TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Busy at Sunset Beach Bar

I just saw that there are 3 large ships in port and the webcam at SSBB shows a lot of folks at the beach. It also seems that the weather has changed the sand over that lst couple of days and there is a shelf now causing them to have to reduce the number of rows of chairs. Hope these folks are buying some drinks and food too.

http://sunsetsxm.com/plane-info/

Nothing like having chairs inches apart. Not to my liking for a beach destination. But I do like to take first time guests there for lunch. Always had good service and food there.

Wow, that's REALLY busy!

Well, bet the beach cleared out, heavy rains just came through at Mary’s Boon. They had to close the “windows” in the dining area. Only lasted about 5 minutes.

They'll be back. Momentary setback. Plenty of time left in day.

I don't think I've ever seen the sand do that. Usually, it's far more gradual. But, at least the sand is there! And, that is pretty busy for a Tuesday. Three ships aren't that many, unless a big one made port. Hopefully, there are folks packed around the Sunset Beach Bar enjoying some food and drink. Now, if I could only convince my wife that she could drink here for free ...

Haven't been there but is the sign that grants free drinks still there?

In past years I've seen that steep ridge before. Comes and goes.

The last time we were actually there -- about 22 months ago -- I did not see the sign. We were both 'parched' at the time and ordered our drinks, and just as I was wondering if the "ladies drink for free" promo still was in effect sure enough not five minutes later two couples probably in their early 40's came up to the bar on our left and the ladies sat on the bar stools while their husbands (or boyfriends) stood behind them. Off went their tops and 'on' started the drinks so that answered that. I turned to my wife and said "I can save $9 on that margarita if you join them" to which I got a firm stare and was reminded that we weren't on the beach anymore! We got done and went into the nearby casino for about an hour. When there was no more money left to lose, we went back for one last round and lo and behold the two couples hadn't moved. They had to be drinking a good hour and a half, so I left wondering just how much the bar lost on those two ladies! Another great St. Martin memory.

I imagine the boyfriends or husbands and observers drank and paid for their fair share so the bar probably made out OK.

Good call! They probably charged the guys double for their beers. Suddenly a $4 draft now became $8!

Someone mentioned before that on the website of sunsetsxm that you click on arrivals(top left?) and see when the planes are coming in. I don't see this?

This was January 20th. Very busy then as well.

You can have that. Yuk

So tacky! Stay home!

Looks like with 4 ships in it's standing room only. Lots of chairs being rented out inches apart.

Definitely NOT my cup of tea!

Mine either. I like well spaced out chairs and room to roam.

Yikes!!! 5 ships in today (2/27)and it's packed like sardines.

Holy cr*p. That's a lot of people.

Too bad most of them are not spending any money.

I saw a lot of drinks being served and those chairs aren't free. Let alone the food and drinks probably being served in the bar/restaurant/pool area.

I am not sure what makes anyone thing that tourists will try and recover hurricane lost. these are people that wait all year long to take a vacation and should not be obligated to try and spend more than they would for any vacation. Yes for most of us that love the island, we want the money to flow in, but its not going to be for one time visitors. Folks do not go on vacation to support there destination. St.M. has to come back on its good business and good people that want to make it great again.no not tourists, not there job. and by the way I am here have been since dec.30th would not expect tourists ot try and get the Island back not there job.

I tend to think that the busy scene at SSBB is indicative to the island recovering. SXM has a tourism based economy and as such all of those people on the beach are, in fact, spending money. Be it $20 for chairs/umbrellas, drinks, souvenirs, food etc they are spending money. While it may not be the responsibility of the tourists to get the island back, it is the responsibility of the businesses to provide what the tourists need and/or want in order to keep them coming back. I agree with you sasa about tourists not providing for the losses of the hurricane however it is the tourist dollars that support the recovery.

The poor people that still have no roof or major damage that they have to live with will not feel the affects of tourists. Most tourists go out to eat, or perhaps buy stuff to bring back home or even jewlery. So for the most part! resturants and shops get the dollor. I feel for those that are living still with unbelievable loss... Not sure how tourists dollors help them, but to an extent perhaps bringing jobs back will..

Not only do tourists bring back jobs, they bring $$, clothes, school supplies, and whatever else they can carry to help those in need every day. They volunteer all over the island, reading to kids, building gardens, whatever they can, they do. If it wasn't for local and tourist volunteers, this island would be in much worse shape, as the government is pretty much useless.

My post about the tourists helping out is not meant as a direct hands on help nut rather as an indirect help. As Elaine mentioned, there are many folks that do volunteer and assist in other ways but she also mentioned that the tourists bring in $$. What my post was geared toward was the fact that if we tourists spend money in any business on the island, that keeps that business in operation which in turn means that business to employ people who get compensated for their employment. That employment equals income which is then used to buy food and other necessities as well as supplies to make repairs or hire a contractor.

Looks like it will be another busy day. 6 ships in and at 0845 EST the webcam shows 3 rows of chairs set up waiting for the cruisers

And we must not forget that the locals that provide the transportation, tours busses-taxis-rental cars, bring in money to the island.