St. Maarten (The southern Dutch side)

[DennisMP]

Been quite here for awhile. Anyone got any update on SXM? Appears some folks said they we're going last month but haven't seen any reports. I'll be there Jan 4 thru 15 and will give you all the play by play as time permits.

[Seymore Butts]

Why just the morning? From what I understand the curfews have been lifted.

I have other obligations after 1 -3 PM I have to work around. And that can change on a daily basis due to medical reasons I won't get into. And unless something changes (and it has not for the last 24 years) I do not think after 3 PM is an option for me. Last year was the first year I dipped my toe in the mongering water hole and it worked out OK. Now after reading years of research, I am trying to make the most of the two weeks this year.

[Shark16]

... is back in business.

[DavisLucJr]

Just got off the phone with a bunch of time shares. Had to cancel the first two weeks (11/11 through 11/25) but just got confirmed for 11/25 through 12/9. The two weeks that were canceled and added to next year. So next year I will be down for 6 weeks. Now I have to develop the strategy for mongering in the morning until 1 PM. Hoping for some updates in the next three weeks to get this trip kick started.

Why just the morning? From what I understand the curfews have been lifted.

[Seymore Butts]

Just got off the phone with a bunch of time shares. Had to cancel the first two weeks (11/11 through 11/25) but just got confirmed for 11/25 through 12/9. The two weeks that were canceled and added to next year. So next year I will be down for 6 weeks. Now I have to develop the strategy for mongering in the morning until 1 PM. Hoping for some updates in the next three weeks to get this trip kick started.

[Seymore Butts]

The Royal Caribbean cruise line has pushed back the date for the first ship from Nov to Dec 17th. But several timeshares (Atrium & Sea Palace) are set to reopen with limited availability starting Dec 2nd. Still may have a chance of coming down this year for a week or two. Simpson Bay (formerly the Pelican) currently says it will not open until 2018. Fingers crossed.

[Mel365]

Great Idea- Thanks.

Mel.

If you don't know who to ask, an easy way to get an answer is to ask some Super Hosts on Airbnb. Now, of course, some might try to say things are well just to get you to rent. That is why I only messaged Super Hosts. Today I messaged 3 Airbnb hosts. I'll just remove the names. I asked the places how are things going in SXM. Here are the 3 replies I got today:

1: Hi. Our rental units have not been refurbished as yet. We're planning to reopen by Dec 15th. Utility services have been restored but not consistently in all areas. Owners are still in process of getting insurance claims approved so that rebuilding can happen.

2: Hi, everything is fine as far as basics go. The shops are open; we have power, water etc. I will check on rental car rates for you. Internet is currently working intermittently hopefully it will be fixed before you arrive.

3: Hi (my name) Yup we got pretty banged up. The airport just reopened last week and the first cruise ship will return Nov 5. We are pretty rough around the edges here. I really don't know the situation with rental cars. So many cars damaged. You will have to try the big names like Avis or hertz. Hummmm and good internet. That's asking a lot right now. Phones and internet and power and water are on and off frequently. Treefrog presently has no cable TV, and no wifi. It is still out in our area. Wish I could paint a better picture for you but it is what it is. Let me know if your still interested after you have some time to think.

[Gagoo]

If you don't know who to ask, an easy way to get an answer is to ask some Super Hosts on Airbnb. Now, of course, some might try to say things are well just to get you to rent. That is why I only messaged Super Hosts. Today I messaged 3 Airbnb hosts. I'll just remove the names. I asked the places how are things going in SXM. Here are the 3 replies I got today:

1: Hi. Our rental units have not been refurbished as yet. We're planning to reopen by Dec 15th. Utility services have been restored but not consistently in all areas. Owners are still in process of getting insurance claims approved so that rebuilding can happen.

2: Hi, everything is fine as far as basics go. The shops are open; we have power, water etc. I will check on rental car rates for you. Internet is currently working intermittently hopefully it will be fixed before you arrive.

