Demographics of TTOL members? age/loc

Just wondering where the majority of posters hail from. As far as age demographic, it appears that most members are late 40's to late 70's or so, and are from the midwest., although I see posters are also from CT and MA as well. Is this pretty accurate, or am I waaaay off?

Most of our members I think are closer to their 50's and 60's and I would say that a large number are from the northeast..

Give us from the midwest some credit! We have to work really hard to get to SXM and maybe appreciate it even more. 93 days and counting.

I agree that folks from the Midwest especially have to pay more to get to SXM, but that really wasn't the question. Never really did a formal survey, but it seems to me that a lot of timeshare folks in particular are from the NE.

We're from NE and we're in our 60's & 80's but not TS people. Started going to SXM via charters in the late '70's, .then Eastern, American and now Jet Blue direct from Boston.

When we talk about moving we always say: "It has to be near an airport that gives direct, Non-stop flights to SXM." Haven't moved yet though. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

In my 60's and from NY. First trip to SXM was 1974.

I am 64 wife late 50s. We are from the frozen tundra of western NY. First trip 2001

We're from the Philadelphia area, and I'm 39 (again). Actually it's 72 (ouch) and retired. My wife, Cleta (Rabby on here), is 60 and still working. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Early 60's, and the better half just retired. Gave up cruises in 2011. Sitting on any SXM beach and watching the cruisers have to get up and leave early in the afternoon is a treat.Trying to figure out how to stretch 1 week a year to more.French side studios are just fine for us. Just need a place to crash at night. When you get away from MI winters, you want to be outside every minute.

Just a guess but I'm thinking the majority of us are probably between 45 and 65, of course with variables on either end. We were fortunate enough to discover SXM when we were in our late 20's so we've been luckier than most in that we've had 43 years worth of annual trips so far and still hoping for many more.

The northeast does offer a lot of nonstop flights so it would make sense a great number of regular visitors are from this particular corridor. But that said, there are a lot of Canadians who visit as well. And a lot of mid-westerners, too, but I think the northeast from New Hampshire down to the mid-Atlantic states probably are the majority because of nonstop flights and generally better pricing.

Personally, I think we're a pretty mixed bag both in ages and locations and the only real common denominator is our mutual enjoyment of this one special island. That's my story and I'm stickin' with it!!

North West Pacific. First time to St Maarten was in '89. TS since '99. Go every year. Always have BD in St Maarten and will turn 70 on next trip and will Dive on my BD.

Another West Coaster here (there are quite a few of us on this forum). Late 60s and timeshare owner although not staying there on my upcoming trip in 44 days. And I suspect we have an even more difficult time getting to SXM than the Midwesterners do.

My wife and I are in our early 60's and from Western Canada.

We're 70 and 63 having joined TTOL in 2000 when we were still "kids" - flying out of EWR (Newark) to AUA, non-stop only now, back in the day we flied out of JFK on AA 667 non-stop to SXM the return was often direct with a stop in Antigua for the return to JFK from SXM.
Timeshare owners at Divi, Little Bay.

We are mid 60's from Ontario, Canada. We have been coming to SXM twice a year for 20 years. Love those direct flights.

Representing northeast, New York.

We are both in our early 60's & hail from the Great State of Texas!!! 12 years of SXM trips - we are not time-share people.

We are 66 and 67 and TS owners from Southwestern Ohio. First trip to St. Martin was August-September 2010 with Hurricane Earl.

Returning for our third trip in late January - early February 2017

I'm 66 and my husband is 53. We hail from SE Michigan. My 1st trip in the 90's was on a nonstop out of Detroit on Northwest. Those were the days!

I am 62, my wife 60...originally from Boston, now w palm beach fl. Timeshare owner for over 25 years. First trip was on a cruise , followed the next with a timeshare swap at pelican, followed the next year to a swap into royal islander, where we left with owning our first week there.. Bout five years later became owners of week 2...followed by five years ago with Week 3. All this within the last 30 or so years.

I am 72 and my wife is 68. We are TS owners since the late 80s and come every year and love it!! We will keep coming for as long as we can !!!

We're under 45 and from NJ. I started coming as a teen with my parents.

I'm 64 and from Missouri. First trip was in 86 I think.

68 & 70, originally from the Northeast, but, after 25 yrs of visits, now reside in St. Martin.

70 and 67, TS owners from PA.
Won a trip in 84? Has been our family vacation every year since.

We are both 47 living in Omaha, NE. This is our third trip to SXM since 2003. I think this is the third time I've been a member on this board, ha. I like the fact that you run into good and decent people from all over when you travel to SXM. On occasion, you run into the obnoxious American that is loud and demanding, but for the most part, the people we have met are awesome and from all walks of life. Can't wait for Nov. 12th!!!!!!!

