Anon2

Why is it always some dark conspiracy when someone (many people!!) bash St. Martin? I was there in August and the place is a Dump! Of course there are exceptions, but in general it's dirty, it smells bad, junk cars everywhere, people loitering all around, and, from what I could tell, the resorts are mediocre at best. I walked through several and was not impressed! State your agenda if you dispute these facts! <BR> <BR>By the way, I loved St. Bart's. So close yet so different. <BR> <BR>

MARIAN

AVOID SINT MAARTIN/ST MARTIN. There are a few nice beaches, but it's not worth traveling across the island to get to them, you'll just want to go straight to the airport instead. Try the BVI instead. They're greeeeaat!

Chris

GO TO ST MARTIN/ST MAARTEN!!!!! <BR> <BR>Avoid St Martin? These people are a joke. They talk about comparing resorts. If you want big resorts like the Marriott, Hyatt, Holiday Inn; stay in the U.S. St Martin offers a lot of smaller, more intimate places to stay. <BR> <BR>Oh, you don't want to travel across the island to go to the beach? Then stay home. It seems to me all the people who bash the island are looking for America II. <BR> <BR>For those of you out there who want to go to the Carribean and experience the people as well as the island, this is the place. Drive around; stop at a lolo (roadside BBQ) for some chicken and ribs. Better yet, ride the small buses like we do; great way to meet new people. This is an interactive island. You don't want to interact; don't go. You want resort row; go to Aruba. <BR> <BR>As for anon2's post about the island being defended, I find it strange that the basher(s) never identify themselves yet the defenders do. Ask yourself why it is defended so stongly by people who have been there. Maybe it's because we've come to know the island and the people and they have come to know us. <BR> <BR>For those of you who frequent other islands, how many individuals do you seek out each time you return to renew aquaintences? St Martin is more than an island, it is a neighborhood and I for one am proud to say that I am an honorary resident. <BR> <BR>You want detail information? Email me. Too bad you can't email the bashers; he/she/they are all hiding.

Wendy

The reason people are quick to defend St. Martin is that it ranks very high on many people's list of favorite islands. There are many other forums dedicated to singing its praises. However St. Martin is France and France is a problem for many Americans. Let's face it many Americans don't appreciated other cultures. Others relish the experience. <BR> <BR>As to the validity of this forum, when Anon2 says that St. Martin has no nice resorts or judy somehow implies that St. Thomas has nicer beaches than St. Martin I have to call it like I see it. You are both LIARS and you do a terrible service to the users of this board. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

pamr

Jennifer, while I count the BVIS & ABC's as some of my favorites (although you really cannot recommend Bonaire for good beaches) & meeting the criteria, I am kind of puzzled about St. Barts? Why did you not like it? And I've yet to be on an island anywhere at any time of year where the wind did not blow! ( well, I do avoid them during the "doldrums" - too hot!!)

Marian

Chris, that explains your defense of St Martin! You live there! <BR> <BR>It's funny that you mention the roadside BBQ. That was actually the one good laugh I had the whole vacation. Would you like a little dirt with your chicken. No Thanks! I certainly don't go on vacation to get food poisoning. <BR> <BR>As for the buses! I only have a week to get around the Island, not a month. Which would be the amount of time it takes to catch one of those things. <BR> <BR>Neighborhood! That is what I would call St Martin! And it's a bad neighborhood at that!

anne

St. Martin can be fun. Its restaurants are the best.The beaches are beautiful-but they are very busy by my standards. Long Baie is great, not busy and has La Samanna at one end. I thought Orient Beach was a zoo. Many people love all the activity-so go for it! <BR>It really depends what you are looking for. <BR>I agree with the best islands to me Are: <BR>Anguilla <BR>St. John <BR>S. Barts <BR>St. Vincent and Genadines <BR>Virgin Gorda <BR>Out islands of Bahamas <BR>Non-caribbean Bermuda <BR> <BR>I

Shari Finkel

Why I'm getting involved in this, I don't know. I started reading this forum while planning my honeymoon (St. Lucia). I found it extremely helpful when planning the details, but also found people who had bad experiences and wanted somewhere to vent. Now I'm looking for somewhere to go with a family for "Midwinter break", so am continuing to read. I just feel the need to point out that everyone's experience is colored by where they are coming from. I spent 3 years living on 14th st in NYC, so I didn't find St. Lucia particularly poor or "3rd world". However, someone from the suburbs in Connecticut might have a very different impression. Perhaps St. Martin is the same? I believe that, except for select islands, poverty will be evident, and the islands where it isn't obvious, it is just more hidden (I found poverty in the Grand Caymans, just in a back corner). I think the most helpful thing would be for posters to state what is important to them before stating an absolute opinion about a destination.

