Hurricane Irma

[cltnccruisers]

We're going to sit tight with our March cruise on Silhouette. I'm fairly confident we'll still stop at San Juan. Less confident with St Thomas and even less with St Maarten. If we get them fine. If not I'm kind of curious about the alternatives. Heck, just floating around the ocean for a week is better than work.

[cruiseapril]

The cruise lines are good judges of what is open. Check the airlines too,

[tiba99]

If you can switch without penalty then you should do so. Your post is all about you and these islands need visitors who will give a little thought to them.

 

 

 

I'm traveling with little kids and if it's safe for me to head to the beach I'm there but if it's not safe for me why go on a cruise. I manly picked this cruise because of st.martain. In 2005 I was in Grenada after the hurricane demolished it! The cruise lines still stopped there, there wasn't much us to do. If I can head to the beach in st. Martin I don't mind helping the locals but can we get to it is my question?!

 

 

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[cw2go]

I'm traveling with little kids and if it's safe for me to head to the beach I'm there but if it's not safe for me why go on a cruise. I manly picked this cruise because of st.martain. In 2005 I was in Grenada after the hurricane demolished it! The cruise lines still stopped there, there wasn't much us to do. If I can head to the beach in st. Martin I don't mind helping the locals but can we get to it is my question?!

 

 

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The truth of the matter is no one can tell you what you want to hear. The ship could re-route last minute once you're on board, there is never a port stop guarantee. I love St Martin and it's beaches but at this point it's all about the people! They have been clobbered by a horrible storm and need to do all they can to survive and get some normalcy back in their lives. That does include tourism and I am sure they will be welcoming the people/cruise ships as soon as it is safe to do so but it's too soon to say if that will be by your sailing date. If you want a sure thing for a beach day a cruise is a good fit, even if not in St Martin. There are beautiful beaches on all the islands and the cruise lines will ultimately decide which you'll visit. As it stands now people can either roll with it or cancel and re-start their personal vacation plans from the beginning. I am choosing to "roll with it" Fingers crossed I get to St Martin in January while aboard Harmony but if not I'll make the best of another port/beach.

 

Maybe do a pro's and con's list to help you make your decision, Happy sails, Patty

[LHT28]

I'm traveling with little kids and if it's safe for me to head to the beach I'm there but if it's not safe for me why go on a cruise. I manly picked this cruise because of st.martain.

 

 

This week no you cannot get to the beach

by April you might be able to

 

No one will know until, the damage is accessed & rebuilding begins

[GEEKMA92]

Thanks for your quick judgement of a fellow cruiser. You did not know their circumstances,whether they were capable of helping people on the island.( some people who cruise are disabled) or perhaps this was a trip they had been saving for all of their life, and yes it is all about them. It is not up to you or anyone else to judge another cruise passenger, whatever their decision.

 

 

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[cltnccruisers]

I'm traveling with little kids and if it's safe for me to head to the beach I'm there but if it's not safe for me why go on a cruise. I manly picked this cruise because of st.martain. In 2005 I was in Grenada after the hurricane demolished it! The cruise lines still stopped there, there wasn't much us to do. If I can head to the beach in st. Martin I don't mind helping the locals but can we get to it is my question?!

 

 

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You're panicking a bit early. Your cruise is 7 months away. Ours in in March and we've never considered canceling. St Maarten is (was) a wonderful place and will be again but there are plenty of beautiful places in the Caribbean. I know it can be hard traveling with little ones but you still have plenty of time to adjust.

[JohnQ]

Good info here and I'm sure we are all concerned for the people on these islands as well as many in Florida. We probably won't know the total extent of all the damage for at least another week and longer for short term plans. After health and safety, tourism will be next due to the jobs involved and economic benefits.

Our cruise to St Martin, St Kitts, St Thomas, etc is just seven weeks away----too late to cancel or reschedule, too far away to know much and too little to expect it to be all fixed. So we will wait and see and assume we will have changes to some of our ports!

[tiba99]

This is awesome thank you I like everyone input! I will just go with the flow on this one maybe I am thinking to far ahead! It's sad that one of our fav islands got so demolished. It's sad. I will just keep on reading online and see how things unfold.

 

 

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[comcry]

@johnq I have the same ports also in 7 weeks. I'm thinking it does not look good and of course my main concern is with those affected and devastated by this horrific storm. I just curious about where we will go and more so when we will find out but I know we won't know anything for a few weeks. Even the cruise lines must be scrambling unsure of what's what's. I'm ok with itinerary changes. I booked for these ports but nothing can be done at this point. If I do not like the new ports I'll just stay on the ship!

