Disembarking in St Maarten

I just booked the Wind Surf in Dec and am wondering how to spend hours until flight time.

My flight on Jet Blue is around 3 in the afternoon; and I have no intention of sitting in the airport terminal all day.

If I get off the ship around 8AM and have to be at the airport about 1:30, that leaves about 5 hours to kill.

I would love to go to the beach, but then getting cleaned up before flying poses a logistical problem.

Has anyone found a way to kill time awaiting their afternoon flight? A tour, a hotel that provides shower access?

Thanks

Tom

I'm guessing you're leaving from Princess Julianna Airport in Philipsburg (sp?) at the south end of the island. The pier is probably 30 minutes from the airport by cab. The boardwalk along the beach is not that far BUT a rugged walk with luggage: narrow, busy roadway and no sidewalks. It's 5 minutes by cab. Ask to be dropped at the Greenhouse restaurant / ferry landing area and from there, a short easy walk around the bend to the left, to the boardwalk and the beach. On your right, at the bend: a big casino.

Lots of nice beach, lots of funky (and good) places to eat & drink, many beach toys to rent and sometimes some live entertainers, plus shops and ice cream spots.

Royal Pasanggrahan hotel's bar is one of the first really nice one you'll come to (about a block from ferry landing) and it is open-air, very tropical feel and great guavaberry coladas! The guavaberry is native on the island, and those coladas are fabulous...if you already like pina coladas, that is. Pasanggrahan might let you leave your luggage there for a small fee; woudn't hurt to ask. Especially if you use the hotel's bar!

Note: Greenhouse restaurant is an excellent place to eat, drink, people watch, just veg. Varied, large menu, good food and prices.

The ferry landing: It's a people ferry, and it may come from the pier. I don't know anything about it.

Add re my previous reply: All was said presuming Wind Surf goes out of and comes into Philipsburg pier (Dutch side of island). If it uses north end of the island (French side), you'll need someone else's input!

Add re my previous reply: All was said presuming Wind Surf goes out of and comes into Philipsburg pier (Dutch side of island). If it uses north end of the island (French side), you'll need someone else's input!

All three Surf Caribbean itins for December list the port as Philipsburg, so I'd presume that's where you'll be docking.

It may not be the beach time you want, but for the one itin. I checked they are offering a "tour and the airport drop" for only $59, which might be an option. Here's a description:

St. Maarten: Island Tour with Transfer

Activity Level: Easy

The best way to experience 80 different cultures in one day is to take the “Saint-Martin/Saint-Maarten Island Tour.” You will depart from Philipsburg and head to Oyster Pond. You will stop at a picturesque lookout point before driving through the countryside of Orient Bay where the beaches are famous for their clothing. You will stop at Paradise View, a lovely bar/restaurant perched atop a hill. You will head to Marigot where you will have an hour to shop at the French-side capital known for its high-end shops and local market. Your last stop will be at Cay Hill before you will stop back in Philipsburg, the perfect place for souvenir and jewelry shopping. You will be encouraged to bargain! Enjoy your time in Philipsburg before you head to the airport for your trip home.

They'll load the luggage onto the bus when you leave the ship, tour you around and then drop at the airport. You would want to check on the arrival time at the airport, since I'm guessing your 1:30 flight would be too early.

There is also a Sailboat-themed tour for $139:

St. Maarten: America's Cup Sailboat Racing with Transfer

Activity Level: Moderate

Experience the thrill of racing multi-million dollar America’s Cup Race sailboats in the warm blue waters and brisk trade winds of St. Maarten. Previous sailing experience is not necessary for this excursion, which is one of the highest rated in the Caribbean. You will depart directly from the Philipsburg Pier, where after a briefing you will take a 10-minute tender ride out to your allocated sailboat. Either Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup winning Stars & Stripes, Canada II, or True North are yours for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The expert crew will show you exactly what to do if you want to take a “crew member’s” position. Then it’s off to the racecourse – grind a winch – trim a sail – punch a stopwatch, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the included refreshments. After the race enjoy a victory rum punch party and browse through the museum souvenir boutique for a lasting memento of your America’s Cup adventure.

If you don't use the Ship's tour on the day of departure, you may want to consider renting a car for 1/2 a day. This way you'll have a place to leave your luggage.

We have done various things the day we leave. When traveling with others we hired a driver and van....kept our bags on board, and drove us to beach,shop,etc. We have also taken a cab to the Holland House Hotel in Phillipsburg (very near the cruise port) and they had a room to keep our bags. The beach is in front, and they have a lovely restaurant for lunch. You can also shop in Phillipsburg. Our flights were about 1PM, so we did not have sufficient time to do the land excursions offered by Windsurf.

As a point of reference, Holland House is not far past Royal Pasanggrahan Hotel I mentioned in my earlier post here. Both open onto the beach and on other side, to the street and all the shops. Both very nice.

I will have to see what my air schedule will allow. Wind Star booked my air, with Jet Blue except the return from St Maarten to San Juan which is on a small airline named Seaborne. Its a very small aircraft so very few people to stand in line with to board. Need to see how early I have to be at the airport to check in.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

As an FYI re Seaborne--We've flown it from Puerto Rico to British Virgins: 15 seats, and altho a smaller carrier, very nice planes, personnel.

Last 2 time in SXM, we disembarked almost last from Wind Surf and spent a few hours at the Sunset Bar near the airport. I'm a private pilot and this was a great place to watch plane lands near the beach. We had our luggages with us. Might not be an idea of fun for some but it worked for us.:)

I checked my flight out, it departs 3:15 pm. Not sure how early I have to check in with Seaborne which will dictate my activities. But if I am booted off the ship around 8AM, grasping the rail screaming I don't want to go home....and find myself dockside with possibly 4 to 5 hours to kill...everyone's suggestions will be considered. Next time an earlier flight:rolleyes:

I can just about guarantee someone WILL have to pull you from that rail! But St. Maartin is a wonderful place to wind down, even if only for 4-5 hours.:)