Cayole Cruises

Philipsburg, St. Maarten (scroll down for cruise itineraries)

 
Introduction

Philipsburg is the biggest town located on the Saint Maarten island. Saint Maarten island is divided into two parts - Dutch and French. Philipsburg is located in the Dutch part of the island. You can also visit the French side of the island, the main city of which is Marigot. Philipsburg and Saint Maarten island have amazing beaches, very large and vibrant duty free shopping opportunities (it's one of the largest shopping centers in Caribbean) as well as many types of entertainment and fun activities.

Where the Ship Docks

The majority of cruise ships will dock in Great Bay on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. The pier, which is one mile from the Philipsburg city center, is called the A.C. Wathey Pier. Taxis are available directly at the pier to transport travelers into town for a small fare. In addition, one can walk from the pier to downtown Philipsburg in approximately 15 minutes. Some ships may choose to dock at Little Pier and then transport their passengers into the center of Philipsburg.

What to See and Do

There is much to see and do in Philipsburg and in St. Maarten. In Philipsburg you can enjoy some of the trendiest restaurants and you can shop in the multitude of duty-free shops available. The most famous shopping streets are Front and Old Streets, although you can enjoy great shopping in many other places. On another note, you can explore Orient Beach (part of which is clothing optional) to enjoy the beautiful white sand that stretches for over 1 1/2 miles along the coast. If you are a big fan of nature, you can take a trip to the Butterfly Farm to admire hundreds of butterflies of various colors and species. For the more adventurous travelers, kayaking activities and snorkeling are available for you to experience the exotic wildlife and coral reefs of St. Maarten. You can also take a historical tour of St. Maarten via bicycle. Finally, St. Maarten is also a great place to sail. In fact, you can even compete in a shortened version of the America's Cup race if you so choose.

Eating/Drinking

There are plenty of nice restaurants to enjoy on both Dutch and French side of the St. Maarten island. On the Dutch side, you can, for example, go to Chesterfield's for a casual lunch or to St. Antoine, which is a more upscale place. On the French side, in Marigot (the main town on the French side) you can go to l'Oiseau Rare - a French bistro that has a great view of Marigot harbor. Or you can visit Le Mini Club, which is famous for its Creole and French cuisine. These are just some suggestions, there are many other places where you can have wonderful dining experience.

Getting Around

Once you arrive at the port, you can either hail a taxi to travel into the center of Philipsburg, or you can choose to take the 15 minute walk. Cab fares are extremely reasonable. Another option is to take a water taxi from the cruise pier to the center of Philipsburg. That will cost you $3 one-way and $5 roundtrip. It is possible to rent a car in St. Maarten, but if you are only staying for a day as part of a cruise, this may not be your best option. In that case, you can just walk or use a taxi to explore the area.

Miscellaneous But Important

The island of St. Maarten is owned by two different countries. One side of the island has French as the official language, while the other side has Dutch as its official language. However, English is the language most frequently spoken on both sides of St. Maarten. The official currencies of St. Maarten are the Euro on the French side and the guilder on the Dutch side, but the US dollar will be accepted everywhere. Most stores will post prices both in the local currency and in US dollars. If you want to stay in touch with folks back home, you can use the Internet Paradise cafe located at the intersection of Yrausquin Boulevard and Front Street.

  
The map of St. Maarten, including both the Dutch and the French sections.

The map of St. Maarten, including both the Dutch and the French sections.


The Orient Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Caribbean region.

The Orient Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Caribbean region.


Front Street in Philipsburg. Shopping is very popular in Philipsburg and Front Street is one of the main streets for shopping.

Front Street in Philipsburg. Shopping is very popular in Philipsburg and Front Street is one of the main streets for shopping.


One of the butterflies in Butterfly Farm.

One of the butterflies in Butterfly Farm.

 

