TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Unrest rumors/predictions?

Reading on other kinds of social media people thinking or hearing roadblock stuff might restart on/about new years day, anybody else hearing this? We arrive just prior.

Hoping this is BS.

I read the same thing on FB and it is rumor (or "murmurs") as stated there. It may well happen but I would suggest asking the person that posted it to substantiate it on the group page where you read it. At this point, nothing that would happen on the French side would surprise me.

Oh yea! We arrive 1/27 and are staying in Grand Case, really hoping all is quiet. After the year we've had quiet sounds wonderful! Fingers crossed.

I remember a few years back on THE FRENCH SIDE they had been protesting something and they shut off all power on the French side 30 minutes before midnight. So we sat in the dark in the restaurant like many others. Food could not get cooked and freezers off for days as food spoiled. We had to move from our villa to a Dutch side hotel. They love to protest and the authorities do nothing really to resolve it.

Saw that. Someone asked the OP where the information came from. Then silence.........................

Who asked, they said they saw it on FB too. I haven’t seen or heard more.

I have always considered TTOL to be the smartest group. But honestly, the group is now quite snippy.

We arrive tomorrow and are obviously concerned. Maybe we will/won’t report action on the scene.

Maybe we’ll switch channels.

Pelican--I think everyone who loves SXM is a little on edge these days. Or a LOT on edge.. SXM does NOT need people spreading unsubstantiated rumors, regardless of the source.

I wish you a wonderful, trouble-free vacation, which is what one should be able to expect when you go on vacation. Please do report back on the conditions as you find them, when you feel comfortable doing so.

Pirate, my comment was not about you but rather about the original post on Facebook. Sorry if there was confusion. Have a great trip.

I know how Pelican Pirate feels! I think my blood pressure is probably through the roof. We sure don't need rumours at this point. We arrive Saturday noon for a month. Only the second time ever that amount of time in 21 years going. We are celebrating 50 years married in August & decided to start celebrating in January with our St. Martin friends.
We are on the French side of the island. Our friend/person we rent from is thankfully picking us up from airport & getting us to his place. This we are grateful for!!
Then... add to that our pharmacy told me one of my pills is back ordered so yep you guessed it, I'm starting vacation with a totally new drug.
I will be sending a report on Saturday so you know how it went. Hate rumours

jeepers--best wishes for a wonderful, CALM trip...

We arrive Saturday, too, and agree that the rumors/speculation are frustrating and nerve ranking. We're staying only two weeks, with the first week in Grand Case and the second on the Dutch side. We've been searching VRBO and Expedia and see that there are several rental units available on the Dutch side for the first week, should we have to move. But we've really been looking forward to revisiting some of our favorite Grand Case restaurants and don't want the hassle of paying double for somewhere to stay and dealing with navigating blocked roads.

Since you are arriving in less than a week AND these backup properties are still available I would keep them in your pocket as fall backs....I would plan on enjoying your time in Grand Case and just stay away from the Sandy Ground route to and from the Dutch Side.

We will be in SXM mid January (SBR) and definitely plan on visiting Grande Case and Orient but will pick a non-complicated route....

While I understand your concern, reading something elsewhere and not questioning it where initially read only leads to more speculation/rumor/"murmur" when posted here. I hope you do report and I hope you have a great and trouble free vacation.

I visit and belong to 3+ of the facebook groups and you are welcome to belong to as many or as few as you choose but if I saw something there that concerned me, I would first address it there. Nothing wrong with raising the question here but I saw the exact same thing you saw and actually wondered why it wasn't questioned more and even allowed to remain if not substantiated.

I prefer to deal in fact and not rumor or hearsay. I thought I had some information earlier today from a local island friend but before posting it, I contacted them as it did not make sense. Turns out it was something they had posted elsewhere 2 weeks ago but was just today showing up on a facebook page. Very strange for sure. Had I ran with what I initially thought to be a touchy situation it could have easily created some panic and confusion. I did not want to do that so I decided to verify the situation.

Good luck on your trip and the same to anyone else traveling to the island.

We are planning a return trip for the first week in March, and we were fortunate to make reservations without a downpayment being required. Our hope is that any type of civil unrest or insurrection will be a thing of the past, but just in case we are also prepping with a Plan B and a Plan C. Plan B would be to eliminate the french side from our visit, something we have never done in the past. This allows us to keep our Jet Blue flight plans in order rather then changing them to another destination. Plan C would be a bit more expensive, and it would involve taking the Great Bay Express to St. Bart's and enjoying the wonderful beaches over there. Of course, prices will be higher and trying to land a nice AirBnB on short notice will be difficult. We'll make our decision in early February, but hopefully these alternative plans will not be necessary. Hoping for the best for everyone above with plans for this winter season.

Just another data point in the discussion but we are paid up for a VRBO condo in Oyster Cove starting January 22 for 2 weeks. We are planning on going at this point. If this was our first trip to the island we probably would have cancelled. Like most all on this site we have good feel for the island and unless all hell breaks loose we will be there.

Thanks! I'll be sure to let you know how we find everything. We will be in Marigot a fair bit. Still looking forward to it. We work all year for vacation time.

Jeepers, when in Marigot and if you like good French food, Tropicana a must for Souflee on a Saturday and opposite the water is Be Kool.. see if they have eggs cocotte on the menu with food gras.

I already posted that link in a separate thread.

OK. Didn't see it till after I posted it. Get out the wet noodle. LOL

This was just posted from someone on SIMPLY SXM. No way of knowing how reliable it is. Take it for what it's worth.
"Wanted to share some information from some French locals we had the pleasure to meet and speak with.
Their problems are not with the tourists and lovers of SXM.
This said, a warning should go out. Beginning January 9 th it will be larger than last time. Try to stay on Dutch side. Don’t get trapped on French side. Again, came from locals who are active in this cause."

Honestly, I think it is very irresponsible to repeat such things. I am closing this one now.