Simpson Bay Bridge Openings

Last year when we were planning our day in St. Maarten, there was talk about the new bridge and whether we might need to leave the beach earlier to get back to the ship on time.

Can't find any update on this. Anyone know?

Ellen

The Simpson Bay Causeway bridge was completed in Dec. 2013 and it has made a big improvement with traffic and getting back to Philipsburg from Maho. The taxi drivers are familiar with the bridge schedule, you should still allow yourself enough time to get back to the ship.

Thanks. We need to be back at the ship by 5 p.m. Will be bussing it to Phillipsburg and then walk to the port. If we leave Simpson bay beach at 3 p.m., I would assume we will be okay. Anyone disagree?

Ellen

Leaving at 3 pm, you'll be fine to make it back to the ship by 5 pm. There are also plenty of taxis drivers at Maho to take you back to the pier. A taxi will cut out the the 15-20 min. walk back from Philipsburg to the pier especially if the weather is hot.

Enjoy your day as Maho!

Thanks Life Is Good Cruising!

Ellen

Thanks. We need to be back at the ship by 5 p.m. Will be bussing it to Phillipsburg and then walk to the port. If we leave Simpson bay beach at 3 p.m., I would assume we will be okay. Anyone disagree?

 

Ellen

Does your ship leave at 5 or is all aboard time 5? Generally speaking I find that all aboard time is 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time that the ship is set to depart.

Last year when we were planning our day in St. Maarten, there was talk about the new bridge and whether we might need to leave the beach earlier to get back to the ship on time.

 

Can't find any update on this. Anyone know?

 

Ellen

The Simpson Bay Bridge opening times currently are 8:30,9:30,10:30,11:30,3,4, and 5.

Does your ship leave at 5 or is all aboard time 5? Generally speaking I find that all aboard time is 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time that the ship is set to depart.

Our departure time is 6 and all aboard time is 5:30 but we always consider the latest as an hour before sailing.

Thanks also for the bridge opening times. Will copy and save.

Quite sure now that we are going to Karakter again this year.

Ellen

Our departure time is 6 and all aboard time is 5:30 but we always consider the latest as an hour before sailing.

 

Thanks also for the bridge opening times. Will copy and save.

 

Quite sure now that we are going to Karakter again this year.

 

Ellen

Karakter changed their menu a little and the crab cakes were replaced by fish cakes and they were quite awful to us which really surprised us as everything else that we have eaten over the years at Karakters has been delishious. It's a great place on a great beach. Enjoy.

Thanks for the menu update. We might have had the crab cakes last year. Cannot remember exactly but we really like them so it is possible. Won't try the fish cakes!

Ellen