Road blocks from cruise pax perspective

This is not a political statement or post regarding my personal thoughts on the reasons for the road block, just a recap from a cruise pax perspective. We just got off the celebrity summit today, so finally have cell and Internet service to post.

We love sxm and have spent many 60+ nights vacationing on SXM since 2008, so naturally when our cruise ports in sxm, we have a routine... cab direct to orient, croissants at yellow sub, grab some beer to take to beach from petit casino (formerly tap5), walk the beach to club o, hang there all day, head back. So, that's exactly what we did. There was absolutely no warning from cab dispatchers at the port to avoid the French side. Apparently, announcements had been made on our ship, but I was unfortunately in the medical facility in the morning prior to disembarkation, so didn't hear anything. Upon arrival on Orient, I did think the beach was pretty quiet for 4 ships in port and made a comment to my husband. We were completely relaxed and enjoying our day when one of the guys from dolphin sports told us that they were blocking roads and if we were on a ship, we'd better leave. We packed up and walked toward Pedros where taxis are usually stationed and there were very few, we hopped in the first one we saw with another couple, who just so happened to also be on the summit. We headed toward quarter orleans (sp) and hit the road block, the driver turned left tp try another route, as most people were doing, when his car broke down! So, we got out and tried hitching. I spotted a bus headed for Phillipsburg, thinking we could walk to the port if we had to. The couple in the cab with us was on their honeymoon and visiting sxm for the first time, so they were a little freaked out. We jumped on the bus (with two locals already on board) and off we went. Then, another road block. At that point, the bus driver turned down a random dirt road that lead to what can only be described as the "innerds" of sxm, and I mean no one would ever, ever venture here. Terrible, horrible, middle of scary no where. One of the local women on board got a bit hysterical saying (and I kid you not), "this is where they kill us! They come out with machete and demand money!" The driver mumbled something to the effect of "get out". We told the driver quite firmly to take us back to the road block. We had decided we could walk to the dutch side if we had to as there must be traffic on the other side that would have to turn around. So, he took us back and we walked through the fairly chaotic roadblock protest area and hitched a ridea from a kind, local man named Baker. Lucky for us, we knew the proximity of the area and knew that if we HAD to walk, we could find our way. Needless to say, the young couple with us were fairly unnerved. In the end... we made it back to the ship in plenty of time since we were not scheduled to leave until 7p. A crazy end to what was a beautiful day at Club O!

Ps. I have lots of pics of the orient construction, which I will post when I get to a desktop. Sorry for the long winded recap and mispellings. Typing this from my smartphone.

thanks for posting your experience. Looking forward to seeing the pictures from Orient.

Did people miss getting back to the ship before it sailed?

The other couple was lucky they were with you, instead of trying to get back on their own!

Oh my. We have that same routine when on a sxm cruise stop. When you went down the road, were you stopped by people or was it the driver who told you?

Does anybody have a clue if this is something that is going to be long-term or a flash in the pan. Will be there in a few months.

I am not aware of anyone not making it back to our ship.

@PelicanPirate - when we went down the random dirt road, it was the bus driver who said he couldn't take us any further and we had to get out. We were like, um - you can't go anywhere else either except back to the main road - so we will stay on and you will take us.

Quite an experience, thanks for sharing. You'll certainly remember this trip & I'm glad you were able to walk through safely.

We were on the Eurodam. We had no idea about the blockade. But we had to be back on board by 230 for a 3pm sailing. Left orient beach about 1230 and our taxi driver told us the blockade was coming soon. Traffic was heavy but otherwise fine. So folks on a ship sponcered excursion from our ship got stuck in marigot and took a water taxi back to the ship which was held about an hour for them.

Wow . I guess I just missed all this

well why are they doing this? What are the road blocks for?

what an adventure. exciting bit of story to tell

Well I have now read all the other related threads.....what a darn shame this is all happening. I am sorry for the Local residents....this will really hurt them

So sorry your day in SXM was so chaotic! There must be better ways to resolve the problems on the French side. This is like holding innocent people hostage!

really nice to run into you guys on the beach even if just for a few. Deja vue, got an email from Bob P.
Next time, plan on staying for a bit.
Got behind the white van at Orleans intersection but took one of the side roads for a detour. No delays at all.
Really crummy day today, you lucked out.
Be well, travel safely.