I'm 66 and my husband is 61. We both retired when we were 57. We live in North Carolina now, having moved from the Richmond, VA area in 2011. We're timeshare owners (La Vista Beach) and spend three weeks there every year.

My husband and I are both 51. Started going to SXM and following this site in 2011, at the age of 46. My husband was brought up in Mansfield, MA, and I grew up in Everett, MA, but we've lived in Chelsea, MA the past 17 years.

David Colasanti
Edward Kelly

(And we both hope there's a way that Jet Blue can travel out of Boston this Saturday Oct 8, and reroute around Hurricane Matthew, which will be near South Carolina on that date, so we can get ourselves to St. Maarten !!!!)

I'm 72 my wife is 70. We've been going to the island for 14 years, sometimes three times a year. We own and rent at pelican. Giving up our third visit this year in November for another shot at Aruba. But we love our St Maarten.

You should be fine. People trying to fly out of Charlotte, perhaps another matter!!!

Started going to SXM for our 25th anniversary. We celebrate our. 40th this coming year!!! 60 years young and Ted is 61. I'm retired, Ted still claims he's working! We live in upstate NY (the REAL upstate New York, an hour east of Syracuse), but are native New Englanders. Normally go to SXM once a year during Regatta, but this year, we're heading to SXM in early November with our son to celebrate his 35th birthday! (he's never been there). Also going again in March for Regatta!

Fingers crossed, Carol !

We are from Québec, Canada and I'm 49 , hubby 50 ! We have been coming to SXM for 13 years now !!

My wife and I are in our mid-sixties, are timeshare owners and are from Southern Maine.

Northeast Ohio. 63 and 61. 3 trips to Club O every mid january. The wife flamed me before the first trip, now can hardly wait to get there.

You forgot your age <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
I'm 38 and my wife is 37 from the Detroit area.

We are in our early 70s. Have been coming since 95. First from NY, now from NJ. Time share owners of 5 weeks at the Towers.

I wish there was a "Like" button! I forget, I'm not on Facebook here. My husband and I are in our early 60's and honeymooned there almost 27 years ago...took a break to travel to other islands and to many Club Manager Conferences around the States...came back 4 years ago and try to get there every year, sometime 2x/yr, sometime with hubby, sometime with friends. Boston area...and I wish the JetBlue non-stops were more affordable, as we usually plan late....when the mood strikes, when the workload allows! I appreciate all the valuable info on this forum. Thank you all -- this was fun! Nancy & Steve (Hope to be coming 11/26...???)

My Wife (of 45 years) and I are native New Yorkers, having discovered SXM in 1984. We moved to the Chicago suburbs in 1990 and then moved to the far north Chicago suburbs. In 2015 we retired to East TN. Both of us are in our late 60's. We have visited SXM over 25 times since 1984 and spend the last week in Feb and the first week in March at our timeshare at SBRM.

Mid-50s and mid-40s from west coast of Canada. Relative new-comers to St Martin after trying Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Our first trip was 2011. We are probably the only ones who think the investment by the Chinese might be a good thing -- Maybe it would result in a direct flight from Vancouver <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Mike &Jeanine here. we are 63 & 65 from Denver colorado have been coming to sxm for 8 years.

From MA. Early sixties. Fly Jet Blue with a stopover down and direct back. Late April to Early May. Been going to SXM since 93. Stay on French side. Rent villas as couple or with another couple. Stay in Orient Bay Park. Spend most of our time on French side except when we arrive and eat at Mark's Place and shop next door.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

vermonters here---do a month every year--club o--oyster bay and royal islander---71 and 62---jet blue--guess that covers it

71 & 67. Originally from Illinois now live in Florida. First trip in '98 now come for 3 weeks every year.

Southern MA on RI border 67 (me) and 62...I forgot exactly when we started coming to SXM but it has been just under 20 years. We started as exchangers into Pelican and then 8 yrs ago we inherited two January weeks on the 5th floor of SBR upper B bldg and absolutely love it.
Big tennis following of 15-20 players every year makes it even more enjoyable.

We're 68 & 69. First trip to SXM in 1984 then every year from 1990. Originally from the Boston area but couldn't take the winters anymore so we moved to SXM nine years ago and love it!
We're in Boston now and are having the same worries about the flight. We'll see you at Logan David!

