Do cruise ships stop in St Martin?
Do cruise ships stop in St Martin? On the French side, Galisbay Port is located near Marigot. On the Dutch side, the St-Maarten Port Authority is Pointe Blanche, near Philipsburg. Every year, around 2 million cruise passengers come through the two ports of St. Martin.
Do cruise ships stop at St. Maarten?
All major cruiseliners in the world visit the St Maarten Cruise port, like Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Disney, MSC, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian, Windstar and many more.
How long does it take to get from one side of St Maarten to the other?
You can drive from one end of the island to the next in as little as 30-45 minutes (without traffic), and explore the best things to do on St Maarten.
Do all cruises stop at ports?
About 80% of all cruises end up in their port of origin, meaning that cruises are usually set up as loops. There are a growing number of homeports where passengers ican begin or end their journey. Ports of call (transit ports) are an intermediate stop en route to another destination.
Which side of St Martin is better?
In comparison to Sint Maarten, French Saint Martin is less developed, with more spread-out destinations and a quieter overall energy. The traveler hoping to relax and recharge away from the hustle and bustle of an active tourist strip would be best served picking this side of the island for their Saint Martin stay.
When not to travel to St Maarten?
The island's weather is pleasant year-round, but these are times when rain showers are less likely. Summer and early fall are not good for a vacation; many hotels close in this offseason and there's a chance of hurricanes. Also avoid visiting in winter and early spring (mid-December to April) if you can.
Can you travel freely on St Martin?
You can travel freely between this island's French and the Dutch sides, but you will need to present a passport that has at least six months remaining validity (for the French side) when you first arrive. A valid passport is all that is required to enter the Dutch side.
What is the best currency to use in St. Maarten?
Despite having two different official currencies, the US Dollar is accepted on both sides, with St. Maarten using the US Dollar the most. It is not unusual to receive change in US Dollar even when payment is made with the guilder.
Can I get off the ship on a closed-loop cruise without a passport?
If you take closed loop cruises (meaning your trip begins and ends at a U.S. port), you can sail to a variety of dreamy destinations as a U.S. citizen without a passport. For “closed-loop” cruises, U.S. citizens will need to provide: A boarding pass. A government photo I.D.
Can you get off a cruise ship without an excursion in the Caribbean?
You absolutely do not have to do shore excursions on a cruise. You are free to come and go at will from most cruise ships while they are in ports of call. Shore excursions are simply one means to explore the areas visited by the ship and to participate in available activities off the ship.
Can I get off the cruise ship in the Caribbean without a passport?
More often than not, the answer is no. U.S. citizens don't need a passport if the cruise starts and ends in the same U.S. city. This is known as a closed-loop cruise. That said, some may require a passport if you want to disembark at ports in any Caribbean destination.