 

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[dutchclogs]

Dutch news reported earlier today that the damage to buildings is very extensive indeed, 9 out of 10 houses have sustained damage, a third are devastated. The Dutch side sustained (slightly) less damage than the French. There is a fundraisng action planned for Friday. Complete rebuilding estimated two years plus..

[bouhunter]

Even Puerto Rico got hit bad that is another stop I am doing! This is getting worse and worse for me now! All the three stops that I'm doing next year got hit with hurricane Irma! Turks, Puerto Rico and at. Martain! I'm just hoping if the cruise lines are stoping there I hope there is a beach I can do too!

 

 

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We have stops scheduled on St Martin December and January and I suspect both are in doubt. Things seem more tragic there with each passing day...

[TLCOhio]

Dutch news reported earlier today that the damage to buildings is very extensive indeed, 9 out of 10 houses have sustained damage, a third are devastated. The Dutch side sustained (slightly) less damage than the French. There is a fundraisng action planned for Friday. Complete rebuilding estimated two years plus..

 

Appreciate these specific details and this follow-up. Not good or happy news. BUT, these aspects seem somewhat realistic. Saw tonight the huge damage and destruction details for the Florida Keys. Very sad and tragic!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.):

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 52,885 views for these postings.

[Karysa]

I'm traveling with little kids and if it's safe for me to head to the beach I'm there but if it's not safe for me why go on a cruise. I manly picked this cruise because of st.martain. In 2005 I was in Grenada after the hurricane demolished it! The cruise lines still stopped there, there wasn't much us to do. If I can head to the beach in st. Martin I don't mind helping the locals but can we get to it is my question?!

 

 

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That is indeed goood news that the cruise ships stopped in Grenada in 2005. There's still hope that they will be back in St. Maarten sooner rather than later. The cruise visitors are easier to accommodate than the land vacationers.

I'm glad that you don't mind helping the locals.:rolleyes:

[Karysa]

Appreciate these specific details and this follow-up. Not good or happy news. BUT, these aspects seem somewhat realistic. Saw tonight the huge damage and destruction details for the Florida Keys. Very sad and tragic!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.):

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 52,885 views for these postings.

 

I saw the video of front street. Both the courthouse and the church looked intact to me. There are lots of signs down and trees and debris to clear but it looked way better than I thought it would. The stores all have shutters and they withstood Irma but looters were still trying to get it post Irma.

[Karysa]

I totally agree Karysa. The other poster should just switch.

I myself hope I can stop at those ports in January and help them out.

 

I would not be surprised if the cruise lines are back by January. After hearing from friends and seeing the video of Phillipsburg DH thinks 2 months but I think January. Timeshare and vacationers will be slower to come back than the cruiseships.

 

Everyone knows that this little island took the brunt of a category 5 hurricane. Pretty will take a while, so if that is really important to a person I think that they should switch cruises. They can get new signage and clean up the debris in Phillipsburg but the hills are brown, the trees are broken and there will be buildings that are unrecognizable on the way to the beach.

 

I know that there is a Phillipsburg business association and they will want to be up and running ASAP. Hopefully Mother Nature will give them good weather as they move forward.

[Karysa]

Dutch news reported earlier today that the damage to buildings is very extensive indeed, 9 out of 10 houses have sustained damage, a third are devastated. The Dutch side sustained (slightly) less damage than the French. There is a fundraisng action planned for Friday. Complete rebuilding estimated two years plus..

 

Even two years for a total rebuild seems short. Are they just talking about government buildings? I hope the fundraising action is posted in the cc news.

[tiba99]

That is indeed goood news that the cruise ships stopped in Grenada in 2005. There's still hope that they will be back in St. Maarten sooner rather than later. The cruise visitors are easier to accommodate than the land vacationers.

 

I'm glad that you don't mind helping the locals.:rolleyes:

 

 

 

Last time I was there I head to orient beach on my own with my little one she was 2 at that time and I enjoyed it so much! There were a lot of beach huts and I found one that was own by a family which also had little ones from France! Rented some chairs and had some lunch! So yes I'm willing to help but I can only help if we are allowed to go! That's really what I'm thinking about! If the cruise lines can't stop there then for sure they will reroute us some where else maybe Aruba LOL I don't know it's too early to tell! I think by December We will all have a better idea what's happening. I think the cruise lines will have a better chance going then someone wanting to go to a resort!

 

 

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[Karysa]

Last time I was there I head to orient beach on my own with my little one she was 2 at that time and I enjoyed it so much! There were a lot of beach huts and I found one that was own by a family which also had little ones from France! Rented some chairs and had some lunch! So yes I'm willing to help but I can only help if we are allowed to go! That's really what I'm thinking about! If the cruise lines can't stop there then for sure they will reroute us some where else maybe Aruba LOL I don't know it's too early to tell! I think by December We will all have a better idea what's happening. I think the cruise lines will have a better chance going then someone wanting to go to a resort!

