Sint Maarten Immigration

[Jmartin]

What are peoples experience with flying into Sint Maarten and leaving by yacht. do the officials hassle you over a one-way flight? If staying on a yacht,
What do you use for an address on the immigration form? I heard the officials can be nazi's.

thanks for the info.

[scook1]

I have only one experience in Sint Maarten. I flew in and went through customs without any problems from officials. I spent most of my time on the dutch side. However, I did not have any of the issues you are curious about.
Spencer

[Hud3]

When I had crew flying in, I'd always give them a letter stating that they would be crewing on my boat and would be departing on or about a certain date. I'd include the boat's name and documentation number, and the passport numbers of the crew in the letter. Some airlines will want such an assurance if you're buying a one way ticket.

[Zanshin]

The written letter is your best backup, it could come even worse if you fly in via a US based airline, they often enforce the rule that one needs an outbound flight before they let you board the inbound leg (this is because the airline has to fly you back out if you are refused entry). This is mostly enforced on flights into the USA and flights to asian countries but it is better to be prepared than to be refused entry or be not even to be allowed to leave in the first place.

[Jmartin]

Thanks guys. I do have a letter from the captain. This is my first time out of the country (other than mexico). I wanted to make sure I have all my ducks in a row.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Jmartin

What are peoples experience with flying into Sint Maarten and leaving by yacht. do the officials hassle you over a one-way flight? If staying on a yacht,
What do you use for an address on the immigration form? I heard the officials can be nazi's.

thanks for the info.

For your address give 'Boatname & Marina or PO box used... works for me...
A One way ticket is usually as expensive as a eachway... buy eachway... You have to clear through Customs when you sail..so clear through then cancel return flight with airline... thats Internationals...
You also cover yourself if the boat your joining is full of Ass-holes...
For Inter Island flights, have a letter from the Skipper/Owner of the boat you are joining to the effect that you are required as crew to transport it elsewhere... and that he assumes responsibility for your departure...
Also have appropriate Visa's if required...
Ahhhhh.. life so much easier for us "Old Worlders"...lmao

PS; You should try being a "Brit". flying into Newark or Boston to see Nazi's.... but thats what uniforms n a badge can do.... everywhere..

[PyotrBee]

Late to the party, but St Martin immigration is very used to this and very laid back. A letter stating your intentions from the captain is what they officially as for, and its not hard to obtain. Take that and your usual docs and you will be fine!

[gettinthere]

Originally Posted by boatman61

You should try being a "Brit". flying into Newark or Boston to see Nazi's....

You fly to Newark to see nazi's?

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by gettinthere

You fly to Newark to see nazi's?

Makes sense to me. If you don't believe it, try ordering breakfast in NJ with the eggs 'sunny side up'. Illegal.

[NormanMartin]

As a captain, I would go to the airport and pick up the crew in person. The others are quite right, the officials are not hard cases. (Until you break their laws!)

Have fun in SXM. It is a big city, Caribbean Island style.

[MarkJ]

We had to buy 2 extra tickets for cash at the Ft Lauderdale airport beore thy let us onto the plane to St Martin. It cost US$600 each. It took nearly 12 months to get the money back from Ameican Airlines.
I won't be flying with them again!

[PyotrBee]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

We had to buy 2 extra tickets for cash at the Ft Lauderdale airport beore thy let us onto the plane to St Martin. It cost US$600 each. It took nearly 12 months to get the money back from Ameican Airlines.
I won't be flying with them again!

Its up to the agent... Next time just buy a full fare fully refundable ticket, then as soon as you get your boarding pass walk over and refund it to your credit card. I had to do that one time in London for an idiot clerk.. then when I went to check in AGAIN I got a different clerk who didnt even ask for the ticket I had to just buy..

[speciald@ocens.]

Be sure you know where the boat is on the island as well as having an "official letter" from the ship's captain. I had one crew member's passport held until I showed up with him the next day. The opposite situation can on occassion be more troublesome. I always copy the itinerary and ticket, if available, for crew that arrive by boat and leave by plane.