St. Maarten is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Eastern Caribbean, and for good reason. The island offers an extraordinary combination of natural beauty, duty-free shopping, world-class beaches, and — perhaps most famously — the aviation spectacle at Maho Beach. But with only a few hours in port, how do you make the most of your time?
For many cruise passengers, the answer is a catamaran excursion. And in St. Maarten, there's no better option than Sail The Phoenix.
The Phoenix departs from Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg — approximately a 10–15 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal. You can be on board and sailing within 20–30 minutes of stepping off your ship. Our day sail runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, returning to dock by 3 PM so cruise ship passengers are always back in time for all-aboard. There is usually time after the trip to walk around Philipsburg before heading back to the ship.
The Luxury Day Sail covers the highlights that make St. Maarten special: a guided snorkel stop at Little Bay, where you'll see the sunken helicopter and submarine amid reef fish; a sail-by at Maho Beach to watch commercial jets descend on final approach (we do not anchor there — we hold position outside the designated area and wait for a plane to land); and a relaxed swim and lunch stop at Mullet Bay.
Everything is included in the $139 per person price: open bar from the moment you board, freshly cooked lunch prepared in the galley, snorkel gear and instruction, paddle boards, and our 18-ft floating lily pad. No hidden extras, no upsells on the water.
We deliberately cap the shared day sail at 36 guests — just 70% of our vessel's capacity — so you always have generous personal space. This is not a crowded party boat. It's a premium experience that happens to be accessible to cruise passengers.
If you're arriving in St. Maarten on a cruise ship, book your spot on The Phoenix before you arrive. Our tours fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Book the shared Luxury Day Sail direct at sailthephoenix.com and save 10% with code STP10; the code is not valid on private charters.