We woke this morning aboard the Grand Princess as she glided into Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, one of the Caribbean’s most unique islands. Sint Maarten is famously divided between two countries—the Netherlands and France—making it one of the few places in the world where you can cross an international land border without even realizing it. Locals move freely back and forth, and many of the people we spoke with held both Dutch and French citizenship.
Philipsburg was already buzzing when we disembarked, and for good reason. Six cruise ships were in port, making it a particularly busy day on the island. The timing makes sense—winter is peak season here, as hurricanes tend to keep visitors away during the summer months. We would later discover that having six ships in port also makes finding open beach space almost impossible.
Horseback Riding at Seaside Nature Park
Instead of fighting the crowds in town, we had booked a horseback riding excursion, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our Southern Caribbean cruise.
A short bus ride took us to Seaside Nature Park, located on a scenic spit of land between Cay Bay and Cole Bay. The drive alone offered a glimpse into everyday life on the island, passing colorful neighborhoods and coastal views.
Upon arrival, the staff gave us a quick orientation. Most of the ride would take place along hilly trails winding through the park, but the real treat would come at the end—our horses would carry us onto the beach and directly into the Caribbean Sea. We were warned that anything worn from the waist down might get wet.
Soon we were guided to the stables, where our horses were waiting. The staff helped each rider mount and carefully adjusted the stirrups before we set off.
Riding Above the Caribbean
The trail immediately climbed to a ridge overlooking the water, and the views were spectacular. From our elevated perch, we looked out over both bays and the deep blue Caribbean Sea beyond. On clear sightlines, faint outlines of neighboring islands appeared on the horizon.
The horses clearly knew the route, allowing us to relax and take in the scenery. Along the way, iguanas darted across the trail, adding a touch of wildlife to the experience.
After climbing a bit higher, the trail looped back toward the starting area. We paused briefly so riders without waterproof shoes could remove them—because the best part of the ride was still to come.
Horses in the Caribbean Sea
From the trailhead, our horses carried us onto the sandy beach and straight into the turquoise waters of Cole Bay. Before long, the water was nearly up to the saddles, and both riders and horses seemed to enjoy the refreshing coolness after a warm ride on land.
We walked the shoreline a few times, splashing gently through the surf, soaking in a moment that felt uniquely Caribbean—and far too short. All too soon, our ride came to an end.
Back on shore, we wrapped up the experience by saying hello to a few peacocks and an unexpectedly friendly pig, followed by a well‑earned complimentary rum punch.
Back to the Ship
Island traffic made the return trip slower than expected, but eventually we reached downtown Philipsburg. Our driver offered to let us off for some shopping and beach time. While we did manage a little browsing and a quick snack, the beaches were completely packed. With six cruise ships in port, there simply wasn’t any room left in the sand.
Instead, we headed back to the ship for a relaxing afternoon by the pool.
That evening, we enjoyed our first dinner in the Michelangelo Dining Room, where the meal was delicious and the service—unsurprisingly—was superb. After dinner, the Grand Princess slipped back out to sea, setting course for our next destination: St. John’s, Antigua.