This isn't the first time something like this has happen ed on the French side

I'm sure not Wendell, and probably not the last. I understand their frustrations, but surely there are better ways to reach a solution.

It is like shooting your self in the foot. Best case, no more tours to the French side. Worst case no more tours to SXM. How much bad publicity do you think the honeymoon couple will give their friends? Whathappens on the French side does affect the Dutch side.

are we starting this critical stuff again? For Gd's sake, read the thread under EDB's post and try to understand.

I plan on returning to SXM for many years to come. To take away someone's right to protest peacefully is a scary thought.

It is great negotiating leverage indeed....I get the reasons for the strike but it is nearly impossible to argue that tourists were not used as unknowing political pawns.....even picked a day where there four ships docked (lucky coincidence)?

It is what it is....wouldn't detour me for a second from visiting the island but if you were to ask me if I thought there was a better way and I'd give you a resounding YES.

You know, Barbara, I do understand where the French side residents were coming from and how frustrated they had to be, to take this action. And their cause seems to be just and they did receive at least a temporary victory. We shall see what happens from here.

You need to understand how totally scary this experience would be, especially for someone who is a first time visitor.

I have viewed all the threads on this subject and as an outsider understand the frustration of the locals. They definitely got attention and hopefully get attention in France. It must be frustrating for them to hear tourists saying there must be an other way (which will not affect their visit) without actually suggesting an alternate solution.
Personally I would like to know how tourists can help in sending the message to the French government that the PLU needs to be amended in favour of the locals.

JMHO Respectfully

Yes, Carol, I do understand that.

How about this. You are stranded in sxm. The ship has left with your clothes,money,and pasport. How easy do you think it would be for a a first time traveler to get an airplane ticket back to the usa without a pasport?

I have talked to friends on the island, they have told me that It is legal for the French to protest, as a result the gendarmes did not stop the action.

Lordy....Lordy...if you bunch had been around in the 60's, you would think what happened in St. Martin was a walk in the park.....women would still have to wear a skirt or a dress to work....only 25% of a females income could be used for a mortgage....as for jobs & university forget it....
And for the Canadian on here peaceful protesting is "Legal" and done all the time in Canada....by golly get over it....it was a one day protest....what a bunch of sucks....long live freedom & the right to protest....most folks on here don't like the French side anyway...kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

NO ONE MISSED THEIR SHIP!!!! There is no way the ship is going to leave people behind due to a situation beyond their own control! People here will read your post and it's BS and believe people were left behind. NO ONE WAS LEFT BEHIND, NO ONE!!!!

Keep on criticizing folks.. your right to do so. You are only alienating good strong proud st martin people.
and I don't mean soualigacapt and me. I mean the good strong proud st martin people who are trying to make a future for themselves.

Attagirl Barbara.

I feel that is one of the weaknesses of this protest system, for it only to be a 'minor inconvenience' it relies on a domino of other people's actions and decision making. You can't predict the actions of thousands of people......what if a non English/French/Dutch speaking tourist got stuck on the French side and didn't have the line of communication with local people or perhaps they got the wrong info from a misinterpretation. At some point they might try to check into a room for the night....what now? Giant ship isn't going to stay there overnight. You could argue that there is a strong possibility that a scenario like that would never happen and that it hasn't....I'd argue that it could and that I don't see how anyone should be able to put someone else in that position. Don't rights apply to more people than just the people making a point?


Huh...can't see these conversations have much of any effect on anything.

And life was so much better and civilization so much stronger back then. Don't forget, barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen.

I'll be buying me some "Freedom Fries" while on the island.

Weird I tried that a couple of times. I don't endorse the freedom fries comment.

Time to close this one too.

I guess we as Americans are lucky that we didn't have ''tourists'' on our soil during the Revolutionary War. God Forbid if a tourist is inconvenienced over the locals problems with government. Also, I guess it would've been total chaos in Washington DC during the Civil Rights movement, the protests against the Vietnam War etc....since maybe some tourists would've been inconvenienced. I sure am glad that this never happened here in the USA (said VERY sarcastically). GET OVER IT PEOPLE...WHAT HAPPENED WAS THEIR RIGHT!!!!!!!! AND ......THEY WON!!!!!!!!

I still can't believe how narrow minded and self centered some people here are...... and......the people bitching weren't even there on the island at the time.

Why direct this to me? I always suported what they did to get their results.

didnt mean to direct to you.....it was a general post...

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

One should have their passport with them at all times.

