marti2282 Posted April 10, 2017 #1 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Two photos are inserted below. The first was taken from the Sunset Bar in 2007 and the second from almost the same vantage point last week. My, how things have changed. I had read here the the crowds were so thick " you couldn't see the sand." Was sure it was an exaggeration. Not so much... you be the judge! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted April 10, 2017 #2 Share Posted April 10, 2017 I recently posted the topic "Maho Beach Madness Beware" and am glad you agree it was no "exaggeration". My how times have changed :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duanerice1 Posted April 11, 2017 #3 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Wow! Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted April 11, 2017 #4 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Other differences over the years that I miss are the air traffic control communication over the speaker at 😊Sunset Beach Bar, all of the plane schedule for the day written on the surfboard and the shorter runway. It's busier BUT I don't think that it's better in any way. You tube, I blame you!:loudcry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marti2282 Posted April 11, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted April 11, 2017 I recently posted the topic "Maho Beach Madness Beware" and am glad you agree it was no "exaggeration". My how times have changed :eek: Yep. It was your thread that gave me pause. I was really dreading going, but we were fortunate and shared a table by the rail. Don't think I'll go back when there are 6 ships (15,000 cruisers?) in port ever again. We never left the table. Would have loved to put my feet in the sand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marti2282 Posted April 11, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Other differences over the years that I miss are the air traffic control communication over the speaker at 😊Sunset Beach Bar, all of the plane schedule for the day written on the surfboard and the shorter runway. It's busier BUT I don't think that it's better in any way. You tube, I blame you!:loudcry: I think you must have overheard my husband. He said almost the same thing. We used to love going there.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todnet Posted April 15, 2017 #7 Share Posted April 15, 2017 Just curious, how are the crowds when there is only 1 ship in port? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovevacadays Posted April 16, 2017 #8 Share Posted April 16, 2017 I guess we were lucky. We were there in the morning for a stop on a private tour. It wasn't crowded at all. We enjoyed our stop there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovevacadays Posted April 16, 2017 #9 Share Posted April 16, 2017 Just curious, how are the crowds when there is only 1 ship in port? If there is only one ship in port there will not be crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todnet Posted April 16, 2017 #10 Share Posted April 16, 2017 If there is only one ship in port there will not be crowds. Glad to hear it. We have a group of 30 on Adventure of the Seas in June, many in the group have not been to Maho and we are looking forward to spending some time there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingos Posted April 16, 2017 #11 Share Posted April 16, 2017 Wow. I just checked http://crew-center.com/philipsburg-st-maarten-cruise-ship-schedule-2017 and it says that the Oasis will be the only ship in port on the day we are there. Can this be correct, that we would be that lucky? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KysMommyRN Posted April 16, 2017 #12 Share Posted April 16, 2017 Not sure the website above is completely accurate. My itinerary for Jewel of the Seas has us in St. Maarten on April 22 & it's not showing on this list at all. However, this entire cruise isn't even a "listed" cruise for RCI, because it's a private booking. Perhaps since it can't be "seen" on RCI's site, whoever puts this list together can't see it either. Not sure how often private bookings for entire cruise ships happen, so it might be fairly accurate outside of that. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted April 18, 2017 #13 Share Posted April 18, 2017 We have vacationed on St Martin a few times (generally for 1-2 weeks at a time) and usually stay around Grand Case. Since we have a rental car, it is relatively easy to go to any beach (or place) on the island. Suffice it to say that on our last few trips we never went anywhere near Maho! The beach sucks and its often too crowded. There are so many nicer beaches on the island that Maho is near the bottom of our list of "go to" places. If it were not for the cruise ships, we think Maho would generally be an empty patch of sand. Sunset Bar is actually a decent place...and if were staying on that side of the island we would likely head over there late in the afternoon (after most cruisers are gone) for a drink. When we are on the island for a Port Day we also have no desire to go anywhere near Maho. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancfun Posted April 28, 2017 #14 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Really wishing we had done Maho years ago! Looks like there will be 2 ships in port when we are there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESDAIGLE Posted April 28, 2017 #15 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Thanks, was wondering the same thing. If there is only one ship in port there will not be crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LESDAIGLE Posted April 28, 2017 #16 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Does anyone know how long the taxi ride is from the port to Maho Beach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted April 29, 2017 #17 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Does anyone know how long the taxi ride is from the port to Maho Beach? That depends on traffic but for us it's usually been approx 30 min. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran Record Posted May 8, 2017 #18 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Went there in April and was so disappointed! Crowded, HOT & dirty. We couldn't even get under plane landing. After Air France landed we left. Not worth going, if cruise ships are in port! That's my 2 cents!:halo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailAwayInAugust Posted May 10, 2017 #19 Share Posted May 10, 2017 I take vacations to avoid situations like this! Ughh. Thankfully, my ship is solo the day we are in port. Crazy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted May 13, 2017 #20 Share Posted May 13, 2017 The last time we were there it was sort of between the two photos... We went there by taxi in the afternoon (after a tour), but I don't remember how many cruise ships were in. It looks like there will be at least 3 (including us) when next we visit. Does anyone know when the Sunset Bar opens? I kind of feel we should go there early to avoid crowds, we'll be there with two Air Traffic Controllers, and I think they will be interested in it. I'll have to check into what flights will be going in on the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted May 13, 2017 #21 Share Posted May 13, 2017 Yes we were there in 2005 while staying on SXM and enjoyed the little SSBB. Fast forward to 2017 and another land vacation and we were a little surprised at the expansion there even after friends telling us about it. As far as the crowd it depends on the day and time of day, that can change drastically from one day to the next. Maho was actually much more crowded when we were there in '05 than our recent visit because there were fewer ships in during this last visit. But the SSBB - and the other new properties around it - were the real shocker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted May 14, 2017 #22 Share Posted May 14, 2017 I take vacations to avoid situations like this! Ughh. Thankfully, my ship is solo the day we are in port. Crazy! In that case avoid the SSBB and Maho (and Orient). Head for Friar's Bay or Happy Bay and enjoy a nicer beach without the rest of your fellow mates. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DISFANS3 Posted May 14, 2017 #23 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Get in line to get a beer there also... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted May 17, 2017 #24 Share Posted May 17, 2017 Get in line to get a beer there also... Not at Happy Bay, The only way there is to hike and there are no restaurants. Usually there is a guy with a BBQ grill next to his trailer. Not sure he even sells beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted May 17, 2017 #25 Share Posted May 17, 2017 I agree, Hank. But I figured he was talking about lines/delay at SSBG. gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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