TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Cruise ships seem pointless...

While going through recent SXM youtube videos, I've come across some vids showing people on cruise ship vacations to the Caribbean, (SXM, in particular) and other locales. The whole thing seems sort of pointless. Why would somebody want to go to the Caribbean and spend a bunch of time on a floating mall?

People enjoy cruise ship vacations just like some people enjoy timeshare vacations or luxury spa vacations, gambling junkets and any other type of vacation. Different strokes for different folks.

We used to enjoy cruises and that is how we found SXM. Obviously people do still enjoy them or there would not be new and bigger ships coming out on a regular basis. I have no desire to go on another cruise but that doesn't mean other people shouldn't enjoy them.

Kind of like different resorts, beaches, islands, not everyone has the same tastes and it is a good thing or life would be rather boring.

It's a great way to see different islands. We have been on 5 different cruises with St Maarten in the itinerary which made us want to stay. We loved it so much we came back for vacations for the last 19 years.

Same here. We had St Maarten on our cruise itinerary 5 years ago, and have been back twice since, and we are coming back next year! We also stopped in St Thomas, but just loved SXM. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/titanic.gif" alt="" />

I love cruise ships as well. We have enjoyed seeing many of the Caribbean islands that we probably would never have seen otherwise. Yes, to each his own.

After years in the military I do not like the idea of being on a schedule, particularly in the Caribbean. I will wait until I am too old and feeble before taking a cruise. Meanwhile I will do my own travel planning.

We have been on many cruises and have also been to SXM countless times. They each have much to offer.

We have discovered many places, some of which we would return to spend extended time and some where we wouldn't.

I guess the term, "to each, his own" is appropriate for this discussion.

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As far as 'schedules', for the most part you can avoid them regardless. Eating on a specific schedule, at a specific table, with a specific group of folks, pretty much doesn't happen any more, unless you WANT it that way. That is one of the best things about modern cruising. For ME, personally, I hate that all the ships are so huge. We have over 30 cruises under our belt, loved all of them, and our love affair with SXM started on a cruise. It's a great way to check out several different places in a week. The next cruise we will take will be on a smaller, more upscale ship. Cruises definitely have their place.

Pointless? Not really......but not for everyone, for sure.



I guess it's pretty much a matter of different strokes for different folks but they definitely do serve as as a valuable option for some of us under some specific conditions.

Many years ago, long before the building of the present day cruise terminal on SXM, we used to enjoy the occasional breakfast at a place called Pinocchio's on Front Street in P'berg and we would often see the cruiseship passengers as they were being tendered in to the Wathey pier. We had never cruised but seeing this we knew it was something that just didn't appeal to us.

About 20+ years later, we decided to return to Bermuda where we had honeymooned so many years before and after pricing it all out we decided it was far more economical to do a Bermuda cruise over a vacation there. We booked the cruise and had a good time - we had a great suite, excellent cruise companions, and all things in consideration, it was a good time but we decided once again cruising just wasn't our thing. So back to typical non-cruising vacations we went.

Fast forward another twenty years and we decided we wanted to return to Hawaii, but this time we opted for an interisland cruise as a huge portion of our trip since the first time around we had stayed on Oahu and done the historical tour only. Because we were celebrating a very significant anniversary, we booked an incredible trip allowing plenty of time on the island's on both ends of the cruise plus awesome cruise accommodations and first class round trip air. It was a wonderful trip in every way and we absolutely loved the cruise and all the different facets from the great food, to the incredible suite and it's huge balcony which we both loved, and not to forget our adorable butler.

But when all was said and done, this second cruise experience helped us reaffirm the fact we definitely are NOT among those who would enjoy cruise vacations on a regular basis.

They serve a great purpose if you are looking for an all-inclusive vacation and want to cover some major territory, or if you are looking for a good way to comfortably and inexpensively cover a lot of territory, or as in our case, an easier means to an end - that of seeing much of the Hawaiian Islands without wasting a lot time checking in to numerous hotels and airports. And truth to tell, being part of the older generation these days, it was a comfortable way to cover a lot of territory we really wanted to see.

But now that we've 'beentheredonethat' for two very specific cruises, if I never see another cruiseship in my life, i won't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

They definitely serve a purpose but personally speaking, I want to get there quickly and enjoy the 'being there' part without being a captive audience on a big floating mall. Friends are doing a twenty-five day repositioning cruise and asked us if we had any interest in it. All I could think of was, 'OMGoodness - TY but no TY' but please take lots of photos. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We also first "discovered" SXM on cruises. We have taken over 50 cruises and very much enjoy them - of course, we also enjoy land vacations - come to think of it, we enjoy anything that gets us out and about.