We are 66 and 67. We started coming to St. Maarten from western Mass in 2001. We started with one week and are now up to four. Our family owns four weeks in the F building at SBR, we can't wait to see the renovations. Our adult children all want to vacation with Mom & Dad so we have more St. Maarten lovers.

RicknGrace_LI_NY are from LI-NY in case you couldn't guess. We are 64 and 63. Discovered SXM in 1993. Owned at Pelican but let it go a few years ago. We own a week in Cabo that we bought on E-Bay for $100. Never been there. Just use it for trading.

My wife and I are late forties. We are currently on our 4th visit to the island in 5 years. Every visit I get closer to convincing my wife we should retire here.

I'm 63 and the bride is 61. We live in Michigan about 30 miles north of Detroit.

I've been a lurker of this forum for many years. First visited in 1986 and have returned many times since then. Often staying in the Orient Bay area.

We alternate beach/island stays with barefoot sailing - and sometimes being just plain beach bums.

Wife and I are in mid-60's

Wife and I are in our early 50's - from the prairies in Canada, so we deserve a winter vacation! Went to Orient in 2015 and heading back with 4 friends this winter - can't wait!

We are both 70 from Toronto Ontario. First visits were by cruise ships in the 90s, have been coming for between 4-6 wks for past 12 yrs. or so on the Dutch side but not TS.

I'm in my (very) late 50's and hubby turns 60 this year. We're from Northern NJ and have been coming to SXM for over 15 years, always staying on Orient Beach area, except for our very first time at Guana Bay. If we're lucky, we get to SXM twice a year, but always come in early November. Started with a week, now up to 2 weeks. We just LOVE getting together with the people we've met over the years, many of whom have become great friends that we travel with and visit outside of SXM. It's become an opportunity to see other parts of the US too!

We are in our late 40's and early 50's. Both originally from the NY area, now in Northern Virginia. Started going in 2007. If we are not sailing then we rent on the French Side.

From Toronto, ON; both in our mid-70s, first came to SXM in 1998, stopped by at Club O for a brief visit. Next month will be our 22nd visit. Just newbies!

Great thread....

We are in our 50's and live in Iowa...we usually drive to Chicago and fly out from there but this year it looks like we will be taking a farther drive to Minneapolis as we can not find a decent rate on a nonstop flight...after flying nonstop for the first time last year we just can't go back to running through an airport to catch our second flight!

Younger than Carol and Eric Hill and from southwestern OH. First trip on a cruise in 1991 and over 40 trips to SXM so far. Being from OH we get all 4 seasons, multiple times a year and also have the pleasure of never having a non-stop flight and always high airfare.

Hey!!! Younger than Eric, you are. Younger than me, you are NOT!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/impatient.gif" alt="" />

Just seeing if you are paying attention!

Smart aleck!!!

Great topic.
Jeana is 57 and I am 61. From the NJ Shore.
First trip in 1982.

BobandJeana

We are from Ct/Ma and honeymooned on St Maarten in 1977.
Fell in love with the island and many trips the last 11 years we have been spending Jan- April on the island . We are 68 and 74

"50 something", from the east end of Long Island, NY. First trip was in 2001 with a friend, and every year since then has been with girlfriend(s). This is my annual "girls' trip" and keep telling my husband it saves my life and our marriage <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> (he's a good man!) Keep saying I will bring my husband some day...then again, maybe not! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

We are both 39 and from the Suburbs of Milwaukee. Been to Club O for the last 9 years in a row.

My wife and I are in our 60s. We live in a suburb of Chicago. We own one of the units at Les Balcons d'Oyster Pond on the French side and have been going to SXM since 2003.

So, David, you posed the question. I think it's up to you to compile the results so far!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

We are from Quebec, Canada <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" /> and are in our 60's.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

58 and 60 from Long Island. We are arriving next week for our 14th trip! Can't wait!

I am a member nearing sixty and I hail from upstate (not too far) NY. First trip was before the "big One" and remember Mullet Resort. Come several times a year since daughter was at AUC 2004. Plan to keep coming.

Thank you Carol, I believe you are correct. However I actually see people from all over, but they are not the majority.

Jon & Peaches from Detroit. Just booked Christmas flights on Delta for a fortune. We've been visiting SXM since 2004. We are late 30's and early 40's.

Interesting question David.

69 and 61 from CT. Found SXM in 2004. First two trips stayed at the Marquis on Pigeon Pea Hill. First trip we did all the tourist things. Second trip we spent most of our time on Club O beach and have been staying at Club O ever since. About 10 stays.

Yes, this post seems to have opened the floodgates ! Wife & I are 64 from Nawthern Virginia. Visited St. Martin first in 2005 and have been going back each year since. Stay at Club O, started with 1 week and now up to 2, usually Spring/early Summer but will be there December this year so we'll see what the Holiday season is like sans clothes.

