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sept/oct visit #226309
05/10/2020 06:13 AM
05/10/2020 06:13 AM
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bizzottom Offline OP
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bizzottom  Offline OP
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was wondering, being it hurricane/tropical storm season, if it would be wise to defer my intended visit to later this year, say late november. type of accomodations/availability is what is the driving force here

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Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226310
05/10/2020 06:49 AM
05/10/2020 06:49 AM
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Posts: 17,476
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ruralcarrier Offline
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The later in the year, the less chance of hurricanes. I have been in mid to late Oct and it has been decent, one year we hit in between two milder storms. Some flooding and some heavy rain but nothing too major. Another thing to consider this year is the coronavirus situation and how it may impact travel to and from the US and the island. Consider the length of the trip, the possibility of quarantine both on the island and returning home in your decision as well. Again, the later in the year, the better chance the trip happens.

I am personally looking at mid-November. At this point, there is no assurance it will happen but I am hopeful. Only time will tell.

Something else to consider, most airlines have drastically changed/relaxed their cancellation and change policy due to the unknowns of the coronavirus situation. Most require booking by May 31 so if you are contemplating a trip this fall, you have the added benefit of the ability to change your ticket without a fee or penalty. Check with your particular carrier, the information should be in their websites and most send out regular emails if you are a loyalty member, as to their regulations. If you book and a hurricane looks to be on the horizon, you can use this change/cancellation policy to your advantage.

I can't help with the accommodation availability part of your question but I am thinking thee should be a lot of lodging available once tourism is opend back up.

Good luck.


J.D.
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226317
05/10/2020 09:04 AM
05/10/2020 09:04 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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I'm with JD. I don't really think availability of accommodations is going to be a big deal whenever the island reopens, SO LONG AS you do not have to stay at one particular place. If you are totally fixed on staying at one particular place and it's relatively small, it may be tough to get a reservation. The other factors JD mentioned would seem to be the more limiting factors. We have often gone to SXM in Sept/Oct, but this year, with all the uncertainty around Corona, in addition to hurricane season, there is no way I would consider going in September for sure. October, maybe.


Carol Hill
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226318
05/10/2020 09:43 AM
05/10/2020 09:43 AM
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bizzottom Offline OP
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my bad, my intent on accommodations was directed for Divi Littlebay, as i am an owner. i wanted a larger typ of unit for 9 days 10-19 Nov, but was unable to get it... the late Sept/early Oct was the only time available....may have to down size to get the Nov time frame.Thanx for the input

Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226319
05/10/2020 10:14 AM
05/10/2020 10:14 AM
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OK, best wishes.


Carol Hill
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226321
05/10/2020 10:18 AM
05/10/2020 10:18 AM
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ruralcarrier Offline
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Personally, I think once tourism opens back up, there might be a LOT of accommodations become available. This includes the late October and into November timeframe.


J.D.
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: ruralcarrier] #226326
05/10/2020 11:23 AM
05/10/2020 11:23 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Yes, I think there will be a lot of folks that will be scared to go to the island this year anyway, so finding a place to stay won't be difficult, UNLESS you want to stay at one particular place, and especially if you're timeshare and want a specific date.


Carol Hill
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226365
05/10/2020 11:14 PM
05/10/2020 11:14 PM
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Having visited in November several times, IMO it's a great time to go! Mid to late November should be clear of hurricanes, though one really odd one struck in mid-November 1999 which is still referred to as "Wrong Way Lenny." As I recall it was a strong CAT 4 hurricane that travelled from west to east, and struck Anguilla and St. Martin on their west coasts doing some real damage to those islands. But, this is rare for such a hurricane so late in the season. We've never had an issue with a November visit, and even though overall monthly rainfall totals for St. Maarten in November are shown on the high side, we've never encountered much rain in November during our stays. Plus, a lot of places raise their accommodations pricing typically on December 1st, so sometimes you can get a better rate going a month earlier. A November visit will also buy you more time to see how COVID-19 is progressing, and the hope is that the threat from this virus will be greatly reduced by that time. Hope this helps.

Re: sept/oct visit [Re: SammyM] #226368
05/11/2020 05:28 AM
05/11/2020 05:28 AM
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We were there just prior to Lenny, also call "Left-handed Lenny" from what I recall. Wasn't is Hurricane Jose that hit prior to Lenny, doing only minor damage? We arrived just after this hurricane in 1999 as some storefronts were still boarded up.


J.D.
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226380
05/11/2020 09:01 AM
05/11/2020 09:01 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
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ruralcarrier Offline
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International Travel?

"Too hard to tell, at this point" is stated but this may be your (mine as well) bigger issue.


