Currency
Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG)
Language
Dutch, English
Time Zone
AST (UTC-4)
Best Time to Visit
Dec–Mar
Typical Duration
7-14 nights
Price Range
$255.50–$17,394 per person
Port Type
Departure & Port of Call
Tender Port
No
Philipsburg is a premier Caribbean cruise hub offering duty-free shopping, pristine beaches, and easy access to nearby island destinations, making it ideal for both embarkation and port calls.
Cruises that visit Philipsburg
- cruises to Philipsburg
- Philipsburg sailings
- Philipsburg cruises
- 7-night Explora Journeys cruise
- 7-night MSC Cruises cruise
- 7-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 7-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 7-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 7-night Explora Journeys cruise
- 7-night MSC Cruises cruise
- 7-night MSC Cruises cruise
- 7-night Silversea cruise
- 7-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 7-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 7-night Disney Cruise Line cruise
- 7-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 7-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 7-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 7-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 7-night MSC Cruises cruise
- 7-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 7-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 7-night Explora Journeys cruise
- 7-night MSC Cruises cruise
- 7-night Norwegian Cruise Line cruise
- 7-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 7-night Royal Caribbean International cruise
- 7-night Atlas Ocean Voyages cruise
- 7-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
- 7-night Celebrity Cruises cruise
Build Your Day in Philipsburg
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 6:00 PM
Usually about 10 hours ashore
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Port Of St. Maarten
This is a beautiful island, the French and Dutch side.
Rainforest Adventure
The views of Sint Maarten are incredible.
Main Cruise Terminal St Maarten
It’s located on the Dutch side of the island.
Open now
Chesterfields | Restaurant & Bar
Good food, good drinks with a spectacular views of the ocean.
Emilio's...Dine with History
A must dining experience while at St Martin on the Dutch side of the island!
Closes soon · 3 PM
Greenhouse
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Nowhere Special
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 4 PM
Dinghy Dock Sailors Bar
Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery
Palapa Hidden Oasis SXM
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Closed · Opens 6 PM
Lazy Lizard Restaurant & Craft Bar
Honestly the best food in St. Maarten🥹 We ate everything within 5 minutes.
La Terrasse Rooftop Restaurant
Dine-in·Drive-through·No-contact delivery
Closes soon · 3 PM
Dutch Blonde Beach Bar & Restaurant
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery
Astra
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery
Island-Sightseeing.com
Excellent tour of St. Maarten, both Dutch side and French side.
Taloula Mango’s / Blue Bitch Bar
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Jimmy's The Original Fat Boy BBQ
Takeout·No delivery
Layback Beach Bar & Grill
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Fort Amsterdam
Historical place in Sint Maarten on the Dutch side.
Big Bastaard's Beach Bar
This is our family's must-do in Sint Maarten.
BOLD BUDDHA - Caribbean Fusion
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery
Coffee Lounge
Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery
Sint Rose Shopping Mall
Nice variety of stores and well stocked pharmacy
Open · Closes 6 PM
Marley's Sports Bar & Grill
Dine-in·Takeout
Biggy's Central
Dine-in·Takeout
Ocean Lounge Restaurant - At Holland House
Dine-in·No delivery
Phillipsburg, Sint Maarten
Onsite services
Simple Tingz
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery
The French Touch
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Lizzy's Beach Bar
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Dirty Sanchez Crew Bar
Onsite services
Caribbean Blend
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Boardwalk Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
Not crowded and plenty of things to do.
3Angle Bar
Dine-in·Drive-through
Closed · Opens 5 PM
Aziana | Asian Fusion
They also have Dutch kaassoufflé
Philipsburg Market
I was able to find some items to bring home a souvenirs.
Freedom Fighter's Ital Shack
Dine-in·Takeout
Juggie's Place
Onsite services
Super Plaza
A department store with plentiful choices and options.
Open · Closes 6:35 PM
LUXBAR SXM
Onsite services
Sint Maarten National Heritage Foundation & Museum
Island heritage exhibits & a gift shop
Pirana Joe St. Maarten Front Street
Owner was very accommodating, Store was well stocked and nicely laid out.
Open · Closes 5:30 PM
Flaco Cafè - St. Maarten
Dine-in·Curbside pickup
Gingerbread Cafe
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Lucky Shopping Center
Great variety of name brand items at reasonable prices.
Open · Closes 8 PM
Irie Gardens
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Sea Trek Helmet Diving
Underwater tours with specialty helmets
Caribbean Blue
Dine-in·Takeout
Cocky Turtle Beach Bar & Restaurant
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Under SXM
This is definitely a must if you ever come to St Maarten.
