Philipsburg St Maarten (Netherlands Antilles)

Philipsburg is a port town and the capital of Sint Maarten - an island country in the Dutch Antilles, one of The Netherlands' overseas territories. The island is approx 300 km (190 mi) east of Puerto Rico (USA). Port Philipsburg (locode ANPHI) is the country's principal port and largest city, with population around 2,000.

Since 1648, St Maarten it is divided 60 / 40 between France (northern part, 53 km2 / 20 mi2) and Holland (southern part, 34 km2 / 13 mi2). On the French part (Saint Martin) is Marigot. The island was discovered by the Europeans in the late-15th-century (first sighted in November 1493 by Christopher Columbus). Philipsburg was established in 1763 by John Philips (Scottish Captain serving in the Dutch Navy) and soon became a major port and center of international shipping trade. From that time are two historic fortifications guarding the port town - Fort Amsterdam and Fort Willem (to the north).

Philipsburg (population around 2,000) is located on a narrow stretch of land between the Great Salt Pond and Great Bay. It functions as a commercial center of Saint Martin Island, whereof St Maarten encompasses the southern half. St Maarten Island has total area 34 km2 (13 mi2) and is one of the Dutch islands in the Lesser Antilles archipelago - together with Saba Island and Sint Eustatius. The other "Dutch Antilles" islands are in the Leeward Antilles - the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao).

In December 2016, four Celebrity Cruises ships (Eclipse, Equinox, Reflection, Summit) docked here. As part of the Christmas-New Year holidays was offered a Demi Lovato live concert performance, which was also televised.

On October 11, 2018, the port had a double celebration as it welcomed the maiden call of Carnival Horizon (berthed at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility) as well as cruise port's 1 millionth passenger (since January 2018). The lucky couple (Cheryl and Timothy Franklin) was actually welcomed in mid-September, but the ceremony was postponed due to Hurricane Isaac. As presents, they received gift certificates and tokens, including a complimentary 3-night hotel stay (at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort), return flight tickets (by Winair), two Carnival Cruise Line tickets (purchased by Port St Maarten), plus VIP tour of the isle, lunch at Yvette's Restaurant, visit to Rain Forest Adventure Park.

Following the COVID crisis, in June-August 2021, for the first time, Celebrity Cruises homeported here a ship (Celebrity Millennium) for 7-night roundtrips from Sint Maarten (Philipsburg) to Oranjestad Aruba-Willemstad Curacao-Bridgetown Barbados (itinerary1) and Road Town Tortola BVI-Castries St Lucia-Barbados (itinerary2).

Philipsburg St Maarten cruise terminal

Philipsburg St Maarten tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Among the best cruise shore excursion options in St Maarten are:

• Marigot - great shopping and dining choices, easy water access, restored Creole-style buildings (many housing premium boutiques), duty-free shopping (world brands and French fashion).
• Maho Beach is world-famous for its low-altitude aircraft landings (less than 30 m / 100 ft) as the beach is adjacent to Princess Juliana Airport and directly under airplanes' flight paths. Maho Beach is served by Bar and Grill.
• Orient Bay beach (on the island's northeastern part) is one of the largest beaches and offers all standard tourist amenities (numerous restaurants and bars, hotels, shops, watersports). It is also ranked one of Caribbean's best / most popular beaches.
• Grand-Case village features an authentic house architecture, gourmet dining options (French 'cuisine), nearby beach (with several bars, restaurants, small hotels), market square (famous for its BBQ food, including grilled lobster).
• Phillipsburg City's main street is lined up with jewelry shops and souvenir stalls. Along the waterfront there is a promenade street lined with restaurants and bars. Duty-free shopping is available at both downtown streets (named "Front" and "Back") and includes jewelry, brand perfumes and cosmetics, clothing and accessories. Great places to visit are St Maarten Museum and Sint Maarten Museum (National Heritage Foundation).
• St Maarten Island Tour allows you to taste all the highlights. Tours are individual (private taxi driver) or group.  Group tours are cheaper but limited as to visited destinations.  Private tours are more flexible, but also expensive in comparison. Group tours can be booked via the cruise company or independently.  Taxis at the cruise port are readily available.
• At the Topper’s Rhum Distillery (Cole Bay) tourists can taste 20+ different rums and watch the chef preparing traditional cuisine specialties like breadfruit balls. Meals at Topper’s Rhum are served in a wine cellar built in the 17th century.

"4x4 St Maarten and Beach Escape" (Royal Caribbean) is an optional Jeep driving tour across the island. The tour is through Grand Case (to Marigot), with stops for scenic overlooks and strolling along the route.

A Golden Eagle Sailaway (Royal Caribbean) is an optional catamaran (sailing boat) tour to St Maarten Beach (snorkelling-swimming-sunbathing). The boat reaches speeds up to 23 mph (37 kph). The return is to Philipsburg, where are included sandwiches and cold drinks served on the boat.

Maho Airplane Experience (Royal Caribbean) is an optional airplane excursion along Maho Beach. The tour is guided and includes 30-min narrated bus ride across island's Dutch side. At Maho Beach is offered 3-hour stay (free-time activities).