Familyof4

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Yes, just go to Guest Services on the last day and you can deposit cash to your SeaPass account to offset any charges you have made.

Agreed

I'm not sure the order matters as much but depends on personal taste. Remember this is not a very big island( 33 sq miles). Depending on the current condition of the beach there at Maho, you could do make that the beach break while you watch the planes swoop down. Me personally, I would do Maho in the afternoon. That would be so I could enjoy an adult beverage there on the beach.
 
Eric

I really enjoyed Marigot for some reason.  It wasn't all that special, but had a nice vibe to me, and we got to eat some macaroons, which I hadn't had since Paris in '05!
 
Phillipsburg is super easy for shopping and convenience.  
 
Have a great time!!

Start here!!     https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147346-Activities-St_Maarten_St_Martin.html

Save shopping for the end.  The shops in Phillipsburg are closest to the ship.  
 
I'd go Mullet Beach first, sight seeing, Maho and shopping in that order.  It sounds like you are leaning on the Dutch side more than French side.  That's why I recommend getting to beach early and doing that, then taking a break when beach crowds get busiest to explore and sightsee and wrap it up with Maho stop and shopping.

While there are some stores that are closed, there's still plenty of options in my experience. 

I was just there on Sunday last month.  In the morning a few stores were open.  By noon or 1:00 pretty much everything was open.

This is what we use. Very useful, no cord, plugs straight into the outlet
 
https://www.amazon.com/360-Electrical-36053-Protector-Rotating/dp/B00C0QEUCG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469569678&sr=8-3&keywords=360+electrical

I took both my flat iron and curling iron on Oasis this past April. Could not travel without them! 

Glad to help.  Not sure why that first link isn't working for you, but if you click this google link it will show that link at RoyalCaribbean.com as the first result.
https://goo.gl/P0gcGJ

The only items you're permitted that contain heating elements are in fact those for personal grooming.  Source:
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&faqId=2608&faqSubjectId=333
 
Because power strips and extension cords are not permitted, if you have a number of devices you want to charge, that all charge via USB (phones, tablets, headphones, some laptops, cameras, etc), I'd recommend getting a multi-port USB charger.  There are many out there, but I've had great experiences from Anker and Aukley products such as this one: http://amzn.to/2a964Fp
Alternatively, if you're bringing a laptop with a number of USB ports, you can use that, but then your laptop has to be out on the desk, and you'll find devices won't charge nearly as quickly.

There is a nice beach with everything you need right in front of the ships on the town's waterfront.  It's inexpensive to get to.  You can rent chairs and shade.  Probably not very good snorkeling though.  We were in St. Maarten last April.  We went to Orient Beach.  It is nice, but they had a seaweed problem that kept us out of the water.

If are definitely not getting an Internet package, your best bet is to explore what options your Canadian service provider offers. This options comes with some potential peril! Most international plans include the cellular service provided by the ship. This cell service is good for calls and text only and will still probably cost you a couple of dollars per minute. Just be very aware of what ports and islands your plan covers. Also understand that as soon as the ship enters the port, the ship is required to turn it's cell service off and your phone will connect to the local service if you have not turned it to airplane mode.

Agreed with FloatMe.  Here are some ways you can do this for very little:
 
Assuming you purchase VOOM, set your phone to airplane mode, then turn on WiFi:
-Using WiFi calling (newer iPhones, many Android devices, all major carriers at this point.  Just a regular phone call w/ this feature enabled and while connected to ship's WiFi.
-Download and install the Skype app on your phone, purchase a small amount of credits and call their phone via your Skype app on the ship's WiFi. Only $.02/min if they're in the US.
While the above options aren't too complex to me, if you're not comfortable with them, ask for help before your trip.  I'm sure a friend or carrier associate will help you, just don't be confused if they talk about shipboard calling rates - you'll want to use WiFi calling.
 
Other possibility:
-Find a friendly cruiser.  A good portion of your fellow cruisers will have one of the 4 major carriers, and a good chunk of those will have a compatible phone.  You'll inevitably chat up someone on board, so when you do, ask if they'd mind if you made a call.  I frequently lend out my phone in Walt Disney World when I see someone from outside the US trying to use a calling card to call home.  I can make those calls for pennies, seems easier.  On the ship, it wouldn't even be costing them anything.

Question isn't whether they are tech savvy, are you? Also do you intend on getting an Internet package?what mobile service do you have and which phone/device?
 
For example I have a galaxy s6 which has wifi calling capabilities without third party apps, so as long as I have wifi I can make calls at no charge to any phone anywhere.
 
In the past I have also purchased Verizon's international plan for about $50, which gave me the ability to call from the ship (WHILE NOT IN PORT) for a rate of about $2.50/min which is less than the $8 per minute the ship would charge you to use their phone which is always an option.

Call from your phone in your cabin.  Expensive....but worth the comfort of knowing how your parents are doing.    

No, the Windjammer has no dress code at all. Feel free to wear shorts, tank tops and hats while dining there.

Thanks Matt, so nice to have the input from this very helpful forum. It has made planning my daughter's sweet 16 trip much easier.
 
We are definitely interested in at least some of the shows so will do the 8:30 seating.
 
Another question though, if we forgo this some evening and do the buffet instead are men still expected to be in long pants?
 
Thank you

Remember that, with MTD, you can eat ANY time even if you don't have a reservation.  So if you decide that 8:30 is just too late (and I would agree with you on that !) then you can show up anytime and be seated.  There is sometimes a short wait if you don't have reservations but it is rarely long unless you have a large group.
 
That's the beauty of MTD.  So don't let the lack of options for reservations force you into a dining time that doesn't suit you.
 
And no....if you eat in the Windjammer there is no dress code except for bathing suits have to be covered.

I would say the biggest "issue" with going with MTD at that time may be lining up entertainment.
 
Most show times revolve around traditional first and second dining times, so a 7:30 time could result in missing shows or eating very quickly to get out in time.
 
Of course, if you do not care about the shows, then it's a moot issue.

If you have young kids and/or kids that are not strong swimmers, Le Galion beach is a great choice

I concur with the comments on Orient Beach, we did a similar itinerary on Jewel late last year, here's a link to my review http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php/topic/1262-jewel-of-the-seas-review/?hl=jewel