Any new news on when Orient Beach will be able to welcome day visitors again

Are there any restaurants that look able to open? The initial pictures were grim. If we do go to St. Martin, I hope there is something to do besides shop for t-shirts and duty free booze. I was surprised when the port announced it would be welcoming ships back in a couple of weeks so I am hopeful.

Are there any restaurants that look able to open? The initial pictures were grim. If we do go to St. Martin, I hope there is something to do besides shop for t-shirts and duty free booze. I was surprised when the port announced it would be welcoming ships back in a couple of weeks so I am hopeful.

There are so few tourists and Orient Beach is such a tourists beach that I would think that it wouldn't be worth opening until tourists return.

The official date that I read that the port could receive cruiseships was November 11 which is more than a month away still.

The report I read is that 80 percent of land tours and 60 percent of water excursions are expected to be up and running by then. Also only 2 berths will be operational at the beginning.

The airport is suppose to be accepting all passenger planes starting October 10th. I think land vacationers will be the slowest to return in real numbers as they need hotel rooms where cruisers do not.

There are so few tourists and Orient Beach is such a tourists beach that I would think that it wouldn't be worth opening until tourists return.

 

The official date that I read that the port could receive cruiseships was November 11 which is more than a month away still.

 

The report I read is that 80 percent of land tours and 60 percent of water excursions are expected to be up and running by then. Also only 2 berths will be operational at the beginning.

 

The airport is suppose to be accepting all passenger planes starting October 10th. I think land vacationers will be the slower to return in real numbers as they need hotel rooms where cruisers do not.

I'm glad there will only be two berths. With 5 or 6 ships there, and less to do, it might be grim. Interesting that more water stuff took a hit. I wonder if that's because their piers and jetties were town out by the Hurricane.

I agree with you on the hotels. As I understand it, most just closed for the remainder of the year to regroup.

I'm glad there will only be two berths. With 5 or 6 ships there, and less to do, it might be grim. Interesting that more water stuff took a hit. I wonder if that's because their piers and jetties were town out by the Hurricane.

I know of at least 3 companies that lost boats. Those were all on the Dutch side. I am finding little news about the French side.

I'm glad there will only be two berths. With 5 or 6 ships there, and less to do, it might be grim. Interesting that more water stuff took a hit. I wonder if that's because their piers and jetties were town out by the Hurricane.

 

I agree with you on the hotels. As I understand it, most just closed for the remainder of the year to regroup.

I have read of a list of over 50 restaurants and stores outside of the town area that are open, a casino was on the list as was a mattress store and Ace which is a large store with plumbing, hardware, appliances, furniture, bed and bath etc., bakeries etc ( most things are on the Dutch side BTW)

I am waiting to hear about the shape of the beaches. I would think that the Orient Beach of prior to Irma is a long way away. That doesn't mean that there won't be anything there, it's just going to be simpiler I would think.

Here is a link to a video with a section of Orient Beach, from late September. Looks like it is from the Village up to Esmeralda and what used to be Coco.

The actual beach looks better than I thought. The broken buildings and fallen trees is tough to see even on video though.

I don't spend very much time on Orient Beach and actually never even got there doing my 2 week vacation in August. The aerial view really shows just how many homes and small resorts are in this area. They will surely lose a lot of the land vacationers for this year and next and beyond that to I would think. I'm really glad that the cruiselines have not bailed on them yet.

Here is a link to a video with a section of Orient Beach, from late September. Looks like it is from the Village up to Esmeralda and what used to be Coco.

 

Thank you for the video links. Heartbroken over the destruction to this beautiful island and it's wonderful people.

There are a couple of "You Tube " viedo's that have been shot in the last couple of days and Orient Beach clubs are all gone. The only thing you can see are the cement pads that the were built on. One of the clubs had just the roof's laying to the side of the pads. The beach is washed away and all the condo's and stores look like a bomb want off. You are looking at a long time to get that together at this point. If they go bach this next month you will be confined to the Front Street area and the beach in that area. It looks like they are trying to get the money back on the island ASAP by painting a rose picture which I can't blame them for , but tell it like it really is !

If and when you get to Sint Maarten on a cruise ship, I predict with considerable confidence that on that day, among other things, you will be able to go to Orient Beach and that at a minimum there will be people there selling drinks and something to eat. What kind of restroom facilities will be available, if any, I do not know - the availability of those kind of amenities are probably the biggest concerns for the cruise lines for their passengers' well being and comfort.

I cannot imagine that on that day you will be "confined" to Philipsburg - I do not think that the cruise ships will return at a time when passengers would be "confined" to Philipsburg.

I'm not sure that some understand how truly decimated the island is. This is a recent post from the French side. Really sad.