We started cruising with young daughters - taking a week cruise every year. We think that for a family vacation, cruises are great. Everybody can do their own thing - separately as desired during the day - but then come together for dinner and the evening. No endless discussions about where to go for dinner - maybe your family can avoid those, we seem to have trouble when there are lots of choices. And, those dang vegetarians who want every night to be Thai ....

We now have a family group of about 8 that cruises over the Christmas/New Year's holiday every year - again, we find that the structure is not a negative, but a plus for our group.

If it is just the two of us now, we do tend to think about a land vacation as opposed to a cruise. But, we have cruised enough that we know, and consider friends, some of crew on certain ships - and, when you cruise a lot you also get to know some regular repeat cruisers. I doubt that we ever will be people who stay on a cruise ship for months at a time, but for a relatively few people it is what they really enjoy and how they want to live a good part of their lives.

I think a significant part of it is simply how you feel about being on a ship out in the water - for whatever reason we find it relaxing and enjoyable just to be on a boat/ship. I do agree that this kind of feeling is somewhat diluted on the big ships of today - but as long as you can sit and look out over the water to the horizon, it still is pretty great.

Snorkeller--that is exactly what I don't enjoy about the megaships of today--the feeling of being out on the water is so diluted. I know I would personally never cruise again without a balcony -- UNLESS it's on a really small ship.

Cruising is a form of vacation enjoyed by many. It is absolutely relaxing and a way to see numerous islands and various other places throughout the world that most people would otherwise not travel to because of the cost and other things. I have cruised many times and loved each trip immensely. I did not find SXM on a cruise, but many have over the years. Cruising is the reason SXM has hundreds of annual visitors now each year who come to spend weeks on this island paradise.If for some reason cruise ships stopped coming to the island, SXM would suffer greatly!

Absolutely agree about need for balcony that looks out over water. I find the balconies that look into the interior of the ship (like on Oasis class) unbelievably ugly. I would rather pay less for an interior than get one of those.

I find that cruising is one of the best values you can get for money. As a Florida resident I don't have to pay for airfare. We too have found SXM on a cruise and this year we have decided to spend a week on the island.

Cruise ships, Timeshares, and All-Inclusives are all pointless, unless you happen to like Cruise Ships, Timeshares, or All-Inclusives. Different strokes...

We found St. Martin on a cruise in 1981.

When millions of people cruise each year there has to be something to that. Personally I have taken many cruises and have enjoyed them all. I love being waited on. I love seeing different places. A cruise is an easy vacation as you unpack once, no rental car involved and no big decision where to go for dinner. A cruise is well suited to someone my age (like Carol I do not like the big ships and I must have a balcony) and yes, a cruise to SXM years ago sold me on coming back each year for a couple of weeks.

We have even thought about taking a weeks break from being on island and cruising for a week out of SXM and then returning to our timeshare for more weeks on island.

Wind star has some amazing looking trips out of the island!!!!

We are not cruise people but I can see the advantage of seeing a bit of many places that you normally might not see....but..the couple we rent our Paris apartment from (live in New Zealand) just spent two months in Paris and now are on the QE2 for 7 days ..England to NYC...with only ocean to look at for SEVEN DAYS...yes, the ship is an entertainment center but I would go whacky not being able to leave it for 7 days....and have only open sea to look at....

As I said earlier, to each, his own......that's the part I find most relaxing. I could kick back on the balcony or in a lounge chair with my Kindle reading and staring out at the ocean for hours on end. Not a care in the World.

And I can do that on a beach too. I find the water has a calming affect/effect (I never know which one) on me whether I am on land or on a boat, either large like a cruise ship or small like a run about.

I get the "for hours" part...but...for SEVEN straight days????

I agree. That's why I love Beachside Villas so much! I sit in my comfy chair in the shade and stare at the ocean or read my book, or nap, and I don't have a care in the world!

Someone suggested to me once to equate the "e" in "result" with effect.

Yup...totally agree. Like a cruise ship view...minus the buffets <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

I personally don't need buffets these days anyway! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Originally found SXM on a cruise in 1999. Then booked SXM for our honeymoon in 2000. We've been going back to SXM and doing cruises ever since...probably over 60 cruises. Cruises are my favorite for nightlife. No driving, no cash needed, many different bars and dancing. When staying in SXM for 18 days this summer, we MAY go out 1 or 2 nights. Beach all day, dinner at villa, then bed....repeat.

