Star of the Seas Arrives at St. Maarten Port

Cover photo credit: Aarti Baran

Philipsburg, St. Maarten — The world’s newest and one of its largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, docked at Port St. Maarten on Thursday, arriving to enthusiastic fanfare. This arrival marked one of the first port calls on its maiden voyage.

Officials had prepared well in advance for the arrival of the mega-ship, which can host up to 5,610 guests (double occupancy) and as many as 7,600 when fully loaded, accompanied by some 2,350 crew members. The ship spans approximately 1,196 feet in length and weighs roughly 248,000 gross tons, sharing the title of world’s largest cruise ship with its sister vessel, Icon of the Seas.

The cruise began on August 31 from Port Canaveral, Florida, and St. Maarten was selected as one of its initial stops. Onboard, passengers can enjoy a host of record-setting features: an expansive waterpark, an enclosed AquaDome housing a towering waterfall, seven pools and multiple whirlpools, a surf simulator, zip lines, climbing walls, Broadway-style entertainment, plus numerous dining and lounge venues. Despite its scale, the ship also emphasizes sustainability, operating as Royal Caribbean’s third LNG-powered vessel and featuring waste-heat recovery systems and shore-power connectivity.

Port executives expressed pride in hosting such a vessel, viewing it as a validation of St. Maarten’s status as a top cruise destination in the Caribbean. Alexander Gumbs, CEO of the Port St. Maarten Group, noted it as “a momentous occasion” and emphasized hopes for a long-term partnership with Royal Caribbean.

As passengers disembarked, many headed into town for beach visits, shopping, or island tours, while port staff managed logistics to move people efficiently. Drone imagery captured striking aerial views of the ship looming over Great Bay.

Reactions from local businesses were mixed. Retail shops and beach bars near the pier reported strong foot traffic, though some customers seemed more inclined to browse than buy. In contrast, several taxi operators and independent tour providers noted that excursion bookings had been lower than anticipated. Some visitors preferred to stay onboard or explore only close to the port.

A local tour guide commented, “We expected a big spending day, but tours were quieter than hoped. It’s still great exposure for the island, and we’ll adjust our offers for the next call.”

Retailers indicated they plan to ramp up targeted promotions for future ship calls, aiming to lure guests further into the island and convert foot traffic into actual sales.

This high-profile arrival dovetails with positive trends in St. Maarten’s tourism sector. In Q2 2025, airport arrivals hit 209,876, marking a 16.9 % increase from the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, cruise arrivals for that quarter reached 236,391, up 14 % year-over-year — all signals of a strong recovery.

For tour operators and activity providers, the challenge now lies in converting large visitor numbers into booked experiences and spending. Some strategies under consideration include:

• Designing short, high-value excursions tailored to mega-ship disembarkation windows
• Offering QR code-based “book now” systems and contactless payments at the terminal and in town
• Bundling compact packages combining beach visits, meals, and transfers
• Coordinating mini cultural showcases or events in town to engage guests during peak footfall hours

With tourism numbers trending upward and major cruise ships capturing global attention, St. Maarten appears well placed to benefit — particularly if it can turn day-trip visitors into future multi-night stays and spread the economic advantages across local communities.