We are both 54 from north central MA. We are flying out of jfk Friday morning for our 17th trip to Sxm!

Those are my weeks also,La Vista and The Towers

Both 55, originally from NE Ohio, but been in Michigan for many years...first trip on a Pan Am vacation in 1982...skipped a few years, and now a few times a year since 1988.

We are 60 & 62, from Saskatchewan and have been going to SXM since 1996. I'll bet we get the prize for the most convoluted plane flight to get there!

We are the token Minnesotans, late 50's. First came down March of 2002, expensive trip then. Flew all day...Minneapolis to Detroit, San Juan, and over on a turbo prop where shortly after takeoff the cockpit door swung wide open...flight attendant jumped up and quickly shut the door...this was as airport and aircraft security was ramping up after 9/11. Stayed at villa Wittenblau (sp) in Pelican Key. Every year but one since. Private villas, the Towers, but mostly Simpson bay Marina resort.

From PA Amish country with me 72 and my wife 68. Amish buggy going past the window right now! Been visitors since the start of the century with about 20 visits under our belts. Usually fly out of Baltimore or Phila. Started with stays at the Alamanda on Orient, but after a few years began renting villas to save money. Have stayed on the Dutch side a few times, but usually stay on the French side.

We both are 60 and live in SC. We found the island on a cruise stop in late 90's and now have been coming for our anniversary in October each year since 2008. We started with a week, but are up to 16 nights this year. We arrive next Friday.

We are from eastern PA relocated to Clermont, FL this year; he 69, she 61, discovered sxm by way of cruise 1996, land vacations started 2002, Alamanda Resort always, still love cruising and or land vacations equally.

Husband and I are in early 70's...first trip to Mullet Bay in 1985. Have never
missed a year other than 1999 when late Hurricane( I think it might have been Lenny) closed Royal Islander for our week 52. Started with 1 week also bought 3 additional. Now own at Rainbow Beach Club and stay almost 3 months during 2 to 3 trips. Still live on Long Island, NY but SXM is our very favorite place to be..love it, love it!! : <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

The wife and I are mid 40's and from Northern Michigan. Started visiting SXM about 5 years ago and have been back every year since then.

I'm glad I started this thread. Great to see where everyone is from !!!!

I'm too busy biting my fingernails worrying about whether we're even gonna get to make the trip out from Boston Saturday morning due to Matthew !!! He's not heading anywhere near the Northeast, but unless I'm bad at geography, it seems like we'd be flying near this beast on the way to SXM. So far, flights between Boston and SXM haven't been mentioned on the JetBlue site. Hopefully that's a good sign! Gonna check flight status on Friday.

I would be very confident that JetBlue knows about flying around a storm...it might add a bit to the flight time but they are very used to it.

I would worry more about where your flight out of BOS is originating FROM...if it's the 1120a flight it will be coming from somewhere...hopefully not the mid-atlantic..I would guess NYC or west coast.

Barry and Marenda -71 and 61 from Perth Ontario. We are 10 days away from our 14th trip since 06. We started off at Sonesta Maho and 4 years ago bought a T/S at Royal Islander La Plage.

Dave(57)and Cyndi(59)from West Deptford NJ across the river from Philadelphia. It all started in 2003, when friends of ours graciously invited us to stay with in SXM. We have just completed our 10 trip in August in addition to 1 cruise. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Agreed, so long as there is a plane there, you will be absolutely FINE, David. Worry about possibly whether your plane is supposed to be coming up from NC or something and turning back around. Then the physical plane that you are supposed to be on might not get to Boston. But, other than that, your outbound flight may take longer to get there, but you will arrive there perfectly fine.

I want to play! I'm 33 and my husband is 31. We're in the beginning stages of planning our second trip after visiting for the first time on our honeymoon.

Awesome thread David, super interesting, have a great trip, you will look back and laugh about worrying about your flights!

We are both 41 & live in a town of about 600 people outside of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Have been to the island 10 times in the last 12 years.

I should jump in before this thread gets closed for staying on topic too long. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Left coasters, both recent Medicare enrollees (hey, spellchecker, this is correct!), have been coming every year since 2007, now up to 3+ weeks (two trips, 5 weeks in '16), with the bulk of the time spent at GCBC. Missed a flight some 3 years ago (massive sand gravity syndrome) so now spend a few days at Mary's Boon. Dislike the area, love the hotel and beach

We always take the red eye, primarily AA. Usually 12 hours for a 4k mile flight, so not too bad, other than the body's kvetching about the flight.

