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The cruise port is located on the French side of the island. For travel planning advice, please refer to our Rome2rio Coronavirus information page . The Seabourn Pride docks at 8 am but now I'm thinking of simply flying to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Whether you are coming for the first time or you have already been, make sure you plan your day ahead to maximize your stay in this amazing port of call. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. As the Caribbean is known to be tropical climate and some prefer to skip the walk, there is multiple types of transport available to get to "town", as St Maarteners call it lovingly. Topless sunbathing is common on the far side of Orient Beach, and beyond Pedros restaurant, currently being rebuilt, is a nudist colony. There is widespread community transmission globally. St Maarten the Eastern Caribbean pearl boasting stunning beaches, lush tropical nature, and kind, friendly residents is an island of diversities! we will be on a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Any content or photos on this website are copyright protected and cannot be used for commercial purposes. is a turnaround day for vacationers and the airport will be busy. There are lots of beaches nearby. Heres a list of a few more suggestion in Phillipsburg: Dont Miss: Cruise Lines Departing From Mobile Alabama. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, St. Maarten suffered significant damage that its still working to recover from. Unlike the not-so-long-ago days of haggling a price with your taxi driver, prices are set, and after paying for your return taxi, youll be given a wrist band in the style of a package holiday. The drive from the cruise port to Maho Beach is about 10 minutes. However, you must leave the airport (which requires going through immigration) and take a cab to get to the ferry port . For the latest travel status, we recommend checking the official page for Saint Martin. Visit the Loterie farm, St. Maarten zoo, the Butterfly farm or be blown away at one of the worlds most dangerous airports for example. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Best time to visit: As with most Caribbean islands the best time to visit is between the months of November to March as this is when the weather is the driest. I had previously had an image of a fairly peaceful wide open white sandy paradise with crystal clear water, palm trees, and every now and again, an airplane zooming low overhead. Anguilla is endowed with virgin beaches that feature pristine white sandy stretches. Mere steps from where the cruise ships dock in Philipsburg is the extremely popular St. Maarten 12 Metre Challenge, which gives normal folk the thrill of racing in an actual Americas Cup regatta. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. And lastly, retire ashore with sunset views from the dramatic cannons of Fort Amsterdam, finally grabbing a bite from the port-side ambiance of Chesterfields Restaurant & Bar. more, St Martin / St Maarten Destination Experts. Maho Beach is a beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the territory of Sint Maarten. You did not say what time the ship arrives however once you are in the taxi it is a 30 minute ride +/- depending upon traffic conditions which may or may not add another 15-20 minutes to your ride. It is able to dock seven cruise ships at one time. You can access this beach by walking. Alow more time to return as traffic tends to back-up coming into Phillipsburg. There are no direct flights from the UK to St Maartens, making it a great island to explore when cruising. Continue further north for more natural getaways like the Rainforest Adventures of St Maarten, as well as the vast habitat housing exotic birds at Parotte Ville. The cheapest way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay is to ferry which costs $20-$50 and takes 1h 10m. . There is a large taxi stand at the cruise terminal in St. Maarten. Find all the transport options for your trip from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay right here. Also find all detailed information about cruise port St. Maarten and what to see and do underneath. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero.St Maarten cruise terminal. Finally we decided on a spot at the very far end, clear of the runway but close enough that we could make a run for it if we desperately wanted to be under the pathway of a jumbo jet. Absolutely not. It's a simple, cost-effective option and transport is by comfortable bus. The northern part, measures 52 km2 / 20 m2, is French. Anyone have a suggestion as to an airline flying to San Juan? Creole Rock, Tintamarre Island, and Pinel Island are some top choices off the coast of St. Maarten. It takes about 20 minutes if the roads are clear. However, the Water Taxi is $7 round trip and a short 5-10 minute water ride to a beach. Taxi rates are fixed and based on how many people are in the taxi.Beneath are the taxi prices (starting at the cruise terminal) for 2 passengers, each additional passenger is US$5:to Philipsburg: $8to Pelican: $15to Marigot: $18to Airport: $20to Orient Bay: $22A sightseeing taxis tour for 2 passengers for 3 hours will cost you $90 dollars and $25 extra for each additional person. The best way to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay without a car is to ferry which takes 1h 10m and costs $20-$50. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. There were so many people that the waitstaff were ran off their feet, carrying gigantic trays from table to table and struggling to keep up with all the orders. However, there are services departing from Sint Maarten and arriving at St. Martin via Anguilla. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. At the end closest to the beach, screens displayed the timings of the next planes to land on the landing strip to the right. Find the tender platform right in the city centre of Philipsburg. Help, Re: Cruise Terminal to Airport (Philipsburg, St Maarten) ? At its Great Bay is the Port of St. Maarten, a main gateway for experiencing the few blocks of historic city nearby. Nowadays, the island reflects a blend of two cultures and mentalities that learned to live, work, and grow together. It takes approximately 9 min to drive from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay. Anyone familiar with Villa Oyster Pearl and/or Dawn Beach? St Maarten/St Martin lies within the hurricane belt, so heavy tropical storms and hurricanes may occur in September and October. One price will do you for the day and youll get a great view of the harbor. The cruise port is about 1 km away from the centre of Philipsburg. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Once you get there, youll spot a small roundabout with plenty of taxi vehicles waiting for the cruise passengers to take them to Philipsburg city center or elsewhere. Popular landmarks include the island heritage of Saint Maarten Museum, home to views of traditional Arawak artifacts ranging from poetry to photography, attached the nearby Guavaberry Emporium offers views of the islands famed tradition of alcohol making. #ihavethisthing. Tour buses and a taxi rank are located nearby; to get there, you need to turn right and keep walking to the exit of the terminal area until you reach a small building housing a tourist information desk. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 1h 10m. We have received no reports of travel restrictions in Saint Martin. The French call this part of the island Saint Martin and they call their main city Marigot. I drive past (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It's an easy 20-minute walk into town, but water taxis also make the short trip, leaving from Captain Hodge Pier (signposted at the terminal). There is a car rental facility as well at the St. Martin cruise terminal. No matter which option you choose, our stress-free transportation service ensures a comfortable and enjoyable journey from start to . If you want to take a glimpse of the whole island, you should definitely join a sightseeing tour that covers both St Maarten and St Martin highlights.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); You can either take a taxi/car and explore on your own, or you can join one of the sightseeing tours organized by your cruise line or independent tour operators. Amenities include a restaurant with outdoor seating and beach lounges with umbrellas. The most famous of all the beaches on the island is Maho Bay Beach thanks to its proximity to the airport. The Dr Wathey Pier, on a walking distance from Philipsburg, is a strategic hub for cruise vessels in the middle of the Caribbean. Because of this vibrant but peaceful history the island shows two beautiful and diverse faces and personalities. Airplane traffic is light (only one big plane when we were there), but Maho is still fun and the bars are up and running. The French route it is just too much travel time and distance. The main St. Maarten cruise port is Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities at Philipsburg. You might have already sensed from my description that this beach is not my kind of place. We advice you to book in advance. You might be cutting it very close with airport check-in being 2 hr's prior.With a plan it might be doable. The Dutch later built Fort Amsterdam as a military outpost in Philipsburg for protection from intruders. The rusting cannons of Fort Amsterdam guard the many cruise ships that make a port of call in St. Maarten. . With so many things to do and see in St. Maarten, you may need to come back and spend a weeks holiday to really enjoy the rest of the island. Many more are coming and cruise life is getting back to normal. Alternatively, you can take the drive to Port de Galisbay. Absolutely not. This island is an extremely popular stopping point for cruise ships, and whenever we ported here there were at least three other ships parked up at the same time, although none of them were anywhere near full capacity. The first beach you will come across on the island is Great Bay beach which is readily accessible from the boardwalk. The island