Our Carnival Pride cruise stopped in SXM in January. I did not hear anything bad about the French side, but few excursions were going there. After our brief tour of Orient Beach, I can see why they would not offer an excursion to Orient Beach. The Club Orient area was the only area that could handle a lot of people and the cruise ship would never organize a trip to Club O. I am not sure if Pinel Island was available either. Cruise ships like excursions to beach that have services. Orient Beach is not there yet. Prior to the trip, I thought the cruise lines were doing a good job of keeping people up to date on the status of SXM.