Be there on Tuesday.

This is a sad thread for me for my own reason, but I am late 50's and this January will be my 21st visit to SXM. I have always stayed on the french side, never the dutch. Is anyone else like that, always french side?

Two early 60's from Minneapolis, MN visiting SXM on Christmas (+week) for past ten years.

My primary frame of reference is GCBC, and there are a lot of people I've met there who don't stay, or no longer stay, on the Dutch side. So I wouldn't consider that unusual. We stay a few days at Mary's Boon, which is site specific--Simpson beach is great, but other than that are perfectly happy staying on the French side. We still visit the Dutch side, and have a good time there, but GCBC and Grand Case are home for us.

My wife and I are in our late 50's. First visited SXM in 1981 on a cruise, stayed on island for the first time in 1991. Have always stayed at Club O. We're from northern California. Hawaii is certainly easier to get to, but we prefer SXM.

Thanks cruzer for saying it better than I did. My frame of reference is the month of January on Orient Beach, and all the regulars I see ever year mostly stay on or close to Orient. This forum leads me to believe a lot of members stay on the dutch side. I could be wrong, nothing scientific about that comment!

We are both in our late 50's.monly have stayed on the French side. Grand Case at first then settled into Orient Village.

Thanks for the encouraging words, guys !

We have only stayed on the French Side also. We like the quiet. We usually only go over to the Dutch side for a visit to Maho (plane watching) and for Captain Neil and the Celine.

Norm and Betty.74. From St Louis. First trip to SXM 1998. Trip 26 coming up soon.

My wife and I have been coming to SXM for over 25 years averaging 5 to 9 weeks a year. we both work full time but get great vacation allowances. We mostly have stayed on the Dutch side . We own t time share weeks at Simpson Resort. We average 3 visits a week to French side activities but prefer the night time action on the Dutch side particularly the Casinos and clubs. We hail from New Jersey.

We also go to SXM in January. Stay @ Belair on Dutch side.
Journey to Orient Beach when possible.

soon to be 57 from Pittsburgh.. first made it to sxm I THINK in the late 80's? maybe early 90's on a Windjammer out of Philipsburg. What an awesome introduction to the island

We are in our early 70's and are from Midwest, and have been coming to SXM for about 18 years. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Someone has to represent California here!

I didn't know anyone was actually from California..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

We are from Michigan, outside of Detroit, 60's, first visit was 1981 Sheraton Mullet Bay Resort, have been coming back almost every year since. Purchased a timeshare in 95 for week 6.
Mostly stay on the Dutch side. Always extend our trip 3-5 days.

We are from Oregon and Travel often to the Caribbean but it has been 8 years since we have been to St Martin. Returning this winter for 3 weeks. We are both in our late 60''s and love to travel. Just returned from Europe for a 7 week trip. Can't wait for our trip to St Marin.

Dan and Katherine, 70 & 55, from San Antonio. First trip on a Windjammer cruise, then a week in 2010, now twice a year since 2012. Always stay in Orient Village. Next trip Nov 4.

We're another couple whose first experience was through Windjammer back in 1998. Coincidentally, our last trip on WJ and our first land stay on SXM were in 2007. WJ went belly up that year and SXM filled in nicely as a replacement to the annual cruises.

Born and raised in California. May retire to someplace else though!
Looks like at least one other poster is from Ca. as well.

Wouldn't it be fun if you were Nurse John from California who pierced my ear on the deck of the Poly all those years ago? I think they were from San Diego

We are mid 60's couple from Kansas City. First trip 1992 I think.

Dave and Diana: I'm 61, Diana is 63. We reside in central Illinois, and visit the island as often as we can. We first visited the island by cruise ship in 2008???, I think and then in shortly thereafter started visiting for longer periods of time.

Late 70's-early 80's - first visit to SXM in 1967 and returned almost every year thereafter (although often splitting the trip with another island) but haven't been back for several years for a variety of reasons. Still follow trips on TTOL.

Late 40's from Western Wisconsin. Been going to SXM since first trip in 2010, otherwise we were going to the Caymans, Turks & Caicos, Mexico but found SXM with vast diversity & direct flights out of MSP.

