I just looked at the SXM port cruise ship schedule and saw that on our 2nd day of our 5 day trip there will be 4 cruise ships in port for basically the entire day/evening. I am not sure how crowded this makes the island but we are staying at Orient Beach, which I assume is a destination for many cruise passengers. Is this a day to stay put in Orient or perhaps go somewhere else to avoid major crowds? Basically, we are not against a lively beach scene but we also don't want it to be so packed that we can't enjoy ourselves. Any thoughts? Thanks

While on the beach at Club O we actually enjoy watching and sometimes interacting with the cruise crowd.

It might be a good day to check out Friars or Happy Bay.

We often go to Karakter on Simpson Bay Beach, or to Dreams on Nettle Bay when there are a large number of cruise visitors.

Go to Anguilla
Take the ferry or book a Catamaran Trip for the day.
http://www.stmaarten-activities.com/index.php/trips-tours/4-anguilla-prickly-pear
http://link.ai/

Personally, we don't judge our daily plans on the cruise schedule...except for totally staying away from P'burg when the big ones are in. The Orient beach area, may be a bit more crowded with the cruisers, but usually by 1 oclock or so the crowds quickly start to disappear with them all heading back to their departures. by 2:30 or 3:00 they usually are all gone....and then it is the best time to be at Orient!!! The beach at sunset also gets loaded now with the cruisers when they are in port. My advise is to relax do whatever you were planning to do and don't worry about a few extra people walking around Orient because they won't be there long!!

I agree, stay away from P'burg and from Sunset. OMG, Sunset is really a zoo when a lot of ships are in! It makes it difficult to get down that road, as people do the DUMBEST things there!

We like to go to Philipsburg, sit at a restaurant on the boardwalk for lunch and a cold drink and people watch!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

We spent time at Happy Bay during the high-traffic periods of our trip. As someone mentioned, Orient won't really be affected in the morning or evenings. Those are the best times to enjoy that beach -- fewer people, fewer vendors, etc.

If you really want to do Orient beach one of those days??? Stay on Palm beach front!! The bus drops them off in the circle and they mostly have arrangement with Waikiki beach. Food is great and chairs are free with lunch!!!http://palmbeachsxm.net/en/