Philipsburg, St. Maarten Port Reviews

We did the Trolley Tour Excursion. DO NOT TAKE THIS TOUR. You do not go for a cheese sampling or a rum sampling. There is no Pirate Show. There is no sightseeing tour. You go to a convenience store just off the ship on a childlike train you see at county fairs. They give you 1/2" shaving of 1 type of cheese. That is it. Your tour will consist of riding this "tram" up and down front and back street of over an hour. The driver, Big Al, will not interact with you or point out any areas of interest. He will however, stop and chat with his buddies in the shopping area. Finally, you get 1/2 teaspoon of 1 rum at the "pirate show". The Pirate show is a homemade movie where you are shown a 5 minute inaccurate clip of a "documentary" about Calico Jack then moved like cattle into a different room where you see the next 5 minutes and so on for 5-6 viewings. It had to be the worst excursion I've ever taken. Royal Caribbean is also refusing to refund our money for this excursion. We didn't get what we paid for or what was described.

Just wish the port was a little closer to the terminal. Be sure to take the water taxi into town from the port. Didn't find out about them until we walked into town but took the taxi back to the ship. Round trip is $7 and one-way is $5.

This port was a 15 minute walk from the shopping district, but remember it is hot during the day, so consider a taxi. We did an excursion to Maho Beach, which was fun to see the planes landing over you, but it's not a stellar beach and can be rocky at times.

This was hubby's birthday and as we have visited before he just wanted a beach day! Recommend taking the Water Taxi, $7 round-trip and runs all day. We opted to use Lizzy's Bar and this included 2 beach chairs, an umbrella, use of restaurant washrooms, wifi, and 2 rum punch drinks all for $10. A bucket of 6 beers was only $15. Hubby got coaxed into a foot massage...15mins and $40 later he was set for the day! Steep, but it's his birthday :)

Our second favorite port. Usually use the beach at Grand Bay across from the ship.

Visited: Mar 10, 2019

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My second favorite island, been a half dozen times, so on this voyage didn't leave ship, as so much to do on board.

Visited: Dec 11, 2011

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Love this port, easy to get around,took ferry ride across to do some shopping, took a guided tour around to see the Island, Had a great lunch at a restaurant near terminal, food was great had peas and rice a nd plantains

Capt. Bob boat and snorkel is awesome. Book online, not available on ship. You need to be physically healthy enough to get in and out of boat in the water. Best tour to date.

Visited: Jan 27, 2016

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Took the morning “Red open top bus tour” only went round the Dutch side of the island. Too many shop stops rum, cheese and a carousel ride with ice cream. Only spent 15 mins at Maho beach where we could have spent some time for a drink and to watch the planes coming in. Enjoyed seeing everyday life on the island but felt this was set up to sell us as much as possible. Your finished 15 mind early

St Maarten was wonderful. We did a boat tour with Captain Alan’s . Snorkeling at 2 spots and Pinel Island. Great excursion. Pinel Island was a piece of paradise!