The cut-off calendar
| Date | What closes |
|---|---|
| Late November | Comfortable window for full peak-week briefs, including special orders. |
| Early December | Champagne, caviar and rare spirit allocations should be confirmed. |
| Mid December | Supplier and courier capacity in Gustavia is largely committed. |
| 20 December onward | Top-ups only, subject to availability. Substitutions become likely. |
What runs out first
- Prestige cuvée Champagne in magnum and larger formats.
- Caviar, truffle and other allocation-controlled luxury lines.
- Sushi-grade fish on the days between the holidays, when landings drop.
- Specific vintages and rare rums — the island's stock is finite and does not replenish over the holidays.
- Fresh flowers and interior florals, which compete with villa and restaurant demand.
Delivery reality in Gustavia
Peak week is a berth and access problem as much as a supply problem. Quay space at Gustavia is fully allocated, most yachts are on the hook, and courier movement in town slows to a crawl. We plan deliveries around your tender schedule rather than the supplier's van, and confirm windows the day before rather than promising a time three weeks out.
How to brief well for peak week
- Give us the guest count and dietary requirements early, even if the menu isn't final.
- Name standards rather than only exact brands, so we can hold quality when a specific label is gone.
- Flag the New Year's Eve service separately — it needs its own plan.
- Decide alcohol volumes early; that is where allocations bite hardest.
Frequently asked
How far ahead should we provision for New Year in St Barths?
Four weeks. Two weeks works for a standard brief in a normal month, but not for the week between Christmas and New Year.
Can you still get Champagne in late December?
Sometimes, at a price, and rarely in large formats. Allocations should be confirmed in early December.
Can you deliver to a yacht at anchor in Gustavia?
Yes. Tender rendezvous at Quai Général de Gaulle or direct to the yacht, with the window confirmed the day before.
Is it cheaper to load in St Maarten and run over?
For dry goods, wine and frozen, usually yes. Keep fresh, florals and last-minute items local to St Barths.