Dudes, we are so thrilled & primed for SXM!-a few Q's

About a week to go as we're watching snow fall here in NY!!
just got done looking through our 2016 and 2019 visit pics.

5 full days:

Getting ready to order from shopndrop,

-Gonna learn to surf w/ surf lessons for the family at Galion

-first time chartering a boat (either Capt Alans or Xisle.) Any use Xisle before???

-possibly day at Loterie (our kids have evolved from trips to the butterfly farm, to that bird sanctuary & zoo. Now perhaps Loterie?

-Maybe a day at Buccaneer beach bar or Zafiro (Are they still around?).

Lastly, both my tweens are learning French but one has a pizza/chicken fingers palate. Looking forward to given them some French immersion exposure. Is there a marketplace still in Marigot and if yes what days? I think surrounding them with the sight and sounds would be lovely.

Oh and what days are the cruise ships in? IIR those are the days we avoid P'burg!

Is the surf school still operating at Gallion? I thought since Irma everything was gone? We loved renting paddle boards and kayaks there watching the wind surfers do their thing.

Kim--as far as I know, there is nothing at Le Galion now.

Buccaneer and El Zafiro are both still there, yes. For El Z, make sure there are no cruise ships in, as they do cruise ship excursions there. For kids, I think there would be a lot more going on at Buccaneer.

Loterie Farm has the zip lines, as well as a pool, restaurant, etc., but I assume you are talking about the zip lines. If they are active, they will probably love it there.

The market in Marigot will be open when there are cruise ships in town. For the cruise ship schedule, there is a link right here at the top of this page.

Enjoy!

http://www.sxmsurfexplorer.com/find-us/ Yep although technically it’s that bay just south of Galion. And I see recent trip advisor reviews.

Good point about buccaneer but for waves….el Z draws the kids in 😂

Thanks, I’ll check the cruise schedule!

Having spent a portion of three separate days during our 2 week vacation in January at El Zifaro. IMHO there is nothing negative about El Zifaro when they are hosting cruise ship passengers. They provided plenty of chairs and service personel to handle all of their customers needs. I like to mix in some peope watching along with the natural beauty of the location.

SXMBND--glad you had a good experience, but most people are not so happy when there with a mass influx of people. Never been at El Z on cruise ship days, but been at lots of other places when there is a cruise ship excursion coming in and it was not pleasant. Too many people at the same time, too much pressure on the kitchen and the servers. Best to avoid those days.

I would agree with you regarding certain venues. Not everyone that goes to El Zifaro is clamouring for a front row seat ..... and for the vast majority they are just looking for a relaxing day on or walking the beach.

"For El Z, make sure there are no cruise ships in, as they do cruise ship excursions there."

"Never been at El Z on cruise ship days, "

Merci! Looks like ships are in M/Tu/We/Th that week.

Oooooooman, listening to Michel Martelly and some kompas right now......25 degrees outside and paradise awaits.

just found our old trip report. Capt Rib, Cynthias Lolo, Marks Place, its all coming back to me! Is Little Jerusalem still around?

Is there still night with a fair/carnival in Grand Case? We recall that from last visit.

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubb...ck-from-maho-la-terasse.html#Post185284.

The regular market days in Marigot are Wednesday and Saturday for local sale of produce and fresh fish. The vendors who sell the regular tourist stuff follow the cruise ships but a few are always there.

Unfortunately no fair in Grand Case this year, due to Covid.

Thank you Carol. I just checked, it was a Tuesday night affair. But its still business as usual regarding restaurants, etc?

Coe to think of it, what's there to do in Grand Case besides eat and shop?

And also, what's there to do at Anse Marcel?

Sand gravity.

Want to do something REALLY fun with the kids??? Check out Rhino Safari riders and snorkeling day trip!! These water crafts are so much fun! You leave from the docks at Pineapple Pete's, motor through the marina make your way out in the ocean through Marigot up the coast to Creole rock for some snorkeling! It's a blast!! Took my wife for the first time last year,( me and the guys, a few times) she can't wait to do it again! Kids will love it! Ask for Leo! https://www.rhinotours.com/

Restaurants are open as usual in Grand Case, most of them anyway. Not much to do in GC other than eat and shop (which sounds like a good combination to me, anyway!)

Dude. I literally had to google that. LOL



Great call! I saw them at PP a few years ago & now kids are older and we are tossing the idea around. Its possible but we also chartered a private boat for the day and just got the recommendation to push the cruise date back b/c the water is slated to be much more windy and choppy earlier in the week. Ive heard good things about Rhino, thanks for the extra info!

About to drop an order to shopndrop. Make the first day easy before having to hit Carrefour for more. How much more $ is it (not accounting for service/delivery fee?) vs Carrefour. We usually order food staples and Champs to nosh on upon arrival

Usually there is a minimum order for Shopndrop, something like $150..

We'll hit that on a pair of bottles alone . And honestly, the markup on the bottles is comparable to the states.

Captain, oh captain…….

I absolutely love the Shop n Drop service and have used Jeannie generally twice a year ever since she started her business. And yes, there is a minimum grocery order charge and yes, she is a tad on the pricey side but you’re paying for the service and hers’ is excellent. Her time is valuable and she shops all over to get the best produce, meats and oddball items we might want including pastries, etc. Glad others find her services as valuable as we do.

Jeannie and ShopnDrop are both the very best IMHO! 🙂🙂

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I love it too and found her business just ingenious. Staying at Maho, getting off the plane & into our room with a loaded fridge within 30 mins of landing is the premium we've enjoyed. That said, I still like to get a sense of what's truer to cost. (ie. the markup on Champs vs cereal is very different)