Forums39
Topics38,837
Posts314,386
Members26,590
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
26 registered members (RonDon, Alltech63, BlueMoc, SXMScubaman, jbutah, captbob, StMartinFan, eightzerobits, KirkB, Manpot, CaribbeanCanadians, ghjr, WWII, mark37, JandIrene, Matt W, SANFILIP, deliveryskipper, JeanneB, 7 invisible),
1,176
guests, and 266
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: GaKaye]
#228776
06/27/2020 03:51 PM
06/27/2020 03:51 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
|
Our answer is no. We stay on the French side and probably spend 95% of our time there.
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: GaKaye]
#228788
06/27/2020 04:33 PM
06/27/2020 04:33 PM
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 705 Lake Texoma, Texas
cruzer
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 705
Lake Texoma, Texas
|
If the French border were closed, but I could get to and stay on the French side, yes I'd go. For a one week stay, yeah, I could stay on the Dutch side, but we really like a 3 week plus stay, and I could not bear that solely on the Dutch side. I say this, assuming we could stay at Mary's Boon, which for some inexplicable reason, holds a special spell over me. What really brings us back to St. Martin year after year is GCBC and the Grand Case restaurants, but with a decompression stop at Mary's boon prior to departure. (And, from what I've seen posted here, BSV would be an alternative)
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: cruzer]
#228796
06/27/2020 04:49 PM
06/27/2020 04:49 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,440 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,440
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
|
If the French border were closed, but I could get to and stay on the French side, yes I'd go. For a one week stay, yeah, I could stay on the Dutch side, but we really like a 3 week plus stay, and I could not bear that solely on the Dutch side. I say this, assuming we could stay at Mary's Boon, which for some inexplicable reason, holds a special spell over me. What really brings us back to St. Martin year after year is GCBC and the Grand Case restaurants, but with a decompression stop at Mary's boon prior to departure. (And, from what I've seen posted here, BSV would be an alternative)
If the French border were closed it would be because the EU has banned travelers from North America, so I'm afraid that probably wouldn't happen for you. We spend three weeks as well, and while we'd miss the French side beaches, we'd make do. Hoping it doesn't come to pass, as I think it would kill the French side economy.
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: GaKaye]
#228806
06/27/2020 06:11 PM
06/27/2020 06:11 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
|
In absolute honesty, while we typically enjoy a day or two at Ans Marcel, a day or two at Friars and perhaps a day in one of many Grande Case locales, that’s only 3 to 5 days at best out of our two weeks plus, and if those days couldn’t happen, this wouldn’t be the end of my world.
I’ve always preferred the Dutch side and staying on a beachfront property makes this even more so the case. On our last trip we decided we could stay at BSV the whole trip and if it weren’t for seeing island friends and dining out, we could be perfectly content there without ever leaving. Between the units being ocean-front with a lovely pool and pool-deck for sun bathing, and the addition of the restaurant and bar at El Zafiro right next door, we could do our entire trip there without leaving much.
As far as SXM being almost the same as any other Caribbean island, having stayed on a whole bunch of them, I personally think that’s a misstatement but that’s my opinion and having been there a few times, the allure of Hawaii is destroyed for me by the reality of the ten hour flight each way.
Keeping my fingers crossed for November but in the end, what will be will be........
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: GaKaye]
#228807
06/27/2020 06:31 PM
06/27/2020 06:31 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,575 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,575
Ohio
|
The French border being closed would in no way stop me from going.
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: GaKaye]
#228808
06/27/2020 06:53 PM
06/27/2020 06:53 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,894
Bahston
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,894
|
The different possible permutations here make my head hurt. Country Sint Maarten is not a part of the EU, but it is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is. Saint Martin is part of the EU, as is France. Other French Caribbean islands (Guadeloupe, Martinique) are part of the EU, but St Barthelemy is not.
What will the Netherlands do? What will France do? How will it impact St Martin/Sint Maarten? I don't think that anyone, including the politicians on the island and in Europe know.
For me, I was thinking about slipping down to SXM in early December. But for now, I'm just going to have a seat on my back porch, have an icy cold adult beverage, and just watch what happens instead of speculating about political moves which I will never understand.
But that's just me.
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: zeus1963]
#228815
06/27/2020 08:38 PM
06/27/2020 08:38 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,932 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,932
Auburn, WA
|
I want to go, but I understand their worries about bringing COVID back to St Maarten. My assumption is that if French side closes to US citizens the Dutch side is very likely. I would probably just opt for Hawaii this year if it doesn't look good. I am supposed to go in mid August. Surely we will see how things are going thru Mid July to make a decision. Not easy to go to Hawaii. Right now a 2 week mandatory quarantine for visitors and residents. Don't see that changing soon.
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: GaKaye]
#228816
06/27/2020 08:52 PM
06/27/2020 08:52 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146 Louisiana
o2bnsxm
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
|
If the French Side were not available, I would not go. The only two times we are on the Dutch side is when we arrive at the airport, and when we take a taxi from the French side to go back to the airport to leave the Island. We did go to the Dutch side once while on the Island, to spend a few hours at the Casino (near the Airport). That is the only time we spent any time on the Dutch side during any of our Vacations. We have no reason to go to SXM if the French side is not available.
Last edited by o2bnsxm; 06/27/2020 08:58 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: JoeC047]
#228817
06/27/2020 08:55 PM
06/27/2020 08:55 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
bizzottom
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
|
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: Leagle49]
#228846
06/28/2020 08:07 AM
06/28/2020 08:07 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,440 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,440
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
|
We would still go. We are booked for 5 weeks at SBR. We have found that e visit the French side less and less over the years. Used to go to Bai Rouge every day. Now we rarely go to the beaches, hanging around the pool has gotten more attractive. No sand to wash off, ability to run to the room for anything. Now only to eat in Grand Case. As we age driving there at night has become more and more challenging. We'd still go a couple of times but if the border is closed we'd just eat on the Dutch side. Getting older has certainly changed what we do. LOL We do generally go to the beach most every day, but we did spend several days by the pool at La Vista Beach this past year. I completely agree about not driving over to the French side at night! Our first several trips, we ate in Grand Case every night. Now we rarely venture over there after dark. As you say, getting older changes what you do!
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: Cathyg]
#228851
06/28/2020 08:43 AM
06/28/2020 08:43 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
|
If I HAD to make that choice, I would still go, but closing the border between French and Dutch side again would be an absolute economic disaster for the island, on top of all the others.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#228869
06/28/2020 09:50 AM
06/28/2020 09:50 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,575 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,575
Ohio
|
Why would only France bar North American/US? Netherlands is EU too. Country St. Maarten is NOT part of the EU. Carol, you are correct.
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: PelicanPirate]
#228870
06/28/2020 09:52 AM
06/28/2020 09:52 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,588 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,588
St Maarten
|
Netherlands is EU, But Sint Maarten is not.
St Martin is governed directly from France, which is EU.
This has caused a bunch of problems these last months. Frustrating for both sides.
If EU does ban US traffic, there is a very good chance they would force St.Martin to do the same.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
|
|
|
Re: Would you still go...
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#228874
06/28/2020 09:55 AM
06/28/2020 09:55 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,588 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,588
St Maarten
|
Absolutely.
Last edited by BillandElaine; 06/28/2020 09:56 AM.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
|
|
|
|