For the second time now Seven Seas Navigator has returned to St. Maarten this winter season. The Island has become the second St. Thomas drawing boatloads of cruisers weekly. The ship tonnage is impressive to say the least!
Most of those who come here have similar agendas – enjoy the beautiful water and beaches – shop t’ill they drop – or participate in the number one rated tour in the Caribbean, which is sailing on the 12 meter America’s Cup yachts.
But on this day I was invited to participate in a different activity – bringing a carload of goods to a local, privately funded school for the learning disabled named AHEAD Center of Excellence. One of our guests, John Wheeler from the Rotary Club of Dade City, Florida, whom I have sailed with before, had an idea which was to have his club assist with the needs of the struggling school.
The local Rotary Club of St. Maarten worked with the local Benjamin Moore paint representative who will paint the school and John and his club raised the funds for much needed supplies, with transportation help of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, who made the delivery possible.
John Wheeler in the back row and to the right is Henna. The other five are also the Regent Rotarians that chose to make the trip.
At our onboard service club meeting which was held two days prior, John informed the group, who were all Rotarians that day, of his plans and invited them to come along. Five of our guests took him up on the offer. We were met by a lovely dynamo of a lady named Henna who handles the Public Relations for the local club. Her family owns a successful Jewelry Store both there and in Ketchikan, Alaska. She was originally from Malaysia but came to the island through an arranged marriage about 15 years ago and married two weeks later. Transportation was also provided by the club President, Rebecca who years earlier, after going through her own major life change, decided to visit a friend of hers on the island. She stayed a week then returned to Canada where she packed up her house and moved to the island full time. She was also an impressive lady.
This is Rebecca the club's president who also gave us a ride.
The school, not much more than a two floor concrete slab, is located just a few miles outside from downtown Phillipsburgh.
We were met by a few other prominent people in the community and the children, who helped unload the car. Boxes were opened and a banner was manually hung to commemorate the event.
The school is run by Pastor Elmead and Aster Allen, who also runs a local parish and has travelled all over the world. He was quite interesting to speak with. The Principal, Mr. James, has worked as an educator in the community for 30 years.
From there we attended the weekly Rotary meeting which was held at a school that week, where the food was cooked and served by the students who participate in a food service training program. John was asked to say a few words and the they also awarded he and his club with a certificate of appreciation. 
It was a different and delightful way to spend an afternoon and I felt fortunate to represent my company for the part that they played to make it all possible.
Happy Cruising!
Jamie Logan, Cruise Director
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