Home / Ports / Philipsburg / Dec 31, 2026
Philipsburg Cruise Crowd Forecast — Thursday, December 31, 2026
Super Crowded day in Philipsburg — 7 ships representing ~17,354 estimated cruise passengers, 8% above a busy day.
One of the busiest port days. Popular beaches, transportation and tourist areas may be significantly busier.
- 7 shipsin port
- 17,354est. passengers
Where today falls, from a quiet day to a busy day
Busier than 93% of scheduled cruise days at this port.
🧭 How to play this day
CROWD-TACTICALMaximum ships means Maho will be packed, the taxi lines long, and the afternoon return crawl brutal — cruisers report it taking far longer than the normal 20 minutes. Skip Maho unless the planes are the whole point of your day; Orient Beach and Grand Case absorb crowds far better. Whatever you choose, confirm your return taxi price and pickup in advance and build in an extra hour — missing the ship is the real risk today.
Why is this super crowded?
7 ships are scheduled today, representing approximately 17,354 passengers of combined capacity. 6 of them arrive within the same hour, concentrating the morning rush.
Compared with other cruise days: Well 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 |
| Independence of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 08:00 | 17:00 | — | 3,858 |
| Star of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | 08:00 | 17:00 | — | 5,610 |
| Seven Seas Mariner | Regent Seven Seas Cruises | 08:00 | 18:00 | — | 700 |
| Brilliant Lady | Virgin Voyages | 08:00 | 18:00 | — | 2,770 |
| Star Pride | Windstar Cruises | 08:00 | 22:00 | — | 312 |
| Emerald Sakara | Emerald Cruises | 21:00 | 14:00 | — | 100 |
Arrival timeline
Bars show each ship’s scheduled time in port (6 AM – 10 PM port time).
Shore day advice
A ship excursion with an early departure is the best way to beat the crowds — expect lines everywhere after mid-morning, and have a plan before you disembark.
Looking for a quieter day?
Data & accuracy
- Schedule source: Port St. Maarten
- Data last fetched: Nov 5, 2026
- Forecast date: Dec 31, 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.