Janet G. Hill

Just returned from a 10 day cruise -- visited 8 islands during the vacation. Hate to say it, but I agree with the majority -- St. Martin is a pit and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. All of the reasons stated in this and many other posts are valid. <BR> <BR>

Evelyn

St. Martin is one of the ports on the cruise I'm taking in December. Should I not get off the ship!

Thomas

Evelyn: <BR> <BR>Certainly get off the ship. We took a cruise this past June and stopped at St Martin. Any fears of safety are out of the question; there was never any concern. As for the island's appearance, while no as tropical as others that is also no cause for concerns. We spent the maorning in Phillipsburg doing a little light shopping and then went to Orient beach. We had lunch at a place called Kon-Tiki right on the water. Probably our most enjoyable meal on the trip. We then went to Marigot the French capital for the flea market. Got some great deals on spices. <BR> <BR>We never heard any complaints from other peolpe on the boat during the rest of the trip. Sure everybody had their own favorite stop, but that's what is nice about stopping at various islands. If you're no getting off at each island, why bother with the cruise? <BR> <BR>Enjoy the trip.

Evelyn

Thanks Thomas. By the way,did your ship also stop at St. Thomas and did you go over to St. John? I haven't been in years but the last time I was there, some friends rented a jeep and had a great time. Is this possible still? or is there something better to do as we only have a few hours there.

Thomas

Evelyn: <BR> <BR>Yes we did stop at both islands. We were on a Norwegian cruise of the nothern island. I assume you could rent a jeep; but we just went with the standard tours. we normally do this on our first trip to an island to get the feel for it. We tend to go off on our own once we know what we want to do. <BR> <BR>It's hard to suggest something because it depends on what you've done on other stops and how much you know the island. I would suggest starting a new thread asking that question of people who really know the island. You'd probably get much better suggestions than I can make.

bystander

its funny watching everybody bash Jamaica. The island has more culture , beaches and natural beauty than just about any of the other islands. Tourist crime there is actually quite low. But gues what, its big island. The Kingston area has over a million people so its going to have big city problems. Any terrain you need, Jamaica has it but some people are hellbent on destroying its reputation. I guess its more Jamaica for me, so its not all bad.

Karah

I went to Aruba for 10 days this June and I loved it. It is very clean and I never once felt scared. All the natives are really nice, helpful, and friendly. Since the island is arid, the heat did not bother us nearly as bad as if it had been humid.

MDoran

Best times on an island : The east side of Cozumel because of the white sand, cold beer, privacy and occasionally topless women...Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands because it's just so damn beautiful walking Seven Mile Beach...and (even tho it's not an island) the Yucatan (Playa del Carmen see both of the above for reasons!)

Sharon

Has anyone been to both Aruba and Curacao. We loved Aruba and wondered if Curacao would be equally as good. Any info would be appreciated.

Jon

I've been to numerous Caribbean islands have have always had a wonderful time in St. Martin / St. Maarten.Given the size of the island, it is shameful that anyone would formulate an opinion based solely on a visit to one particular area or heaven forbid a singular resort. Any person visiting St. Martin via a cruise ship is getting a highly distorted picture of the island. For one, Phillipsburg (the port) is probably one of the least desireable destinations on the island. My experience has been that most of the beautiful and interesting places are on the French side - away from the cruisers. <BR> <BR>Many of the beaches on the French side are terrific - Cupecoy and Baie Longue in particular!. And what town is more charming than Marigot? How enjoyable can an evening be at Cheri's of Mullet Bay! How good are the multitude of restaurants at Grand Case! There are 7 casinos and a golf course to boot. The people can be positively charming. The roadside lolos and bodega bars with pool tables and music blaring can be a great place to stop in for a cold Presidente beer. All in all, St. Martin has a little something for everyone. I give it extraordinarily high marks. <BR> <BR>

Paige

I have never taken a cruise so I do not know much about that. I visited St. Martin this summer for 9 days & wished that I had stayed home. Some of the beaches were nice but way overrated. Driving conditions were better here than other islands that I have visited. People were not too friendly as well. Some beaches had trash everywhere. Food was good. Island was not very tropical.

Donna

We are planning our 25th anniversary vacation in St. Thomas in March of 2001. Any ratings on Villa Santana or Islandview Guest House in terms of cleanliness, crime in the city, etc.