Ports

Philipsburg, St Maarten

When the Spanish closed their colonial fort on St. Maarten in 1648, a few Dutch and French soldiers hid on the island and decided to share it. Soon after, the Netherlands and France signed a formal agreement to split St. Maarten in half, as it is today. Philipsburg displays its Dutch heritage in its architecture and landscaping. The island offers endless stretches of beach, beautiful landscapes and great shopping. Discover the undersea world of coral reefs and exotic fish as you take a snorkeling expedition through Shipwreck Cove. Rendezvous at one of the newest and trendiest restaurants in French St. Maarten. Explore Orient Bay, the French Riviera of the Caribbean, with over 1 1/2 miles of white-sand beaches. There are about 500 duty-free shops on St. Maarten with prices 25% to 50% below those in the U.S. The selection of jewelry and watches is premier on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Be sure to try a bottle of St. Maarten's own guavaberry liqueur. The guavaberry is exclusive to this island.

St. John's, Antigua

Colorful St. John's will be your stop on a cruise to Antigua, welcoming you to paradise on your Caribbean cruise. St. John's is home to 365 white sandy beaches, historic testaments to British colonial occupation, and kitschy beachy bars around every corner. Like any tropical destination, St. John's is perfect for lounging beachside, snorkeling and diving, or hiking to see Fort Barrington's watchful eye overlooking the city. Historic sites like Fort James and St. John's Cathedral make for nice tours during your Antigua cruise, leaving plenty of time in your day for tasty Caribbean cuisine and seafood, where the fresh catches of the day rule the local menus.