 

 

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I don't think that you will get all the way to Aruba and back on a 7 day cruise from Florida.:) Unless perhaps the other days are seadays :) St. Kitts or Antigua perhaps. They are both nice. I prefer Antigua though myself.

 

You don't think that you will be happier just booking ports that are up and running? Mind you anything can happen between now and then as we all know.

[quiltsnh]

This is an update that was in a travel industry magazine on when some of the major resorts in St Maarten may open again:

St. Martin

About 1,600 tourists have been evacuated and efforts are being made to move an additional 1,200, according to the Associated Press. The Princess Juliana International Airport has been receiving flights that are bringing in relief supplies, and evacuating guests.

Since Hurricane Irma made direct landfall over St. Martin, many of its resorts were left with significant damage, including The Beach Plaza, Hotel Mercure, the Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Westin Dawn Beach, and Hotel Riu Palace St. Martin.

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, an all-inclusive located on a private peninsula between two bays in St. Maarten (Dutch territory), said via social media “at this time, the Resort will remain closed until we are able to fully assess the damage."

Sonesta’s three resorts – Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa, Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino – suffered extensive damage. All reservations through the end of they year are cancelled.

[Karysa]

This is an update that was in a travel industry magazine on when some of the major resorts in St Maarten may open again:

St. Martin

About 1,600 tourists have been evacuated and efforts are being made to move an additional 1,200, according to the Associated Press. The Princess Juliana International Airport has been receiving flights that are bringing in relief supplies, and evacuating guests.

Since Hurricane Irma made direct landfall over St. Martin, many of its resorts were left with significant damage, including The Beach Plaza, Hotel Mercure, the Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Westin Dawn Beach, and Hotel Riu Palace St. Martin.

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, an all-inclusive located on a private peninsula between two bays in St. Maarten (Dutch territory), said via social media “at this time, the Resort will remain closed until we are able to fully assess the damage."

Sonesta’s three resorts – Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Casino & Spa, Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort & Casino – suffered extensive damage. All reservations through the end of they year are cancelled.

 

 

Thank you for this. It sounds about what I would expect except ....When did Divi Little Bay Beach timeshare become an AI resort?

[tiba99]

I don't think that you will get all the way to Aruba and back on a 7 day cruise from Florida.:) Unless perhaps the other days are seadays :) St. Kitts or Antigua perhaps. They are both nice. I prefer Antigua though myself.

 

 

 

You don't think that you will be happier just booking ports that are up and running? Mind you anything can happen between now and then as we all know.

 

 

 

St.kitts is also another stop I'm doing! Oh Antigua that would be wonderful! I went on the carinal vista in April of this year and I did the western side! Actually I have been doing the western side for awhile now! Wanted to do something different and carnival has a great itinerary for 2018 on the Vista it's a 8 day cruise! I'm just going to wait it out! My husband is fine with it I'm the one that is being paranoid LOL

 

 

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[Karysa]

St.kitts is also another stop I'm doing! Oh Antigua that would be wonderful! I went on the carinal vista in April of this year and I did the western side! Actually I have been doing the western side for awhile now! Wanted to do something different and carnival has a great itinerary for 2018 on the Vista it's a 8 day cruise! I'm just going to wait it out! My husband is fine with it I'm the one that is being paranoid LOL

 

 

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Well Mother Nature was unkind to some of the islands but they really do need tourists so they will be up and running ASAP. I just hope that they don't rush it and bring people in too early. Employment opportunities will change for a while but there will be jobs in clean up and reconstruction and security.

[dioxide45]

I saw the video of front street. Both the courthouse and the church looked intact to me. There are lots of signs down and trees and debris to clear but it looked way better than I thought it would. The stores all have shutters and they withstood Irma but looters were still trying to get it post Irma.

 

I would not be surprised if the cruise lines are back by January. After hearing from friends and seeing the video of Phillipsburg DH thinks 2 months but I think January. Timeshare and vacationers will be slower to come back than the cruiseships.

 

Everyone knows that this little island took the brunt of a category 5 hurricane. Pretty will take a while, so if that is really important to a person I think that they should switch cruises. They can get new signage and clean up the debris in Phillipsburg but the hills are brown, the trees are broken and there will be buildings that are unrecognizable on the way to the beach.

 

I know that there is a Phillipsburg business association and they will want to be up and running ASAP. Hopefully Mother Nature will give them good weather as they move forward.

Would you mind sharing a link to the video? Any images and video I have seen so far are all from the air. I think it is hard to get a true sense of the destruction like you may see from street level photos and videos.

[gtaylor]

Here's the video.

 

gary