Absolutely concur on this. Been to just about all of them in the Caribbean and SXM is a standout. The availability of taxis and other types of transportation has always been outstanding here, and shopping is just a short walk into downtown Philipsburg. And, Great Bay Beach is just across from the port. Wish that some cruise lines would add additional ports-of-call in SXM, and even bring back the overnight stop that Celebrity cruise lines featured in the past. It allowed two full days on St. Maarten and served as a nice means for those afraid to fly to experience SXM.

We have to agree, it is our favorite too. Great to see The Herald giving SXM some props. Might generate enough interest for others who have never visited to give it a try.

They don't know what they are missing!!!!!!

Good news economically for the island. I'm not sure if it isn't detrimental to the culture and social well being of the island.

...since a good part of social well being includes being able to feed your family, I disagree with your point.

I’m lost for an understanding of your statement. The island and its residents have an economy that is majorly based upon tourism. Won’t the additional revenue that is created by increased tourist traffic benefit the residents of the island?

Please explain.

I see the residents eager to sell their wear/services on days that the ships are in. It helps to put food on the table. Almost 30 years ago I discovered the island via a cruise and go on to make countless land trips. All of this help to pour money into the economy. So, I fail to understand your statement. Please explain.

Ok I'll try to explain. Carol of course is right. Jobs are VERY important. I live in a northern Michigan resort community that depends in very large part on the influx of money from outside the community in order to thrive. But that comes at a cost. In our community the cost is VERY high real estate prices and as a result there is very little low income housing and that also leads to higher priced consumer goods. It's not always the same in every tourist community but there is always some cost associated with depending on tourism as a primary source of income. Look at Venice, more locals are leaving every year, or Hawaii were locals in Maui have to have multiple jobs to pay for their 'slice of heaven'.

With st Maarten that is not true. They would be worse off without tourism dollars. Look what happened after Irma.

Wow - GDP not expected to return to pre-Irma level until 2025?!

Aside from SXM being named best cruise port, Carnival and her sister ships, Princess Cruises have just been fined to pay $ 2 million for dumping garbage into the oceans. With all the problems with pollution in the world, this is unacceptable. They are continuously dumping and being fined and nothing is being done about it, And we are worried about straws? Big business, big money.

The fine was 20 million dollars ($20,000,000.00)

WOW! That's a very hefty fine!

I could believe Carnival doing something like that, but the Love Boat? That's too bad and totally unacceptable. Been to SXM on the Regal Princess in the past and it always was the highlight of the cruise.