Cruises to Philipsburg, St. Maarten


7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise From San Juan, PR
Ship: Jewel of the Seas
Departure: San Juan, PR
Arrival: San Juan, PR
Duration: 7 Nights
Ports: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Saint Kitts Island; St. John's, Antigua; Saint Lucia Island; Bridgetown, Barbados; Cruising; San Juan, Puerto Rico
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
May 25, 2013 $1,289 N/A N/A N/A Jewel of the Seas May 25, 2013
June 15, 2013 $1,079 $1,179 N/A N/A Jewel of the Seas June 15, 2013
July 6, 2013 $1,229 $1,279 $1,679 $2,429 Jewel of the Seas July 6, 2013
July 27, 2013 $1,079 $1,179 $1,549 $2,529 Jewel of the Seas July 27, 2013
August 17, 2013 $699 $799 $799 $1,599 Jewel of the Seas August 17, 2013
September 7, 2013 $649 $849 $849 $1,599 Jewel of the Seas September 7, 2013
September 28, 2013 $599 $949 $949 $1,749 Jewel of the Seas September 28, 2013
October 19, 2013 N/A $1,109 $1,179 $1,679 Jewel of the Seas October 19, 2013
8 Nights Eastern Caribbean Cruise From Miami, FL
Ship: Carnival Breeze
Departure: Miami, FL
Arrival: Miami, FL
Duration: 8 Nights
Ports: Miami, Florida; Grand Turk Island; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA; Miami, Florida
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
May 25, 2013 $859 N/A $1,179 $1,599 Carnival Breeze May 25, 2013
August 17, 2013 $549 $829 $849 $1,499 Carnival Breeze August 17, 2013
November 9, 2013 $829 $1,069 $1,349 N/A Carnival Breeze November 9, 2013
December 7, 2013 $679 $849 $1,049 $1,619 Carnival Breeze December 7, 2013
February 1, 2014 $769 $939 $1,209 $1,749 Carnival Breeze February 1, 2014
March 1, 2014 $849 $1,079 $1,349 $1,999 Carnival Breeze March 1, 2014
7 Nights Eastern Caribbean Cruise From Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ship: Allure of the Seas
Departure: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Arrival: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Duration: 7 Nights
Ports: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
May 26, 2013 $829 $1,219 $1,529 $2,249 Allure of the Seas May 26, 2013
June 9, 2013 $1,149 $1,249 $1,249 $3,099 Allure of the Seas June 9, 2013
June 23, 2013 $1,199 $1,549 $1,549 $3,499 Allure of the Seas June 23, 2013
July 7, 2013 $1,199 $1,399 $1,349 $2,549 Allure of the Seas July 7, 2013
July 21, 2013 $1,679 $1,999 $1,799 $3,729 Allure of the Seas July 21, 2013
August 4, 2013 $1,739 $1,889 $1,799 $3,229 Allure of the Seas August 4, 2013
August 18, 2013 $1,499 $1,549 $1,559 $2,599 Allure of the Seas August 18, 2013
September 1, 2013 $949 $1,149 $1,049 $1,949 Allure of the Seas September 1, 2013
September 15, 2013 $899 $1,099 $1,099 $1,949 Allure of the Seas September 15, 2013
September 29, 2013 $849 $999 $899 $2,049 Allure of the Seas September 29, 2013
7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise From San Juan, PR
Ship: Carnival Valor
Departure: San Juan, PR
Arrival: San Juan, PR
Duration: 7 Nights
Ports: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA; Bridgetown, Barbados; Saint Lucia Island; Saint Kitts Island; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
May 26, 2013 $649 N/A N/A N/A Carnival Valor May 26, 2013
June 2, 2013 $769 N/A N/A N/A Carnival Valor June 2, 2013
June 9, 2013 $784 $829 N/A N/A Carnival Valor June 9, 2013
June 16, 2013 $804 $839 $1,049 N/A Carnival Valor June 16, 2013
June 23, 2013 $809 $939 $1,144 $2,049 Carnival Valor June 23, 2013
June 30, 2013 $809 $929 $1,164 $2,099 Carnival Valor June 30, 2013
July 7, 2013 $759 $929 $1,119 $1,499 Carnival Valor July 7, 2013
July 14, 2013 $799 $879 $1,089 $1,499 Carnival Valor July 14, 2013
July 21, 2013 $769 $939 $1,099 $1,499 Carnival Valor July 21, 2013
July 28, 2013 $779 $859 $1,029 $1,489 Carnival Valor July 28, 2013
7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise From Barbados
Ship: Carnival Valor
Departure: Barbados
Arrival: Barbados
Duration: 7 Nights
Ports: Bridgetown, Barbados; Saint Lucia Island; Saint Kitts Island; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA; Bridgetown, Barbados
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
May 29, 2013 $809 N/A N/A N/A Carnival Valor May 29, 2013
June 5, 2013 $769 $869 N/A N/A Carnival Valor June 5, 2013
June 12, 2013 N/A $879 $1,119 N/A Carnival Valor June 12, 2013
June 26, 2013 $889 $969 N/A N/A Carnival Valor June 26, 2013
July 3, 2013 $869 $969 $1,289 N/A Carnival Valor July 3, 2013
July 10, 2013 $999 N/A $1,339 N/A Carnival Valor July 10, 2013
July 17, 2013 $1,039 $1,219 $1,549 N/A Carnival Valor July 17, 2013
July 24, 2013 $1,099 $1,179 $1,549 N/A Carnival Valor July 24, 2013
July 31, 2013 N/A $1,309 $1,489 N/A Carnival Valor July 31, 2013
August 7, 2013 N/A N/A $1,369 N/A Carnival Valor August 7, 2013
9 Nights Eastern Caribbean Cruise From Bayonne, NJ
Ship: Explorer of the Seas