J.D.
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226381
05/11/2020 09:43 AM
05/11/2020 09:43 AM
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Teresasxm Offline
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I'd also like some advice. IF we are able to travel in September and IF the Covid virus has not returned and there are no hurricanes looming, we are considering doing a last-minute booking to St. Maarten in September. Has anyone been on the island then and can you tell us what it is like? I understand from previous posts that many restaurants are closed which isn't a big deal for us. But are there places to eat out at during September? Is it warm or traditionally rainy and cool?

We have a travel credit and are anxious to use it as soon as possible in case our travel operator goes out of business so I'm just exploring options right now.

Thanks in advance for any advice.


Last edited by Teresasxm; 05/11/2020 10:48 AM.
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226383
05/11/2020 10:29 AM
05/11/2020 10:29 AM
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SammyM Offline
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I can't recall a Hurricane Jose back in the 90's, but there was one in 2017 that I believe followed Irma and was super powerful (CAT 5?). Another hit on St. Martin looked imminent, but it drifted north and missed the Leeward Islands completely. But, I do like the name "Left-Handed Lenny" and I remember watching the track of that hurricane thinking how weird the track was as it passed from west to east beneath Jamaica.

Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226389
05/11/2020 11:26 AM
05/11/2020 11:26 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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I'm confused as to why the TREASURY Secretary is making this announcement, not the Secretary of Transportation or State Department?


Carol Hill
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: Teresasxm] #226390
05/11/2020 11:43 AM
05/11/2020 11:43 AM
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Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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Teresa,

Our anniversary is in September so we have done SXM many times at that time of year and we’ve been very lucky each trip - very little rain if any at all and then usually only a passing shower in the night. And thank God - no hurricanes!

As far as crowds, never, and plenty of dining ops of all varieties, even allowing for the places that close for their annual vacations. It’s a time of year we've enjoyed but just not as much as April or November. If you decide to go and are able to, Covid-19 aside, I wouldn’t hesitate but I would definitely buy the trip cancellation insurance jic! 😊


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: Carol_Hill] #226393
05/11/2020 12:21 PM
05/11/2020 12:21 PM
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Posts: 17,476
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No idea, just posting a link to what is usually a reliable source. I had read of this elsewhere but preferred to research it myself as it was not substantiated elsewhere.


J.D.
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: SammyM] #226407
05/11/2020 05:01 PM
05/11/2020 05:01 PM
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Left handed Lenny was a death to coupecoy beach it took the sand the wrong way and it has never returned to the way it was , we keep waiting and hoping that someday it will return to be the most beautiful beach on inSXM

Re: sept/oct visit [Re: SammyM] #226408
05/11/2020 05:19 PM
05/11/2020 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by SammyM
I can't recall a Hurricane Jose back in the 90's, but there was one in 2017 that I believe followed Irma and was super powerful (CAT 5?). Another hit on St. Martin looked imminent, but it drifted north and missed the Leeward Islands completely. But, I do like the name "Left-Handed Lenny" and I remember watching the track of that hurricane thinking how weird the track was as it passed from west to east beneath Jamaica.

SXM HURRICANE LIST

Scroll for the year by year list of hurricanes. 1999 saw Hurricane Jose on Oct. 21 and Hurricane Lenny on Nov. 18.


J.D.
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: bizzottom] #226410
05/11/2020 05:57 PM
05/11/2020 05:57 PM
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SammyM Offline
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Great list, J.D.! Never saw this list before. I looked up Hurricane Lenny this afternoon and it was so unusual that the name 'Lenny' has been retired and replaced with the name 'Lee'. We were planning a visit that following spring in 2000, but Lenny forced us to switch those plans. Did you notice no hurricanes between 1966 and 1995 (29 years without one)? Let's all hope once COVID-19 is put to rest SXM will go on another 29 year streak of being hurricane free.

Re: sept/oct visit [Re: SammyM] #226411
05/11/2020 06:02 PM
05/11/2020 06:02 PM
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Yes, the island had an excellent run with nothing major for a long time.

When we went between hurricanes in 1999 (2 free checked bags in coach if you remember), we packed boots, gloves and various supplies we thought we might need to help out local friends clean up.


J.D.
Re: sept/oct visit [Re: ruralcarrier] #226462
05/12/2020 05:15 PM
05/12/2020 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by ruralcarrier
Originally Posted by SammyM
I can't recall a Hurricane Jose back in the 90's, but there was one in 2017 that I believe followed Irma and was super powerful (CAT 5?). Another hit on St. Martin looked imminent, but it drifted north and missed the Leeward Islands completely. But, I do like the name "Left-Handed Lenny" and I remember watching the track of that hurricane thinking how weird the track was as it passed from west to east beneath Jamaica.

SXM HURRICANE LIST

Scroll for the year by year list of hurricanes. 1999 saw Hurricane Jose on Oct. 21 and Hurricane Lenny on Nov. 18.


Thanks for this!


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