SnorkelAway

Sailing charter: try Captain Morgan. Power boat: try Captain Alan's or Soualiga Destinations (Captain Bob) Suggest googling for basic info, then call and talk to them.

Belair is next to Divi on Little Bay. Nice resort but do not think snorkeling in front of it is as good as at Divi. Gingerbread Cafe is nice place for lunch. If you have never been to Belair or Divi, might want to just get a taxi to Divi and check out both.

I would expect excursions by local operators to be operating. Not sure about stores. Touristy stores near pier probably will be open. Only way to be sure of others (including any particular jewelry stores) is to call them a few weeks ahead of time.

I think the general understanding is that low season is May 1 to November 30, so you will be there in low season. Schedules for the ferries to Pinel from cul-de-sac are not 100% reliable - you can only be certain of last ferry time from Pinel back to cul-de-sac when you get the ferry over to Pinel. Unless something weird is going on, your Royal Caribbean ship will have the same time as the local time on the island. There will be no difference in ship time and local time no matter the time of year. If your ship is scheduled for 12:15 arrival, then you may be unable to get off until 12:45 or so - it may be a hour or more after you disembark before you are on Pinel. Your time on Pinel might be only 2 hours. I would recommend you go to Mullet, as opposed to Pinel, on this trip. It will be easier and less complicated to go to Mullet. Go to Pinel when you have more time on island.

If you mean relative beginner at snorkeling, I would say yes, although I do not think you should go out too far, unless you have someone to snorkel with and both of you are good swimmers..

$5 was charge from downtown Philipsburg - from port it would be at least $6 per person.

Thanks for posting good informative report of what you did - good pictures. First, surprised you were charged only $5 per person, but then noticed that was charge from Philipsburg not from port.

There usually are beach vendors walking beach and soliciting business. Just state a firm "no thank you," if not interested.

Club Orient is still an ugly ruin - the beach is usually fine. The Perch on the Club O c/o beach has decent food and drinks. Just up the beach is Orange Fever which we highly recommend for drinks, lunch, and chairs. Coco is fine, but is further north up beach than where group taxis normally drop off.

Taxi drivers in SXM are some of the best in Caribbean - in my opinion. Don't get me started about St. Croix taxi drivers or some other islands. Could you get a driver on a bad day? Yes, but again, generally, the drivers on SXM are excellent and very reliable.

Just my guess, judging from your question, I think you would like Captain Frenchy best.It would have best chair service. Food may be a little more expensive than you want. Beach should be OK - but could it change by late December? Yes it could. Divi and Mullet would be cheaper and easier to get to. Really, just a matter of personal opinion. We really like Divi but others we know would prefer Captain Frenchy or Mullet. (BTW: there is no clothing optional at Mullet - at least nothing officially "tolerated.")

I have heard that it is now $25 for two chairs and one umbrella.

Usually no problem at all - although sometimes it can be hard to get someone to help you get set up. Best way of guaranteeing no problem of any kind is to get there as early as you can. Actually, on our February visit to Divi when off a cruise ship (we also have stayed a couple weeks on island last few years), we just put backpacks down, and went into water snorkeling - then had lunch. Never got loungers or umbrella on beach - but did not notice or hear or any problems for cruisers getting loungers/chairs.

Generally speaking, no.

Last February, it was $6 per person. If it has increased, doubt more than $7 per person.