St. Maarten Cruise Itinerary “Dutch Side Rum Route” – Toppers & Rusty Parrot
Ahoy Pirate! If anchoring with a (cruise) ship in the Caribbean, the thing that completes this triangle is Rum. This molasses-sourced beverage is globally associated with the Caribbean – and not just because of the cliche image of the era when buccaneers roamed the coasts of St. Maarten: it is still a very popular regional drink today. All in all, Rum is an inextricable part of Caribbean culture and an obligatory element on your cruise itinerary.
One day on St. Maarten will give you the perfect timeframe to dive deep into the history, taste variety and culinary combinations that come with this landmark drink. Of the many things to do during a cruise visit on St. Maarten we selected below travel plan to end your visit as a Rum expert (and possibly, a bit tipsy of it too).
Rum From the Source At Toppers
As a morning and lunch program, book the Topper’s Rhum Distillery Tour of 11.30am, departing at the cruise port. You can choose to book the package with or without lunch at its famous namesake restaurant next door. Toppers Rhum is St. Maarten’s largest rum producing company. Over time, it has also become an island export product. The Topper’s Rhum visitor center offers informative tours about how the rum product came about. Factory tours provide a step by step idea of how the famously colored St. Maarten rhum is produced, and allows you to taste some of the wide array of tastes available.
If your ship is in early, consider a breakfast at Chesterfields before you are being picked up for the tour. If you desire an alternative lunch spot near Toppers, consider nearby Buccaneer Beach Bar.
Transport will deliver you back to the port area.
Making Your Own Rum
Part two of your Rum adventures commence close to the cruise ship at 2pm. Embark on the Rusty Parrot, a multimedia exhibition about the history of pirates, located in a styled “shipwreck” building. The Rusty Parrot organizes “Make Your Own Rum” workshops, allowing you to put all information learnt at Topper’s into practice! Time will easily allow to also take a peak in the multimedia presentation, and the magnificent view “on deck” of the ship.
If you decide to reach Topper’s on your own, consider to use a bus (Philipsburg – Maho) or taxi. Rusty Parrot is in easy walking distance of the port. The visits to Rusty Parrot and Toppers can also be reversed, but ending at Rusty Parrot next to the port allows you to enjoy your Philipsburg day to the fullest! And after such a comprehensive day of rum tasting, the good news is that you can crawl back to the cruise ship from “the Parrot”!
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