I agree that I have enough baubles. This year on two trips we didn't buy any jewelry.

However there were car rentals, restaurants, excursions, grocery shopping, chairs/umbrellas, etc etc etc. Lots of spending. It's why I work....lol

Times have changed. Shopping malls all over the USA are havng hard times. Online shopping and free shipping is a killer for malls.I think if the stores in Philipsburg offered free shipping and lower prices they might be able to compete.

Free shipping from SXM is a non-starter, as it is very expensive.

We aren't cruisers, but have been staying on the island since 1998. We used to go to Philipsburg once or twice each time we visited, and spend a fair amount of money, but we probably haven't gone there once in the last five years? I agree with Scubaman and Pelican Pirate, it's complicated, and the WORLD has changed. For us, the parking and human congestion just isn't worth it anymore. Perhaps Philipsburg needs a new "image" and build more parking lots?

We used to spend a lot of money downtown, and we first started visiting SXM on cruises. Now, we don't really need to buy all that STUFF any more, and as others have said, the parking and the congestion are a real turn off. I guess as you get older, having reasonable parking close is a much bigger deal than when one was younger…

Bill drops me off on Front St and goes to park the car. We don't go often, and typically not to shop but visit with friends.

That's what we do recently also. Eric drops me off.

I didn't realize the squeeze on businesses. Wish the cruisers would spend more at the local businesses. I guess the taxis and tours make out the best. The article comparing the port fee situation to OPEC was very interesting and makes sense.

The first time I heard about cruisers not spending money was from Andy at the Surf Club South when they first moved to Orient Beach. He said they would stuff themselves on the ship and then just buy some drinks from him. Andy was truly a visionary.

We still visit Front Street about once a week while on the island. Maybe lucky but we never have a problem parking at Bobbie's Marina next to the Greenhouse. Does not cost much and you get a little exercise. For more exercise we park at Chesterfields.

Jim

I'm with you Jim.

We always park at Bobby's when we need to do any business. It's $2 for goodness sakes! lol A bit of a walk, but that's ok. I did have a heck of a time trying to park and go to the downtown UTS/Chippie store.

I dislike the concrete jungle it has become. Hawkers everywhere. It feels like an obstacle course. ((dontstartwitheveryoneneedstodobusiness))

We used to park at Bobby's Marina and always got jumped by the time share folks just across the bridge. We recently started parking by the salt pond. Although it is bit of a walk, it's good for us to burn some of those happy hour calories!

We were there today, parked at Bobby's. No issue at all.