Category: Philipsburg (St. Maarten)

GOLDEN EAGLE CATAMARAN

Enjoy snacks and an open bar while sailing in the waters of St. Maarten. Sail aboard the Golden Eagle! The first stop will be for snorkelling, after a safety briefing, jump in the water and see the tropical marine life. Next, Golden Eagle will anchor off the golden sand beach, explore the island, and look for shells in the waters. The crew will provide you with flotation and snorkel equipment. Enjoy sandwiches and a glass of champagne, with onboard music, sailing back in the waters of St. Maarten. Guests must be at least 4 years old to participate.

Please note: Minimum age requirement is 4 years old. An alternate venue may be visited depending on sea conditions at the time. All participating guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. Guests will be required to swim to reach the beach.

Sightings of marine wildlife are common but cannot be not guaranteed. At the beach, the catamaran may anchor offshore. In this case, guests may be required to swim to reach the sand

EXPLORER CRUISE & ISLAND TOUR

This tour offers a combination of a party cruise on the lagoon with an open bar and DJ as well as a narrated island drive. Depart the cruise ship pier passing the Great Salt Pond on a guided tour of the island. See historic landmarks along the way and learn about the history of St. Maarten. Enjoy approximately 45 minutes of free time in Marigot to explore the local shops and cafes or stroll along the waterfront and shop at the open-air market. From Marigot, you will drive to Simpson Bay to board the double-decker catamaran, the Explorer Boat.

Cruise Simpson Bay Lagoon passing the luxury villa’s and mega yachts which visit the many marinas situated in the waters of the lagoon. With music and drinks, you will cruise past Port de Plaissance to Simpson Bay Marina docking at the Explorer private dock where the coaches wait for the short return drive with views of the cruise ships and Philipsburg. Guests must be at least 4 years old to participate.

Please note: Guests must be at least 4 years old to participate. This tour may operate in reverse order depending on time. All participating guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English

“AMERICA’S CUP” 12 MT REGATTA

Sign up this week to experience this sailing adventure. Feel the exhilaration of the real America’s Cup regatta racing aboard the famous Stars & Stripes or contenders Canada II or True North IV as you compete in an actual race around a shortened America’s Cup course. The crew will show you what to do in your “crew members” position.

Then it’s off to the racecourse…grind a winch…trim a sail…punch a stopwatch, or just sit back, and relax. For this adventure, previous sailing experience is NOT necessary! After the race enjoy the complimentary victory rum punch party, while you browse through the souvenir boutique. Guests must be at least 9 years old to participate.

Please note: The minimum age to participate is 9 years old. A waiver is required for participation. As these boats are pure race boats, they have no toilet facilities aboard. All guests should be asked to wear comfortable, closed toe shoes.

T-shirts and shorts over a swimsuit are ideal. There is ample storage space below for beach bags, etc. and a small plastic bag to prevent a camera being splashed is a good idea. The race is only performed if there are sufficient guests to participate. If there aren’t enough guests to facilitate the race, then guests will have the option to cancel the tour or enjoy a leisurely sail instead

PANORAMIC TOUR OF ST. MAARTEN AND BEACH

During this tour, you’ll drive from today’s modern Dutch capital of Philipsburg passing the Great Salt Pond, which served to make the island “worth its salt” attracting the French. On the way to the French side, you’ll pass the Border Monument. Between 1648 and 1816, this border changed 16 times. The tour will travel through the seaside town of Grand Case, known for its architecture and exquisite restaurants then will pass through the bustling small capital of French Saint-Martin (Marigot). Then, you will arrive at one of the island’s beaches for some free time. All too soon it’s time for the drive back to be dropped off at the pier. Guests must be at least 5 years old to participate.
Please note: Bring a towel, sunscreen and sunglasses. The order of the tour may be reversed depending upon local conditions.

Traffic can be heavy at times. All beaches are public so please do not leave your personal belongings unattended. There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk. Chairs, umbrellas etc. are not included but may be available for rent from local vendors. Remember where the bus drops you off as this is where you will pick up the return. Clothing optional sunbathing may be observed throughout beaches in St. Maarten.

Guests must be at least 5 years old to participate. Presence of seaweed could cause limited visibility and be present in the water or beach. Seaweed is not harmful but may cause light itching on sensitive skin

POWER RAFTING ADVENTURE, SNORKEL & BEACH

Board a high-speed power rafting boat for foam-flying adventures around the coast of St. Maarten into Simpson Bay Lagoon. Next, snorkel a coral reef loaded with fish and marine creatures. You will pass the French capital of Marigot and see the historic Fort Louis atop the hillside. Then head to one of St. Maarten’s beaches where you can relax or take a dip in the ocean. Guests must be at least 4 years old to participate.

Please note: All snorkel gear included – mask, snorkel, buoyancy vest and fins. All participating guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. Guests must be at least 4 years old to participate.

All guests will be required to wear a lifejacket. Sightings of marine wildlife are common but cannot be not guaranteed. . At the beach, the catamaran may anchor offshore. In this case, guests may be required to swim to reach the sand

HISTORICAL PHILIPSBURG BY BICYCLE

Your guide will meet you at the entrance to the cruise ship terminal and give you a short lesson on the operation of your Trek bicycle. You will start riding along the Point Blanche Road in the capital, Philipsburg, where you will have views of the famous island of St. Barths. Your first historical stop will be The Old Courthouse, situated in the heart of Philipsburg. From there you will head to the Freedom Fighter’s Monument, Carnival Village, and the Great Salt Pond, where your guide will talk about the island’s important salt trade.

