St. Maarten

Safety: 9/10

Sint Maarten / Saint-Martin

Direct DockEastern Caribbean

Hours in Port

~9 hours

Walk to Town

5 min walk to Philipsburg from cruise pier

Currency

ANG / EUR (USD accepted)

WiFi

Good

Cell Coverage

Good

Time Zone

AST (no DST)

Time Zone Alert

St. Maarten uses AST year-round. Same as EDT in summer. In winter it is 1 hour ahead of EST.

Overview

St. Maarten is unique: one island shared by two nations (Dutch and French). The cruise port is on the Dutch side in Philipsburg, with great beaches and duty-free shopping steps away. The French side offers European flair, topless beaches, and gourmet dining.

Top Excursions

Maho Beach (Plane Spotting)

$15–$202-4 hours

Orient Bay Beach

$20–$403-5 hours

Loterie Farm Treetop Pool

$60–$803-4 hours

12 Metre Sailing Regatta

$100–$1203 hours

Rhino Rider Power Boat

$60–$802 hours

Book Tours & Activities

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Free Things To Do

Great Bay Beach

Long stretch of sand right next to the cruise terminal. Lounge for free or rent a chair for $5.

Front Street Shopping

Duty-free shopping along the Philipsburg boardwalk — jewelry, electronics, and liquor deals.

Courthouse & Historic Philipsburg

Walk the old town center and see the 1793 Courthouse, the oldest in the Dutch Caribbean.

Restaurants Near Terminal

The Greenhouse$$

Ocean Lounge$$$

Chesterfield's$$

Getting Around

Water taxis run from the pier to downtown Philipsburg for $7 round trip. Taxis to Maho Beach are $15-20 per person (fixed rate). Buses to the French side run $2-3. Rent a car ($40-50/day) to explore both sides of the island.

Emergency Information

Police

911 (Dutch side) / 17 (French side)

Hospital

St. Maarten Medical Center

US Consulate

No US Consulate — nearest in Curacao

What will a cruise to St. Maarten really cost?

Use our True Cost Calculator to uncover every hidden fee — gratuities, drink packages, excursions at St. Maarten, and more.

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