We stepped off Icon of the Seas in St. Maarten with a simple plan: catch the water taxi, explore Philipsburg, and enjoy some beach time.

Easy enough, right?

Well, our fourth day on a seven-night cruise reminded us that even the easiest port days can take an unexpected turn. Between figuring out where to catch the boat, exploring the boardwalk, and a restroom situation we definitely had not planned for, Ant and I eventually looked at each other and reached the same conclusion.

We were ready to go back to the ship.

That might sound surprising when you have a Caribbean beach right in front of you. But let me walk you through our experience, what we learned, and what you may want to know before your own visit.

Getting Off the Ship in St. Maarten

One of my first impressions was how attractive the cruise port was. There were shops, transportation options, and plenty to look at before we even made our way into town.

And looking back at Icon from the dock? Whew! Seeing her next to Celebrity Apex really put her size into perspective. Apex is a large ship, but Icon looked like an entire building sitting on the water.

We also appreciated that the port area initially felt comfortable to explore without a lot of pressure to buy something. Sometimes we just want a minute to look around and get our bearings!

Before heading out, I recommend eating breakfast on the ship. Your included meal is right there, and it gives you one less expense to think about while exploring.

For identification, follow your cruise line’s instructions for that particular port. Check what documents you need before leaving the ship, and confirm your all-aboard time. If your phone changes time zones automatically, make sure you understand how that compares with ship time.

Taking the Water Taxi to Philipsburg

For this visit, we chose the water taxi into Philipsburg, where we could explore the boardwalk and Great Bay Beach.

At the time we filmed, the posted options were:

• $7 per person for an all-day pass

• $5 per person for a one-way ticket

For a two-dollar difference, we chose the all-day option. It gave us the flexibility to return to the ship and head out again if we wanted to.

Those were the prices during our visit, so check the current fare and return schedule when you arrive.

Buying the tickets was straightforward. Finding the actual boarding area took a little more effort.

We received our wristbands, but the directions about where to go next were not especially clear. After asking, we headed back toward the area we had already passed and made our way to the water taxi.

My tip: Before leaving the ticket booth, ask exactly where to board and where to catch your return boat.

The ride itself was short—about five to ten minutes—and gave us beautiful views along the way. It was transportation, but it also felt like a little sightseeing experience.

Great Bay Beach or Maho Beach? Know the Difference

If you are picturing the famous St. Maarten beach with airplanes flying overhead, that is Maho Beach.

Our water taxi took us to the Philipsburg boardwalk and Great Bay Beach. Keep that distinction in mind when planning your day so you do not arrive expecting the airplane experience.

For our visit, we wanted something simple: a walkable area with a beach, shops, and restaurants close together. Philipsburg gave us that flexibility.

Exploring the Philipsburg Boardwalk

Once we stepped off the water taxi, we had a choice: head toward the beach chairs or start exploring the shops and restaurants.

We decided to walk around first.

That is one of the things I enjoyed about this area. We could browse, look at menus, stop for photos, and take in the atmosphere without committing to a full excursion.

There were beach bars, souvenir shops, jewelry stores, and plenty of spots where you could pause and enjoy the view. We also found several photo opportunities along the way.

One thing that confused me before our visit was the location of the island signs people photograph. We spotted a sign in the port area and another during our walk in town. If you see one you like, take your picture! You may not need an extra journey just to get that vacation photo.

Of course, Ant and I found plenty to talk—and laugh—about as we wandered. That is part of what makes these days memorable for us. Sometimes the conversation becomes just as entertaining as the destination.

Beach Chairs, Restaurants, and Spending Money

We received offers for beach chairs as we walked, but we wanted to see the area before choosing a spot.

If you plan to rent chairs, ask what the quoted price includes. Confirm the number of chairs, whether an umbrella is included, and whether any drinks or other extras are part of the offer.

We heard different pricing during our walk, so I would avoid assuming that the first offer is the only option.

We also looked at restaurant menus, although we did not eat ashore this time. Since we did not try the food, I cannot give you a personal restaurant recommendation from this visit.

If you are planning to have lunch or drinks, check the menu before settling in. Those little vacation purchases can add up!

And here is the spending tip we learned firsthand: bring a little cash in small bills.

The One-Dollar Restroom Lesson

This is where our easy port day became a little less easy.

Ant needed a restroom, and the first one we found charged one U.S. dollar to use it.

A dollar sounds simple—until you do not have one.

We had followed advice to leave our cash on the ship, and neither of us had the small bill we needed. The restroom itself also did not inspire much confidence, so Ant decided to keep looking.

Surely another option would turn up, right?

Eventually, he did find a restroom where nobody collected a fee. But searching for one took more effort than we expected.

The lesson was not that a dollar was too much. It was that leaving ourselves without any cash made a small inconvenience more frustrating.

Next time, a few one-dollar and five-dollar bills are coming with us.

Why We Decided to Go Back to Icon of the Seas

By the time we finished walking around, we started asking ourselves an honest question: Did we actually want to spend the rest of the day on this beach?

For us, that day, the answer was no.

It was hot. We were getting hungry. And neither of us felt especially excited about renting chairs or getting into the water.

Meanwhile, Icon was right there.

We started talking about the food onboard, the places we could relax, and the possibility of enjoying the ship while other passengers were still ashore.

That sounded pretty good to both of us.

This was our personal reaction to that particular day. Someone else could step onto the same boardwalk, find the perfect beach chair, and happily stay for hours.

But Ant and I were ready for something different, and we gave ourselves permission to change the plan.

What We Would Do Differently Next Time

Our biggest adjustment would be to arrive better prepared for the small details.

We would bring cash in small bills, ask clearer questions about water taxi boarding and return times, and decide what we most wanted from the day before heading into town.

If the goal were a beach day, we would compare chair options and choose a spot. If we wanted a different part of the island, we would plan transportation around that experience.

And if we simply wanted a short walk followed by lunch back onboard? That would be a perfectly good plan, too.

You do not have to fill every hour ashore for a port day to count.

Watch Our Full St. Maarten Port Day

Want to see the water taxi process, the boardwalk, the beach, and the conversations that led to our decision?

Watch our full St. Maarten adventure on Ant & Shira Adventures.

[Insert your YouTube video link or embed here.]

Then continue the journey with our Caribbean night aboard Icon of the Seas, or start from the beginning with our Miami stay before the cruise.

Would you spend the whole day exploring St. Maarten, or head back early to enjoy a quieter ship? Tell us in the comments!

Planning your own cruise? Visit A Finer Travel to connect with Shira about finding a sailing that fits your vacation style.