Salt | Restaurant + Bar
Dine-in·Takeout
Le café
Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery
Closes soon · 3 PM
Divan Café
Dine-in·Takeout
Closed · Opens 7 AM Thu
Grumpy's
No delivery
Paper Moon
Dine-in·Takeout
Soho Beach Sxm
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
The Salt Pickers
Double Dutch Cafe
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery
The Sugar Mill Cafe
Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery
Sint Rose Beach Bar
Dine-in·No delivery
Captain's Duty Free Shop
Prices are sooo much cheaper than at home.
Open · Closes 5:30 PM
Hon Hon Hon Bar & Restaurant
Dine-in·No delivery
Phillipsburg, St Martin
Onsite services
Open now
Spirit of St. Maarten
Food was great and snorkeling was so much fun.
Bayside Pizza
Dine-in·Curbside pickup·Delivery
Closed · Opens 4 PM
Island Barista
Dine-in·Takeout
VISIT St. Maarten / St. Martin
Rum and Reggae Beach Break
Dine-in
I left my heart in St. Maarten - Wall Mural
CITY MALL
Open · Closes 7 PM
Crazy Coconut Beach Café
We ordered oxtails and rice and peas.
Shoppers Stop St.Maarten
Lovely souvenirs for friends ❤ and family back home.
Open · Closes 6 PM
Great Bay beach
Le Dutch - Delft Blue shop
Really enjoyed shopping there
Open · Closes 5 PM
Walter Plantz Square
Landmark Variety Outlet
we had a great chat, and were able to purchase some sunglasses.
Open · Closes 6:30 PM
Carribean Jerk
The smoked jerk chicken is MELT off the bone good.
St Maarten
Sip n Chill Bar & Grill
Closed · Opens 4 PM
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
Philipsburg
is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here —
it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.
About Philipsburg
Philipsburg, the charming capital of Dutch Sint Maarten, stands as a vibrant Caribbean cruise hub welcoming 15 major cruise lines and over 1,000 sailings annually. While primarily a port of call destination, Philipsburg serves as an ideal embarkation point for week-long Caribbean itineraries exploring nearby islands like Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts, and Antigua. The port's excellent accessibility and frequent service from premium operators including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Silversea make it a favorite among cruise travelers seeking island-hopping adventures throughout the eastern Caribbean.
Stepping ashore in Philipsburg rewards visitors with immediate charm and convenience. The compact downtown waterfront puts duty-free shopping, local restaurants, and colorful colonial architecture within easy walking distance of the cruise terminal. Whether you're seeking a leisurely beach day, exploring the island's Dutch heritage, or simply enjoying fresh Caribbean cuisine, Philipsburg delivers authentic island experiences without the hassle of lengthy port transfers.
Stepping ashore in Philipsburg rewards visitors with immediate charm and convenience. The compact downtown waterfront puts duty-free shopping, local restaurants, and colorful colonial architecture within easy walking distance of the cruise terminal. Whether you're seeking a leisurely beach day, exploring the island's Dutch heritage, or simply enjoying fresh Caribbean cuisine, Philipsburg delivers authentic island experiences without the hassle of lengthy port transfers.
Cruise Lines at Philipsburg
- MSC Cruises (491 cruises)
- Royal Caribbean International (248 cruises)
- Emerald Cruises (104 cruises)
- Norwegian Cruise Line (72 cruises)
- Celebrity Cruises (71 cruises)
- Viking Ocean Cruises (59 cruises)
- Virgin Voyages (58 cruises)
- Oceania Cruises (36 cruises)
- Explora Journeys (33 cruises)
- Silversea (6 cruises)
- Disney Cruise Line (5 cruises)
- Atlas Ocean Voyages (3 cruises)
- Swan Hellenic (1 cruise)
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (1 cruise)
Cruises Departing From Philipsburg
Cruises Visiting Philipsburg
Ship Schedule at Philipsburg
Philipsburg Location
Other Cruise Ports in Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do in Philipsburg during a port stop?
Explore Front Street's shops, dine at waterfront cafes, and walk the Great Bay boardwalk.
Is Philipsburg a walkable port city?
Yes, most attractions near the ship are within walking distance, especially around Great Bay.
What currency is used in Philipsburg?
US dollars are widely accepted; credit cards are common, and some shops take other currencies.
When is the best time to visit Philipsburg?
Cruise days bring bustle on Front Street; mornings or late afternoons can be calmer.