A visit to the St. Maarten cruise port can yield fun in the sun, great nights out, fine dining, and exhilarating adventures. The island is a mecca for cruise ships, but many travelers fly in for longer stays than they would enjoy upon disembarking from their ships. Either way, it can be a vibrant destination for any traveler.
Culture & History of the Philipsburg Cruise Port
As the St. Maarten cruise port has experienced rule under several countries over the centuries, there are various cultural elements present all over the island. You’ll find large swaths of Dutch heritage and culture, in addition to French and British notes.
As the capital of St. Maarten, Philipsburg is a commercial hub. Founded in the 18th century by John Philips on behalf of the Dutch navy, Philipsburg has flourished over the years and is now a thriving city and cruise terminal.
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 south side is Dutch and is called Sint Maarten.
St. Maarten Port Information
The port of St. Maarten boasts two enormous docks that can accommodate up to seven cruise ships at once. The port village offers duty-free shops, many tourist opportunities, and a large staff to answer questions and facilitate many requests.
The cruise terminal also accommodates yachts and cargo ships.
Attractions
Once you disembark from your cruise ship at the St. Maarten cruise port, Philipsburg and the rest of St. Maarten offer a variety of activities and sights to take in during your stay. Finding one that fits your needs won’t take long.
Great Bay Beach
Offering two miles of clean, sandy beachline, Great Bay Beach presents opportunities for relaxation and fun in the sun. Expect the clear blue waters of an island paradise. If reclining on the beachside is your jam, you have plenty of opportunity, and you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, get drinks, and even have wifi access.
If you want time away from the sand, Philipsburg’s boardwalk stretches along Great Bay Beach and offers loads of shops, restaurants, and bars.
Visitors to Great Bay Beach who arrive on a cruise ship can lie on the beach and see their ship in the distance as the cruise ships come to the harbor right next to this lovely beach.
Maho Beach
Maho Beach is unusual in that few people go there to soak up the sun and frolic in the surf. Instead, this is a plane watcher’s heaven.
Maho Beach is almost uncomfortably close to Princess Juliana International Airport— specifically, runway 10— and as a result, incoming jet planes buzz the beach. Jetwash from planes landing or taking off can send belongings and people sailing through the air.
Past loud and potentially dangerous encounters with aircraft, Maho Beach and the surrounding area offer a casino and spa, excellent restaurant dining, and the Mullet Bay golf course.
Water UFO
Unique to St. Maarten is the Water UFO, a watercraft billed as an Unbelievably Fun Object. The boat is a powered, flying-saucer-shaped rig that accommodates one or two passengers. Unlike a bulky Sea-Doo, the craft has no steering wheel. Instead, you steer it by leaning in the direction you want to go.
Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit
Nick Maley was instrumental in creating Yoda for “The Empire Strikes Back.” He also contributed to many other Hollywood blockbusters as an actor and makeup artist.
He now operates the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit, a museum devoted to all things Star Wars and many other hit films. It doesn’t stop at the movies, though, as there are also death masks from historical figures.
A museum tour takes about an hour, and from all accounts, Maley himself is usually present and always welcoming.
Casino Royale
As the largest casino in St. Maarten, the Casino Royale offers 400 slot machines, Bingo, 22 gaming tables, and 21,000 spare feet of gaming fun.
There’s also sports betting and tiered memberships for those looking for more perks. Bars, dining, and entertainment are all on tap, as well.
Transportation in Philipsburg
Rideshares like Uber are not in operation in Philipsburg or St. Maarten, so you’ll need to be aware of other transportation options upon arrival at the airport or cruise terminal. Depending on what you’re looking for, there are several transportation modes to explore.
Car Rentals
Pick up a rental car at the airport, and expect to pay as little as $35 a day, depending on the model you rent. A rental car can make getting around the island simple and quick.
Taxi Services
If a car rental is an overkill for the amount of automotive use you plan for while you visit the island, taxis are a viable alternative. They’re quite popular at the airport, and once you’ve reached your hotel, you don’t have to worry about parking.
Public Transportation
Several bus routes line the island on both the Dutch and French sides. You can wait at the bus stop, or you can even flag down a bus that seems like it’s headed in the direction you’re traveling. Expect to pay less than $5 per person for a bus ride.
Most bus routes cover all the main destinations in St. Maarten. This means that if it’s a place people want to go, there’s probably a bus that goes there.
Charter Boats
Many private boats are available, meaning you can have your own boat for the day complete with a crew that knows how to operate it and knows the good spots to take you and your party. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path beach, a charter boat might be the best way to find it.
Shopping Near the Philipsburg Cruise Port
The keyword for Philipsburg shopping is “variety.” You’ll find street vendors, t-shirt shops, and kitschy souvenir stands, sure, but you can also shop, duty-free, for fine jewelry and exquisite artisan crafts.
You can find high-end cheeses and spirits at the Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store, and if liquor is your jam, you should make sure you visit Sint Maarten Guavaberry and pick up a bottle of St. Maarten’s national liqueur— a rum flavored with the island’s famed guava berries. You can also get hot sauce here.
Local Currency & Tipping Customs
Most shops and restaurants on the Dutch side of the island accept US dollars, though the official currency there remains the Netherlands Antilles florin. The official currency on the French side is the Euro. Many businesses offer prices in both local and US currencies.
Smaller businesses may not accept credit cards, so having cash or traveler’s checks is a wise move.
Tipping can be a bit trickier in St. Maarten than in the States. In the US, most restaurant wait staff are paid a low wage and rely on the customary 15-20% tip most diners leave. However, some restaurants in St. Maarten include a service charge on restaurant bills, and that 15% fee doesn’t always go to the waitstaff. If you’re unsure about who’s getting the tips, ask.
At any rate, St. Maarten staff are accustomed to the same tipping formula as American service industry staff, and that’s about 15-20% of the bill. Tipping taxi or bus drivers, hotel staff, or charter boat staff follow the same customs as they would in the US.
Tourist Information
Whether arriving by cruise ship or airplane, once you reach St. Maarten, you can expect beautiful beaches, a raft of multicultural experiences, and hundreds of possibilities for adventures and excursions.
St. Maarten offers high levels of hospitality, as it’s known as a friendly island with a vibrant nightlife scene.
