St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years.
The border is almost imperceptible, and people cross back and forth without ever realizing they are entering a new country. Each side has managed to retain much of the distinctiveness of its own national culture. The French tend to emphasize comfort and elegance. The beaches are secluded and the restaurants offer the finest dining anywhere in the Caribbean. The latest French fashions can be found in many of the shops in the main city of Marigot, and the smell of fresh croissants and pastries scent the air everywhere. Small cafés and charming bistros add a decidedly cosmopolitan flair. On the whole the atmosphere remains very relaxed.
On the other hand, St. Maarten with its busy cruise port and bustling commercial district, has long been an active center for trade and tourism. More developed and at the same time more informal, it is very Dutch in flavor and still has strong ties with fellow compatriots in the other Netherlands Antilles. Between the two different cultures in St. Martin and St. Maarten, vacationers will be able to find just about every kind of activity they might want for a perfect holiday in the sun.
Tourism is king in Philipsburg beckoning bargain hunters with 500 duty-free shops. There are 36 white sand beaches to visit; one favorite strip is Cupecoy Bay Beach near the Dutch-French border, and windsurfers head to busy Maho Bay Beach, located near the airport. Dawn Beach, Oyster Pond and Guana Bay are favorites for snorkeling and windsurfing.
If you're looking for a Caribbean port with more than just beaches, check out the island of St. Thomas. In addition to great shopping (this is where the phrase "shop till ya drop" originated), you'll find museums, gardens, a marine park, a tramway, and a world-class golf course. And, of course, amazing beaches.
Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St Thomas and the United States Virgin Islands, is certainly the most popular cruise port in the Caribbean. The city (named for a Danish Queen) is where the ships dock and the white and pastel houses are heavily sprinkled against a background of emerald hills. Colorful sloops dock along the waterfront, and a few steps back, down alleyways lined with old Danish warehouse buildings, is a world-famous shopping center.
SHORE EXCURSIONS:
We have arranged an extensive list of shore excursions that are operated separately and independently of those offered by the cruise line. Review and pre-order here.
Florida's original vacation hot spot maintains its never-ending draw. Replete with history, culture, and of course, nightlife and beaches, Miami is a must-see if you've never visited. This metropolitan area is influenced by Latin-American cultures, evidenced in the diversity of restaurants, arts, and festivals. Art and architecture buffs will revel in South Beach's Art Deco district, which houses over 800 Art-Deco style buildings. Consider arriving a day or two early to experience this fascinating city; or, you may wish to consider taking a city tour or excursion to the Everglades offered by Norwegian Cruise Line when the ship returns to Miami and later be dropped off at the airport for your flight home.
If you live in the south Florida area and plan to drive to Miami, there is a wealth of information on port services and parking arrangements at the Port of Miami website.
Nassau is the cultural, social, political, and economic center of the Bahamas. With its beaches, shopping, resorts, casinos, historic landmarks, and water and land activities, it's also the island chain's most visited destination. One million travelers a year make their way to the town, and Nassau is one of the world's busiest cruise ship ports. The Nassau / Paradise Island area comprises two separate islands. Nassau is on the northeastern shore of 21-mile New Providence Island, while tiny Paradise Island is linked to New Providence by bridges, and protects Nassau harbor for a 3-mile stretch.
