The Boardwalk Blog
St. Maarten cruise & port guides
Local, no-nonsense guides to spending your hours in Philipsburg — what to do, where to swim, which excursions are worth it, and where to eat. Written by the crew at the Thirsty Pirate.
St. Maarten Cruise Port Guide: Where Ships Dock, the Water Taxi and Getting Into Philipsburg
Cruise ships dock at Point Blanche, a short hop from downtown Philipsburg. Here's how the port works, how to get into town, and how to make it back before all-aboard.
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Travel TipsSt. Maarten Currency: Dollars, Guilders, Euros and Tipping
Do you need to change money for St. Maarten? Usually not. Here's how dollars, guilders and euros work on each side of the island, plus cards, ATMs, service charges and tipping.
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Food & DrinkRum Punch and Guavaberry: What to Drink in St. Maarten
Rum punch is the drink everyone orders in St. Maarten, and guavaberry is the one locals are proud of. Here's what's in each, a classic rum punch recipe to take home, and where to try both on the Philipsburg boardwalk.
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Cruise & PortHow Much Time Do You Really Have in Port? A St. Maarten Cruise Day Plan
Most cruise passengers misjudge their port day. Here's how much time you really have in St. Maarten, how to read your all-aboard, and a stress-free hour-by-hour Philipsburg plan.
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BeachesThe Best Beaches Near the Philipsburg Cruise Port
From the sand right off the boardwalk to the famous plane-spotting at Maho, here are the best beaches near the Philipsburg cruise port — and which ones actually fit a port day.
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Food & DrinkWhere to Eat in Philipsburg: Boardwalk Food Near the Cruise Port
Hungry off the ship? Here's where to eat on the Philipsburg boardwalk — the beach-bar grills, fresh seafood and frozen drinks that make a cruise-day lunch worth lingering over.
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The Best St. Maarten Excursions for Cruise Passengers
Catamaran sails, snorkel trips, island drives and planes over Maho Beach — here are the St. Maarten excursions worth your port day, and how to fit one in without cutting it close.
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Cruise & PortThings to Do in St. Maarten on a Cruise Port Day (2026 Guide)
Off the ship in Philipsburg with a few hours to spare? Here's how to spend a perfect St. Maarten cruise day — from Great Bay Beach to Front Street shopping — without wasting a minute.