Because we were supposed to also go to this port on the second cruise we were taking we stayed near the dock and went through the shopping area. We aren't big shoppers so it more of the same old stuff as the previous port St Maarten.
Don't take the ferry to Paradise Island. Unless you can time getting there just as its ready to leave you can be sitting on a rocking and fuel ridden boat for 30 minutes. Many people were getting ill before it finally left. Luckily we got there just as it was to leave.
We liked Paradise Island and spent time in the Casino.