You will then cycle back to the town centre and continue along the Boardwalk until you come to the Walter Plantz Plaza, where you can enjoy a drink, take a dip in the waters of the Great Bay and take a fresh-water shower before heading back to your ship. Guests must be at least 11 years old to participate.
Please note: Please bring, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel if you plan to swim. Guests must be at least 11 years of age and 153 cm/5 ft. in height to take part. Guests must wear closed-toed sports shoes to take part in the tour. This tour requires some physical energy.

Please consult a physician if you have any concerns about your health before taking part. Parts of this tour also require cycling alongside traffic

KAYAK SNORKEL ADVENTURE

The tour leaves from Kim Sha beach after a short paddling technique demonstration by the guide. You will paddle through Simpson bay and will reach a small beach at the Pelican Resort where you will pull up your kayak and have a snorkeling instruction by your guide. You will then swim along with your guide to the shallow reef at Pelican Rock, where you will spend some time looking at the world undersea. There is a beach where you can rest if you feel the need to as well as an accompanying guide on a kayak who can assist you while snorkeling.

On the way back along the Pelican coast, the guide will point out the neighboring islands of Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Kitts that can be seen from this southern side of St. Maarten. Guests must be at least 10 years old to participate.
Please note: Guests wishing to take part in the tour should be in good physical health. Guests must be at least 10 years of age to take part; a maximum weight restriction of 113 kg/250 lbs per person applies. The tour is not available for guests with cardiac disease or back/neck injury. Pregnant women should seek their doctor’s advice before joining this tour. Sightings of marine wildlife are common, however, cannot be guaranteed

ST. MAARTEN ISLAND TOUR

Treat yourself to a few hours of fun off the ship by joining this tour of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin island. After meeting your guide at the pier, the narrated outing begins with a drive through Philipsburg, the attractive capital of the Dutch Sint Maarten, as you head for Cole Bay Hill, where views of Simpson Bay Lagoon await you. On a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of St. Kitts, Nevis, Sint Eustatius and Saba in the distance.

You’ll then travel through Cole Bay and Simpson Bay, two fishing villages, and past the airport where you might be lucky to see a plane landing before you move on to Marigot, the capital of the French Saint Martin. You’ll capture a bird eye view of this French style town before returning to your ship.
Please note: Traffic can be heavy at times. Clothing optional sunbathing may be observed throughout beaches in St. Maarten.

Clothing optional sunbathing may be observed throughout beaches in St. Maarten. This tour does not stop at Maho Beach; it only passes by and may offer a view of landing planes. Plane landings cannot be guaranteed

SWEET ST MAARTEN, MAHO & MARIGOT

One small island, two great nations, a slew of landscapes, beaches & resorts! This is the Caribbean Island of Saint Martin/St. Maarten; which is shared by two nations: France in the north and the Netherlands in the south.

Your tour begins in Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, with a coach ride that will take you along the coastal road, across the border to your first stop on the French side, Orient Beach Bay. You will spend about twenty minutes in Orient beach before heading into Marigot, the French capital of Saint Martin. In Marigot, you will have time to go shopping, visit the open-air market or take the weight off your feet at an outdoor café. Your tour then takes you to Maho Beach where you may have a chance to see aircraft flying overhead as they prepare to land at the nearby airport. On the way back to Philipsburg, take some photos during a brief stop at a hilltop viewpoint.
Please note: Plane landings cannot be guaranteed

SKY EXPLORER, FLYING DUTCHMAN, SCHOONER RIDE & ZIP LINE

Made for thrill seekers, this tour kicks off with a 30-minute coach ride to the Rockland Estate, home to an 18th-century plantation house. From here, you’ll go on another half-hour ride to the Sky Explorer cable car to reach the Crow’s Nest on Sentry Hill at an elevation of 341 m. Several platforms encircling the mountain afford all-round views of the neighbouring islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthélemy and Anguilla. After a safety briefing, you’ll then take the Flying Dutchman – a zip line course – down the mountain. Prepare for a fast and furious ride: you’ll be whizzing down the line at a speed of up to 90 km per hour (56 mph). Then take the Sky Explorer back up the top to enjoy another zip line ride en route to the Schooner Ride, from where you’ll take an inner tube down along a track. At the end, you can choose to purchase a photo or video of your adventure and explore the estate. Finally, return to the ship by coach.

Please note: Guests wishing to take part must be at least 132 cm (4 ft. 4 in.) and no more than 203 cm (6 ft. 6in) in height and at least 46 kg (100 lbs) with no more than 124 kg (275 lbs) in weight. Guests will be required to wear securely fastened closed shoes (open shoes or flip flops are not permitted). The tour is not available for pregnant women or guests with neck or back injuries and/or with heart problems. Sequence of tour may vary. During high season, long wait times may occur. Guests are informed of their estimated wait times upon arrival and then are encouraged to enjoy the 360-degree viewing platform while waiting for their turn. GoPros and handheld cameras are not permitted on the Flying Dutchman, Schooner or Zip line.

Lockers are available for rent for guests with bags larger than 14 inches wide by 6 inches high. Guests wishing to take part in only the Sky Explorer & Flying Dutchman activities are requested to book using code SMT80A; guests wishing to take part in only the Sky Explorer & Zip Line Adventure are requested to book using code SMT80B (minimum weight is 80 lbs, maximum weight is 275 lbs, same height restrictions as SMT80); guests wishing to take part in only the Sky Explorer & Schooner Ride are requested to book using code SMT80C; guests wishing to take part in only the Sky Explorer, Zip line & Schooner Ride are requested to book by using code SMT80D (minimum weight is 80 lbs, maximums weight is 275 lbs, same height restrictions as SMT80).