St. Maarten
Sint Maarten
Port Report Card
Port Stats
The Tea
St. Maarten is the only place in the Caribbean where you can get blasted by jet exhaust on a beach and people actually line up for it. Maho Beach, right next to Princess Juliana Airport, is one of the most Instagram-famous spots in the world — and it is genuinely as wild as the videos suggest.
The Dutch side (where the cruise port is) has great shopping in Philipsburg, but the real action is on the French side (St. Martin) with its clothing-optional beaches and superior restaurants. You can take a taxi across the border — there's no checkpoint, just a sign. Budget $15-20 each way.
Safety has improved since Hurricane Irma in 2017, but the island is still rebuilding in places. The port area in Philipsburg is safe and walkable, but watch for pickpockets on Front Street. Value-wise, it's mixed — the Dutch side has duty-free shopping, but restaurants and taxis are pricey. Split the difference and eat on the French side.
Weather by Month
| Month | Avg Temp | Rain Days | Good Weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79°F | 1 | 97% |
| Feb | 78°F | 7 | 76% |
| Mar | 79°F | 3 | 90% |
| Apr | 80°F | 10 | 67% |
| May | 82°F | 8 | 74% |
| Jun | 83°F | 7 | 77% |
| Jul | 83°F | 11 | 65% |
| Aug | 83°F | 12 | 61% |
| Sep | 83°F | 10 | 67% |
| Oct | 84°F | 8 | 74% |
| Nov | 82°F | 18 | 40% |
| Dec | 80°F | 8 | 74% |
St. Maarten on the Cruise Schedule
Three ships we track are scheduled to stop at St. Maarten on at least 93 sailings over the next 12 months. Ports of call are only recorded for some itineraries, so the real number is likely higher. Those ships sail for Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. The busiest months on the schedule are November 2026 and January 2027.
Ships Scheduled to Stop at St. Maarten
Dates are when the sailing departs its home port, not the day it reaches St. Maarten.
| Ship | Cruise Line | Sailings Stopping Here | Next Sailing | Latest CDC Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icon of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | 46 | Sep 19, 2026 | 100 |
| Carnival Magic | Carnival | 24 | Sep 27, 2026 | 96 |
| Regal Princess | Princess | 23 | Sep 19, 2026 | 98 |
More Caribbean Cruise Ports
Explore CDC inspection scores and outbreak data for every cruise ship that sails from St. Maarten.