Guests will begin their adventure by cruising through Philipsburg! Philipsburg is the capital of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten. Located between the Great Bay Beach and the Great Salt Pond, both contribute to the island’s biodiversity and beauty. At the bayside, the endless horizon and picturesque views of nearby islands and ships and yachts docked in the region’s leading Cruise Port are breathtaking experiences you can’t find anywhere else. On the pondside, is a chain of lush hills and curved slopes that give the capital its iconic backdrop.

Guests will pass by Little Bay and enjoy the ocean view while riding near the coast. Little Bay is located on the southern coast of St Maarten, just around the corner from Great Bay, this small but pretty beach is well protected by the outcrop of Fort Amsterdam right on the edge of Philipsburg.

Guests will stop by Cole Bay Hill which is a captivating mountain peak located in the picturesque island of Sint Maarten. The elevation above sea level is 57 metres. This natural gem is renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views, providing guests with an unforgettable experience. As you ascend the hill, you'll be greeted by sweeping vistas that encompass the vibrant colors of the Caribbean Sea and the lush greenery of the island.

Guests will cruise through Cole Bay. Cole Bay is a village on Sint Maarten that is the third largest settlement in terms of population. The name is derived from the vegetable cabbage.

Guests will enter the French side of Saint Martin by passing through the border. The Concordia Monument marks the border in between of Cole Bay and Marigot, close to the causeway bridge to Simpson Bay. In 1948, the monument was erected to remember the 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Concordia, in which the French and Dutch divided the island into its current binational status. The monument is often depicted as symbol of binational unity between the two parts of the island.

Guests will stop at Marigot’s waterfront. Marigot is the main town and capital on French Saint Martin. Marigot has a population of 10,000 and is a worthy representative of France in the tropics. A stroll through the town reveals some beautiful colonial houses.

Guests will drive alongside the tarmac of Princess Juliana International Airport. It is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there while she was heir presumptive in 1944, the year after the airport opened. The airport has very low-altitude flyover landing approaches because one end of its runway is extremely close to the shore and Maho Beach.

Guests will make the most anticipated stop at Maho! Maho Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world, as it finds itself at the end of the runway of St Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport (sxm) laying the scene for many vacation videos and selfies that went viral of planes landing and departing at the adjacent Dutch side airport. The beach has also become a global must see for plane spotters. The spectacular landing over Maho Bay even made it into Microsoft’s famed Flight Simulator program. The departure itself is not less of a phenomenon, as the hills of St Maarten rise steeply behind the other end of the air strip.

Guests will pass through Simpson bay. Simpson Bay offers sandy white beaches, bustling lagoon views filled with impressive yachts, and vibrant hot spots that embody the energy of St. Maarten. This historic fisherman town has evolved over the ages into a must-visit hotspot. In the past Simpson Bay was dotted with just a few settlements made up mostly of the island’s fishermen, who would be visited by residents seeking to buy fish. While this activity still continues at the Simpson Bay Fish Market. The Simpson Bay Lagoon is located in the center of Simpson Bay and is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies of the Caribbean. It is truly the center of the island. Much like the border between the French Side and Dutch Side is set on land, the very same goes for the lagoon, which has the border going right through its waters. Yachts of all different sizes are known to homeport in the Simpson Bay Lagoon, finding access to the lagoon through the Simpson Bay Bridge.

Great Bay Beach is a beach in Philipsburg , Sint Maarten. The beach is located south of the main town. It stretches from the cruise ship harbor to Little Bay. Along the beach is the Boardwalk with shops and restaurants. At this stop, guests will have access to Great Bay Beach via the Rum & Reggae Beach Bar. Guests will be able to relax as they wish until ready to return to ship. Great Bay Beach is one of the longest and widest beaches on the island. It is within walking distance of the Philipsburg shopping center. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented on the beach. Activities offered at the beach include water scooters , kayaking , and snorkeling. [ 3 ]