Tinbergs on Tour

March 9. 2026 – Philipsburg, St. Maarten – Mostly Cloudy and humid – 80F

Another bouncy night.

Today, we are back in St Maarten, one of my favorite stops.  We used to stop here a lot but our recent cruises did not include Philipsburg. The last time we were here we stopped on the French Side at Marigot.  Today, except for a little more humidity, it is a perfect day on this dual identity island. 

Philipsburg usually has a lot of ships visiting but there are only two ships here today besides us – Jewel of the Seas and MSC Virtuosa. The MSC ship is a monster with a capacity of 6,300 guests. 

I am continuing to eat on the Veranda for breakfast (and other meals) because every day is about 79F and clear.  It takes me about an hour to have breakfast and I give up my table when other guests are looking for a place to sit. Today, I was treated to a beautiful sunrise.

Tried a different breakfast combination today – two pancakes, syrup, and two egg OM. Some oatmeal to start.  Not as good as my usual fare.

I watched the Jewel of the Seas come into Philipsburg and dock,

Ellen came up to the Terrace Cafe for breakfast and I got my iced mocha from the Cafe bar area.  Almost as good as those from Baristas.

After breakfast, we went to Horizons - quiet in the morning with great views.

Big news at lunch – tuna salad has come aboard in the form of a sandwich – no crust – three pieces of bread.  Yummy – hope to see it again.  Another wonderful lunch at the Terrace Cafe.

My journey into Philipsburg. The last time I was here in late December 2024 (Ellen was not with me for the first of a double cruise), I got off the ship and walked down Front Street looking for a spa we had been going to for years.  I couldn’t find them but I stumbled on another spa (they had put a sign out on the street). I had photographed the number and texted them on a lark a few days ago.  I actually got an answer from Peggy, who I saw last time I was here. I told her I would be in town in a few days and scheduled a 2 PM appointment with her for today at the same location, 7A. That was the plan.

At 1:30 PM, I walked from the ship - got a nice shot of the two other ships here today,

past the stores and shops to the Taxi Dispatch area.  I inquired about a taxi and the guy in charge found me a cab driven by a woman (rare in my experience in St Maarten).  He told me that the charge would be $7 (it was $5 for as long as we have been coming here).  I wasn’t about to dispute the cost so I hopped in.  She did a good job of getting me on Front Street (a one way street) and close to where I need to be. I considered the extra $2 a tip for getting taking me door to door.

I knew that the spa was across the street from the Yoda Theater (yes) but I couldn’t find it even though I was near the 7 block of Front St.  I asked directions and was told it was right here – verified by Google Maps.  After walking back and forth a few times and getting sweatier in the heat, I texted Peggy.  Eventually, she texted back with some pictures of her location.  I had forgotten that the spa was in an alley.  Looking down all the alleys, I saw a woman waving at me from the spa.  The outside didn’t look familiar but I did recognize Peggy and remembered the interior. Part of the problem in finding it was because she had changed the name of the place from Sheriyah to something I didn’t write down.  The interior was still “rustic” (no light in the bathroom and very little light in the actual treatment room).  She told me was planning to move next door (hopefully, with more lighting).  

This time out, the session was $75 (she said that was a bargain in Philipsburg – over the years we have paid much less).  The place may be a little native but Peggy is a very good therapist – using massage and acupressure to ease the tightness and knots.  I'm glad I was able to do this today as it will be a while before we get back to St Maarten.

After a brief chat with Peggy, I took the alley (which was a bit treacherous due to disrepair) back out to Front Street,  I then turned left and went to the end of Front Street, where the cabs are, but actually caught one before I got there.  He was asking people on the street who wanted “bateau” (ship in French) and wound up only with me.  I had my $7 dollars ready and gave him two fives.  He said is was $3 each way (what a scam being run by taxi dispatch). I gave him $5 (which was the historical price anyway).  I was pretty drained by the heat, humidity, and  and the ship looked so far away as I got to the pier.

It was a lot of steps but I did make it back to the ship.  A shower washed both massage oil and the day’s grime away.

The weather continues to be perfect so we had dinner on the Veranda. Our special meals today included Chicken for Ellen and Pasta Pesto for me.  I also had the chef make me a small portion of pasta marinara, which tuned out to be better than the pesto.  Also available tonight were assorted focaccia breads, which went well with the pastas. Ranch dressing is not available on the buffet – Thousand Island is the default dressing. 

We watched the sailway and could see the Godzilla MSC ship still in the cruise terminal.

We wound up passing on Fred Klett’s show – I was really too whipped from the heat and my journey to town.  Instead we stayed out on the deck the rest of the evening.

Insignia has upgraded the Cabin number plaques and I just had to get a shot of them.  Very classy.

Lights out at 10:15 AM.