Interesting

What I thought would happen didn't. I expected higher prices, the opposite has happened. Chairs & umbrella at club o are $18 not $20 (We gave him $20 anyway). Also at shipwreck store calendars are usually $7.95 u.s. instead they charged $5.95 & at market the spices & vanilla came to $25 he said just give $20.
Nice.

But what about flights and hotels. That is where I am seeing the increases. 2 bucks on chairs is great but 500 increase on a flight is a no go unless beer and wine is free😀

Correct and also the lack of air and lack of places to stay has helped drive those prices up. Chair prices are often negotiable as is most items at the market.

We were fortunate to pay $1885 Canadian return for 2 from Toronto to Sxm thru Atlanta. & our accommodation at monreve is $600/week u.s. incl his rental car & he is also taxi driver will pick u up at airport for $30 fare & rental car stays here. No fuss no muss. Ideal for us & he speaks perfect English. Perfect for us anyway.

For restaurants that are open check before you go. They aren't open everyday & some for lunch & dinner some not.
I found it weird that at Kali's on Friars Bay iguana was the most expensive item at 21 euros. I did not order though as it may have been our pet across the street.
Club orient is busy when ships are in otherwise fairly quiet. Ship people are coming,renting chairs, buying food & alcohol from perch lite.
They sit at the end towards Pedro's for the most part where if I remember correctly the chairs weren't yellow there in other years. Cedric & Alain (the 2 looking after chairs) are most accommodating & friendly. Chairs & umbrellas are plentiful. Massage lady Roseo doing some business. $70 u.s. she & boyfriend working on their boat that they live on.
The Cadisco gas station near orient has a lot of groceries, lots of alcohol choices, baguettes, cleaning products, croissants, water. Little grocery store ocean star in orient village has some stuff as well.

We got a deal on JB NY-SXM $723. for two RT for March. About 1/3 what we payed for March before Irma and got refund.

You won't regret coming.