"The ship has left with your clothes,money,and passport."

Not very smart to leave your money (CCs) and passport on the ship. Just saying .....

People who are stupid enough to get left behind can get on a flight to the ship's next destination with just their ship photo ID which has embedded in it their passport info. It happens all the time. Problem is this costs more than the entire cruise!

Not every comment made is made out of malice.

I carry copies, and one credit card. The rest and originals are in the safe.
Also a phone.

Just a little information about passports....when you cruise....the ship TAKES your passport.....and they hold that passport for you. You receive a passcard to use on the ship and to get off the ship and to get back on the ship. You get your passport back when you disembark.

So you do leave your passport and your important papers on the ship.

IF you book excursions...THROUGH the ship.....they will not leave without you. SO if you booked a trip to the French side through the cruise line....they will not leave you behind.

If however...you got off of the ship and hailed a taxi to the french side...and you do not get back to the ship in time to leave...they will most certainly leave without you....and you can arrange transportation to get back on the ship at the next destination.....but it will be on YOUR dollar.

This is one reason I ALWAYS book our excursions through the cruise line. I want to know if something happens they will wait for me. It costs more...but it is worth my peace of mind.

We have been to SXM 15 times...we support the people of SXM in their effort to have equality and fairness. I don't agree with the way they handled it....and i am afraid it may have done mare damage then good....but i support their rights and their choice to do so.

It will certainly be reflected on trip reports and cruise reports...and it will certainly deter tourists from choosing SXM as their destination. It may also cause cruise lines to change their destination.

We will hope and pray the protest achieved the goal....and that the damage will be minimal.

Cathy--we haven't been on a cruise for 3 years now, but they never USED to take your passport, on cruises in the Caribbean anyway. They do that now?

Very nicely explained.

The locals have tried for over 1 year to effect this ruling no luck only recourse was to do what they did guess what it got some results at least the government will take a better look at this time

Good post, Dickg,

And now would be a perfect time to put this whole thing to bed. Let the people of the island deal with their political situations and those of us who weren't there and personally involved BACK OFF and MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for this information. I took 1 cruise to the Bahamas and my passport stayed with me at all times so I don't know if it depends on the cruise line, the destinations or something else.

Is the passcard they give you an official passport card like this one?

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/card.html

Um, Ed, I find that you are being the one that is a bit narrow minded here. I wasn't on St Martin, I wasn't inconvenienced, I recognize the French law that allows some civil disobedience, and I am happy that the local residents have gotten their elected government to listen to them. That said, your US analogies are moot as the US economy isn't tourist based. And the tourist voices I have seen here have only been explaining how the protest affected them on their vacation. Inconvenience is in the eye of the inconvenienced and certainly nothing wrong with saying "I wish that wouldn't have happened" or "I was frightened when the road block caused my bus to detour down a dark uninhabited dirt road". None of the comments I read, save the silly freedom fries, seemed inappropriate or uncaring. I didn't see anyone say "simple, provincial people and their road blocks, don't they know I am important". They were just people saying that they didn't like it. An opinion they have every right to. And if a legal act of civil disobedience causes someone to say that it inconvenienced them enough to want to seek a different place to spend their economy-supporting tourist dollars next year, they should have the right to say so. And locals should listen to the unfortunate result of their actions as well as celebrate the successful results. Some tourists WERE inconvenienced and frightened and may well change their travel plans. And shouldn't be pilloried for saying just that. Some of the"pro" roadblock people here are not seeing the forest for the trees.

I appreciate all the reasoned and thoughtful responses to this incident. The rest....

I will say this. I support the protests and I also see the forest thru the trees and understand that some tourists were scared, ticked, may not come back, may give bad reviews. That's the risk you take, and I think it was worth it. If it helps the overall governance, economy, and well being of ALL of French st Martin, not just those coming from France, then that will be a benefit for tourists in the long run. So I'm down for some short term pain for some long term gain.

I was born and raised in the states, but my entire family is from SXM and my rents live on the French side. So I have a unique perspective on all things related to the rock.

Whenever you leave your country you have to expect the unexpected. That's what makes travel so exciting. You never know what it going to happen and unfortunately when you leave the US and are in a foreign county you have no rights other than what the country you are in wants to afford you.

It's not a vacation without a life threatening experience!