St Maarten Daily News Hourly Updates

October 16 at 8:13am ·

French side

This is a post from orient vacation rentals Laure she has lost all her rentals and her apartment.

en français plus bas)

Hello to everybody.

In the first place, I am really sorry for these long silences, but here, everything is very complicated …

Electricity and Internet are very irregular.

Always no water in the faucet, but fortunately we have a cistern at home and we thus have some water for the shower and the toilets. We must buy many bottled water to drink, cook, brush teeth …

For the food, we eat, but always none fresh products : no butter, of yoghurt, cheese, meat … Only Super U at Marigot is opened, and 2 or 3 bakeries with only some bread.

The Army, the servicemen leave one after the other, nevertheless so many things still remain to make, almost everything to tell the truth.

For safety, it is OK, for the moment. The peace returned, but until when ? The fast departure of Army worries us about the continuation.

Schools open, the children still on the island return to the school, only in the morning at the moment. But nothing is normal, it is difficult for evrybody. Many schools are destroyed, many teachers left, it is complicated …

The water of the sea is always polluted, and it's better to not swim.

The insurance adjusters are there and we chain the meetings : houses, vehicles, engineer concrete, architects, carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers, joiners, gardeners, swimming pools, fences … but the works don’t begin, estimate, estimate, estimate, and some operational local companies with their vehicles and their tools are already overwhelmed. At the moment, few people outside of the island to help in the reconstruction and few materials, but in any case, where could they find accommodation ?

For the tourism, very very few restaurants, with a quite small card. The Super U for some groceries, Leader Price is dead, CocciMarket either, The Small Casino, CocciMarket, CostULess, either. Le Grand Marché to Philisburg is also in open party.

No resort, no swimming pool, disadvised swimming …

Even if you succeed in finding a flight and by magic a rental, I can only recommend you to wait, not to come for the moment. Be patient, the conditions are still too bad …

For my apartments in Orient Bay, they are totally destroyed.

No glass window, no kitchen, no bathroom, no wall, no bedroom, no piece of furniture, nothing, nothing …

We emptied everything and wait for the decision of the French State to know if we can reconstruct or not. It is the same for my 4 apartments, as for ours, the one who burned. Thus for the moment, we can’t begin any work, too we must be patient. Not easy.

I confirm you that, at this date, the season 2017/2018 is impossible for us. As soon as we shall have more information on the future of Orient Bay, and of our housing in ground floor and beachfront, I shall inform you.

I am going to try to answer also all the e-mails that I received on my messaging, it is going to take me a lot of time, but don’t hesitate to write me on my e-mail to review your current reservations, I receive them. I don’t disappear, I am always there, very weakened, very shocked, very sad, but always there.

In the pleasure to read you all, family, friends and you my dear guests of the whole world, and thank you again for your support in these moments so painful.

With all my friendship

LAURE and " the SALT Family "

This is truly heart-breaking but I suspect the cruise lines will still push to go back sooner than later. RCL recently announced it anticipates it will return on December 1. Resources that should be used to help people will need to be marshalled to keep tourists safe. While tourism surely drives the economy in these regions, timing is important, too.

Resources that should be used to help people will need to be marshalled to keep tourists safe. While tourism surely drives the economy in these regions, timing is important, too.

Absolutely...

There are a couple of "You Tube " viedo's that have been shot in the last couple of days and Orient Beach clubs are all gone.

 

...

 

The beach is washed away and all the condo's and stores look like a bomb want off.

 

...

 

, but tell it like it really is !

If you look at recent utubes you will see that the beach is fine -not "washed away" at all.

In the three weeks between now and when cruise ships return to Phillipsburg, it is highly likely that a number of food and drink shacks can be set up. Possibly more problematic might be restoring attractive/comfortable rest rooms - but since the bulk of that infrastructure is underground , they too can be up and running .

That is telling it "like it really is".

Exaggerating the problems is NOT the way to help the island recover.

I think that is more like “telling it like you wish it were.” There is no electricity, labor or supplies to accomplish what you suggest in three weeks.

I think that is more like “telling it like you wish it were.” There is no electricity, labor or supplies to accomplish what you suggest in three weeks.

Your pessimism and mis-information is amazing. As of a week ago electric power had been restored to more than 75 % of residences.

There is an abundance of labor on hand to effect repairs - especially of the basic "beach shack" sort needed to kick-start the tourist economy.

I suppose you might want to wait a few years - until all scars of the storms a are eradicated; but your sort negative pessimism might slow even that rate of recovery.

Do you really think that either the cruise lines or the local authorities would want the negative publicity arising from bringing thousands to the island if all they could do is stand around in debris.

Think! Just think - find out the facts before you spout harmful misinformation.

