In 1999 I was teaching at our local community college and had no plans for "spring break". I had a friend who was staying in SXM at the Royal Islander in a two bedroom and he invited me down. My brother was a pilot for American Airlines. And in those days, American owned the Caribbean, and you could actually travel on the employee passes. Well, with a free place to stay and a free flight, it was a pretty easy decision. Bought my first week at the RI before I left. Now, 25 years later I'm retired with 3 weeks - best decision I ever made.