RSMMathews
SBH Insider
We've just returned from our 23rd visit to St. Barth and we were once again thrilled with the entire experience. The only drawback on this trip however was the arrival on March 13th of an 1800 passenger cruise ship, Celebrity Summit. I'd like to point out that this cruise was run by Atlantis, a Gay Travel Agency which charters cruise vessels and then resells them. I would also like to point out that as a gay man, I have no objection whatsoever to gay people. In fact, the crowd we saw was overwhelmingly pleasant and not the least bit offensive in any way. However, the operative word here is 'crowd'. Because the Atlantis voyageurs travelled with black and orange 'gym bags' they were as easy to spy as bees. In fact, I think that comparison is appropriate because hundreds of them swarmed the beaches, making Saline look like Coney Island. I really don't think that an island of 8000 people can absorb day trippers amounting to a 20 percent rise in population. I am increasingly concerned that whereas in prior years small ships carrying a maximum of 700 passengers are being usurped by ships with 1200 passengers (Marina of Oceanic Cruises). But 1800 really is pushing the limits in terms of capacity. I am actually very afraid that we will end up becoming a regular port of call for larger capacity ships. I can quite promise that this development will come at a huge cost in terms of tranquility, traffic and quality of life. St. Barth is, was and hopefully always will be known for its exclusivity, its privacy and its low key way of life. If we suddenly turn into St. Maarten, all that will be lost. Who exactly determines who can and cannot make cruise ship stops on our beloved island? And can we do something about it?
Sincerely, Monte Mathews
Sincerely, Monte Mathews