dandee2 Posted September 7, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Hi all, Probably too early to tell but first cruise of the winter season of the Wind Surf out of Sint-Maarten is in 2 months. Considering the devastation of the island and the region and much of the infrastructure (Airport, lodging non-existent, etc), I would not be surprised if WS decides to offer an alternative embarkation port. Prayers goes to those affected in this difficult time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russandcheryl Posted September 7, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 7, 2017 If they did that when would we know? We are booked on the first sailing nov. 18 and have air and hotels before and after booked... This is all so sad, plus our house in Texas was flooded last week during Harvey. We need a break 😩 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted September 7, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Just saw some local (Tampa Bay) women interviewed who are in St Martin and went through storm. They are fine, their hotel was damaged but liveable. Airport will be a week or so for service. Hopefully WS will still be able to sail from there. The Dutch and French sending aid and supplies. Let's hope they recover quickly. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted September 7, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted September 7, 2017 (edited) She's optimistic. No more pier in St-Martin for now. No more trees on the hills. Sad to see. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/hurricane-irma-slams-caribbean-florida-could-be-hit-next/news-story/6063d6724896e47f3c10c03492c60166#&gid=null&pid=1 You can also see the damage from the Netherland Marine Force at their Facebook page (search for Koninklijke Marine) Edited September 7, 2017 by dandee2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted September 7, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 7, 2017 From the London/UK Daily Mail this morning, they have many pictures and details from what has hit St-Barts, plus the Dutch colony of Saint Maarten in the Caribbean. Enjoyed visiting both of these scenic locations for the first time in early 2015. Plus, having three days in San Juan during that trip. Below are four of their visuals from St-Barts and Saint Maarten. Their latest story has this headline: “Staring into oblivion: Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos brace for impact” with these highlights: “The category 5 storm - the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic - howled past Puerto Rico with 185mph winds after reducing the tiny tropical islands of Barbuda and St Martin to rubble. They suffered the storm's full fury with 95 per cent of properties destroyed on both islands. Officials said at least eight people died on the French part of St Martin - a pristine resort known for its vibrant nightlife.” Full story at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4860396/Irma-hits-Puerto-Rico-damaging-Barbuda-St-Martin.html Panama Canal? Completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! Those visuals start on the second page, post #26. See more at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580 From the Daily Mail, here is one visual from St-Barts. We walked right by this one historic building. Remember this location and these sights very well in St-Barts!! Next are three of their visuals from Saint Maarten that give examples of the major damages there.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted September 7, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 7, 2017 https://mobile.twitter.com/la1ere/status/905740708996362240/video/1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J18ktleo Posted September 7, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Following all the news I can. I have a group of 12 onboard Jan 20, all flights booked for months into SXM, tours and hotels as well. Wondering if they'll totally scrap the itinerary for another area as much of our itinerary has been wiped out. :rolleyes: This is so sad to watch and heartbreaking to think about. Any news y'all have is welcome and I'll do the same!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted September 7, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Difficult decision. They need to rebuilt but don't have hotel to house the workers. No water but they are bringing portable desalination plant. I do not know what to say. Very sad. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted September 7, 2017 #9 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Following all the news I can.I have a group of 12 onboard Jan 20, all flights booked for months into SXM, tours and hotels as well. Wondering if they'll totally scrap the itinerary for another area as much of our itinerary has been wiped out. :rolleyes: This is so sad to watch and heartbreaking to think about. Any news y'all have is welcome and I'll do the same!!! We are booked in November for 2 weeks. I doubt any decisions will be made until a month or more from now. We wish we could help in some way. Our vacation is irrelevant. Lives and livelihoods are totally disrupted. Very sad. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunprince Posted September 7, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 7, 2017 Reality is if the pier is severely damaged, as is the airport and major infrastructure. The pier will likely not be the first to be fixed as the priority would likely be on the basic public services. WS will likely need to temporarily pick another base which might be San Juan, or St Kitts. St Thomas likely not given damage there. Time will tell. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellien Posted September 9, 2017 #11 Share Posted September 9, 2017 Is anyone who is reading this booked on the transatlantic from Tenerife to Phillipsburgh? If you get any information about Wind Surf being re-routed would you please post a message? Like everyone else, we will need to book new flights. So sad for all those affected everywhere by Irma. We hope Jose will go north and miss the islands. They really do not need another battering/trauma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike2344 Posted September 9, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 9, 2017 We are also booked for Windsurf Nov.18 2017 cruise from St Maarten so any info would be appreciated as air and accommodations have been booked. The area will certainly need the support of tourism to rebuild and survive. Thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted September 9, 2017 #13 Share Posted September 9, 2017 We are also booked for Windsurf Nov.18 2017 cruise from St Maarten so any info would be appreciated as air and accommodations have been booked. The area will certainly need the support of tourism to rebuild and survive.Thanks Mike I'm sure Windstar will be evaluating over the next month or so. It's all too recent and another storm will hit them today. Our air also booked and afraid our lovely hotel on French side is gone. We may lose money on airfare but our homes and lives are in tact, at least for now. We are in eye path of Irma so in 48 hours we could also be homeless. Our beaches and hotels are in grave jeopardy. Send all of us Floridians good karma! Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike2344 Posted September 9, 2017 #14 Share Posted September 9, 2017 Good Luck and God bless you all from whats comming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted September 9, 2017 #15 Share Posted September 9, 2017 Good Luck and God bless you all from whats comming. Thanks. We're preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.[emoji12] Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J18ktleo Posted September 9, 2017 #16 Share Posted September 9, 2017 Sending you and all the areas in the path our prayers. Such a helpless feeling sitting here watching and waiting, cannot imagine what you and those in the path are going thru :loudcry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted September 9, 2017 Author #17 Share Posted September 9, 2017 I'm sure Windstar will be evaluating over the next month or so. It's all too recent and another storm will hit them today. Our air also booked and afraid our lovely hotel on French side is gone. We may lose money on airfare but our homes and lives are in tact, at least for now. We are in eye path of Irma so in 48 hours we could also be homeless. Our beaches and hotels are in grave jeopardy. Send all of us Floridians good karma! Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Cruise line pick berth space months in advance. If they haven't secured other port yet I don't know what they are thinking!! I can see the Surf and the Star using Barbados for the rest of the season to better return to SMX next year. Those island needs hammer, drywall, nails, 2x4, not lounge chair and beer bucket for the foreseeable short term. Good luck for our Floridian friends. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J18ktleo Posted September 9, 2017 #18 Share Posted September 9, 2017 I was just looking at the path and am saddened, last Jan we visited Marigot on the Star Legend and to think of the devastation....:loudcry: along with Jost Van Dyke and all the other ports...looks like Barbados might be their option as their Caribbean itineraries are limited and 2 of the 3 have been wiped out. Even though seeing the reports that work is beginning and knowing how valuable our tourism dollars are, the possibility of enough being repaired to welcome tourists in the immediate future looks daunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted September 9, 2017 #19 Share Posted September 9, 2017 Cruise line pick berth space months in advance. If they haven't secured other port yet I don't know what they are thinking!! I can see the Surf and the Star using Barbados for the rest of the season to better return to SMX next year. Those island needs hammer, drywall, nails, 2x4, not lounge chair and beer bucket for the foreseeable short term. Good luck for our Floridian friends. Sent from my iPad using Forums Thanks for the good wishes. We are in well built structures with building codes. We may be inconvenienced but as long as a tornado doesn't spin off and hit our home we will be fine. On the other hand, Hurricane Jose now Cat4 on direct path over same islands that were hit by Irma. If there was anything left there won't be after this one. Terribly sad. They will need money to rebuild and without tourists it will be difficult. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandee2 Posted September 9, 2017 Author #20 Share Posted September 9, 2017 The French and Netherland govt. will take care of the most urgent matter and reconstruction effort. It is after this, that we, tourists, come into play. "Macron announced Wednesday a “national reconstruction plan” for its overseas territories. He told a news conference it was too early to put an exact figure on the sum needed. “An emergency fund will be set up,” he said." Latimes. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted September 10, 2017 #21 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Thanks for the good wishes. We are in well built structures with building codes. We may be inconvenienced but as long as a tornado doesn't spin off and hit our home we will be fine. On the other hand, Hurricane Jose now Cat4 on direct path over same islands that were hit by Irma. If there was anything left there won't be after this one. Terribly sad. They will need money to rebuild and without tourists it will be difficult. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Just want to send you my best wishes.........hope you will be ok.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted September 10, 2017 #22 Share Posted September 10, 2017 Just want to send you my best wishes.........hope you will be ok.:) Thanks Lois. We're watching it roll in from the south. Mostly concerned for our daughter and family in Punta Gorda where they will get landfall. We'll get 100 mph wind in Clearwater. Looking forward to sailing somewhere in November! Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigfoot390 Posted September 10, 2017 #23 Share Posted September 10, 2017 We are also scheduled for the December 9th Windstar St Martin cruise. I am guessing that is will be cancelled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted September 10, 2017 #24 Share Posted September 10, 2017 We are also scheduled for the December 9th Windstar St Martin cruise. I am guessing that is will be cancelled. I'm guessing it will sail with a different itinerary. It would be financially disastrous for cruise lines to cancel months of cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopitt Posted September 12, 2017 #25 Share Posted September 12, 2017 Hello and Pray for the Islands that need it. I am booked on Windstar Breeze for November 25 and have Airfare booked had Hotel Booked(but cancelled due to total loss in ST MARTEEN). Called Windstar to find out what they are going to do because we are to board in ST MARTEEN and also fly in. I just wonder if they will change boarding port. We disembark in Barbados at the end of the cruise. I just hear that ST MARTEEN is not too safe at the moment and thing it would be feasible to change port. Also other ports to visit have been destroyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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