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Besides unwinding on pristine beaches with amazing snorkeling, Sint Maarten is a hit with shopaholics. A major hub in the Caribbean, the capital's port accommodates up to eight ships at one time, and it recently welcomed the world’s largest ship – Icon of the Seas. On the French side, there are cafés serving café au lait and pain au chocolat and sidewalk bistros offering chilled rosé and savory crepes. A variety of luxury shops and cosmopolitan boutiques beckon to sophisticated shoppers who love a good bargain—the entire island has no sales tax. So, when you cruise to St Maarten with Holland America Line Cruises be sure to bring your sense of adventure and prepare to make unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
Bus tour with island-wide stops
Peruse the colorful Guavaberry Emporium, the country’s national liqueur. Drink the famed liqueur neat, like the locals do, or use it to create cocktails. There are 37 beaches on Sint Maarten from secluded hideaways like Indigo Bay or the lively Maho Beach. A Johnny Cake is a fried, cornmeal flatbread, a staple in Sint Maarten and throughout the Caribbean. A highly versatile food, the Johnny Cake is a go-to whether you’re dunking them in soup or making sandwiches. Located in the Lesser Antilles among the northernmost Leeward Islands, Sint Maarten enjoys a tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 74℉ (23 ℃) to 90℉ (32℃).
Things To Do in Philipsburg
French classics are the menu staples, where you can enjoy escargot served in butter and garlic or the signature sole meunière. Enjoy luxurious staterooms, cuisine, and service as you discover Nassau, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Fort Lauderdale. Climb, snorkel, swim, bike or chill in some of the world’s most beautiful places.
Shopping Opportunities
The Dutch built the fortifications in the 1630s to protect the island from potential invaders and pirates. The fort offers visitors a glimpse into the island’s colonial past and provides breathtaking views of Great Bay. Located on the Dutch side of the island, Philipsburg is known for its colorful colonial architecture and a bustling waterfront promenade. The charming streets are lined with pastel-colored buildings and boutique shops, and you can soak up the town’s rich history and culture.
Also, a chairlift, “Soualiga Sky Explorer,” takes you to the top of Sentry Hill for your descent by zipline. The Flying Dutchman Zipline is an exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping excursion in St. Maarten. Billed as the world’s steepest zipline, the adventure includes a 1,050-foot drop on a securely harnessed chair. You get some of the most breathtaking 360° views of the Caribbean, including Anguilla, St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Barts. During the tour, you have the opportunity to sample a variety of rums, including their signature rums.
You’ll find several popular bars along Great Bay Beach as well as near the cruise terminal. Whether you like to beach bar hop or to grab a stool at a bar closeby to the cruise port, St. Maarteen is a great place to enjoy a frozen cocktail or local beer. St. Maarten’s art galleries showcase a diverse collection of Caribbean and international artwork, from paintings to sculptures. Located in Philipsburg and Marigot, art galleries offer a glimpse into the island’s culture.
A first-timer’s guide to Sint Maarten
Many of the specialty rums for sale are not available elsewhere on the island. Some rums, like the habanero peach, are some of the spiciest liquors you have ever tasted. By day, check out the newly opened carnival museum We Culture celebrating the history of the high-octane spring festival—and likely inspiring a future visit. For a taste of local culture, visitors can attend the weekly Carnival Parade or indulge in traditional cuisine at one of the many restaurants serving local specialties.
Q: How can visitors make the most of their St Maarten cruise port beach visit?
If the noise of jet planes is too much, head to the nearby beach of Mullet Bay. Mullet Beach is excellent for families and kids due to its calm, shallow waters, and moderate currents. It has powdery sands, crystal-clear turquoise water, and beach rentals like jet skis, surfboards, and paddleboards. The Flying Dutchman Zipline is located at the famous Rainforest Adventure Park in St. Maarten. In addition to the zipline, the park includes the Emilio Wilson Museum, where you can learn about the slave trade on the island.
Lessons learned after taking my first cruise - Royal Caribbean Blog
Lessons learned after taking my first cruise.
Posted: Sat, 30 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Although Philipsburg sits on the Dutch side of the partitioned island, the official language is French. The partition separates the north side of the island, the French side, known as St. Martin, and the south side. The official currency of St. Maarten is the Antillean guilder or Florin (ANG). The good news is that the U.S. dollar is widely accepted across the island. Most businesses will accept both currencies, so carrying either USD or ANG is convenient. If you love Star Wars, visiting the Yoda Guy Museum Exhibit is a must.
On Monday and Thursday nights, all-you-can-eat ribs are the best seller here. The calmness of Grand Case Beach is a welcome break from the busier party beaches of St. Maarten like Maho Beach or Orient Beach on the French side of the island. Philipsburg is home to Fort Amsterdam, a historic fort built by the Dutch during the 17th century. In the US, most restaurant wait staff are paid a low wage and rely on the customary 15-20% tip most diners leave.
Perhaps the most oft-quoted bit of Caribbean cruise port trivia is that the island of St. Maarten/St. Though snuggled together in a scant 37 square miles of mountainous terrain, these two countries maintain distinct identities. St Maarten’s cuisine is a blend of flavors and traditions, with fresh seafood, Caribbean spices, and European influences. Visitors can indulge in mouthwatering dishes at the island’s many restaurants, cafes, and street vendors. There are many good restaurants in St. Maarten, and the ones on the boardwalk in Philipsburg are popular with cruisers and beachgoers alike. The Philipsburg Courthouse will be part of your walking tour, even if it’s informal.
One of the most famous and largest beaches on the island is Orient Bay Beach. The perfumery experience lets you choose from over 300 oils to create a cologne or perfume that matches your style. Usually, the most challenging part for cruisers is naming their scent. However, you will have a fragrance to remember your time at St. Martin.
You can enjoy fewer crowds and lower prices but a higher chance of rain. The worst time to travel in the Caribbean is during the peak of hurricane season, from August to October. The strong breezes at Orient Beach make it the best beach on the island for kitesurfing, parasailing, and windsurfing. Although many tourists visit the beach, it never feels busy because of its size. However, the large waves and surf mean it may not be the best option if kids want to go swimming.
For a different kind of tour, you can book a bicycle tour or e-bike tour where you’ll drive through the streets of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. You can also book a tour that will allow you to explore more of the island, including St. Martin. You can check the cruise line excursions as well as excursions with Viator, Shore Excursions Group and other local tour providers. A water taxi is a nice minute ride that will bring you to Great Bay Beach or Front Street, where you can spend the day exploring the town. Cruise ships dock at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities, located in Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten, on the Dutch side of the island. The cruise port short walking distance from the heart of the town and nearby many popular attractions.
This pretty beach is minutes away from the cruise port, which makes this one of the most popular and best beach for cruise passengers. Located 20 minutes from the cruise terminal, Orient Beach is a 1.2-mile stretch of white sand and crystal-clear blue waters. The stunning strip of white sandy beach also has plenty of bars, beach clubs, and restaurants.
Even though the area is ruled by both the Dutch and the French, U.S. dollars are commonly accepted and often preferred on cruises to St. Maarten to lessen any confusion. Otherwise, the French side accepts the euro while the Dutch side takes the Netherlands Antillean guilder. It’s good to have some cash with you, because not all ATMs accept foreign credit cards.
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