Cruise Port Guide | Philipsburg, St. Maarten Excursion Review | Open Top Double Decker Bus Tour

Solo Cruising and More

Solo Cruising and More

🥉Knowledgeable

👁️ 235 views📅 4 weeks ago⏱️ 16:15

Norwegian Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean Group

MSC Cruises USA

Celebrity Cruises

Princess Cruises

What This Creator Said

2 Happy Bacon

Creator RecommendsCabin / Ship Tour🥉Knowledgeable Creator

Caribbean

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

The Dutch side is known for its lively cruise port. That's where the cruise port was. casinos, duty-free shopping, and it's pretty much a bustling atmosphere.

The French side has a more relaxed European feel with a cafes, boutique shops, and a reputation for excellent French and Caribbean cuisine.

So you really don't have to book an excursion for St. Martin. you will have plenty to do without booking an excursion.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓If you want to avoid crowds at the buffet, go early in the morning.

✓You don't necessarily need to book an excursion in Philipsburg as the port is walkable and has plenty to do.

✓When visiting Maho Beach, be prepared for crowds and consider renting chairs and umbrellas from local vendors.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Safety and ease of travel — Booking excursions through the cruise line (like Norwegian) provides peace of mind that they will get you back to the ship on time.

Navigating buffet lines — Be patient in line, move slowly to avoid bumping into others, and try to go early to get your choice of food.

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs the Open Top Double Decker Bus Tour in St. Maarten worth it?

QIs the bus tour good for seniors, families, or solo cruisers?

QWhat is the difference between the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten?

QCan you see planes fly over the beach in St. Maarten?

Topics Covered

Port Destination3½ Happy BaconExcursions1 Happy BaconValue Pricing½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Philipsburg, St. Maarten3 Happy Bacon

Top: Open Top Double Decker Bus Tour

How to read the Trip Bacon Score

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YouTube Video Description↓

Check out my Cruise Port Guide for St. Maarten. Planning a cruise to Philipsburg, Sint Maarten? In this video, we're taking the Open Top Double Decker Bus Tour to explore one of the Caribbean's most beautiful cruise ports! Join me as I show you what you'll see on the excursion, visit both the Dutch and French sides of the island, stop at scenic viewpoints, learn about the island's history, and share whether this popular cruise excursion is really worth your time and money. I also featured my niece on the World's Steepest Zipline "The Flying Dutchman" she is such a thrill seeker! If you're wondering what to do in St. Maarten, whether this excursion is a good value, or simply looking for cruise port ideas, this guide will help you decide before your next Caribbean cruise. 🚢 In this video: • Open Top Double Decker Bus Tour • Philipsburg Cruise Port • Dutch Side vs. French Side - The Worlds Steepest Zipline is in St. Maarten, "The Flying Dutchman" • Scenic overlooks and photo stops • Topper's Rhum Distillery - Amsterdam Cheese and Liquor Store • Beautiful Caribbean beaches, Maho Beach is featured • Cruise excursion review • My honest travel advisor tips and recommendations Whether you're sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, or another cruise line, St. Maarten is a port you won't want to miss! If you enjoy honest cruise tips, port guides, ship tours, solo cruising adventures, and travel inspiration, I'd love to have you join our community. Please LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to Solo Cruising and More, and turn on notifications so you don't miss future cruise adventures! Chapters: 00:00 Is this excursion worth it? 00:32 World's Steepest Ziipline "The Flying Dutchman" 01:23 Things to do in Saint Maarten without an excrusion 01:47 1st Stop Marigot Open Air Market | French Side 02:44 Saint Maarten Port Guide 04:14 Causeway Swing Bridge 04:46 Maho Beach Village 05:51 Walk to Maho Beach 06:39 Maho Beach Information | Dutch Side 08:14 Maho Beach plane flyover 08:39 Who is this excursion good for? 09:27 1st Time Cruiser advice from a 1st Time Cruiser 11:33 Double Decker Bus information 12:10 Toppers Rhum Distillery 12:57 Amerstam Cheese & Liquor Store 13:32 My honest review 14:15 Who is this tour good for? 14:48 Things to do in the port of Saint Maarten 15:25 Outro Interested in my outfit check out Stitch Fix: 👗 I will received a small profit from this link: https://www.stitchfix.com/invite/wcvpx7yrt9?utm_campaign=InviteReferral&utm_keyword_id=wcvpx7yrt9&utm_content=web&utm_medium=clipboard 🍹Topper's Rhum Distillery: https://www.toppers.sx/distillery 🧀Amersterdam Cheese and Liquor Store: https://www.visitstmaarten.com/shopping/amsterdam-cheese-and-liquor-store/ 🎶Music: Selectah Azucares: Source: Epedemic Sound 🌴 Follow My Adventures! 📘 Facebook: / carol.handy.2025 📘 Facebook: / solocruisingandmore 📸 Instagram: / chandy2555 🎵 TikTok: / Solo Cruising and More Thanks so much for watching, and I'll see you in the next video! #StMaarten #SintMaarten #Philipsburg #CruisePort #CruiseExcursion #The Flying Dutchman zipline #CaribbeanCruise #CruiseTips #Toppers Rhum Distillery#Amsterdam Chesse and Liquor Store #CruiseTravel #TravelGuide #SoloCruising #TravelAdvisor #OpenTopBusTour #CruiseLife #SoloCruisingAndMore