A cruise to St. Maarten typically costs $600–$2,500+ per person for the cruise fare alone, depending on cabin type, cruise line, and departure port — but your all-in budget including drinks, excursions, and gratuities will run $1,200–$4,500+ per person for a 7-night sailing.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
St. Maarten is one of the most popular Caribbean port calls on the planet — two countries on one island, a famous beach bar runway, and duty-free shopping that will absolutely wreck your budget if you're not careful. The cruise fare is just your entry ticket. Here's what you're actually going to spend.
What a St. Maarten Cruise Actually Costs: The Real Numbers
Most St. Maarten cruises are 7-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries departing from Florida, though 10- and 14-night sailings exist. The prices below reflect 2025–2026 market rates for a 7-night cruise per person based on double occupancy.
| Cost Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise fare (interior cabin) | $599–$899 | $900–$1,400 | $1,500–$2,500+ |
| Cabin type | Interior | Balcony | Suite |
| Gratuities (7 nights) | $126–$140 | $126–$140 | $200–$350+ |
| Beverage package | $0 (BYOB port day) | $75–$95/day (~$525–$665) | $95–$120/day |
| Shore excursions in St. Maarten | $0–$50 (DIY beach) | $80–$150 | $200–$500+ (private charters) |
| Specialty dining | $0 | $150–$300 | $400–$800 |
| Spa / extras | $0 | $100–$200 | $500+ |
| Estimated all-in total (per person) | $800–$1,200 | $1,800–$2,800 | $3,500–$5,500+ |
Bottom line: Budget travelers who book interior cabins early, skip the drink package, and do DIY beach days can pull off a St. Maarten cruise for around $1,000–$1,200 per person all-in. Everyone else is looking at $2,000–$3,000+ once reality sets in.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive the Price
1. Cruise Line Choice This is the single biggest lever. Carnival and MSC run the cheapest St. Maarten itineraries — interior cabins regularly hit $599–$750/person on 7-night sailings. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian sit in the $799–$1,200 range for comparable cabins. Celebrity and Princess lean $1,000–$1,800. Holland America and Viking skew older-demographic luxury at $1,500–$2,800. Disney starts at $2,000+ and climbs fast.
2. Departure Port and Positioning Sailing from Miami, Port Canaveral, or Fort Lauderdale keeps costs lowest. New York or Baltimore departures tack on $200–$500 per person in fare because the ship burns more fuel getting to the Caribbean and back.
3. When You Book Early-bird pricing (12–18 months out) on Eastern Caribbean itineraries can save 20–35% off rack rate. Last-minute deals (30–60 days out) occasionally surface for $499–$649 on interior cabins, but you're gambling on cabin selection and availability.
4. Cabin Category Going from interior to balcony typically adds $300–$700 per person on a 7-night sailing. Suites on Royal Caribbean or NCL can run $800–$2,000 more per person but often include perks (drink packages, specialty dining) that offset some of the gap.
5. St. Maarten Shore Excursion Costs This island will drain your wallet on shore if you let it. The famous Maho Beach (airplane runway beach) is free — just show up. But cruise-line excursions to places like Orient Bay or a catamaran snorkel run $80–$150/person. Private speedboat charters for a half-day? Budget $200–$400/person. Renting a car or scooter and exploring independently costs $50–$80/day and covers far more ground.
6. The Duty-Free Shopping Trap Philipsburg on the Dutch side is packed with jewelry, liquor, and electronics shops. It's technically duty-free, but "duty-free" doesn't mean cheap — it means you'll buy things you didn't plan to. Set a hard shopping budget before you get off the ship.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money on a St. Maarten Cruise
Skip the cruise-line beverage package if you're a light drinker. At $75–$95/person/day, you need to drink roughly 5–7 alcoholic drinks per day just to break even. If you're not a heavy drinker, pay as you go. On port days in St. Maarten, drinks on the beach are $5–$10 anyway.
Book excursions independently. The cruise line's St. Maarten excursions carry a 30–50% markup over booking directly with local operators. Sites like Viator and local tour operators in Philipsburg offer the same catamaran tours for $50–$90/person versus $120–$160 through the ship. Just be back at the dock 30 minutes before departure — the ship will leave without you.
Do the math on early-booking perks vs. lower base fares. Lines like Norwegian push "Free At Sea" deals that bundle drink packages and dining credits, but they inflate the base fare by $200–$400/person to cover it. Run the numbers on what you'll actually use before assuming it's a deal.
Consider a 10-night itinerary if prices are similar. Some 10-night Eastern Caribbean cruises that include St. Maarten are only $100–$200/person more than 7-night versions, making the per-day cost significantly lower.
Fly to Miami or Fort Lauderdale vs. New York. If you're not within driving distance of a Florida port, flying into Miami and sailing from there almost always beats a New York departure in total cost — both on the cruise fare and the excursion costs since you're already in the region.
Best Cruise Lines for St. Maarten by Traveler Type
| Traveler Type | Best Cruise Line | Approx. 7-Night All-In Cost (per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-conscious couple | Carnival or MSC | $900–$1,400 |
| Value-seekers who want more amenities | Royal Caribbean | $1,400–$2,200 |
| Foodies and wine drinkers | Celebrity Cruises | $1,800–$3,000 |
| Families with kids | Disney Cruise Line | $2,500–$5,000+ |
| Adults-only, party vibe | Norwegian Cruise Line | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Older couples, relaxed pace | Holland America | $1,600–$2,800 |
Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas both call at St. Maarten on Eastern Caribbean itineraries and offer the best balance of onboard amenities versus cost for most travelers. If budget is the top priority and you just want to get to the island, Carnival's 7-night Eastern Caribbean from Miami or Port Canaveral remains the cheapest reliable option in the market.
For live price comparisons across these lines, check the CruiseMutiny tool — it pulls current fares and shows you the real all-in cost breakdown before you book, so you're not blindsided by gratuities and add-ons at checkout. You can also compare live sailings through the CruiseHub booking partner to find the best current fares on Eastern Caribbean itineraries that include St. Maarten.