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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: RickandJulie]
#189197
03/31/2019 09:07 AM
03/31/2019 09:07 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,534 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,534
Ohio
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Thanks for the report. Seems a lot of the cruise ship traffic is missing town. They are either staying on the ship or doing tours via the ship to beaches, excursions, etc. We went into town one day a couple of weeks ago, NO ships in port at all and it was almost like a ghost town. Pretty sad.
J.D.
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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: RickandJulie]
#189198
03/31/2019 09:18 AM
03/31/2019 09:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781
Central Florida!
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Thanks for the report. That is sad and surprising about there being no one in town, with that many ships in!!
No way the report is too long, just your wife wants to go to the beach! Can't say I blame her. Enjoy!!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: RickandJulie]
#189209
03/31/2019 10:51 AM
03/31/2019 10:51 AM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
SammyM
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
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The whole purpose of taking a cruise is to visit the various ports-of-call and explore new things. We've taken many cruises in the past, and though we have breakfast and dinner on the ship we always have lunch at a local restaurant so we can say we ate at a restaurant at that location. Some people may return to the ship for lunch, but I would think far more people will eat at their intended destination. The first time we made port in St. Maarten years ago we visited Orient Beach and had lunch at Kakao and loved it.
When it comes to shopping, yes you can shop on the ship but believe me the prices are no better than what you'll find at the various ports-of-call. Only the last day or two of a cruise do they mark stuff down, and even then it's just tee shirts and other lower cost items. One reason that I believe shopping may be down a bit in cities like Philipsburg could be the rising costs associated with cruises. Today, so much money is spent on the cruise itself and transportation to get to-and-from the cruise port additional funds for shopping are getting reduced. Last year my wife and I went on a Mediterranean cruise with Celebrity. For a balcony cabin it was about $3,500 for a seven day cruise from Rome to Barcelona. This year, with Celebrity the same exact cruise is priced just under $5,000 for two people. Add-in the cost to fly to-and-from Europe and now you are looking at seven grand.
Price increases for Caribbean cruises have also increased, though not quite this dramatic. These rising cruise prices could be playing a big role in reducing the pocket cash that people have when shopping at the port. We now take far fewer cruises, and found it much more affordable to forego the cruise and fly directly to our favorite location for a week ... like St. Maarten.
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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#189211
03/31/2019 10:58 AM
03/31/2019 10:58 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575
St Maarten
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Have friends with jewelry shops on Front Street. They have said in the past they don't make $$ off the ships, it is the repeat stay over folks where they make their $$
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: BillandElaine]
#189227
03/31/2019 01:21 PM
03/31/2019 01:21 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,670
LBI2SXM
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,670
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Have friends with jewelry shops on Front Street. They have said in the past they don't make $$ off the ships, it is the repeat stay over folks where they make their $$ This has been my gripe with cruisers for many years. I have witnessed many and they are not helping the economy in SXM. Mega ships just add to the misery of traffic, mobbed beaches and trust me, they don't spend a dime. Plus, they leave their garbage all over! The people that support SXM's economy are the visitors. time share owners ,in hotels, expats, these are the people that are helping after Irma. Don't think because Maho Beach is packed that they are making a killing. I know some one who worked there and the only spenders are at the bar. 75% don't purchase chairs, they lay on the ships towels. Who needs them?
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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: RickandJulie]
#189260
03/31/2019 06:32 PM
03/31/2019 06:32 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
SammyM
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
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I'm very surprised by some of the comments being posted here. Without the return of the cruise ships I very much doubt St. Maarten would ever bounce back. Yes, some passengers will stay on the ship during a port-of-call. That's their choice. But, the vast majority of people will exit the ship and explore their new destination. Many will take shore excursions that pump money into the local economy. And, when they get to their destinations they will spend money on drinks, food, chair rentals, watersports, and some on shopping. Not everyone will, but many people do. Without this in-flow of new visitors all that revenue would be lost.
If one out of every ten cruise ship visitors discovers this is 'the place' for them they will return and on a future cruise, or better yet come to St. Maarten and stay for a week or longer. How else would they ever discover SXM?
My wife and I have been on many cruises and not once have I heard personnel on a ship discourage people form going ashore. That would be crazy, because both the cruise line and the destination profit from visitors who come ashore and sign-up for shore excursions. For anyone who has never been on a cruise, each evening you receive an itinerary about activities on the ship for the following day, as well as the different things to see and do at tomorrow's destination. For St. Maarten multiple destinations are explained in such brochures including Orient Beach, the boardwalk in Philipsburg, Maho Beach, and even Loterie Farm. It's then up to the passengers to decide where they want to go the next day. I cannot even begin to count the number of cruise ship passengers that I have met over the years on the boardwalk or on the various beaches of St. Maarten who ask me questions about the island, and I always finish my conversations with them by encouraging them to "now take a week's vacation on SXM so they can truly live the experience."
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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: RickandJulie]
#189283
03/31/2019 08:39 PM
03/31/2019 08:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 187 Washington State
Todd_Melinda_K
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 187
Washington State
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BTW, if you have not tried Caribbean Blend on the boardwalk you are missing a real treat. I had the grilled flounder and Julie had the Mahi Mahi. Both were exceptional and others around us were also raving about the food. Must try it. We tried Caribbean Blend for the first time in January. I agree, excellent food and great local folks. The jerk chicken is outstanding!
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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: SammyM]
#189288
03/31/2019 10:25 PM
03/31/2019 10:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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I totally agree with you Sammy. Perhaps they are not spending money shopping on Front Street, but they definitely are spending money on the tours organized from the ship. The reason for choosing ship excursions is they don't have to be concerned about carrying a lot of money when going to shore as these excursions are all charged to their account . Also if for any reason, they are late getting back to port, the ship always waits for everyone on the excursions arranged by the ship. The local tour operators are doing very well with these tours. When on the tours, the passengers spend money for lunch and drinks at many different locations. I know they spend money for chairs on Orient Beach and perhaps other beaches as well.It seems the only problem that currently exists is the lack of sales in the stores . It has become easier to purchase your souvenirs, clothing etc... on the ship as you do not need any money when shopping as all purchases are charged to your account and you pay upon departure from the ship. I have been on boat excursions, when there have been cruise ship passengers enjoying a cruise around the island and all say they will be back to spend more time there.
Many of these cruise ship passengers have made many return trips to the island and some have even purchased property there. St. Maarten/St. Martin can complain about the lack of business from these people, but the island would be in a much worse situation without ships coming in to port. They need any type of tourist trade they can get as the people need these jobs to survive!
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Re: Thoughts on the island So Far
[Re: islandgem]
#189299
04/01/2019 06:10 AM
04/01/2019 06:10 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,534 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,534
Ohio
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Correct Elizabeth and well stated. Many days Kim Sha Beach had loungers set up for 200 or so people as they were bussed in from the cruise ships. BBB benefitted from this, Greenhouse benefitted and had an arrangement with some of the ships and I am sure the small shacks in the parking lot benefitted. I did hear some of the servers from Greenhouse were not happy with some of the tipping of the visitors, especially those who were on a meal plan along with the lounge chair.
The initial cost to get on a cruise may not be all that much but anything not "included" or if not on an "alcohol package" and any upscale dining is not cheap. They are spending $$ but just not in town like they used to.
J.D.
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