St. Maarten Welcomes Cruise Ships after Post-Hurricanes
Are you still pessimistic about the reconstruction stage on the island of St. Maarten? Do you still have your vacation plans on hold? We are bringing the latest news to you!
St. Maarten, a stalwart of Caribbean cruising has welcomed the first commercial cruise ship Viking Ocean to its shores on December 5. The first passengers were welcomed by a banner with appearances from a local steel drum band, stilt walkers, Carnival queens, and dancers, while ministry and port officials greeted as passengers disembarked. On the second consecutive day, passengers eagerly flock to Phillipsburg on Great Bay to explore and rediscover island post-Hurricane Irma. As current, 10 official dates of 4, 5, 8, 17, 19, 25, 26, 27, 29, and 31 from cruise ships are scheduled to visit the friendly island of St. Maarten with Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Grandeur of the Seas and Vikings. Disney Fantasy cruise ship will be returning to the destination in January 2018. The vessel will also be making several port calls in February and March. Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line are all scheduled to return to St. Maarten in January 2018. Celebrity Cruises will return on February 6, 2018.
Photo by Port of Sint Maarten
Don’t want to arrive by vessel?
St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport is officially open to the public as well! Air France announced a non-stop flight schedule between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and St. Maarten. Special flights will be operated during the Christmas holiday period on December 23 2017 and January 6 2018
Where to stay? What to eat? And what to do?
While still in recovery efforts, St. Maarten still wants to ensure that your stay remains phenomenal. Businesses including many restaurants and hotels are beginning to reopen their doors, beaches are being cleaned, and infrastructure repairs taking place. Kim Sha Beach is designated a temporary activity area for cruise lines. You will enjoy vending stalls, beach activities, and places to kick back and relax. Restaurants provide free chairs and umbrellas when you order food and beverages.
Confused on where to start your vacation bookings? Look no more, we have done the research for you! Guests are encouraged to contact individual properties for more details.
Where to stay?
In Simpson Bay:
- Atrium Beach Resort
- Commodore Suites
- Baker’s Suites
- Travel Inn Hotel
- Simpson Bay Suites
- El Zafiro Boutique Hotel
- Mary’s Boon Beach Plantation Resort
In Dawn Beach:
- Princess Heights Luxury Condo Hotel
In Philipsburg:
- Alicia’s Inn
- Horizon View Beach Hotel
In Grand Case:
- Bleu Emeraude Residence
Apartments:
- Aazure Apartment Porto Cupecoy
- La Ida Beachfront Apartments in Simpson Bay
Where to eat?
In Simpson Bay:
- Cafe Atlantico
- Garden Market S’bay, serving buffets
- Sucriere Bakery & Pastries
- Avantika
- Bavaria
- Beirut
- Boathouse
- Buccaneer Beach Bar
- Burger King
- Cafe Atlantico
- Dinghy Dock
- Dominos Pizza
- Isola
- Hollywood Cafe
- Jan’s Kitchen
- Jeckle & Hide
- Lebanese Cuisine
- Luna Rossa
- Maia
- Pineapple Pete
- SXM Yacht Club Bar
- The Greenhouse
- Sunrise Snackbar
- Toppers
In Philipsburg:
- Cake House
- Abu Ghazi Shwarma & Kebab House
- Banks Bar
- Buffalo Wings
- Cafe Rembrandt
- Coloseum Casino
- Dominos Pizza
- Foo Ho Chinese Restaurant
- Holland House
- Hong Kong restaurant
- Mark’s Place
- Mo’s Snackcorner
- Mr. K’s Cigar Lounge
- The Greenhouse
In Pelican:
- Isola
- The Greenhouse
In Cole Bay:
- Burger King
- Fai Wong
- Kebab House
- Melange Grill
In Cupecoy:
- Corner Grill Bar
- Ernest & Fidel Porto, serving buffet for lunch and dinner
- Little Beirut
- Rendezvous
In Maho:
- Little Mobay
- Red Piano
In Marigot:
- le Yacht Club
- O Plongeoir
- le Bateau Lavoir
- Super U Supermarket Howell Center
- le Grand ST Martin
- la Terrasse au West Indies
- le Bar de la Mer
- le Gou-T
- Le Patio Cafe
- le Rice
- le Grillardin Boucherie
- la Petite Cour
In Sandy Ground:
- Pizzeria Route
In Hope Estate:
- Chez Maguy
In Orient Bay:
- Silver
- Chez Pierrot
- Alamanda
- le Rancho Del Sol Baie
In Grand Case:
- LOLO’S
- Les Bains Tapas & Bar
Supermarkets
In Cole Bay:
- Carrefour
- Prime Wholesale in Cole Bay
- Willys Supermarket, serving daily breakfast & lunch buffet
- Zee Best, serving bakery & breakfast
In Philipsburg:
- Fairway Market
Need a bit more adventure? Book your ticket, and experience the nearby sister islands of Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Kitts & Nevis for an added plus to your vacation! Hope that you are much better informed of the recovery progress on the friendly island of St. Maarten and we look forward to seeing you soon!
