We our scheduled for our tests already, the testing day is November 6th. We are feeling good about the whole process of getting to St Maarten which is what allowed us to pull the trigger on going.

Austria

We were swabbed at 9:45 on Monday morning. Had our test results before 8 pm today (Tuesday). Filled out the form, and uploaded the results to the St Martin website. Had our "Authorization Pre-Approval" from St Martin
within an hour. Wow! No island time here!

Was thinking of you also today! Boy, 2017 flashback. I will pray for rain!

I just cancelled 10/16-10/24. Having surgery after trip and just not worth it. I’m sure NJ and CT will join in with Cuomo as the states can’t think for themselves 😢

Well that certainly adds a new dimension to the plans for our up-coming trip........

At one point I seem to recall reading (or hearing?) you could avoid the quarantine and still protect your friends and family by being Covid tested immediately upon return. Anyone know if this still is the case?

Johns Hopkins, whose data is beyond the influence of elected officials, has the US COVID death rate at 2.9%. The flu fatality rate over many years averages 0.1%. Unless you believe in conspiracy theories, this is different than the flu.
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality

What RickG said. Have them take the ferry from Crown to Water. Great way to start

I swim here in STT most days -- except for the earlier weeks when all the cruising// traveling boats inundated our local anchorages the waters are clear and corals have been very healthy and the grasses and turtles abundant.

The big schooners used to have crew changes and provisioning there - I am talking recent - the last few years - not 'the old days'.
Spirit of Massachusetts, Harvey Gamage, Pride of Baltimore, Roseway etc.
Use the western ebd of the beach - closer and shorter walk to airport instead of the Hotel part of the beach.
Probably load luggage and have your mate run it out to the boat, walk up to the beach bar with your guests -- if that is what makes you want to do this, then have the dinghy pick you all up down the beach again later.
Overnight can be rolly - especially for new sailors, Brewers bay or Water Island are flatter and not too far if that is the case.
There are not really any dinghy regulations to concern you -- Sundays are MUCH busier!

There has been a notable difference in the water clarity in CGB. Particularly back in May after the beaches were closed for 45 days!

The reefs haven’t declined from tourism, over the years its basically the runoff from showers and storms which fills the bays with dirt and animal fecal matter.
The waters are still beautiful.