has a tropical, warm climate all year round. First time visiting St. Maarten, arriving on a Wednesday from Celebrity. Regardless of your choice, you should include the places below on your sightseeing list: Insider tip: If you are booking a tour, make sure its organized in small groups, cruise ship friendly, and guarantees your return to the ship! For more packing tips, check out my article. To start with, you will enjoy docking at St. Maarten as tendering is not necessary. But eventually the tide came in so close that there was nothing else for it but to pack up and move on. You can book an excursion to Anguilla via your ship or local tour operators. . It occupies the northern part of the island, and the capital is Marigot, a charming town known for its vibrant markets and beautiful beaches, dominated by Fort St. Louis, the 18th-century military fort offering amazing panoramic views of the island.var cid='2861769772';var pid='ca-pub-7965674744033396';var slotId='div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-3-0';var ffid=2;var alS=2021%1000;var container=document.getElementById(slotId);container.style.width='100%';var ins=document.createElement('ins');ins.id=slotId+'-asloaded';ins.className='adsbygoogle ezasloaded';ins.dataset.adClient=pid;ins.dataset.adChannel=cid;if(ffid==2){ins.dataset.fullWidthResponsive='true';} rel="sponsored nofollow noopener"if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-1-0'); If you want to have an adrenaline-packed day filled with water activities and island exploration, you should go for one of the numerous boat tours offered by your cruise line and independent tour operators. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. That was very silly of me. Try and get a seat along the railing! Airport: St Maartens airport is called St Maartens Princess Juliana International Airport. Although gutted by the French in the late 1790s, it was rebuilt by the British and today has been fully restored, with its kitchen complex, stables and slave quarters intact. Spending the day on the beach is usually high on the to-do list for travelers and there might not be a better island in the Caribbean to do just that. Wait, what? Tourism dollars help contribute to the rebuilding and preservation of the beaches and businesses that were affected by the hurricane. Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten: Find 2106 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Cruise Port Hotels in Sint Maarten on Tripadvisor. Leisure car rental service recently won the WTA awards as the best St. Maarten car rental company for 2020. Distance: 4 km Duration: 1h 10m What companies run services between St Maarten Airport (SXM), Sint Maarten and Marigot, Saint Martin? The sky might have been blue by then, but the sea was ragingly choppy and the tide swept me off my feet several times before I could even think about getting further out into the water. So, if you are looking for the cheapest way to enjoy the Maho beach, then the local bus is an ideal way. A church in the vicinity contains a stone fascia with open-air side walls and a ceiling, which is the form of a hull of a ship. The nicest beaches in St. Maarten are Majo Beach, located at the end of the airport runway, and Orient Beach, located on the French side of the island. And best of all the taxi charges are standardized by the government. For full information, please see mydisclaimerhere. Start your shopping day at Front street in the heart of Philipsburg. Taxi fare from the cruise pier in Phillipsburg to Orient beach is about $30 + tip each way. Along the south shore of Saint-Martin Island, the city of Philipsburg is an oasis of the Caribbean and a major connector for the neighboring island of Anguilla. St. Martin is the worlds smallest territory shared by two countries. . The processing time for the application takes about 12 hours to process, so make sure you do it a day or two before your flight to ensure its approved in time. Distance to Cruise Port: 8.7 miles Distance from Airport: 2 minutes. However, due to the number of cruise visitors, US dollars are widely accepted. . Want more tales from the Caribbean? Your ship will dock on the Dutch side of the island at Philipsburg, where all large vessels such as cruise ships dock. Aside from the great climate Sint Maarten is known for its shopping! Once was enough for me, and there are plenty more peaceful beaches on the island which are way more up my street. Your email address will not be published. In the height of the season they often open the Dutch side bridge at 9 AM and 9:30 AM which really backs up the traffic. Sometimes ships drop anchor in the bay in front of Philipsburg and tender people to shore. Whether you book a shore excursion with the cruise line, a third party vendor, or a local tour operator, there are numerous locations in the area to spot a variety of marine life. Wow, I think that is tight. Our St. Maarten tours and excursions do not stop there, as many of our shore tours include traveling to the French-controlled portion of the island to experience both paradise destinations by visiting two