For a few dollars we take a water taxi from the cruise pier directly to the town beach of Philipsburg.

We start by strolling through the clean streets and lanes, browsing the enormous range of duty-free goods and gifts. There is certainly no shortage of alcohol, cigarettes, cigars, watches, jewelry or perfume here.

We're lucky that today only three cruise ships are docked at what is the second-largest cruise port in the Caribbean. It's hard to imagine what it must be like when even more arrive.

In true tourist fashion, we rent a sun lounger and treat ourselves to a wonderfully lazy afternoon on the city beach.

Gloriously soft white sand and turquoise water let us live the Caribbean dream.