Departure: Bayonne, NJ
Arrival: Bayonne, NJ
Duration: 9 Nights
Ports: Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey; Cruising; King's Wharf, Bermuda; Cruising; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Labadee Private Resort, Haiti; Cruising; Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
May 30, 2013 $679 $1,259 $1,609 $2,999 Explorer of the Seas May 30, 2013
June 13, 2013 $1,129 N/A $1,749 $2,999 Explorer of the Seas June 13, 2013
June 27, 2013 $1,099 $1,349 $1,539 $3,449 Explorer of the Seas June 27, 2013
July 11, 2013 $1,489 $1,599 $1,599 $2,849 Explorer of the Seas July 11, 2013
July 25, 2013 $1,389 $1,579 $1,599 $2,699 Explorer of the Seas July 25, 2013
August 8, 2013 $1,189 $1,549 $1,599 $2,499 Explorer of the Seas August 8, 2013
August 22, 2013 $1,129 $1,399 $1,799 $2,499 Explorer of the Seas August 22, 2013
7 Nights Eastern Caribbean Cruise From Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ship: Oasis of the Seas
Departure: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Arrival: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Duration: 7 Nights
Ports: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
June 1, 2013 $1,149 $1,469 $1,199 $4,849 Oasis of the Seas June 1, 2013
June 15, 2013 $1,239 $1,299 $1,449 $2,249 Oasis of the Seas June 15, 2013
June 29, 2013 $1,149 $1,549 $1,249 $3,049 Oasis of the Seas June 29, 2013
July 13, 2013 $1,499 $2,049 $1,659 $2,999 Oasis of the Seas July 13, 2013
July 27, 2013 $1,399 $1,949 $1,639 $3,299 Oasis of the Seas July 27, 2013
August 10, 2013 $1,749 $1,899 $1,759 $2,449 Oasis of the Seas August 10, 2013
August 24, 2013 $1,099 $1,399 $1,309 $1,999 Oasis of the Seas August 24, 2013
September 7, 2013 $849 $999 $999 $1,499 Oasis of the Seas September 7, 2013
September 21, 2013 $849 $949 $949 $1,549 Oasis of the Seas September 21, 2013
7 Nights Eastern Caribbean Cruise From Orlando, FL
Ship: Carnival Dream
Departure: Orlando, FL
Arrival: Orlando, FL
Duration: 7 Nights
Ports: Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
June 1, 2013 $849 $969 $1,239 $2,379 Carnival Dream June 1, 2013
June 15, 2013 $809 $1,079 $1,239 $1,829 Carnival Dream June 15, 2013
June 29, 2013 $899 N/A $1,239 $1,759 Carnival Dream June 29, 2013
July 13, 2013 $909 $1,089 $1,179 $1,829 Carnival Dream July 13, 2013
July 27, 2013 $939 $1,139 $1,259 $1,719 Carnival Dream July 27, 2013
August 10, 2013 $609 $709 $1,109 $1,409 Carnival Dream August 10, 2013
August 24, 2013 $479 $639 $729 $1,179 Carnival Dream August 24, 2013
September 7, 2013 $619 $769 $899 $1,299 Carnival Dream September 7, 2013
September 21, 2013 $599 $769 $879 $1,369 Carnival Dream September 21, 2013
October 5, 2013 $619 $799 $899 $1,369 Carnival Dream October 5, 2013
7 Nights Eastern Caribbean Cruise From Orlando, FL
Ship: Freedom of the Seas
Departure: Orlando, FL
Arrival: Orlando, FL
Duration: 7 Nights
Ports: Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida; CocoCay, Bahamas; Cruising; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Cruising; Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
June 2, 2013 $699 $799 $1,299 $1,499 Freedom of the Seas June 2, 2013
June 16, 2013 $729 $1,049 $1,149 $1,949 Freedom of the Seas June 16, 2013
June 30, 2013 $729 $1,129 $1,129 $2,179 Freedom of the Seas June 30, 2013
July 14, 2013 $979 $1,149 $1,499 $1,949 Freedom of the Seas July 14, 2013
July 28, 2013 $899 $1,349 $1,349 $1,849 Freedom of the Seas July 28, 2013
August 11, 2013 $899 $1,199 $1,199 $1,849 Freedom of the Seas August 11, 2013
August 25, 2013 $829 $1,049 $1,049 $1,629 Freedom of the Seas August 25, 2013
September 8, 2013 $639 $899 $899 $1,569 Freedom of the Seas September 8, 2013
September 22, 2013 $659 $849 $1,049 $1,549 Freedom of the Seas September 22, 2013
October 6, 2013 $639 $869 $869 $1,629 Freedom of the Seas October 6, 2013
7 Nights Southern Caribbean Cruise From San Juan, PR
Ship: Jewel of the Seas
Departure: San Juan, PR
Arrival: San Juan, PR
Duration: 7 Nights
Ports: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Croix, Virgin Islands, USA; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John's, Antigua; Saint Lucia Island; Bridgetown, Barbados; Cruising; San Juan, Puerto Rico
   Departure Date    Interior Oceanview Balcony Suite Continue
June 29, 2013 $1,229 $1,379 $1,869 N/A Jewel of the Seas June 29, 2013
July 20, 2013 $1,229 $1,279 $1,629 $2,529 Jewel of the Seas July 20, 2013
August 10, 2013 $1,079 $1,079 $1,399 $2,379 Jewel of the Seas August 10, 2013
August 31, 2013 $599 $749 $749 $1,399 Jewel of the Seas August 31, 2013
September 21, 2013 $789 $979 $979 $1,729 Jewel of the Seas September 21, 2013
October 12, 2013 $689 $1,329 $1,329 $2,249 Jewel of the Seas October 12, 2013
November 2, 2013 $609 $759 $979 $1,629 Jewel of the Seas November 2, 2013

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