Marooned in St-Barth

[davesmom]

As we planned a fabulous last breakfast and relaxing at our beloved hotel, we woke up to a call that Winair cancelled all flights today!!!
DD and I looked out at Anse Maréchal, looked back at each other, and said there was no wind after gale force most of the week, so what was their problem?? Maybe you could guess, local people..

However, time for not so Momentary panique..what the h*** do we do now?? We had to get back to the States, which would be a bigger problem. The concierges here at Le G went into overdrive as did our Premium IV Vincent, who is always at the end of the telephone, and after dismissing the ferry (I am not a carry on sort of girl, as you know…), everyone worked to get us a private helicopter! Who would have guessed that it could take so much luggage?! The ones in Monte Carlo couldn’t take hardly any, but apparently the SBH ones are up to the task..I think! (If I have to leave anything, A & P will inherit a lot of very fine beach coverups)

So we will wait for the next adventure…no leisurely last breakfast but DD went and got takeout at the restaurant so I did not miss my croissants (survival is assured if you get your croissants), the espresso machine got a workout in the room, ( I didn’t, par contre..,), and Vincent is coming at 12 for les valises. Helicopter at 1:30 if all goes well…à suivre …

 

[amyb]

As we planned a fabulous last breakfast and relaxing at our beloved hotel, we woke up to a call that Winair cancelled all flights today!!!
DD and I looked out at Anse Maréchal, looked back at each other, and said there was no wind after gale force most of the week, so what was their problem?? Maybe you could guess, local people..

However, time for not so Momentary panique..what the h*** do we do now?? We had to get back to the States, which would be a bigger problem. The concierges here at Le G went into overdrive as did our Premium IV Vincent, who is always at the end of the telephone, and after dismissing the ferry (I am not a carry on sort of girl, as you know…), everyone worked to get us a private helicopter! Who would have guessed that it could take so much luggage?! The ones in Monte Carlo couldn’t take hardly any, but apparently the SBH ones are up to the task..I think! (If I have to leave anything, A & P will inherit a lot of very fine beach coverups)

So we will wait for the next adventure…no leisurely last breakfast but DD went and got takeout at the restaurant so I did not miss my croissants (survival is assured if you get your croissants), the espresso machine got a workout in the room, ( I didn’t, par contre..,), and Vincent is coming at 12 for les valises. Helicopter at 1:30 if all goes well…à suivre …

Oh boy. An exciting final chapter to your fabulous stay. Enjoy the ride. Bon Voyage back to California.

 

[llyn]

So sorry to hear this and wishing you easy travels going forward!

We arrived yesterday on Winair through SXM with Vincent's stellar team making smooth transitions all the way to the villa.
Winair landed at SBH from St Jean rather than over the hill.
First time for us in 25 visits. We noted no wind and wondered why.

p.s. George says to say that A may be secretly hoping for some nice coverups!

 

[davesmom]

Love Vincent’s team and would not travel without them, just for these reasons. Our concierges here are fabulous also! Have a wonderful vacation and tell us some good stories

 

[llyn]

Will do! Thanks for all of your posts.
Love your tagline.

 

[krand1]

As we planned a fabulous last breakfast and relaxing at our beloved hotel, we woke up to a call that Winair cancelled all flights today!!!
DD and I looked out at Anse Maréchal, looked back at each other, and said there was no wind after gale force most of the week, so what was their problem?? Maybe you could guess, local people..

However, time for not so Momentary panique..what the h*** do we do now?? We had to get back to the States, which would be a bigger problem. The concierges here at Le G went into overdrive as did our Premium IV Vincent, who is always at the end of the telephone, and after dismissing the ferry (I am not a carry on sort of girl, as you know…), everyone worked to get us a private helicopter! Who would have guessed that it could take so much luggage?! The ones in Monte Carlo couldn’t take hardly any, but apparently the SBH ones are up to the task..I think! (If I have to leave anything, A & P will inherit a lot of very fine beach coverups)

So we will wait for the next adventure…no leisurely last breakfast but DD went and got takeout at the restaurant so I did not miss my croissants (survival is assured if you get your croissants), the espresso machine got a workout in the room, ( I didn’t, par contre..,), and Vincent is coming at 12 for les valises. Helicopter at 1:30 if all goes well…à suivre …

This very same thing happened to some friends in November. No wind so flights were cancelled. I had never heard of this happening before that. Safe travels!

 

[davesmom]

Well, DD is screwed now…the VIP Vincent service and private helicopter service was DIVINE, and the minute we got off the helicopter, they took our bags and us in a car to the terminal where we were met by Phil, who was amazing. In SXM, it was SO confusing with all the walking around, going outside, etc., but we didn’t have to do a thing. Phil was taking us past everyone and we were so well taken care of. That being said, I would go Tradewind next time. Tradewind and the helicopter were the only choices today. SXM isn’t ready for prime time. Had a couple of sandwiches at Le Bistro which bordered on edible. DD got a giant chocolate chip cookie but it did not cross my path yet. At SXM the shiny new toilets don’t flush…just one of the many pleasures . The so called duty free shopping is worthless so keep your expectations low. Very low.

