Eastern Caribbean cruise on Fascination

I am looking to book this cruise for my family of 7 for a June/July sailing. I am assuming because it is an available option most things will be up and running as far as excursions and such after the hurricane. We really want to go to this area and I love the idea of putting some money into the local economy after such devastation. However, since we rarely get to go on family vacations I don't want to be disappointed either. Can anyone offer any feedback? Thanks!

Keep in mind that hurricane season begins June 1 so you are technically exposing yourself to another round of cancelled ports even if they reopen. Usually things don't kick up until August, but anything is possible.

They are indicating that St. Thomas should be open by the spring...but that is up in the air. St. Martin is truly an unknown at this point. It appears that they will attempt to substitute another port, but that is not a guarantee.

If you book this, please be prepared to be flexible and go with the flow.

I am looking to book this cruise for my family of 7 for a June/July sailing. I am assuming because it is an available option most things will be up and running as far as excursions and such after the hurricane. We really want to go to this area and I love the idea of putting some money into the local economy after such devastation. However, since we rarely get to go on family vacations I don't want to be disappointed either. Can anyone offer any feedback? Thanks!

It has been announced that Royal Caribbean is commencing itineraries to St Maarten in November this year , so probably be good to go

I'm due to depart end of May 2018 I think the only island that will be in doubt is Dominica

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I just read this Press Release: (Copied & Pasted below) Sounds like things will be up & running in St. Maarten very soon.

PRESS RELEASE | RAINFOREST ADVENTURES ST. MAARTEN ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER 2017 OPENING

Representatives to participate in partnership with the St. Maarten delegation at the 24th Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)Conference & Trade Show

PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN – Rainforest Adventures has announced a November 2017 opening for the new St. Maarten Rockland Estate eco-park. The park will launch with two signature attractions, The Flying Dutchman -- the world’s steepest zip line -- and the Soualiga Sky Explorer chairlift, as well as the Emilio Wilson Museum and Emilio’s Restaurant. Additional attractions, including the Sentry Hill Zip Line and the Schooner Ride will open in early 2018.

In partnership with the St. Maarten delegation, representatives of Rockland Estate will be attending the 24th Annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in Merida, Mexico, October 23 – October 27, 2017. They will be at booth B2 and welcome an opportunity to answer questions about, or introduce participants to, what is sure to be the eastern Caribbean’s must-do attraction.

🚢 According to Port St. Maarten management the eco-park will be a major new attraction and they are proud of the progress the team has made to open the park. They stress how important it is to have stakeholders like Rainforest Adventures and others to be present with them at the FCCA Conference to promote the destination and strongly emphasize the message that St. Maarten is back and open.

“We are very proud and thankful to our engineering and construction teams, their hard work and expertise certainly reduced the damage incurred as a consequence of the hurricane,” says Shaydar Edelmann, General Manager of Rockland Estate. “The people of St. Maarten have come together in strength to restore and rebuild, reestablish the tourism product and kick-start the recovery of our Friendly Island.”

✈️ Princess Juliana International Airport - St. Maarten has opened to commercial flights and Port St. Maarten is ready to welcome its first commercial cruise vessel on November 5th. Restaurant and attraction businesses are reopening daily and are ready to receive guests.

📍 Opening November 2017 at Rainforest Adventures’ Rockland Estate Eco-Park:

- The Soualiga Sky Explorer, a four-passenger chairlift, transports guests to the Upper Deck. These decks encircle the mountaintop, one of St. Maarten’s highest points at 1,115 feet, where they will be immersed in spectacular 360-degree views of St. Maarten and its neighboring islands.

- The Flying Dutchman, the world’s steepest zipline, where guests will experience the thrill of a lifetime as they launch down Sentry Hill on a flight line at 56 mph dropping 1050 feet in elevation over 2630 feet.

- Each adventure begins in the Emilio Wilson Museum housed in a restored plantation house originally built in the 1700s. Guests will see depictions of what life was like on a plantation and learn about the customs, traditions, lifestyle, and stories that earned Sint Maarten the nickname ‘The Friendly Island’.

- Emilio’s Restaurant, St. Maarten’s newest restaurant and entertainment hot spot.

Thank you everyone! I think we are going to go for it!

It has been announced that Royal Caribbean is commencing itineraries to St Maarten in November this year , so probably be good to go

I'm due to depart end of May 2018 I think the only island that will be in doubt is Dominica

 

 

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Yea I sail mid May and Dominica is the only island that will be questionable by then.

Really looking forward to Dominica, and it was a factor in me choosing the Fascination over the Freedom of the Seas (in addition to the new dry dock) but will embrace an added sea day to this no sea day cruise if it happens to get cancelled.