St Maarten cruise port
The island has been split between the Dutch and the French since the Treaty of Concordia in 1648, which makes it the smallest piece of land in the world shared by two nations, and there is no border to speak of. Planes land at Maho beach close enough to lean on.
Worth knowing. The story islanders tell about the border is that a Frenchman and a Dutchman set off walking in opposite directions from the same spot. The Frenchman got more land because he drank wine and the Dutchman stopped for gin.
What to do in St Maarten for free
Philipsburg is ten to fifteen minutes along the front from the pier, and there is a water taxi if the heat is against you. Front Street is the shopping, and the boardwalk behind it runs along Great Bay, which is a swimming beach in the middle of the town. That is rarer than it sounds and it is the argument for staying put.
What costs money
The ship's own excursions usually cost more than booking the same trip yourself. Two things come with the price. The ship waits for its own excursions and does not wait for you. And if the port is missed, P&O refunds its own without you asking. A trip you booked yourself is a claim on your travel insurance, so check what your policy covers. The ship sells its own trips to all of these, and the desk is open on board if you would rather do it that way.
The airport beach. Seven miles round the island and about half an hour by taxi, which is the whole price of the photograph everybody has seen. Look at the arrivals board in the bar before you commit to standing there, because the gap between aircraft can be an hour.
Marigot, on the French side. Half an hour across, and that side is France down to the euros and the baguettes. The market under the old fort is the reason to go rather than the shopping.
Which ship calls at St Maarten, and when
Every call here between 15 August and 28 November 2026, with the hours ashore P&O published. These times are a guide, not a promise: the captain gives the real ones the day before.
| Ship | Sails | Day | Ashore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arvia | 23 October 2026, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 23 October 2026, 15 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 23 October 2026, 22 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 23 October 2026, 22 nights | Day 22 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 6 November 2026, 14 nights | Day 8 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 7 November 2026, 14 nights | Day 7 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 14 November 2026, 14 nights | Day 14 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 20 November 2026, 14 nights | Day 8 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 21 November 2026, 14 nights | Day 7 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 28 November 2026, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 4 December 2026, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 5 December 2026, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 12 December 2026, 14 nights | Day 13 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 18 December 2026, 14 nights | Day 7 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 19 December 2026, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 26 December 2026, 14 nights | Day 14 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 1 January 2027, 14 nights | Day 8 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 2 January 2027, 14 nights | Day 7 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 4 January 2027, 35 nights | Day 21 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 9 January 2027, 14 nights | Day 14 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 15 January 2027, 14 nights | Day 8 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 16 January 2027, 14 nights | Day 7 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 23 January 2027, 14 nights | Day 14 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 29 January 2027, 14 nights | Day 8 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 30 January 2027, 14 nights | Day 7 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 6 February 2027, 14 nights | Day 14 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 12 February 2027, 14 nights | Day 8 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 13 February 2027, 14 nights | Day 7 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 20 February 2027, 14 nights | Day 14 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 26 February 2027, 14 nights | Day 8 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 27 February 2027, 14 nights | Day 7 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 6 March 2027, 22 nights | Day 11 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 12 March 2027, 16 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 13 March 2027, 15 nights | Day 4 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 22 October 2027, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 22 October 2027, 15 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 22 October 2027, 17 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 22 October 2027, 22 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 22 October 2027, 22 nights | Day 20 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 30 October 2027, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 30 October 2027, 16 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 30 October 2027, 21 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 30 October 2027, 21 nights | Day 19 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 30 October 2027, 13 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 5 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 6 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 8 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 12 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 13 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 13 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 11 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 15 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 19 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 20 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 20 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 4 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 22 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 2 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 26 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 27 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 27 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 11 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 29 November 2027, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 3 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 4 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 11 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Iona | 4 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 12 | 00:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 4 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 4 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 6 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 2 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 10 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Iona | 10 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 6 | 00:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 11 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 4 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Iona | 11 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 00:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 11 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 11 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Arvia | 11 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 12 | 00:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 13 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 2 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Iona | 13 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 3 | 00:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 17 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Arvia | 17 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 6 | 00:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 18 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 18 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 4 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Arvia | 18 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 00:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 20 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 2 | 07:00 to 00:00 |
