Getting to Know Caribbean Ports: More than Meets the Eye

If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, right?

Cruisers who have been to the islands, will quickly tell you this is a long standing myth! Each island has a different flare, it’s own personality due to cuisine, traditions and yes, even landscape!

Of course nearly every Caribbean cruise will offer a break from the rush of your daily routine, a cold drink and palm tree shade, but that’s just the surface of what’s available in the Caribbean.

Changing Landscape

Did you know that each island can also offer something different when it comes to the topography? One of our favorite parts of pulling in to port is seeing the islands approach and comparing the landscape differences! Find out where you’ll find the best beaches, mountains and more.

Aruba
Guests love visiting here because a day filled with sunshine is almost guaranteed since it rains less than on any other island. This also contributes to the island having large dessert areas and spectacular beaches.

Puerto Rico
This island has a more varied elevation, providing amazing hiking opportunities providing amazing views of the country and potentially cooler weather as your traverse the lush rain forests of El Yunque.

St Lucia
Home to natural mineral baths which are the result of underground hot springs pushing up through the Earth down a hill to create a magnificent waterfall that sparkles like diamonds, resulting the Diamond Falls! It has long been said that dipping in to a mineral bath can have therapeutic effects for chronic rheumatism, respiratory complaints and even ulcers.

Caribbean Cuisine

Each island as their own unique flair when it comes to cuisine. Cruising gives you a chance to taste a variety of flavors onboard thanks to dedicated chefs and of course a new port each day means, you can sample local specialties.

Here are a few other ideas to help you decide what’s on your must eat list.

Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a broad influence from Spanish, African, and American foods to their dishes. The most frequently used spices are coriander, papaya and cacao, which season plantains, meat, yams and coconut meals!

Barbados
Food here is a mixture of both American and African influence with the heavy use of marjoram, garlic, parsley, thyme, basil and spices such as paprika, salt, black pepper and clove. Dishes are also based around local foods like okra, asparagus, yellow fin tuna, snapper and barracuda.

St Nevis
Traditional goat stew of tomatoes, dumplings, green papaya, breadfruit and goat is actually the national dish!

Jamaica
Local food is the staple of traditional Jamaican food, which includes ackee fruit, salt fish, fish tea and plantains. The ackee has a creamy yellow texture that contains wonderful vitamins and protein, but must only be eaten when fully ripe, so don’t attempt this one on your own.

Outstanding Excursions

St. George, Bermuda
Enjoy the truly special experience of exploring the quaint streets of St. George and surrounding countryside from a delightful horse-drawn carriage. As you make your way past the town’s historical landmarks, well-tended homes, businesses and gardens, your driver/guide will provide an enlightening and conversational commentary about St. George’s unique history while giving you some insight into what life was like in a simpler time when carriages where the only mode of transportation on the island.

St. Barts, Virgin Islands
We’ve all heard of a yellow submarine, right? Now is your chance to board a semi-submersible to explore the ocean. These ships are both above and below water, allowing you to sit alongside the large windows to watch the marine life or head back up if you need some fresh air. You’ll see schools of tropical fish, turtles, and the shipwreck of the fishing boat “Marignan”, which sunk 15 years ago and is a popular location for fish and nurse sharks.

Jost Van Dyke, Great Harbour
As of twenty years ago, the island didn’t even have electricity, so no fear of running in to tourist traps here. Bird lovers can enjoy a day at Diamond Cay, a bird sanctuary home to terns, boobies, and pelicans. Once finished, enjoy a dip in the natural hot tub of the Bubbling Pool.