Treasure Islands: Discovering Caribbean Gems on a Cruise
Over the past few years, cruise holidays have become an interesting option for holidaymakers from all walks of life. Nowadays, there are cruise deals available all year round that cover pretty much every sea, ocean, and group of islands. But despite the great variety of itineraries on offer, the Caribbean islands are a classic destination and their appeal has kept increasing over time, which is hardly surprising. These islands are blessed with wonderful tropical landscapes, superb beaches, and a thriving cultural life that turns every port of call into an adventure. As if that was not enough, the Caribbean enjoys pleasant weather the year round, so there’s really no such thing as a wrong time to hop on a ship and tour this part of the world.
The list of things to see and do during a cruise to the Caribbean is virtually endless, but after researching the most popular 2014 cruises, here is a sample itinerary of islands and attractions that you must visit when in this area.
Barbados
Barbados is the best starting point for getting your adventure underway on a cruise holiday. Plenty of attractions await you as you disembark in Bridgetown, such as tours of the Malibu rum factory, boutiques offering duty-free shopping, tropical botanic gardens, the exotic Flower Forest, and amazing wildlife reserves. The next stop is spectacular Dominica, renowned for its landscapes and coastline. It’s the perfect stopover for outdoor lovers, hikers and wildlife watchers, and the island’s key attractions prove that there’s more to the Caribbean than just beaches. Here, rainforest hikes will take you to the impressive Middleham Falls, located in a UNESCO site.
Antigua
Further north you’ll find Antigua, a lovely tropical island where British heritage and local culture intermingle freely, creating a vibrant atmosphere. The capital’s bars and restaurants are worth a stop, and so are the picture-perfect Half Moon bay and 17-Mile beach. Tearing yourself away from the island is tough!
St Martin
Tiny St Martin will impress you, since it’s hard to believe such a small island can pack in the amount of variety it does. Mountainous St Martin is similar to Dominica, but is culturally more diverse. The town of Marigot is the ideal place to sample the local cuisine, which boasts French, Dutch, Creole, and Indian influences. St Martin has been called the gourmet capital of the Caribbean for a very good reason.
St Kitts
Beautiful St Kitts exemplifies the best that the West Indies have to offer: top-class golf courses, hills covered in exuberant vegetation, amazing fusion cuisine, and spectacular beaches. Don’t miss a ride on the St Kitt’s scenic railway. Your last stop could be the British Virgin Islands, a group 60 gorgeous islands, many of which are uninhabited and the closest thing to a tropical paradise. Here, you can draw your tour around the Caribbean to a close by spending your day at secluded coves like those in Virgin Gorda and Anegada, or by enjoying a quiet drink at the local yacht club. – Travel Feeder
Images by Berit Watkin, Luis Ascenso Photography, Chris Favero and Isabelle Acatauassú Alves Almeida used under creative commons license.
About The Author
Cecil Lee
The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.
