Home / Ports / Philipsburg / Dec 18, 2026
Philipsburg Cruise Crowd Forecast — Friday, December 18, 2026
A Little Crowded day in Philipsburg — 3 ships representing ~9,034 estimated cruise passengers, 44% below a busy day.
Some cruise traffic, but likely manageable. Popular areas may be busier around the middle of the day.
- 3 shipsin port
- 9,034est. passengers
Where today falls, from a quiet day to a busy day
Quieter than 37% of scheduled cruise days at this port.
🧭 How to play this day
CROWD-TACTICALMaho still works if you go early — chairs sell out and the beach fills by late morning on busier days. See the planes, then move on: Orient Beach on the French side has far more room, or cross to Marigot for a very different, more relaxed scene. Leave generous time for the return — traffic builds through the afternoon.
Why is this a little crowded?
3 ships are scheduled today, representing approximately 9,034 passengers of combined capacity. 3 of them arrive within the same hour, concentrating the morning rush.
Compared with other cruise days: Above average for this port.
Ships in port
| Ship | Cruise line | Arrival | Departure | Berth | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Bliss | Norwegian Cruise Line | 07:00 | 18:00 | — | 4,004 |
| Marina | Oceania Cruises | 07:00 | 19:00 | — | 1,250 |
| Costa Fascinosa | Costa Cruises | 08:00 | 18:00 | — | 3,780 |
Arrival timeline
Bars show each ship’s scheduled time in port (6 AM – 10 PM port time).
Shore day advice
Independent exploration works well today — book the most popular attractions ahead, and expect the midday peak near the port.
Looking for a quieter day?
Data & accuracy
- Schedule source: Port St. Maarten
- Data last fetched: Nov 5, 2026
- Forecast date: Dec 18, 2026
- Provisional: this date is more than 7 days out — cruise lines adjust itineraries for weather and operations, so the schedule may change.
- Estimates are based on published ship capacities, not actual bookings or how many passengers go ashore.