Just my $0.02 worth. How long do think the cruise industry will tolerate his kind of behavior? I can and do understand the frustration the French side folks must be enduring, but from a business perspective, I would have to consider dropping SXM as a port of call if this continues.

Now you and I both understand that without the cruise industry, and land vacationing tourist, SXM would be in even worse shape than it is now.

Talk about shooting one's sell in the foot...

Even though i am not a great fan....have taken a few cruises over the years....and have NEVER EVER given up my passport to the ship. I have never heard of this happening. I would think twice about cruising if they were the ones to hold MY passport. As for a one day protest....i truly doubt that the cruise ships will stop going to SXM. Especially with all the money being spent now to build the new stuff nearby the docks. All the crime, ripoffs, murders etc. has NOT stopped them from visiting Jamaica....home of the most crime ridden country in the Carribbean. To each..their own

Jeez, louise, Bob, I think you're a lot more adventurous vacationer than I am!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> I have to assume that's a joke!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

we cruise at least twice a year, and have since 2000. This year in April when we were in SXM the ship DID NOT hold our passports. Maybe if you are not a U.S. citizen - I don't know. But from experience they NEVER have held ours.

The silly "freedom fries" comment was meant to be just that, silly. The comment followed an equally silly comment about the dislike of the French. Nothing like mocking a stupid stereotype.

We have enjoyed several cruises and we have never had to give our passports to the cruise line.Some people may have to give them over for a specific reason, but most people do not. You do not need them to leave the ship and you are warned to leave them in the safe in your room. You only need your cruise card for EVERYTHING!

we have been on many cruises in the last 20 yrs and have always had to hand over our passports - always -I thought it was because we are Canadian but guess not. Also just for the record I totally agree with CptCook.

Did you ever ask why you had to do so? Perhaps it is the policy of a particular cruise line. I definitely would ask the reason for having to do this although we have travelled on different cruise lines and never had to give over our passports. I would not be happy about ever having to do this as it is not the norm.

I have just finished my 16th cruise and have always kept my passport (in my safe in my cabin).

I just checked with my husband and he says that we didn't always hand them over but mostly we did-I really never thought to ask why-it seemed apparent that if we wanted to embark we had to hand over the passports-also on many different lines-next time I'll ask.

Year before last, 8 days in a raft down the Grand Canyon with no easy way out in an emergency. This year 8 day horse pack trip in Wyoming wilderness with no easy way out.
See Photo: This was a life threatening experience! I love it!
I hope this works. Please repair if not

Fixed:


Those are definitely some skilled pack animals that you have to trust your life to. I've been on both horses and donkeys.

They don't want to go over the edge anymore than I do!

Tell me how you got the photo to show up please

well I got the image but it's small.

Bob--Ain't no FREAKING way!! I am terrified of heights!!

Bob,
It shows up large on my computer screen.
It reminds me of a few scenes from a movie I watched years ago, Ride the High Country.
Thanks for sharing and you are adventurous.

The first time you posted it there was a few links in the text....when I followed one of them I got to your picasa page with the photo. I then Clicked and dragged the image into the address bar (an ulternate way would be to right click on the image and copy image location) to get a link to the actual photo file. The trick to posting on the forum is that the link to the photo MUST have a .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .png at the end. So when I got the image to show up with only the picture and the address ended in .jpg...I copied that address and then used the Image button in my reply. It sounds complicated the way I'm describing it but the whole thing was done in 10 seconds or so.

Thanks, I got it but from now on I'm switching to Photo bucket. It may be easier. I right clicked the image in my picasa web album and copied the address for the photo and that seemed to help but for me it showed up small in the post. Now all I have to do is remember this the next time I post a photo! LOL

Carol, My stomach was in my mouth! A few hours before on not so steep a trail, my saddle slipped and I went down. Rolled a few times and came up on my hands and knees and got right back in the saddle. That night was a Alleve type of night! I ate my dinner in my tent and all night worried about the smell of the chicken and the grizzly bears. They told me grizzlies don't like chicken. Ha!

I was in the travel industry for over 30-years. stopped counting cruises after 50.

Only in the Med has a cruise line held our USA passports. NEVER in the Carib.

Of course if on a cruise line purchased shore ex, the ship would never leave passengers on shore unless the ship was in danger by remaining at the pier. In the case of local unrest, the ship's officers would be in contact with local authorities via the local agent; Exactly why they have such arrangements.

This situation was disconcerting, certainly. Not life threatening. Good story to tell post cruise.