ST Maarten vs St. Martin | Royal Caribbean Shore Excursion
Key Moments
Editorial Summary
The creators compare the Dutch side of St. Martin, specifically Phillipsburg, with the French side, focusing on Orient Beach. They observe that the Dutch side, where cruise ships dock, experienced a decline in shopping activity due to the impacts of previous hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. While many main strip stores were closed during their January 2022 visit, they suggest exploring local family businesses one block off the main strip for better deals. The creators recommend walking from the port to the main beach in Phillipsburg to enjoy the water and activities. In contrast, the creators express high praise for the French side, describing Orient Beach as stunning with numerous beautiful beaches. They highlight the quality of shore excursions on the north side, including bus tours that provide historical context. They also note the presence of ruins from recent hurricanes which serve as unique backdrops for photography. Ultimately, the creators conclude that the French side is the superior destination for beach lovers and those seeking a beautiful coastal experience.
Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.
How This Review Compares
This review is in line with the all-time creator consensus.
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
the french side versus the dutch side who's got the best beach you're gonna love this video
the shopping was a disappointment i have to be honest in all of the times of coming to saint martin there was just a buzz of activity
our recommendation everyone until things get turned around in phillipsburg is to definitely get set up with a shore excursion or head over to the beach
the saint martin in the north is absolutely stunning and there is so many great places to go
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Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
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