We are both 60 y/o's from northeastern PA near Scranton. Have been traveling to SXM almost every year since we discovered SXM during our honeymoon in 1986! We bought one week timeshare at the Royal Islander preconstruction in 1986 and now own a total of three weeks. We love our yearly vacations in SXM:-)

Dont forget us up here in Canada....age group 48-63...been coming to sxm only since 2005....hardly want to go anywhere else. But the Canadian dollar is not good, plus now I read about extra departure taxes....ouch...oh well,,it "is" paradise to us. Kinda like headin to the cottage at Sauble Beach Canada,,,we now know our way around pretty good,,and the island is amazing, not to mention our winters are cold! Cannot wait till January 2017. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Hubby & I are 64, and from CT. We've been coming to St Martin since 1992 and have only missed 2 years- 1 due to a hurricane and 2014 due to health reasons, but made up for that in 2015 with 2 trips. We stayed at Divi for the first 2 trips, and since then, have stayed at GCBC with the last 2 trips staying part of the trip in a private studio in French Cul de Sac.We just returned last night from our longest trip(21 days) and miss it already.

We are mid 50's and adding to the Canadian demographic. We are from Ottawa Ontario. Unfortunately no direct flights but only one connection in Toronto. This will be our first time and we are staying on the French side. From the replies on this thread, it would seem that there is a danger or perhaps we should say sweet reward that we may fall in love with the place.

Will we be seeing a trip report soon? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

My wife and I are in early 70's Newbies being going to St. Maarten for 10 years

My hubby is 55 and I just turned 50. We are from Ontario Canada. Made our 1st trip here 12 years ago 1 month after we started dating. The next year he proposed to me while on the island and the following year we celebrated our anniversary in St Maarten. Have been coming now 12 years steady making our 15th trip in 5 weeks Can't wait! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

It will be the sweet reward version. Have fun and fill us in on your exploits.

My husband is 33 and I'm 32. We are from East Tennessee. We discovered St. Martin by booking it on a whim in 2012 and have been back every year and sometimes twice a year ever since. Will be there again the week after Thanskgiving!

Dustin and Ian

We're from upstate NY and in our 60's. Started going to SXM in 1992 and have only missed one year since then.

50 ish and based in the UK

Maybe a short one on our activities. We are friends with Cruzer, so the food/restaurant info would mostly be a repeat!

MJ and I are in our early 50's, started going in 2002 because that is where we got a TS Exchange to by chance. We have been going back since and sometimes multiple times per year.

This upcoming trip we will pass the 300 nights on island mark, and we have stayed at 24 different resorts in a total of 36 buildings and one sailboat. Mostly on the Dutch side.

23 days until we touch down at SXM!
Cheers!

We are in our mid 60's. We're from Nassau county and the east end of Long Island. We came over to TTOL from the old prodigy board. I remember the push to get 100 registered. I've had to re register many times. (Something to do with my cookies ??). We've made numerous trips to SXM and was on island for hurricane Lenny. Wow! Love TTOL and our home away from home. Thank you Carol and Eric. Anon Ellie

We are in our early 70's. live in Westchester, NY and the east end of Long Island. Have been traveling to Sxm for the last 38 years and many years twice a year. However, now we travel to Italy at least twice a year. We have never missed a year in Sxm and look forward to Feb. 9

NH resident for 45 years (Massachusetts transplant) and 63. My beautiful bride is from Ottawa Canada, age withheld for self preservation. SXM has been our favorite destination for 15 years with the French side being our preference.

58 & 59 from Utah. First trip to SXM was the result of this website. Our 7th trip is coming soon. Thanks Carol & Eric!

Early 50's for us from San Antonio TX. First trip in 2013 then returned in 2014 and 2015. Went to St John USVI this year.

Looking to return in 2017!

We are also old Windjammers. I met Pat on the Mandalay in 1997 and were married in a geezer wedding in my native California. Our first anniversary in 1998 was back to back on the Poly and that weekend we bought a condo at Monte Vista. Five months a year until 2012. Now we are too rickety to travel much, but we keep up with TTOL.

Our WJ trip was in '03 or '04. The agent offered a 10% discount if we paid in advance. I asked what would happen to my money if they went bankrupt or something, Hah! he said - we've been in business since the 40s, we're stable. Couple of years later we decided to go again - they had gone kaput.
3/4 of the people on the cruise got sick, including the captain, and ME. Never been so sick, thankfully it started around 6:00AM, by 2:00 PM I was drinking Bloody Marys. It was a virus that had started in St Maarten. Captain said half the people on island had gotten it.

Cruzer, I think you are on island now? We get there next Saturday, staying in Orient Village.

We are on the island now at GCBC, move to Mary's Boon on Monday, and, sadly, leave Thursday.

Unfortunately, we had bought into the WJ timeshare program, and only used 2 of the 10 weeks before they went belly up. Still, we have fond memories of those cruises.

And, I don't think I ever got sick, except maybe once after too much Jack Iron rum.

