Philipsburg, St. Maarten Port Reviews

Watching the planes fly overhead to land right behind you at the Maho Beach was fantastic.

Visited: Apr 06, 2019

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LOVED this port. We did an excursion called "the race" We had to take about a 1 minute boat ride to the docks on main st. It was set up just like the tv show "Amazing Race". My family (me 47, husband 50, daughters 14 & 24) were our own team. We ended up winning after running through the town and streets for 3-1/2 miles. My favorite part was having to interact with the locals during this excursion. They were SO nice and friendly!!!

Visited: Jan 13, 2019

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St. Maarten was hands down our favorite port on this cruise. We did the ATV Adventure with the Blue Bubble Dive Shop, which allowed us to not only "see", but also really "EXPERIENCE" both the French and the Dutch sides of the Island. Our tour was early, meeting at 9:00am (we had some confusion about this, since the excursion ticket said that the tour time was 9:00, but had instructions for meeting a shuttle. We were unsure if we were supposed to meet the shuttle at 9:00, or meet the shuttle early and be at the Blue Bubbles Dive shop location at 9:00. MEET THE SHUTTLE AT 9:00!) Disembarkation in St. Maarten was SMOOTH, the dock was clear and open of people, so we got some great photos. The shopping center right off the dock was also more spacious than in St. Thomas, and felt a little better set up. We had no problems finding the meeting place for the shuttle, and so didn't have to pay for a taxi (thank you Blue Bubbles!) again. We were able to fill out paperwork while waiting on the shuttle. We did have to provide our Drivers License information. The excursion itself was VERY well done. Once everyone had arrived (It was a large group, probably 20-25 people, some single riders and some double riders, and no one other than my husband and I had ever ridden an ATV before), Blue Bubbles provided us with water bottles to take on the excursion, and we got on the ATVs and started through the city. Unfortunately, several of the mothers on double riders with their children had a hard time keeping up and were causing our tour to spread out and block traffic, posing a danger to themselves and St. Maarten natives. Our guide handled the matter very professionally, explaining the problem to them and telling them he'd give them one more chance to keep up, or he'd have to send them back. We went off road for a little while then, which was FUN! Unfortunately, the women were still not comfortable keeping up, so at the top of the dirt road, Dwight stopped our party and asked who wanted to return to the Blue Bubbles dive shop and try something else for the day. Several of the women decided they would go. Dwight apologized extensively to the rest of the group for the delay, and to their other group partners for needing to send them back. I can't speak for everyone in the party, but my husband and I agree he made the right choice, and we enjoyed the tour much more because of his difficult decision. While waiting for a taxi to come pick up the women, we got some great pictures! After that, the rest of the group KEPT UP and we FLEW around the island in an exhilarating ride, going through the center of little towns and seeing apartments, hovels, normal houses, and mansions as well as local stores, chain stores common in the USA, grocery stores, ship graveyards, wrecked ships just laying on shore after hurricanes, etc. We stopped at Sunset Beach, near the Princess Juliana airport and spent about 20 minutes there enjoying the seating right over the beach and watching the low landing planes. Then, we opted out of shopping in the main French Tourism area to go to the Nude Beach. Dwight DID check with everyone to make sure EVERYONE was agreeable before we went there. The drive out to the beach was again filled with perfect Caribbean sites. We returned to the Blue Bubbles dive shop and were provided with Rum Punch (REAL, ISLAND RUM PUNCH) and access to the Dive Shop's private beach. We'd definitely visit St. Maarten and take this same tour again. We were in capable hands the entire time with Dwight and Joshua, and were able to experience the Island in a way few non-natives can. Blue Bubbles provided transportation back to the port as well, and saved us close to $40 for the two way transportation. My husband has been on many cruises and excursions all around the world, and this one ranks as his #1! Once back at the port, returning to the ship was again easy. We were able to walk right on without waiting in long lines.

Visited: Jun 29, 2019

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Shopping port for us. Some of the best jewelry stores in the entire Caribbean. This was my wife's favorite stop. She got a couple of beautiful pieces from Balerina Jewelers on Front Street. Ask for Ravi. He took great care of us. The prices are reasonable and the items are beautiful.

Visited: Apr 06, 2019

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The best stop on the whole agenda love saint Martin would love to go back there again it was beautiful clean and friendly

Visited: Sep 08, 2019

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Looking for a great excursion? Choose the Ship wreck Snorkel. You’ll see abundant fish, a sunken helicopter and a couple of ship wrecks. Definitely economical & worth it!!

We struck out on our own here, taking a taxi to Orient Beach. The devastation caused by the hurricanes last year was heart breaking but tourism is slowly bringing it back to life. The beach itself was clean, not crowded, one small beach bar at the end we were on, and yes, clothing was optional at that end. Getting a taxi there and back cost about $40.00 there and back for two people.

Did Loterie Farm Treetop Adventure and completely loved it! Was so much fun. It’s hard and not for people that are scared of heights. You walk across cables suspended between trees and some zip lines! WEAR BUG SPRAY!!!

We enjoyed our time here. The people were very friendly. We would go go again. We did a little boat and land tour and enjoyed it. Lots of butterflies and iguanas.

We went to the beach in the left of the ferry dock, rented 2 chairs & an umbrella from a local, and had a great day in the beach. Highly recommended the Blue Bitch Bar on the Boardwalk for a great meal.

Visited: Jul 28, 2018

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