St. Maarten
Walkability: 9/10Sint Maarten / Saint-Martin
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.
The walkability score is a planning hint for navigating the port on foot from the terminal. Safety information should be confirmed against official travel advisories (e.g. travel.state.gov) before your trip.
All-aboard math
All-aboard in St. Maartenis typically 30–60 minutes before your ship departs — confirm the exact time on the day’s ship newsletter. Time-zone note: St. Maarten uses AST year-round. Same as EDT in summer. In winter it is 1 hour ahead of EST.
Top Excursions
Maho Beach (Plane Spotting)
Orient Bay Beach
Loterie Farm Treetop Pool
12 Metre Sailing Regatta
Rhino Rider Power Boat
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Hotels Near St. Maarten
Flying in the night before? Find hotels near the cruise terminal in St. Maarten, Sint Maarten / Saint-Martin.
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Rent a Boat in St. Maarten
Skip the cruise excursion desk — rent a private boat and explore St. Maarten at your own pace.
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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
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
Medical Evacuation Coverage
Helicopter evacuations from ports like St. Maarten can cost $50,000+. Medjet covers medical transport to your home hospital — not just the nearest facility.
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