What Is Open in St. Maarten When Cruise Ships Are in Port?

Planning Your Time in St. Maarten

Opening times on weekdays, weekends and low season.

If you are arriving in St. Maarten on a cruise ship soon, or if your ship is departing (or “homeporting”) from the island, you may already be planning what to do during your day or days in port.

Research by the St. Maarten hospitality and Trade Association has shown that St. Maarten is known as one of the Caribbean’s best shopping and culinary destinations. This naturally makes visitors wonder: what is open during my visit? The answer depends mainly on three situations.

Short answer: almost everything visitors need is open when cruise ships are in port, especially on weekdays and year round. Restaurants, shops, taxis, beaches, and many St. Maarten shore excursions are used to working around cruise ship schedules. The main exceptions are some weekend opening hours, in some cases seasonal maintenance periods in September, and individual businesses taking a day off.

1. One Day Cruise Visits on Weekdays

The largest number of cruise ships in the Caribbean depart from and return to the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area during the weekends. This means that many vessels visiting the St. Maarten cruise port do so during the week.

With rare exceptions right after summer (see below), you will find that most excursions and restaurants of your choice will be open during your visit. As one of the major regional cruise ports, the island is accustomed to receiving visitors from cruise ships and adjusts logistics and opening hours accordingly.

That does not mean every excursion operates every day, as in some cases shops and their employees still need days off during the week. However, closing days are more likely to take place on weekends. If you have a specific activity, beach club or jewelry store in mind, it is always helpful to check their opening hours and contact them in advance.

If you are not looking for anything specific, rest assured that there will be plenty of culinary hotspots and stores open. Philipsburg, the main cruise port town, is only a fifteen minute stroll from your point of disembarkation and is just as much catered to cruise passengers and their schedules as it is to visitors staying on the island in resorts,  hotels or villas.

2. Homeporting & Cruise visits on Weekends

As in many other societies, opening hours on weekends may differ. This is even more the case because these are the days when island resorts and hotels welcome new guests and bid farewell to departing ones. For some businesses and workers, it is an opportunity to take a well deserved day off after an otherwise busy week.

That does not mean there is nothing to do. Many excursions and restaurants remain open regardless. After all, islanders like to enjoy a great weekend too and especially in winter cruise ships are common on these days too. Some of these are longer voyages including Philipsburg as port of call, others depart and return from here (homeporting).

If you are homeporting from St. Maarten, it is generally advised to arrive a few days in advance. Besides allowing you to settle in before your Caribbean journey begins, this gives you a great opportunity to explore your departure destination and enjoy the many things the island has to offer. Since the island is compact in size, you will be able to reach the cruise port well on time for your departure, no matter where you stay.

Beaches on both the Dutch side and French side are public and have no closing times. So even if a certain restaurant or shop would be closed, consider making that day a beach day. Attractions like Maho Beach with airplanes landing and departing in a spectacular fashion> clearly are available too.

3. September and a Bit of October

September is the month when the island resets after its busy winter and summer seasons. However, this generally has little impact on the events calendar or the large number of excursions and restaurants available. Given availability of tours and the somewhat more tranquil nature of the island in this timeframe, you could even argue this is the best month to visit St. Maarten / St. Martin.

Only a few beach clubs in Philipsburg and Orient Bay are known to use this period to make improvements and adjustments before the winter season begins around Thanksgiving, when many cruise ships return from their summer itineraries to the warmer Caribbean. Some activities reduce frequency somewhat.

As with weekends, it makes sense to check whether your favorite restaurant or shop is open, but chances are high that it will be!

Further planning tips

In all situations – be it busy cruise ship days in winter or possibly reduced activity offers in September, it is highly recommended to book well in advance.

If you are planning to take a taxi, consider to download the taxi app. Buses also run frequently during the day, with its main station near the cruise port.

If you are after shopping bargains, restaurant or excursion deals or other on-shore activity inspiration, download the free Visit VIP pass for discounts on offer, or have some pre-holidays bidding fun at StMaartenauction.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are shops open in St. Maarten when cruise ships are in port?

Yes. Most shops in St. Maarten are open when cruise ships arrive, especially on weekdays. Philipsburg is particularly geared toward cruise visitors, with Front Street jewelry stores, souvenir shops, and many local businesses adjusting their opening hours to cruise schedules.

Are restaurants open when cruise ships visit St. Maarten?

Yes. Most restaurants, beach bars, and culinary hotspots are open on cruise ship days. Popular areas such as Philipsburg, Simpson Bay, and Orient Bay welcome both cruise visitors and guests staying on the island.

Is everything open in St. Maarten on weekends?

Not necessarily, but likely during your cruise visit. Weekend opening hours can vary more than during weekdays, as some businesses use these days for rest or maintenance. However, many restaurants, excursions, shops, and attractions remain open.

Are excursions available every day when cruise ships are in port?

Most popular excursions operate according to cruise ship schedules, but not every excursion is available every single day. If you have a specific activity in mind, it is best to check availability in advance .

Is Philipsburg open when cruise ships arrive?

Yes, in most cases, but somewhat depending on your arrival time. Philipsburg is the main cruise town of St. Maarten and is well prepared for cruise visitors. The Boardwalk, Great Bay Beach, Front Street shopping area, restaurants, bars, and many attractions are within walking distance of the cruise port.

What is open in St. Maarten in September?

September is generally a quieter month after the busy winter and summer seasons. Most restaurants, shops, and excursions remain open, although some smaller beach clubs may temporarily close for renovations, maintenance, or staff holidays before the winter season begins. In a few cases this also pertains to October.

Do I need to book everything in advance when visiting St. Maarten from a cruise ship?

Not always. Many visitors enjoy exploring the island independently, taking a taxi, visiting a beach, shopping in Philipsburg, or choosing a restaurant on the day. However, booking ahead is recommended for popular restaurants, private tours, or specific experiences both when the island is bustling and when it is less busy.

Is St. Maarten easy to explore without an excursion?

Yes. St. Maarten is a compact island with many attractions that are easy to reach by taxi or public transportation. Cruise visitors can enjoy beaches, shopping, restaurants, viewpoints, and historic sites independently while keeping an eye on their ship’s departure time.