WLE--I agree, Orient used to be more attractive to cruise passengers. In the old days, there were lots of little 'shacks' on the beach, which served up great, quick, inexpensive, casual food. Now, the restaurants are more upscale and not as attractive to a person who is only on island for a very short time, who just wants a quick, inexpensive meal.
Having made my first cruise when Jimmy Carter was President, things have changed a lot. The ports were more natural, local and interesting. Now, so many have the same old arrival look with purpose built shop stalls etc to get some money first minute and last minute from the cruisers. We find all that Disneyish. Once you have seen many ports and bought all the tshirts/trinkets but still love cruising, we tend to want a comfortable beach experience. We could go to a string of out islands and be happy.
SXM is a great island but it is deeper into the eastern Caribbean so the cruise lines can keep you happy with a shorter distance to Turks and Caicos and Amber Cove in the DR and save some gas and make more money.
SXM is always a draw on an itinerary and those itineraries seem to cost a few hundred more per person.
I will add, I have talked to so many people who go to SXM on a cruise and I ask them if they did this or that and go here and there? So many say they just walked around the boardwalk and talked to the Star Wars guy. My head explodes that didn’t even go to Maho or Orient.
I find this hard to believe!!! Ever since Irma, the ships have made their return in a big way!! Louise and I design an itinerary for our stay, not to miss out on anything and get it all in!! I check the cruise schedule, mark each day down how many ships that day so that we know. We are either staying on property (BSV) or heading out early to beat the traffic on Beacon hill road and Rhine road!!! I just posted, there will be SIX ships in this Wednesday!!! Cruise ships down?? I think NOT! https://gls.portstmaarten.sx/sxm/MainMenu.aspx?ShipScheduleType=2
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