Angry much? My statements were informed by facebook posts of people who are actually living there, who describe dealing with constant power outages and working hard just to get through the day and help feed those around them who need help and who have no shelter. Your need to feel good about your conveniences doesn't change that. I never said that one should wait years but neither is sooner any better. Would you head to a New Orleans a month after Katrina and expect the locals to throw you a parade? Of course, your version seems to be "throw up some shacks so I can have some beers on the beach; I'll just nap as we drive past the people whose lives are so difficult." Abundant labor and supplies? Not sure where you've read that (although I suspect your "news" comes from one cable station).

Enjoy your cruise.

Amazing response - lacking attention to facts and making absurd suppositions.

I rely on first person communications, St. Maarten news reports - not anonymous Facebook posts.

I am not talking about my conveniences - I am not going to the island next month - I might go there three months from now.

There are many on the island who need employment - using the materials now being distributed to help rebuild,

And, the fact is : the sooner IS the better when it comes to bringing the employment and revenue which the island needs.

Please advise -just what "one cable station" were you referring to in your closing shot? My TV sources are generally MSNBC, CBS news, then NBC news.

Angry much? My statements were informed by facebook posts of people who are actually living there, who describe dealing with constant power outages and working hard just to get through the day and help feed those around them who need help and who have no shelter. Your need to feel good about your conveniences doesn't change that. I never said that one should wait years but neither is sooner any better. Would you head to a New Orleans a month after Katrina and expect the locals to throw you a parade? Of course, your version seems to be "throw up some shacks so I can have some beers on the beach; I'll just nap as we drive past the people whose lives are so difficult." Abundant labor and supplies? Not sure where you've read that (although I suspect your "news" comes from one cable station).

 

Enjoy your cruise.

Actually, you sound angry and very negative. I will be in St, Martin in December. I plan to be at Orient Beach if my tour operator is up and running, I will be there. The internet is spotty, but I have been in contact with him. Yes, he lost equipment, and his house, but he is confident that he will be up and running by December. Yes, peoples lives are difficult, but why can't you be a little constructive. I have asked what he needs, so even if he is not running, I can still make a difference. If he asks me to lend a hand on my vacation, I would help. So sorry, "I will not be napping and having some beers" while ignoring people.

BTW- I was in New Orleans shortly after Katrina for a conference, and while no-one was throwing me a parade, they were happy that we were there supporting their economy.

I will enjoy my cruise, and I hope you enjoy yours.

Regards,

Mike

So, that's a no?

It will be a year before Orient, Anse Marcel, and Grand Case are back to near what they were. If you think otherwise, you’re fooling yourself. Can you enjoy sitting on Orient with a beer bought from a tent and cooler, sure, but don’t think it will be the same experience

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It will be a year before Orient, Anse Marcel, and Grand Case are back to near what they were. If you think otherwise, you’re fooling yourself. Can you enjoy sitting on Orient with a beer bought from a tent and cooler, sure, but don’t think it will be the same experience

 

 

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I am sure that it will likely be more than a year before all traces of storm damage are erased and every establishment is rebuilt.

But you could probably buy "... a beer from a tent and a cooler..." at any of those spots right now. A month from now, things will be better, two months - significantly better, three or four months - a whole lot better.

The person who is fooling himself is the one who is unable to recognize progress as it occurs --- and who thinks negativity translates to anything but negativity.

Actually, you sound angry and very negative. I will be in St, Martin in December. I plan to be at Orient Beach if my tour operator is up and running, I will be there. The internet is spotty, but I have been in contact with him. Yes, he lost equipment, and his house, but he is confident that he will be up and running by December. Yes, peoples lives are difficult, but why can't you be a little constructive. I have asked what he needs, so even if he is not running, I can still make a difference. If he asks me to lend a hand on my vacation, I would help. So sorry, "I will not be napping and having some beers" while ignoring people.

 

BTW- I was in New Orleans shortly after Katrina for a conference, and while no-one was throwing me a parade, they were happy that we were there supporting their economy.

 

I will enjoy my cruise, and I hope you enjoy yours.

 

 

 

Regards,

Mike

Club Orient posted on their facebook page that they would begin offering chairs and umbrellas outside their area.

One lingering concern about beaches - which can fairly quickly be furnished with chairs, umbrellas and beach bars - is the removal of debris from the sand and the water. There is likely to be a fair amount of splintered timbers, nails, broken glass, etc. needing to be removed before swimming, or even going without shoes, will be a great idea.

One lingering concern about beaches - which can fairly quickly be furnished with chairs, umbrellas and beach bars - is the removal of debris from the sand and the water. There is likely to be a fair amount of splintered timbers, nails, broken glass, etc. needing to be removed before swimming, or even going without shoes, will be a great idea.

There are machines for that type of cleanup.

Or you could use a loader and a bunch of guys with rakes.

There is always a way.