Charter Question!

[Ericc]

I apologize if this question has been covered at length but I am in need of immediate assistance.

I've been reading this board in anticipation of my arrival on the island but did not think I would be needing information on a private charter from St. Maartens to St. Barts. I just received word today from Expedia that the AA flight schedule has been changed and now I will be unable to change flights in Miami bc our original layover time is less than an hour. The only option we've been given is putting us in St. Maartens at 7:35pm, which is too late for the ferry. We will be arriving April 16.

My question, is there any other option besides a private charter to St. Barts that late at night? If not, could someone here please recommend the most credible, but least expensive charter company?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

 

[elgreaux]

There isn't even a private charter at that hour of night. The airport in St Barth closes at sunset, or about 5:30pm at the latest, maybe 6pm on the longest day of the year? Michael from SB Commuter can confirm that, but if you arrive in St Martin at 7:35pm you have two choices:
1) spend the night and leave for SBH the next morning;
2) private speed boat from a company such as Pilou, which is expensive but a rapid, fun way to speed across the 11 or so nautical miles between islands....

 

[Ericc]

Thank you for the info on Pilou, I have reached out to them. We were hoping to avoid staying in St. Maarten's for the night and just getting to St. Bart's even though it will be late. We are already going to lose half a day now because of Expedia and AA and we didn't want to have to lose the whole night stuck in St. Maarten's.

 

[1988lagonda]

Eric,

If it's any consolation, we've all faced your predicament over the years...doesn't matter who the airline is--what travel service you use--sooner or later: You're stuck.
FYI = We always use the Royal Sonesta located right at the end of the SXM runway...about $125 a night & a small casino in the lobby & only a 2 minute taxi ride from SXM.
Remember: It's always worth it once you reach St. B.!!!

 

[tim]

Eric, I've taken Ski Palou type boats on a couple of occasions from SXM to SBH. Sometimes, it's a moonlight cruise; other times it can be the trip from hell - totally dependent on the wind and sea conditions on a given day.

 

[SBCommuter]

hello Eric,

Ellen is right, no planes could land in st barth after sunset.
if you decide to overnight in St Maarten, we could do a charter flight at 7.30AM or later from grand case airport (french side) or Juliana airport (dutch side).
Price is 700€ for the whole plane.

best regards

Michael

 

[Ericc]

Thank you for the suggestions. We have decided to just stay the night in St. Maarten's at the Royal Sonesta and take the first available ferry to St. Bart's the next morning. The private boat option was just a little more than we could justify for such a short ride. We'll lose one night in St. Bart's, but we'll try and make the best of it at the Sonesta.

 

[tim]

Winair also has an early morning flight leaving SXM for SBH, and the airport is close to the Sonesta.

 

[KevinS]

Eric, check St Barth Commuter's prices from SFG, the airport in Grand Case on the French side of St Maarten/St Martin.

 

[elgreaux]

I agree, that's a good idea, why deal with the ferry if you can fly... save time and aggravation...

 

[TPunch42]

Staying overnight isn't so bad but to be honest I really don't like the Sonesto...It works and gets you there but don't really enjoy my stay there. It is the best option near Juliana airport but you might consider staying at L'Esplanade Caribe, or Grand Case Beach Club in Grand Case and fly out from Grand Case in the morning...

 

[andynap]

Staying overnight isn't so bad but to be honest I really don't like the Sonesto...It works and gets you there but don't really enjoy my stay there. It is the best option near Juliana airport but you might consider staying at L'Esplanade Caribe, or Grand Case Beach Club in Grand Case and fly out from Grand Case in the morning...

Correct- or even Le Petit Hotel. The fares from Grand Case are better than from Juliana.

 

[marybeth]

and its a better (smaller) airport.

 

[Ericc]

Again, I apologize if I'm duplicating a thread elsewhere, but I haven't seen this question addressed. Can anyone provide an estimate on the amount of spending money we should plan to bring to SB? We'll be arriving April 16.

I know this is a fairly personal (and subjective) question so feel free to give a vague answer. Obviously the exchange rate for the dollar isn't in our favor at the moment so me and the soon-to-be wife are just trying to gauge how much cash to bring so we don't have to use the credit cards if possible. We don't plan on doing much shopping, we anticipate using most of our money on food and wine and rum and wine and carib. But we also aren't sure about how much to tip our host at Les Ondines, how much gas is going to run, how much we might spend at L'Oasis or the Match, etc.

And speaking of Les Ondines, does anyone have a recent update on the state of the construction next door? Some of the earlier posts made it seem as if it was still ongoing.

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions the closer we get to arrival. Thanks again for all the help from SBHonline.

 

[andynap]

I use credit cards and the ATM for walking around money in euros. You should budget your credit cards and not bring dollars. For 1 day figure food at a meals total about $250 for 2 meals without liquor. You could get by with less if you eat some meals in.

 

[JEK]

Andy is right on the ATMs -- you will get a better rate than at home anyway.
Gas -- if you stay for a week -- maybe 30€ max for a fill-up before return.
Tips for maids 5-10€ per day.
Meals - anything goes.

Reasonable: http://hideaway.tv/thefood.html


High: http://www.edenrockhotel.com/pdf/9-OntheRocksMenu201112.pdf

http://www.stbarth.com/hotels/Taiwana/PACRIMENU.pdf



Lots in between, but wine can be a major cost depending on what you fancy.

 

[NHDiane]

Wow John, I think that's one of the best "quick reviews" I've seen in quite some time! Short and to the point.

 

[JEK]

I have a shorter one: Pile all your clothes to be packed all your cash on your bed. Take half the clothes and twice the cash.

 

[tim]

I can't disagree with Andynap's estimate of $250/day for two people eating two meals out on St. Barth. We tend to frequent the lower prices establishments, and our average would be closer to $150/day for two people eating two meals out, with a little alcohol.

 

[andynap]

Since he mentioned soon to be wife I figured a couple of not cheap places