| Arvia | 20 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 3 | 00:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 24 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 25 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 25 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 27 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 31 December 2027, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 1 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 1 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 3 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 7 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 8 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 8 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 10 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 14 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 15 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 15 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 17 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 21 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 22 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 22 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 24 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 28 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 29 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 29 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 31 January 2028, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 4 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 5 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 5 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 7 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 11 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 12 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 12 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 12 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 14 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 18 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 6 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 19 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 19 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 11 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 21 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 3 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 25 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 26 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 11 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 26 February 2028, 14 nights | Day 4 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 28 February 2028, 27 nights | Day 2 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 28 February 2028, 27 nights | Day 16 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 3 March 2028, 14 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 4 March 2028, 14 nights | Day 4 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 4 March 2028, 22 nights | Day 11 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Iona | 6 March 2028, 26 nights | Day 2 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 10 March 2028, 16 nights | Day 5 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
| Arvia | 11 March 2028, 15 nights | Day 4 | 07:00 to 18:00 |
How long you get ashore in St Maarten
The published times give you between about 11 and 18 hours alongside, depending on the sailing. Take off the time it takes a few thousand people to get off, and the time you need to be back on board before the ship leaves, and that is your day. P&O give the real hours the day before, and the all-aboard time is earlier than the departure time.
The other stops on these cruises
Every one of these is on at least one of the sailings that calls at St Maarten.
- AntiguaNelson's Dockyard at English Harbour is a working Georgian naval yard that never fell down: Horatio Nelson was based here from 1784, hated it, and called it a vile hole.
- BasseterreSt Kitts was England's first colony in the Caribbean, in 1624, and the French took the other end of the island the same decade.
- BridgetownEnglish from 1627 and never changed hands, which is why the island kept its parliament, its cricket and its place names.
- CastriesBritain and France exchanged this island fourteen times, which is why the towns are French and the law is English.
- CuracaoWillemstad is a Dutch town built in the tropics and painted every colour there is, and the whole of it is a World Heritage site.
- DominicaThe Nature Island, and the mountains are the reason: rainforest over most of it, and Morne Trois Pitons inland, a World Heritage site with the second largest hot lake in the world steaming in the middle of it.
- Fort de FranceIn May 1902 Mount Pelee destroyed Saint-Pierre, then the island's main city, killing about thirty thousand people in minutes; a prisoner in a thick-walled cell was among the very few to live.
- Gran CanariaColumbus put in at Las Palmas in 1492 to mend a rudder on his way west, and the house he is said to have stayed in is now a museum about him.
- GrenadaSt George's sits inside a drowned volcanic crater, which is what makes the harbour that shape.
- La CorunaThe Spanish Armada sailed from this harbour in 1588, and it is still guarded by the Tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse from about the year 100 which has never stopped working: the oldest one on earth still doing its job.
- OranjestadDutch since 1636 and dry as a bone.
- TenerifeMount Teide stands 3,715 metres over the island, the highest point in Spain and, measured from its base on the sea floor, the third largest volcano on earth.
- TortolaRoad Town has been the seat of these islands since the British took them from the Dutch in 1672.
Money and language in Saint Maarten
Caribbean guilder (XCG), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder in 2025. In practice everybody uses US dollars and prices are usually shown in them. The island is split in two, so a taxi can put you in French Saint-Martin, where it is euros, with no border to cross. Onboard is always charged in sterling, so this only matters ashore.
Dutch and English are both official on this side, and English is the one everybody actually speaks. French on the other half.
| English | Dutch | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo | hah-LOH |
| Goodbye | Tot ziens | tot ZEENS |
| How much? | Hoeveel kost het? | HOO-vale kost het |
| Thank you | Dank u | dahnk oo |
| Please | Alstublieft | AHLS-too-bleeft |
Free, and it works with no internet. Give it the dates you sail and it works out your own stops and saves the street map for each one. It shows you round the ship too.
All the ports written up so far, the things to do before you sail, or the ship pages for Iona and Arvia.