Cruise guests applaud Tackling’s vendor crackdown, call for other ports to follow

GREAT BAY--Cruise lines are heading into one of their busiest periods of the year, with December and January sailings filling up across the Caribbean. As ships return in large numbers, St. Maarten is standing out in cruise communities for a new public order measure that many guests say they want to see copied elsewhere.

Major cruise lines are scheduled to bring thousands of passengers to the island over the coming weeks. That growing traffic coincides with a Ministerial Decree issued by Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling that bans aggressive, unlicensed solicitation of cruise passengers at the island’s busiest waterfront entry points. The move is drawing strong praise from cruisers on social media, travel forums and YouTube channels, where St. Maarten is being held up as an example of how to improve the guest experience without closing the door on business.

Under the decree, which covers the 2025–2026 high season, unauthorized vendors are no longer allowed to approach or circle cruise visitors in key arrival areas to offer goods or services. The rules apply from December 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026.

The government has made it clear that the change responds to repeated complaints from visitors, the Port and law enforcement about aggressive approaches and unlicensed activity near the pier and other main waterfront access points.

The order prohibits:

• Renting vehicles such as cars, e-bikes, quads and bicycles without authorization
• Offering tours, excursions or recreational activities without permission
• Providing unlicensed services such as hair-braiding or massages
• Persistently approaching or circling visitors to solicit business

Violations carry a 190 US dollar fine and coordinated enforcement between the police and the prosecutor’s office.

Early reaction from the cruise community has been strongly positive. On Facebook groups, cruise message boards and travel sites and Tripadvisor, many passengers describe the decision as “about time” and say they hope other ports in the region will introduce similar rules.

Frequent cruisers point out that constant, pushy solicitation can make some guests stay on board instead of exploring a destination. Several comments note that they have seen passengers step off the ship in various ports only to be quickly surrounded by vendors, which creates stress instead of a relaxing start to a day ashore.

By contrast, St. Maarten is now being praised for taking concrete action to give visitors more space to move freely and make their own choices about which tours and services to use. Some cruisers say the new rule makes them more likely to get off the ship in St. Maarten, spend time in town and book organized excursions through reputable operators.

The measure is also reinforcing a perception already present among many repeat visitors that the island invests in its tourism product, from airport reconstruction to road improvements and a strong food scene. The vendor crackdown is seen as another sign that authorities are listening to feedback and adjusting policy in favor of a better overall experience.

The Ministry of Justice has emphasized that the goal is not to target legitimate entrepreneurs. The stated intent is to protect public order, improve visitor comfort and support safe commercial activity in the island’s most heavily visited waterfront zones. Licensed operators and businesses that follow the rules remain welcome; what is changing is the manner and location in which services can be offered.

International travel advisories continue to rate St. Maarten as a destination where normal precautions apply, and there are no special warnings in place. For many cruisers reading and sharing the news online, the new decree only strengthens St. Maarten’s reputation as a safe, organized and guest-friendly port of call.

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