TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin how do you listen to music?

I've found I cannot access Pandora, XM Radio and other streaming services I listen to in the States while in the Islands.

Are they easily accessible in SXM?

If not, any suggestions?

Thnx

Our most recent trip the wifi was wonderful--as advertised, so we could listen to Amazon prime. Trip before wifi never worked. I guess it just depends on where you're staying--whether there's good wifi or not.

I have the XM App on my iphone and was certainly able to pull it up and play it while on wifi in Orient Village this past January.

Most places have good internet.

If you have an Apple TV bring it with you.

Many thnx for all of the info.

I hope it works.

I've had good WiFi before but when I tried to access XM Radio or Pandora I got a default message that the service could not be accessed outside the States.

I will try. <Fingers crossed> <knocks on wood>

Spotify works in St. Maarten and that is what I use.

There's also over-the-air Island92 (rock, blues, & good-time radio) whose signal can be picked up over most of the island. I listen to it on my iPod on Orient.

Another option is using the offline music mode of Amazon or Spotify.

old fashioned here. I pod or phone plugged into a waterproof speaker so I can lounge in the surf.

The Spotify premium service ($9/month) enables you to download your playlists to your phone/tablet. Then you have it with you wherever you go.

I do not believe these services are available outside of the US.. Probably a licensing issue. Maybe inquire directly with them. You may find premium services are available.
BobandJeana

I also learned Apple Music (avail on all IPhones) provides a monthly pay service that permits you to download playlists that eliminates the need for WiFi.

Many good ideas on this thread!

For about $3.95 for a month, you can secure a VPN account and install it on your electronic devices and spoof all of the music and video services into thinking you're still in the USA while you are on your island vacation. Very inexpensive and very easy to do and it works perfectly if you have a good internet connection. I do it every time I'm on the island and I get everything.

The Apple TV also allows you to access US only services.

Be careful when using a VPN, many services such as ebanking or Paypal will be denied to you.

My recommendation for the VPN specifically in regards to the request for audio and video, and for that purpose a VPN will work extremely well and most of the services can be run on phones, tablets or computers.

If someone is looking for a solution for ebanking or PayPal than I can offer a simple no cost solution.

I stand by my recommendation as a solution for the original request from the OP.

VPN solutions are only as effective as the level of desire of some services to block them. You'll find that some such as the NFL are much more aggressive in blocking VPN access than some of the music services.

And yet, I used my VPN connection to watch specific games in specific viewing markets while I was on the island from mid November through mid December. No solution is always 100 percent, yet a VPN will be a workable solution almost every time.

MP3 player with preloaded songs of my choice

Excellent choice, old old school works every time.

I run an FCC-licensed non-commercial low power FM station in Southern Maryland (wmjs) as an unpaid volunteer and we have listeners on six contenents. When I set up our online streaming capability three years ago I elected to pay our streaming provider a little extra each month for "port 80" service and that made a big positive difference in the number of international listeners able to enjoy our 24/7 music mix.

I connect to wifi and listen to Island 92-Dr. Soc in SXM:-))

Personally, I listen to the waves breaking on the beach. It's the only sound I care to hear while on the island.

I agree. Love your reply. When I first saw the title of this post, my first thought was to reply "with my ears"! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

We too enjoy the sound of the waves. Can listen to Jimmy anytime I want at home.

I'm with you completely. The sounds of the waves and the breezes are sweet music to my ears and all I really want to hear. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I like to listen to local radio.

One year, was laying on a lounge chair and my wife leaned over and asked what I was listening to. I said, I have no idea, but she is reading the news in french, and it is sexy.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I love you're sense of humor. My thought exactly and yet, I can't respond like that or carol will put me on timeout. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I agree with bdeeley. Anyone on the beach that want's music, should wear headsets/buds.
It's so annoying to have to listen to music when you just want to hear waves.
That way we can all enjoy.
Cheers
irina