As for St. Maarten standing as a cruise ship home port, those who come to the island to embark on their cruise most definitely spend money there prior to sailing. Having stayed at Holland House several times in the past, I have met many, many people who have flown to SXM and stayed on the island for a few days prior to their cruise. They stay at the hotels, eat at the restaurants, and shop at the businesses along Main Street. In the past, this has been for smaller yacht type cruises like Windstar. If larger cruise ships that carry 2,000 to 2,500 guests home port here I honestly don't see what the big deal is.