Overnight in Saint Maarten

We are stopping in Saint Maarten overnight. If anyone has recently been to this port for the overnight stay, I am open to any suggestions as what we can do in the evening. Thanks. :D:D:D

Help clean up.

At this time from reading a few reviews the Island is still in the process of recovering.

Even before the storm a few of the shop owners that I got to know over the last few years said that the place basically shuts down when the ships leave. One of them even hires his own guards to help patrol the Main Street and protect his stores. So I would want to be back on board or around the dock area later in the evening.

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

As others have said, the island was devastated by two hurricanes and is still recovering. But whenever we are in St Maarten overnight (we have spent weeks vacationing on the island) we would always find our way (usually with a rental car) to Grand Case.....where we would enjoy a fabulous dinner at one of our favorite restaurants (there are quite a few in this foodie town). Not sure how many of those restaurants have managed to reopen since the hurricanes.

Hank

Could not disagree with Dwiight1 more. Many hotels/resorts are indeed still closed but since you are on a cruise, who cares? Many restaurants have reopened and you can get a fine meal now.

I'm not sure if anyone is doing a sunset cruise, I can certainly find out if you wish. When will you be there?

I can tell you that the reports I have been seeing all state the the people of SXM are so grateful for the tourist who come in and despite what happened right after the storm, safety is not an issue.

Grand Case is a disaster. Only a few of restaurants are open. Most and the hotels will not be back up until October/November. Why the cruise plan to go there this season is ridiculous.

 

 

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I agree, especially when it is an overnight. I would much prefer an overnight in Barbados with the shape St. Maarten is in.

Our ship stops there on March 29 & 30. I am worried about crime after dark that is why I am asking for advise.

Our ship stops there on March 29 & 30. I am worried about crime after dark that is why I am asking for advise.

We will be there on the Reflection next week and we don't plan on going anywhere past the main street in downtown...and well before dark.

We were there last week on Equinox. Did not venture beyond downtown Phillipsburg, but heard it is in pretty bad shape all over the island. Downtown itself is maybe 70% recovered I would estimate, but is really not the same. Used to love shopping there. this time felt very uncomfortable. Virtually every store had at least one person (often 2) outside shall we say soliciting business (I would call it hawking). Very, very aggressive. Honestly I almost got into an argument once or twice with people who would just not leave me alone. They would even follow you down the street - I felt like I was in Jamaica (minus the drug pushing - none of that thank goodness) I feel very bad for what the people have gone through but frankly doing that has the opposite affect in my opinion. I know I am in no big hurry to go back there. I would not venture out at night if people are that aggressive during the day.

We’re taking a shore excursion through MSC that goes from St Maarten to St Bart’s. You might want to look into this type of excursion.

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My next Eclipse cruise will stop there 03/21, X switched the beach in our shore excursion from Orient Bay in the French side to Kim Sha Beach (Simpson Bay) in the Dutch Side. More info in the St. Martin/St. Maarten thread https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93

We were there last week on Equinox. Did not venture beyond downtown Phillipsburg, but heard it is in pretty bad shape all over the island. Downtown itself is maybe 70% recovered I would estimate, but is really not the same. Used to love shopping there. this time felt very uncomfortable. Virtually every store had at least one person (often 2) outside shall we say soliciting business (I would call it hawking). Very, very aggressive. Honestly I almost got into an argument once or twice with people who would just not leave me alone. They would even follow you down the street - I felt like I was in Jamaica (minus the drug pushing - none of that thank goodness) I feel very bad for what the people have gone through but frankly doing that has the opposite affect in my opinion. I know I am in no big hurry to go back there. I would not venture out at night if people are that aggressive during the day.

This was exactly our experience also during the first week of February. Our three previous visits to the island (both Dutch side and French) had been so enjoyable and in stark contrast to this time.

How very sad you could not look past the obvious damage and enjoy the island for what it is. Is it 100%, Nope not even close. But the beaches that have facilities (Kim Sha, Karakter and others) are still lovely and scenic. Many fine restaurants are open, even the Lolos in Grand Case where you can get an excellent meal cheap.

The people have been out of work for almost 6 months now and this is their high season. There has always been people standing out on the sidewalk, especially at jewelry stores, trying to entice you to come in. No different than in St Thomas. Might they be a bit more aggressive now, perhaps but they are trying to simply feed their families.

I venture to say if you go to St Barts or Anguilla you will find damage there as well.

I'm sorry some of you did not enjoy your visit. i wish I could go there tomorrow!

We are stopping in Saint Maarten overnight. If anyone has recently been to this port for the overnight stay, I am open to any suggestions as what we can do in the evening. Thanks. :D:D:D

What time does your ship arrive in St. Maarten?

How very sad you could not look past the obvious damage and enjoy the island for what it is. Is it 100%, Nope not even close. But the beaches that have facilities (Kim Sha, Karakter and others) are still lovely and scenic. Many fine restaurants are open, even the Lolos in Grand Case where you can get an excellent meal cheap.

 

The people have been out of work for almost 6 months now and this is their high season. There has always been people standing out on the sidewalk, especially at jewelry stores, trying to entice you to come in. No different than in St Thomas. Might they be a bit more aggressive now, perhaps but they are trying to simply feed their families.

 

I venture to say if you go to St Barts or Anguilla you will find damage there as well.

 

I'm sorry some of you did not enjoy your visit. i wish I could go there tomorrow!

