Bigdog72

I can't say any thing about St. Maarten as my cruise will also be in port on New Year's Day. But I have been on holiday cruises to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Christmas Day and Roatan, Honduras on New Year's Day.

I have noticed that a lot of businesses and locations will probably be open because tourism is a big deal in those ports. Of course you will find some things may be closed especially if the government is in charge of the location( such as forts, national parks, eat)

Depending on what cruise line you are on, the ship's excursions desk and if they have a port shopping show or shopping guides that can help an answer questions when on the ship.

If you have something or someone special you want to do I would suggest you contact them directly to see.

Helping is done in many ways, but there could be many problems with a cruise ship going there when the island is not ready. For one thing is issues with sanitation and sickness, which cruise ships already fight heavily on a day to day business. Two is port and guest security, in past disasters when rescue and emergency support and supply ships pull in, people in need of assistance can become unruly and even violent.

These are a few things the cruise lines have to think about because a ship potentially has 2000 plus passenger and more crew and their health and safety.

Now from the standpoint of my upcoming cruise in December that is supposed to make a stop in Dominica. I would love to still be able to visit and your the island physically. But if the island is not ready and the captain does not feel it is safe to go, I respect their decision to skip the port for health and safety.

it always better SAFE THEN SORRY!!!!

I saw Guavaberry at my local store but only found a limited selection, and price seams higher, probably because of tax and fees. But it works when you run out between cruises.