We're in our early 60's and from Phoenix, AZ. Our first trip was in 2004.

48 and from Philadelphia. First trip to SXM was 2007.

My husband and I are 40 and 45 yrs old. We ended up in St. Maarten in 2007 when my mom gifted us her interval time share to use. We stayed at the pelican that year but found the La Vista Resort,bought a week there and have been returning every year since. St Marrten is a wonderful place I'll never give up visiting every year.

since 1985 stayed at the old Dawn beach bought at Pelican, now rent from the Villas...im 65 my husband is 55 and we live in NJ

lina

We are 52, from South Dakota. We have loved St Maarten since our first trip in 2004, try to get back every year!!

44, Live in NashVegas

We are Canadian,,age 60 and 49,,,first trip to SXM was in 2005,,stayed at the Old C..in a one bedroom condo. REnted a car,,,travelled a bit....been trying to go every other year since....only missed one....loved the island and the fact that we are not all inclusive people,,,like to stay in a condo somewhere. Usually travel in January or February to get out of the cold for a week. One day would like to make our trip longer,,,but heck we have a lot on our bucket list!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

We're both in our mid 50s. We've been owners at Flamingo Beach since 1998. Our last time on the island was 2013 but we'll be back again for 2 weeks in June. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Early 40's (!), from Jersey, but my parents are from SXM. So I've been coming here since before I was born <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Mid 70's and came here first in 1992 on a cruise...Son bought timeshare at Pelican while we were stopped here and have been coming twice a year since 1992..

I'm in my mid-50's from Rhode Island. My Dad started going to SXM in the late 80's as a guest of friends who owned at Royal Islander La Plage. He bought three weeks in March soon after. I started going in March '94, and my sister in March '96. We own two weeks at Royal Islander in you guessed it - March <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Dad still owns his 3 weeks and rents 8 or 9 weeks around them at La Plage. What a way to escape most of Winter - he's my idol! His next trip down is on New Years Eve, staying until 3/25.

While Royal Islander is home, my sister and I have also stayed at Port de Plaisance (displaced due to Royal Islander's closure from Lenny), Pelican, and Ocean Club.

We've met SO many longtime SXM friends through this message board - so grateful for TTOL <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> As a matter of fact, I "met" my SXM buddy Gretchen here ages ago. We figured out via posting that my Dad is good friends with Gretchen's Mom via Royal Islander. We met in person the next trip and we're BFF's to this day <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I am 69 from Albany NY, I hadn't posted this until now, but my wife Amy passed away from pancreatic cancer shortly after our return from our annual St. Maarten vacation. I am planning to return again in March with my friend Rita, whose husband Tom died just 8 days after our vacation 2 years ago. Rita and I have many great memories, but this next trip may be our last. We have TS in 3 different resorts. Towers, Royal Palm and LaTerrasse. They are consecutive weeks and contrary to what you would think would be a hassle, we enjoyed moving around to new views, pools and restaurants. Amy and I forst visited in 1985 and bought our first TS in 95 with Rita and Tom. We had a great 20 year run.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ti...spx?page=lifestory&pid=179962111

Warren--thanks for posting your story. I hope you have a wonderful trip in March..

I am so very sorry for your loss though happy you will return to a place
that has given you such joy and so many happy memories.

I have read your story and will admit that I cannot and would not suggest that I know or understand your loss as well as your friend, Rita's loss.

I have found, (for what it is worth) that life often offers us decisions as we bravely try to move ahead. You will make the right decision for you and Rita will do the same.
Good luck my friend.
TG

So sorry for the loss of your wife. May your wonderful memories of your previous vacations together in St. MAARTEN help to ease the pain at this difficult time. I sincerely hope you and your friend will find peace on your upcoming trip.

Condolences in your loss.

western ny here

I'm late 30s, and my wife is 7 years younger, from the midwest. We first went to SXM on our honeymoon in 2012. Went back the next 3 years, every year around the same time (Dec).

Always stay on the French side, either Anse Marcel, Grand Case, or most recently, Orient Village. The Village is our favorite now.

Unfortunately, we won't make it back this year - but for a happy reason. Just had our first baby. Not sure what that does to our normal SXM routine moving forward... but we'll figure it out eventually. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

With you on the Village, the best

Mid 50's from New jersey, landed in SXM on a trade out of Mexico in 1998 and bought a TS on that trip. have been going every year since although last year was our last. We have purchased a home in western Puerto Rico, my first love(surfing) and plan to hang our hats there for the remainder! We will miss it!

My wife & I just turned 60, we've been coming since 1994. Trip #40 is coming up in June 2017. It's an easy jump for us from CLT as we reside in upstate SC.