I can tell you for a fact, having been to St. Maarten numerous times, that it is nothing like it used to be as far as downtown shopping. Very much different from St. Thomas (where I also hate them calling you in FWIW). Much more aggressive. No one in St. Thomas follows me down the street and refuses to take a polite 'no' for an answer almost to the point of an altercation. I am not exaggerating. Yes, I do feel for them. But my point is that I wish they would understand that doing what they are doing is actually having an opposite affect on tourists like me. Next time I visit (which will be next month) I don't intend to even go downtown. It was a very unpleasant experience. I am not a beach person so that is not an option relevant for me, nor do I care to spend money on restaurants when I have so many options on board to experience. And I am totally unsure of what the comment about St. Barts or Anguilla has anything to do with my comments?? I am not denying their struggle nor their damage. As fellow humans I feel for them for sure. But downtown is not a fun place to visit right now no matter how much I would like it to be.

What time does your ship arrive in St. Maarten?

9:00 am stays overnight and departs next evening at 6pm.

I was asking about going out after dark. Is it ok? I have daytime plans already.

My next Eclipse cruise will stop there 03/21, X switched the beach in our shore excursion from Orient Bay in the French side to Kim Sha Beach (Simpson Bay) in the Dutch Side. More info in the St. Martin/St. Maarten thread https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93

We signed up for a Cruise line excursion that goes to Kim Sha beach...Is it cleaned up...with facilities? Our cruise is not for awhile but we figured it would be safe and clean if the cruise line offered the excursion.

We had previously signed up for the dining excursion but highlight for us would have been Grand Case, which we heard is in very bad shape...

Overnight means OP has 2 days to fill... the 2 two days are planned but based upon posts here and other news, I would not venture out past dinner....security issues as well as conditions

After visiting St. Marteen last week on the Reflection, we found downtown Philipsburg to be about 60% open/rebuilt but still a lot of damage. Interesting that even though there were about 9k cruise passengers in port, the main street was almost deserted. Several in our group took a trip via personal watercraft to the French side and they said it looked like a war zone. Large sailboats, yachts still on their side in the water or blown onto shore. Very little being done apparently to rebuild the French side.

I have wintered there for decades and love the island. We would never go out past 8 P.M.

I have friends that have been killed and others assaulted there. We have been chased many times barely escaping certain assault and robbery or worse.

Eat early and go back early. This was all before the the Irmaria Disaster. Now it's all about who has the bigger machete wins.

With that in mind you'll be safe. See you there! I'll be at the Tropicana in Marigot for all my meals.

9:00 am stays overnight and departs next evening at 6pm.

 

 

 

I was asking about going out after dark. Is it ok? I have daytime plans already.

We have stayed on the Dutch side and cruised here many times.

There is no nightlife.

There are no stores opened in the evening.

A couple of seedy casinos that I have ventured in and quickly exited.

There will be some restaurants on the boardwalk opened in the evening.

Holland House is DH's and my favourite dinner spot. A sunset dinner and then a walk with purpose back to the condo at the other end of the boardwalk.

I am really not sure I would want to walk back to the cruise ship in the dark. The area where the cruise ships dock is quite secluded.

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I have wintered there for decades and love the island. We would never go out past 8 P.M.

 

I have friends that have been killed and others assaulted there. We have been chased many times barely escaping certain assault and robbery or worse.

 

Eat early and go back early. This was all before the the Irmaria Disaster. Now it's all about who has the bigger machete wins.

 

With that in mind you'll be safe. See you there! I'll be at the Tropicana in Marigot for all my meals.

You have friends who have been killed and assaulted there but you love it and keep going back?? Say what??

You have friends who have been killed and assaulted there but you love it and keep going back?? Say what??

I guess you could say, "it's to die for"

9:00 am stays overnight and departs next evening at 6pm.

 

I was asking about going out after dark. Is it ok? I have daytime plans already.

We were there on an overnight last week. Taxi driver that took us back to ship after our day in Philipsburg told us to be VERY CAREFUL after dark and not to go off the beaten track at any time. Although they are well into recovery there's a long way to go and I expect the further afield you travel from the port area, the more there is to do. The locals are trying so hard to recover but this was a catastrophic storm. It looked like Godzilla had gone through and ripped up the buildings.

You should be fine with your day plans (kim she beach, maho or philipsburg). For evening, I would consider a cat night sail or something where you are picked up returned in Philipsburg and taxi to and from the ship. As with any savvy traveller - but moreso given the circumstances - be aware of your surroundings, and don't wear/do anything flashy (don't flash money, don't wear highend/expensive jewelry/sunglasses, clothes) to ensure you don't make yourself a target.

We were on the Reflection March 2nd cruise which overnighted in St. Maarten and were advised by the locals not to be out after dark.

The situation there has become quite serious. The recovery from the damage caused by the hurricane has been very slow. There are some shops near the dock that have only been open for a month or two. People from the ship who ventured downtown told us it was a mess and that they did not feel safe walking around in broad daylight.

The French and the Dutch governments have given very little financial help to the island so far. The runway is in pretty good shape but reconstruction of the airport terminal and tower will not begin for another 6 months. Hotel reconstruction will not begin until the airport is finished so they estimate it will be two years until the hotels are open again.

The government estimated that the country has lost over 50 million dollars in revenue. Some of the islanders are very concerned about their future. They are not sure how they are going to survive when there are so many out of work who will continue to be unemployed until most of the infrastructure has been restored.

Thanks everyone. We will not venture out after dark. We we're thinking of taking the ferry to Anguilla on the first day and staying downtown on the second day.