Because we love cruising........

I always thought I'd get into big cruise ships once my knees were too shot to get on and off a Windjammer Barefoot. Then they went under. Big sigh. But I just saw the Mandalay is sailing! That's the kind of cruise I like. Small, intimate... I have been on one big cruise- a 4 day mini trip-Nassau, Freeport... and it was nice, boozy, crowded and seemed sterile to me.

We have lots of friends who somehow think they will be confined and constricted by a cruise. The only thing constricting to us is getting back on the ship which we have been the last to step back on.

Having cruises on 1970's boats with 500 pax, we are amazed at how those with 2000 aren't packed at all. There is a lot of space and I think the balconies keep many back in "their place". We actually prefer inside cabins for several reasons. #1) price, we have gotten 12 day Med cruises from Venice to Barcelona for $500/ person twice. This allowed us to see Venice, Athens, Ephesus, Istanbul, Mykonos, Naples/Pompeii, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Monaco, and Barcelona and we only had to unpack once. 2) we like being up on deck with full unspoiled view of the horizon and the breeze. 3) sleep quality is awesome in total darkness. 4) we have had balconies, but we tend to spend more time in room with balcony........as for the mall.......it may loook like one but really it is usually a mid/high end jewelry shop, perfume shop, liquor store and gift shop. We rarely buy much on board except the same stuff we'd buy on Sxm. We usually buy expensive jewelry at home because as Warren Buffet says if you don't know Jewelry, know your jeweler.

As for food, we find it pretty good and definitely far above what you can get anywhere in the Caribbean except in Grand Case. But you don't have a bill to worry about and you can order every item on the menu if you want and it is gladly brought to you.

We have never had a bad cruise or a bad trip to SXM.........so I'll take either if someone is handing them out. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

PS, if you are into Club Orient, a Bare necessities cruise is an unbelievable escape. That "mall" doesn't require clothes.

I had a airline pilot describe his plane as the "tube of shame" which often from the inside it is just that. Unless it is a 747, then it is th "Cadillac of th sky"
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We were avid cruisers until we took a boat tour around Saint Martin while on a cruise. On that tour as we rushed to several places. We stopped for lunch at Grand Case. At that stop I had a truly enlightening moment- who in the heck are the lucky people who get to stay here. So from that point forward we have not and do not have any desire to cruise. We now just stay in Saint Martin as long as we can. Works by far the best for us- an yes I understand other prefer the other and that is ok. One other note- on our first stay trip to Saint Martin we went and spent a day at Friars- a bunch of buses from cruise ships unloaded- we had a great time with the travelers for the short time they were able to stay. The large group asked me as they were being herded back to the bus. How we were able to be so lucky to just stay.

Cruise ship vacations are a wonderful way for a great many people to get out of their "safety zones" and begin to explore the rest of the world while remaining in a "safe" environment.

Our first cruise in 1997 allowed us to explore five islands in the Eastern Carribean in a hassel free, "safe" environment, and that trip started our lifetime love of St. Martin. By taking that trip, we became comfortable with and enthralled with SXM and have returned for 1-2 week vacations many time.

Please don't anyone fall into the mental trap that people who see things differently than you are (insert judgement). They are just people with differient viewpoints and entitled to their own decisions... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

And here is another perspective. For people with food allergies, or autoimmune diseases, like celiac diseases, the food safety on a cruise is often easier to manage than eating at restaurants in various holiday destinations. So, they can get out and explore, but return to the ship for dinner and have to worry less, than perhaps looking for a restaurant that can handle , for example, gluten free without risk of cross contamination

Great point, Bill. We all have different likes and dislikes and in this case, as in so many others, there is no right or wrong. Enjoy your preferences and please, don't anyone feel as though you're being judged by the rest of us if we differ in opinions. <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 love cruising....remember when on a cruise all the traveling between islands is done at night while you are asleep and you wake up in a different port and island in the morning then if you want....you can tour the island and explore or just lounge around the pool,there will be less people on board and you can really relax and enjoy !!!!!

We love all vacations, cruises, AI's, and land based trips.

I'm not certain, but I don't believe SXM has a port authority at the dock. Are you allowed to board in mid cruise in SXM?

For us by way of a cruise years ago was how we discovered SXM and thereafter we would take a family cruise vacation and then a separate for us SXM vacation and what wonderful times we had on each trip and now that we are living in central Florida and older it's so much more convenient and safer to travel by cruise ship; and for us the larger Oasis class is so much more better for all of the amenities they have to offer.