We will be on the Independence docking in St Maarten on Dec 25. We plan to hit Mullet Bay and Maho Beach. Same offer of any specific questions that Mike made above.Please post about Mullet Bay beach !! We will be there in May 2018 on the Allure. We always walk from Mullet to Maho and have a burger and beer at Guy's. I'm already planning on buying whatever the ladies on the beach are selling so I sure hope that there is a beach !!
I will be on Grandeur in December, docking in St Maarten on December 17, so I guess we will be the first ship. I am planning to go up to Orient Beach, but if anyone has specific questions, I can see if I can answer them.We are on the Jewel, docking in St. Maarten on December 26. We would love to go to Orient Beach. If you learn of anywhere there we can go to, that would be great!
Regards,
Mike
Please post about Mullet Bay beach !! We will be there in May 2018 on the Allure. We always walk from Mullet to Maho and have a burger and beer at Guy's. I'm already planning on buying whatever the ladies on the beach are selling so I sure hope that there is a beach !!
Mullet is apparently in great shape. I have had 2 airlines cancel on us for our new year's visit but if the 3 Rd one IS the charm I will report back on Mullet after our trip.Thanks Karysa!! You and Gary are the ones who sent me to Mullet Bay 5 years ago. It has become our happy place when cruising and we return often, never tiring of the beauty of the island and graciousness of the people. We will be there in May and also December '18.
As we own a timeshare there we have been following the recovery efforts very closely. The first cruise ship (Viking Cruises) arrived today to much fanfare.I hear that Orient beach itself is being enjoyed by the do it yourself types of visitors. Will it really be months before there are vendors of any type there?
Everyday another restaurant announces they have just opened or about to. Orient Beach was totally wiped out and will not have any establishments open for many months. Karakter Beach (one of our favorites) is a great alternative and they are fully open.
The boardwalk looks to be in very good shape and many stores/restaurants are open.
While the island will not be 100% for some time, it is my opinion that cruisers will have an excellent visit!
This video of Orient Bay seems to be from November 28th. It still does not look good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVC19mB_ciQ
Thank you. That is tough to watch but certainly shows the devastation of the follage and buildings. I have read where folks are going to and enjoying the beach. I wouldn't be able to myself just yet.Totally agree. Surprised that Royal Caribbean actually has shore excursion listed for Orient Beach on their site for Dec sailings.
Totally agree. Surprised that Royal Caribbean actually has shore excursion listed for Orient Beach on their site for Dec sailings.There may or may not be rest room facilities - but, even if not, there are a number of Caribbean beaches without such amenities which still attract cruisers. I would hope that Royal Caribbean would make status clear.
There may or may not be rest room facilities - but, even if not, there are a number of Caribbean beaches without such amenities which still attract cruisers. I would hope that Royal Caribbean would make status clear.The only excursions that mention Orient Beach in the excursion section of Independence of the Seas for the Dec 25 port stop are the ATV Adventure and the 4x4 Tour. You basically do your tour inland and then stop at the beach for a break. My guess is those doing the tour are not looking to be pampered on the beach with food, drink, and comfortable loungers.
Bottom line: a beach is a strip sand along the water - even without shops, bars, restaurants, etc. Orient is still a beach.
There may or may not be rest room facilities - but, even if not, there are a number of Caribbean beaches without such amenities which still attract cruisers. I would hope that Royal Caribbean would make status clear.Your Bottom line: reminds me of the beautiful Orient beach I first visited in 1992.
Bottom line: a beach is a strip sand along the water - even without shops, bars, restaurants, etc. Orient is still a beach.
Not sure what you are asking let's go cruising?People are also concerned about their safety. It's fine that restaurants and beaches are open but we need to know that the area is safe. Any word on safety in these areas in the last month or so since things are getting back to normal?
Several fine dining restaurant have just reopened in Grand Case. Karakter Beach has posted the Christmas menu for Breakfast and Lunch/Dinner and the Blue Bitch Bar has reopened on the boardwalk. I am seeing posts almost every day about another reopening. Now they just need customers!