Newsbreak ranks St. Maarten As Top Kid-Friendly Caribbean Port of Call
Newsbreak: A Family-Friendly Cruise Stop
In a recent Newsbreak blog, St. Maarten’s Philipsburg port was listed among the top three Eastern Caribbean ports of call.
Clearly, Visit St. Maarten / St. Martin is in agreement! However, there are many more reasons why this is the case than just the beach clubs and French villages mentioned. There is much more that makes St. Maarten a favorite among cruise visitors, leading to numerous awards from Porthole and CruiseCritic.
Kids (and Parents) Fun
Some additional notes on why St. Maarten is a kid friendly port of call, and how to use those qualities on your day here:
Walkable City Trip
For starters, the cruise port is within walking distance of Philipsburg. Walking is also convenient for families with a stroller. It is only a five-minute walk along a concrete footpath from the port to Philipsburg. From there, the boardwalk alongside begins, providing an easy and enjoyable space for families to stroll.
Safe
Secondly, the island is considered to be among the safest the in the region. Combined with affordable price levels, this makes a stop here a great opportunity for families to leave the ship and explore together.
Things to do
Then, the port of call St. Maarten is praised for the large variety of things to do on a cruise port of call. Many of these are used to smaller guests. Whether you stay near the port or venture out, there are many activities available that are perfect for younger visitors. See our dedicated page with family friendly advice for activities and beaches.
Boardwalk fun
As St. Maarten has been popular amongst cruise passengers for over 50 years, it created a miles long boardwalk in 2006 to provide space for larger groups like your family to walk without challenges. When staying around the boardwalk, consider enjoying locally made island ice cream (gelato) at Luciano’s or renting a beach chair and umbrella for a swim. Shopping is readily available on Front Street behind the boardwalk. Big Bastards offers a series of floaties for free; Seaview Beach Bar puts a pool in the mix. At Walter Plantz Square, the fountains are popular with children, while parents can enjoy lunch at The Pier. Older kids will have fun in the Caribbean’s only escape rooms!
Snorkeling
If cosmopolitan Great Bay alongside the capital feels too busy for your children, consider Little Bay Beach on the opposite side of Fort Amsterdam. Like Great Bay, the waves are calm here, and beach clubs and amenities are plentiful. Floaties, beach chairs, and umbrellas can be rented as packages. Snorkeling is also excellent here.
So even better than Newsbreaks summary, St. Maarten offers a unique combination of convenience, safety, affordability, activities, and beautiful beaches for children, making it one of the Caribbean’s top cruise destinations for families. See when your ship is in the St. Maarten port!
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