We are just waiting for our flight to ATL and then SAN. Long day but worth it all. Nothing is better than Saint-Barth, adventures and all. DD had better start saving his Euros for that next helicopter ride

 

[amyb]

Atta girl...love how you go with the flow. Keep your sense of humor. Your posts are a delight.

 

[davesmom]

Atta girl...love how you go with the flow. Keep your sense of humor. Your posts are a delight.

Actually, A & P are the delight..I just go along for the ride

 

[GMP62]

As we planned a fabulous last breakfast and relaxing at our beloved hotel, we woke up to a call that Winair cancelled all flights today!!!
DD and I looked out at Anse Maréchal, looked back at each other, and said there was no wind after gale force most of the week, so what was their problem?? Maybe you could guess, local people..

However, time for not so Momentary panique..what the h*** do we do now?? We had to get back to the States, which would be a bigger problem. The concierges here at Le G went into overdrive as did our Premium IV Vincent, who is always at the end of the telephone, and after dismissing the ferry (I am not a carry on sort of girl, as you know…), everyone worked to get us a private helicopter! Who would have guessed that it could take so much luggage?! The ones in Monte Carlo couldn’t take hardly any, but apparently the SBH ones are up to the task..I think! (If I have to leave anything, A & P will inherit a lot of very fine beach coverups)

So we will wait for the next adventure…no leisurely last breakfast but DD went and got takeout at the restaurant so I did not miss my croissants (survival is assured if you get your croissants), the espresso machine got a workout in the room, ( I didn’t, par contre..,), and Vincent is coming at 12 for les valises. Helicopter at 1:30 if all goes well…à suivre …

Well, there are worse places to get hung up in, but that being said your escape plan came together quickly and wishing you safe travels back to SD!

Gayle

 

[davesmom]

This very same thing happened to some friends in November. No wind so flights were cancelled. I had never heard of this happening before that. Safe travels!

Well, luckily a helicopter was available …(just bring the credit card) . Getting another Delta flight would have been a nightmare..

 

[Beachcomber]

Is the helo ride on a per person basis? Just wondering if it might be cost effective rather than buying multiple seats on Tradewind from PR.

 

[rolltide]

Is the helo ride on a per person basis? Just wondering if it might be cost effective rather than buying multiple seats on Tradewind from PR.

Vincent quoted me $1,790 per trip a month ago for helo hop from SXM to SBH.

 

[Dennis]

Vincent quoted me $1,790 per trip a month ago for helo hop from SXM to SBH.

Not as much as I would have expected.

Gotta trust the Jesus bolt, tho.

 

[davesmom]

The price seems right for one way. There were seats for 4 people. 1 is up front with the pilot. They took 4 bags plus we each also had a carry on bag on our laps. So technically 6 bags for the 2 of us and no bag left behind! It was awesome. But I would also engage Premium IV if you want to skip the lines. Seamless!

 

[amyb]

Great slogan that made me giggle..NO BAG LEFT BEHIND.

 

[Trinigerl]

The same thing happened on January 3rd there was no wind so all flights were cancelled from SBH. The Great Bay Express line was so long for the 11.15 ferry back to SXM. We were going back to St Maarten, it took us 1+ hour to clear the immigration line at the dock in St Maarten. We were staying in St Maarten for a few days before our return to the USA. I think a lot of people missed their flights that day back to the USA. We shared a taxi with a girl that took a private boat over as that was her only option to make her flight.

 

[cassidain]

Was the problem no wind at all or little wind and wrong direction?
SBH too far North for the Doldrums, right?

 

[davesmom]

The same thing happened on January 3rd there was no wind so all flights were cancelled from SBH. The Great Bay Express line was so long for the 11.15 ferry back to SXM. We were going back to St Maarten, it took us 1+ hour to clear the immigration line at the dock in St Maarten. We were staying in St Maarten for a few days before our return to the USA. I think a lot of people missed their flights that day back to the USA. We shared a taxi with a girl that took a private boat over as that was her only option to make her flight.

Your experience is exactly what I had envisioned, and worse if you add 6 giant travel bags into the equation. Was not going to get me to Delta on time, so we had to take the hit and get the helicopter which was so enjoyable but too short..it was really fun! And they took all my luggage!

 

[davesmom]

Was the problem no wind at all or little wind and wrong direction?
SBH too far North for the Doldrums, right?

NO wind!! And the wrong direction. I think we will be coming only in the Spring from now on, because the last 3 trips (Feb, Dec, Jan 2022-2024) have all had too much wind, and now this!! I need to meet up with my girl, Gayle, that way, too!