Found this interesting thread. Anyone care to do a spreadsheet and give us totals?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm 40 and my husband is 65. We've been going to sxm since 2002. Stayed at either the Pelican or oyster bay. We live in Chicago.

I'm 63...wife is 61. now from W Palm Beach.....formerly from Boston. We have been going to SXM annually since 1991...first went in 1988 on a cruise....then the following year to Pelican....two years later to Royal Islander where we have been going ever since.

We're in our early 60's originally from NY a long time ago. Semi-retired on the eastern shore of Maryland now. We've been hooked on SXM since our first trip in 1988 when some relatives offered us their timeshare. Looking forward to going again in August.

We are both 60 and live in South Georgia. Have made 23 trips to Sint Maarten beginning in 1995. We are on island now and loving it.

I'm 53 wife is 52. From Grand Rapids MI. Stopped for a day from cruises in 2007 & 2008. Stayed for 4 days in 2009. 1 week in 2010,2011. 2 weeks in 2012,2013. 3 weeks in 2014. Twice a year for 3 weeks each time in 2015. Twice a year for 4 weeks each time in 2016,2017. Already have 2018 tickets purchased. First couple of times over on dutch side all other trips over in Oyster Pond area.

50 and 49. Ohio.

The following is by no means scientific and in honesty, I cannot guarantee with absolute certainty the accuracy, but based on the info given it looks like the vast majority of visitors to our friendly island fall in the 50 to 70 age bracket with the sixty year olds numbering at least 119. Thirty and forty year olds numbered 37 and we had two eighty year olds that I could actually count. I guess the twenty year olds all go to Miami's South Beach since there were none on our list.

As expected, the vast majority of visitors who posted came from the northeast - CT with fourteen; MA with 22; NJ with 23; and NY with 27. The surprise to me was Michigan who also had 23 known posters and really not too surprisingly, Canada had 29.

And to clarify a bit, many who posted in the thread didn't give ages and some gave no indication of where they were from so these numbers are only reflective of those who could be clearly be identified by age and/or location. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Hey, thanks for the hard work! Not surprising that the demographic here is that old.

79 & 74 First trip was in 83. Bought unit in Pelican

the wife and i are 52 and arrived by cruise ship in 2012. Put us down for 2 from Maine! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I'm 76 and have been going since 1983. Never stayed anywhere but The Horny Toad.My much needed decompression place during my working years. No phones,no TV,no AC but a VERY family atmosphere.

Horny Toad has a/c now though, don't they?

I'm 60 and my wife and is 63. Have only been on cruise ships but this year will be 1st week long vacay in September. !st trip was on Princess Cruise in 2002

I am 50 and my partner will be celebrating his 50th on our first day of our next SXM trip (August 5th...countdown has begun!!) This will be our fourth trip since Sept 2015 and our first time to stay at Club Orient. We aren't timeshare owners.

I forgot!! We live near Tampa Florida. He's born and raised here but I moved here from Oklahoma!

The Horny Toad does have small portable type AC now. Probably has had AC for about 10 years. Still no phones in rooms. If you need a phone you have to go to the office. No TV in rooms.

In a previous post, JD thought Betty Vaughn, the owner, is retiring this year.If true, it will be a big change. Debby, her daughter and Cherry, a loooog time employee are running the Toad.

Oops, thanx WhitandTamra for mentioning location. We were both born and raised in Long Island, NY and now live in beautiful Sarasota, Florida. (Not too far from WhitandTamra). I'm retired LEO and she is still employed.

Only in the bedroom. At least that's the case with the unit I just vacated.

OK, I thought the units had central air there now. Never stayed there myself, but it's a nice location.

And we always stay on the French side, so far, a different location each trip.

We are in our early 70's have been going to SXM since 1985 used many different air line we even flew Pan-Am a special $ 399.00 per person 7 nights . We now rent Villas with 3 other couples and stay for 2 weeks . We usually go the end of October until the middle of November

Todd (46) & Melinda (42) from NW Washington State, about 65 mi north of Seattle. Our first trip to SXM was in 2001 when we were 26/29 years old *sigh*. We are heading back Jan 2018 for our 10th trip. We always stay on the French side in Orient Village. It's a lot easier to get to SXM now. Usually can go there in 1 stop - red eye out of SEA to either JFK/EWR/ATL and then down to the island. Actually flying through PHL for the first time this next trip.

Sorry to be so late to participate.
I'm 67, and Abby's 57.
We are from San Antonio.
First trip was 2001. Five total visits. Hard to get there from San Antonio.