Our first trip was in 99. We were on the first cruise ship to get into the island after Hurricane Lenny. The cruise ship dock was destroyed, we ferried in. The merchants were hungry, I bought my wife a nice emerald ring for 40% off appraised price. We went to Orient Beach, don't recall seeing a single leaf on any tree, the island looked like a desert. We ate lunch at La Playa and my wife sat topless in the almost deserted restaurant. Neither of us has been the same since. Haven't set foot on another cruise, have spent a week on St Martin every year since!