3: Hi (my name) Yup we got pretty banged up. The airport just reopened last week and the first cruise ship will return Nov 5. We are pretty rough around the edges here. I really don't know the situation with rental cars. So many cars damaged. You will have to try the big names like Avis or hertz. Hummmm and good internet. That's asking a lot right now. Phones and internet and power and water are on and off frequently. Treefrog presently has no cable TV, and no wifi. It is still out in our area. Wish I could paint a better picture for you but it is what it is. Let me know if your still interested after you have some time to think.

[FunTimeSxm]

Carolinas is open but there are only 12 girls and it's very quiet in the afternoon.

Badabing needs to relocate due to massive roof damage, I believe they maybe looking at a large villa to rent in the interim.

Defiance roof has totally gone, not sure when / if they will come back.

[Mel365]

The roads are open, the water has ben restored as most of the electric. Many restaurants are open. I will not be stopping in St Martin with my boat, I will be heading further south probably Curacao until January when I hope to go back to SXM.

I will ask about the club and chicas.

I am happy to hear that my favorite island is slowly getting back on its feet. But how are our clubs doing through these difficult times?

- Are they all open for business? Which clubs are open, which are closed?

- Are there any chicas left?

- How is the selection developing? Are more chicas leaving than arriving, or have they been able to turn it around?

- Is the curfew lifted? All roads functioning as usual?

- Is it possible to shower at the clubs like we used to? Is a / see functioning like it used to?

I thing we lack a bit of good intel on these crucial questions.

[Shark16]

I am happy to hear that my favorite island is slowly getting back on its feet. But how are our clubs doing through these difficult times?

- Are they all open for business? Which clubs are open, which are closed?

- Are there any chicas left?

- How is the selection developing? Are more chicas leaving than arriving, or have they been able to turn it around?

- Is the curfew lifted? All roads functioning as usual?

- Is it possible to shower at the clubs like we used to? Is a / see functioning like it used to?

I thing we lack a bit of good intel on these crucial questions.

[Mel365]

Life is slowly returning to normal. There is electricity in most places. Running water is all over. Cable in most places. All I am missing is the internet and Cable which is from the same provider.

You can still see the ugly scars Irma and Maria has left. Most peopld are already rebuilding their roofs. Businesses on Front and Backstreet are open, restaurants in the Simpson Bay that can open are open. The airport and seaport are open. On November 11 we are expecting our first Cruise ship. I will take some years to get back where we were but all for the better. All I would need is to get away from here for a couple of days.

[Gagoo]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that the airport has opened up for commercial flights on 10 October. There are some videos from the SXM airport staff about this on YouTube also. I'm sure a lot of places are still really messed up though. If you see the YouTube videos where they are flying drones, the Orient Bay looks like it will be out of commission for quite awhile.

[Scubatoo]

Wondering whynyou say the French side will take longer? More damage?

Yes. It got the worst of the worst. Severe flooding plus wind damage.

[Ath Trainer]

Some decent updates on progress of recovery for the island can be found on www.travelweekly.com and on www.caribjournal.com. Airport re-opened yesterday to a number of airlines for daylight flights, including American and Delta. JetBlue is expected to start back to St. Maarten the second week of November. 70% of hotel units damaged during hurricane (that is about 2800 out of 4000). But they are saying 50% should be back in service by the end of December. The cruise ship terminal will welcome cruise ships back on November 11. Much of the power has been restored, and gasoline is flowing. Unfortunately for me, I was cancelled out of hotel and airline shortly after the hurricane. But it looks like things are working their way back, even though it will take a long while to get back to normal. As we all know, as the cruise ships go to St. Maarten, so go the clubs. I will be looking forward to reports from others in the coming months. And I look forward to heading back again next year. The French side of the island will take longer to recover.

Wondering whynyou say the French side will take longer? More damage?