I certainly didn't report unknown or made up information. I have not had conversations with shop owners or cab drivers. However I did read a published article near the beginning of the year (i do NOT recall where) stating that cruise ship visits to SXM were down significantly.

25 in 2014/ 18 in 2016 7 doesn't sound like a lot but it is 28%. How many passengers on each ship? Use 2500 for round numbers. 17500 less visitors in a month. Now 7 ships sounds like a bit more.

I am not "Chicken Little" ranting about the sky. I am not sugar coating it either.

We love SXM and will continue to visit until it feels unsafe. I will not visit SXM and stay in a compound that I can never leave out of fear. The beauty has always been the freedom to "see" the entire Island.