countries in one day. Resort Beach Day. St Maarten/St Martin has two airports. That's Maho Beach, aka Airport Beach. Thats right, the end of the runway sits along the edge of the water and landing planes swoop down directly overhead. . Re: St Martin airport beach to cruise port, Get answers to your questions about St Martin / St Maarten, Last Minute Hotels in St Martin / St Maarten, Browse all 24,710 St Martin / St Maarten topics . Maho is only about fifteen minutes from downtown Phillipsburg. If you're looking for a beach day in St. Maarten during your Caribbean cruise, one of the best beaches in St Maarten to consider is this one right here. #1. Try and get a seat along the railing! Dont be alarmed, however, as you will rarely dock with 6 other ships. Add it! To the original poster,I didn't mention the "bridge" on the "longer route" because it's daily opening is not a given as the boat traffic @ Sandy Ground is far less than the bridge on the shorter route (Simpson Bay) as I've gone through there days on end and it never opened.And chances are it will not open 12/27 IF you take that route.IF it does, the time open will be very short as compared to Simpson bay. We went to a beach just past the airport call Mullet Bay - if you want you can actually walk to runway to watch landings - for us, we skipped it because the only flights in / out were small inter-island planes. Can anyone please help re how the best way to get there and back, a taxi would be great if anyone can recommend a reputable company I could get in touch with that would be great. $31/Adult. Some (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The French side draw bridge will open at 8:15 A.M. Hopefully you will already have been at the airport one hour before the Dutch side bridge opens. Rodael ingored my email and car booking request made from their website. How far away is the airport from the docking piers in st. marrten. Adults (16+) Children (2-15) Shopping: at the cruise terminal or in town Transportation: Taxis at the cruise terminal Watertaxi available to get you from the cruise terminal to town Beach: Great Bay Beach is the main beach in town. Rodael ingored my email and car booking request made from their website. However, if you fancy more private and secluded beaches, you can charter a boat to the nearby island of Anguilla. There are water taxis, vehicles, trams, buses and even ATVs at the transport stand. This boutique-style property offers stylish rooms with either city of views across the Caribbean sea to the cruise terminal. This is the most convenient beach for a cruiser not . Both beach bars on the beach are up and running for some time. The tide was in so close that there wasnt a lot of free sand space at all- although Im told theres not a drastic difference between high and low tide at Maho. (~2,5 hours drive distance). A spot of late afternoon blinding sunshine . . St. Maarten's cruise port is within an easy 5 to 10 minute walking distance to Philipsburg. Should I visit Marigot on the french side or just spend time on the Dutch side for shopping and maybe a little beach time? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14734771', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship on Dec. 27th, flying to Dallas. Dont Miss: Carnival Cruise Terminal Mobile Al. Great Bay Beach, a long boardwalk and shopping on Front Street run side by side. Read Also: Where Do Cruise Ships Dock In Puerto Rico. With over 500 duty-free stores this must be absolute shoppers paradise. It is also an option to walk from the cruise terminal to Philipsburg city center, but take in mind it will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, there are water taxis available from the cruise terminal for only USD$7 round trip. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Dont forget to subscribe below and get my exclusive SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'adventourbegins_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-2-0'); This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Docking at the island is smooth, courtesy of the large pier that accommodates up to 7 ships. Philipsburg: Awarded Cruise Harbor. Sint Maarten Bed and Breakfast; Sint Maarten Vacation Rentals; Sint Maarten Vacation Packages The zip line course at this farm dubbed the extreme fly zone shouldnt be missed. The port facilities for cruises to St. Maarten offer helpful amenities like ATMs, shops, a tourist information desk, taxi and rental car information, and restaurants if youre hungry right when you get off the cruise ship. Especially considering all the cheese shops wed passed en route in the taxi. Sonesta Ocean Point Resort is an adults-only, 5 star luxury all-inclusive resort which features direct access to spectacular Maho Beach. It takes approximately 1h 10m to get from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay, including transfers. Cruise Terminal to Airport (Philipsburg, St Maarten) ? Theres plenty of shopping just nearby. Even more encouraging news arrived a couple of weeks later when five cruise ships visited St Martin on Christmas and Boxing Day Marella