to make the reservations, or at least know who we were looking for, before we left. Otherwise, by the time we get to the dock it will be too late and we won't know what our real options are. The best would be to make arrangements in advance, if I knew who to contact or where to go.

We love the beach, but we also love the water, so I was tentatively planning one beach day and one activity day, preferably deep sea fishing or a sailing excursion, or something like that. For the beach day, I know there are hotels that offer all-inclusive day packages, some of which apparently link up with your account on Celebrity, but the specifics are pretty hard to pin down.

Does anyone have any day trip, beach or water activity suggestions? Any suggestions for a local captain or guide?