Shortly before 7 A.M. the change in the engine’s drone as it entered Marigot Bay awakened me. An hour later the St. Maarten officials cleared the ship, and the crew lowered the gangplank for passengers to disembark in Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten.
After smearing ourselves with sunscreen and eating Eggs Benedict for breakfast, we were ready to spend the morning in ashore. We walked the boardwalk (Front Street) to the end, skipping the $7.00 round-trip fee for the water taxi. We were looking for an internet cafe, but most restaurants and bars were either unopened or without 
WIFI. Paralleling the boardwalk is Back Street, shopping Mecca for most passengers who are looking for good deals on luxury items, such as watches, jewelry, linen, and Belgium chocolates. Among these high-end establishments, typical tropical souvenir sellers barked their goods. We passed the courthouse topped with a pineapple, a symbol of welcome for the city’s visitors.
At last, we spotted a McDonald’s displaying a huge Free WIFI sign. I searched for a table near an electrical outlet while Dennis ordered an OJ for me and Coke for him. In no time at all, we had a five-bar wireless connection, but we never managed to connect to the internet. We, and many other Epic passengers, left disappointed. Since the stores on Cannegieter (the street behind Back Street) catered to locals, we took an alley connecting the streets and found a small restaurant with WIFI. I sipped a mango smoothie while Dennis sampled the local beer, Caribe, which is served with lime.
We returned to the ship to change clothes, slobber on more sunscreen, and grab our tickets for the Historical Philipsburg by Bike excursion. After getting fitted with helmets and bike, the tour leaders led us around us around the bay, up a steep but short incline to the old Fort Amsterdam, build in 1631. When the tour stopped for a drink, I tried the Presidente, the other local beer. Since I don’t normally drink alcohol when biking, Dennis finished the drink for me. At one point, I car squeezed me so much that the passenger door hit my handlebars; I backed off and stayed up, but maybe I would not have kept my balance had I finished that beer.
Our guides, Yost from Denmark, and Mike from Canada, informed us about the island’s history and local customs. I particularly liked their concern for our safety and attention to details. I have taken biking excursions in other countries and found this one to have superior bikes and equipment.
Following the day’s activities, we both were too tired for that evening’s entertainment, Legends in Concert. Since we had seen these celebrity impersonators on the transatlantic voyage, we were not too disappointed to forgo the show.
I’ve heard from friends (who travel) that St. Maartens is very nice, though went there myself. I hope someday that I can–who knows, maybe I’ll do another NCL cruise myself. Thanks again for sharing (I really should get the name of that bike tout company!) With your photos, your account is next best thing to being there!
St Maarten is very picturesque and worth a visit. Philipsburg is very commercial, as are many stops on cruises. I enjoy getting away from the stores and visiting the country, either by excursions, by hiring a taxi, renting a bike, or walking. Some of my more memorable excursions on these islands have not been on tours sold by the cruise lines. Conversely, some of the ship’s excursions have been fantastic.
Tri-Sport is the biking company (http://trisportsxm.com) They offer individualized biking adventures for those who want to see a bit more of the area.
St. Maartens does look very nice. I know I’d love it. It would feel strange to be walking around in shorts in December. Although I can’t complain about the weather here today. It’s supposed to reach into the 50’s. For December 18th in Iowa, that’s really warm. Loved the pictures too.
Donna Jean, St Maartens and the other islands are lovely no matter what time of year. Even coming from Florida, it felt great to be there. I hope you get a chance to visit it someday. If you want to see the fish but don’t want to get into the water, there are glass-bottom boat excursions that can give you a window to the underwater world.
People are funny and I never found out way the server refused to give me a bran muffin; perhaps she taught she was saving me from a bad experience. Who knows?
Thanks Jane. A glass bottom boat would work great!