and Independence of the Seas , Grandeur of the Seas, Azamara Quest and Jewel of the Seas . I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. There are TWO throughfares to get you from the port to the airport.The short route will take approximately 45 and MUST cross a DRAWBRIDGE that opens DAILY around 8 0r 9 for traffic in and out of the Bay/Lagoon..small boats to mega yachts.IF that bridge is opened BEFORE you cross you will have an additional 1/2hr to an hr wait..depending on boat traffic.that time of year can be busy because lots of yachts are wintered there. And even if it happens, the island has plenty of attractions which helps spread out the masses. Roundtrip watertaxi tickets from the St. Maarten cruise port to Philipsburg costs: Adults: 7 US dollars Crew member: 3 US dollars Children under 3 years old: Free You can pay cash in US dollar or with credit card. GOOD LUCK. not as many planes to watch though as traffic at the airport is still somewhat slow. See map above to see the exact location. Fed and watered, Rachel and I headed onto the beach itself. Leisure Car rental provides clean and well-maintained vehicles in all categories. Of course, if youd prefer to snorkel right off the beach in St. Maarten, you can do that too. A hat and water are recommended! See details and book. Amongst many others, ships of Carnival Cruises, MSC Cruises, P&O, Royal Caribbean, TUI and Windstar have the island in their itineraries. Visit the Loterie Farm found on one side of Pic Paradis. Hi, the 27th is on a Saturday ---your docking time WILL BE KEY. The most popular and convenient one is the Great Bay beach. If youre hanging out for a day or two before or after your cruise leaves, Great Bay Beach is right next to the Philipsburg cruise port and surrounded by hotels, restaurants, nightlife, casinos and more. The French side is called Saint Martin (St Martin). The Dutch side draw bridge will open at 9:30 A.M. Its also a very beautiful place to have a wedding at. The cruise ships often dock on the Dutch side near Philipsburg. When we left the ship that morning the sky was overcast and there was drizzle all around; but the weather in the Caribbean can change in a matter of minutes. Cruise ships dock at A.C. Wathey Pier, in Dutch St. Maarten. Although the distance between St Maarten cruise port and the Airplane Beach isn't particularly far, there is almost always traffic to contend with. My name is Katarina and welcome to my cruise & travel blog! Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Kids 3 and under are free and it is cheaper than taking a cab if you wish to go downtown for shopping. Having sat in many a hot sticky vehicle on other Caribbean islands like the Dominican Republic or Antigua, I was expecting an uncomfortable journey, but considering the length of time we spent sat inside a vehicle that morning, it was surprisingly ok. Alternatively you can catch a water taxi from inside the cruise port, which is slightly more expensive. Why You Should Use Public Transportation to Maho Beach from the Cruise Port Rome2rio makes travelling from St Maarten Airport (SXM) to Port de Galisbay easy. Cancun cruise port schedule 2023-2024-2025, map, address, ship terminals, hotels, tours, shore excursions. Finding the way is easy. I would recommend a taxi ride from cruise port to Mullet Bay instead of excursion. Resort Beach DayFor guests not wishing to make the trek to the French side of the island, there's su. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full, Can you walk from the cruise ship docking port the the famous airport. As part of the islands COVID-19 response, all travelers to the island by air must complete a mandatory electronic health authorization application or they will not be able to board their flight. However US dollar are widely accepted. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88437021', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mullet Bay. For a cruise port that used to have as many as 6 cruise ships docked on weekdays before hurricane Irma, it may sound like a slow recovery. Next to the Sunset Beach Bar is Sandbar, a colourful new eatery which offers just about every kind of food you could wish for, from sushi and burgers to tacos and smores. You'll need to be at the airport 2 hours prior to departure, arriving later than that may or may not result in your missing your (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There is also an internet cafe at the cruise terminal. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-14761279', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flights to San Juan. St Maarten port is one of the fastest-growing Caribbean cruise ports and the leading cruise port in the Eastern Caribbean. Between 1946 and 1950, it was the base for the airline Compagnie Arienne Antillaise, which flew planes from the island's 500m airstrip (no longer existent.). . the trip from the dock to the airport usually takes closer to 30 minutes and often much more when the traffic is bad. It will likely take half an hour from Philipsburg to Marigot, but one time it took us closer to an hour.