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Philipsburg Cruises, St Maarten

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Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge. Marigot, meanwhile, is the French capital, where you can divide your time between bistros and boutiques. Add to the mix dreamy Caribbean coves, kaleidoscopic reefs and lashings of sunshine and you’ve got all the ingredients for tropical bliss.

• Give your credit card a duty-free workout in Philipsburg. From cut-price island crafts to cutting-edge designer gear, you’ll find it all here. Front Street’s your starting point, the town’s main artery that has lanes, alleyways and courtyards leading off in all directions.
• Listen to the flutter of hundreds of tiny wings at the Butterfly Farm in Phillipsburg. This place is home to more than 40 different species, including the Tree Nymph and Blue Morph.
• Get to know the island’s underwater locals on the special Seaworld Explorer. This boat is home to an underwater observatory where you can watch sea turtles, stingrays and barracudas swim by.
• Stand on the deck of a classic yacht as the captain races around a 12-metre course faster than your opponent. The America’s Cup Sailing Regatta has been voted ‘the best excursion in the Caribbean’ for the past 10 years. Alternatively, have a go at driving an inflatable motorboat, known as a Rhino Rider.

Map of Philipsburg

SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions

Golden Eagle Catamaran Sail & Snorkel

You’ll sail along St Maarten’s tropical coastline on a luxurious catamaran on this trip. We’ll navigate across the sea, spotting the pretty villages and rocky coves that are peppered along the coast. You’ll be treated to an open bar, so you can sip rum punch in the sunshine. The catamaran will drop anchor once we reach a quiet, sugar-white beach. Then, the time is yours to spend as you like. Stroll along the shoreline, relax on a sunbed, or join the guides for a snorkelling tour in the Caribbean Sea. After you’ve towelled down, you’ll be served a baguette. And on the way back, you’ll chill out to a calypso soundtrack. On our return to the ship, we’ll pass the island’s famous airport – the runway here is right by a beach, and landing planes approach at a really low altitude.

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Ultimate Beach & Snorkel by Power Boat

This trip takes you to some of St Maarten’s best beaches and snorkelling spots. Setting off in a power boat, we’ll race along the coast into Simpson Bay – the Caribbean’s largest natural lagoon. Your expert guide will give you some facts about the divided island, and will point out the million-dollar mansions and yachts that edge the water. We’ll take a break at one of the island’s top snorkelling locations, where you can swim among shoals of tropical fish. We’ll then head to an unspoiled white-sand beach for an hour of free time. You’ll have the chance to get back into the water for more snorkelling, or relax on the sun-baked sands. When it’s time, we’ll speed back to the port and re-embark the ship.

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Scenic Coastal Hike

This laid-back walking tour takes you along the natural trail between Guana Bay and Geneve Bay, on St Maarten’s east coast. We’ll ramble along a thin coastal track, through grassy fields and along rocky paths that run parallel to the rugged shoreline. You’ll come across plenty of photo opportunities on the way – your guide will point out the area’s plant life, including the cacti that cloak the landscape, and you’ll spot the neighbouring island of St Barth’s on the horizon. We’ll stop for a rest once we reach Geneve Bay. This beach is known as the island’s natural swimming pool, thanks to tide pools that are guarded from the waves by huge rock formations. After, we’ll about-turn and head back to Guana Bay. We’ll enjoy a celebratory drink on the sand before we head back to the ship.

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