Nearly 500 cruise ships call at Philipsburg each year. Two reasons are the number and the variety of duty-free shops on the island. Prices can be 25% to 50% below those in the United States and Canada on perfumes, jewelry, liquor, tobacco, Swedish crystal, Irish linen, Italian leather, electronics, cameras, designer fashions, Swiss watches, and more. Most shopkeepers are courteous, and a little haggling may bring down the price.

Philipsburg has a bustling Caribbean flavor, while Marigot, on the French side, is distinctly southern European. On both sides of the island, be alert for idlers alert for unwatched purses.

Prices are quoted in florins, euros, and dollars; many shops take credit cards and traveler's checks.