New to cruising Caribbean Shore Experiences

The best Caribbean islands for everyone

A cruise holiday to the Caribbean presents a perfect opportunity to delve into the wonders of these remarkable islands and immerse yourself in their vibrant cultures. 

4 min 28 Oct 2023

Editorial Team

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Whether you’re looking to try the Caribbean’s eclectic cuisine in Punda, swim with turtles off the coast of Barbados or dive into the underwater world of the Bonaire National Marine Park, we have it all covered. Join us for an unforgettable journey of discovery and indulgence amidst the Caribbean's captivating beauty and cultural richness. 

Barbados

Barbados is a Caribbean cracker that has something for everyone. In fact, it has been recommended by writer Cheryl Markosky as ‘laidback, welcoming and a little bit British’ (due to its colonial past), which makes it the perfect starting point for your adventures. Nowhere else in the region packs in such a mix of island glamour and untamed natural beauty. There are immaculate white beaches, exclusive resorts, lush plantations, rum distilleries and amazing colonial architecture ready for you to explore. It’s also the perfect place to swim with turtles as the waters off the island’s west coast are home to green, hawksbill and leatherback turtles who enjoy the calm and temperate waters.

 

The capital, Bridgetown, is a lively base with charm, character and plenty of shops and buzzing bars and restaurants to explore. It’s also a cultural hotspot with arts and music festivals throughout the year. On the other hand, Speightstown marries the old and new with historic architecture and boutique shopping. Perhaps visit the Tyrol Cot Heritage Village to experience the 1920s Bajan life or explore the atmospheric Morgan Lewis Windmill, one of the only two intact and restored sugar mills in the Caribbean.

 

View cruises to Barbados here.

Snorkelling in Barbados

St Maarten

Depending on whether you’re on the French or Dutch side, the island of St Maarten or St Martin has the influence of two different cultures, with some West Indian flavour thrown in for good measure, making this an intriguing place to visit. It’s also a top island to visit according to acclaimed travel writer Norman Miller, so you don’t just have to take our word for it!

 

Did you know the island is almost divided into two halves? Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch enclave Sint Maarten, is great for shopping for jewellery and other gifts to take home in the must-see Netherlands-on-Sea district. It also has narrow streets, and amazing jolly Caribbean ‘gingerbread’ houses. In comparison, the French Saint-Martin is described by writer Cheryl Markosky as feeling strangely like the south of France with its Gallic-style markets, boutiques and wonderful waterside eateries. The French side is also home to the rainforest-cloaked Pic Paradis.

 

View cruises to St Maarten here.

Maho Beach, St Maarten
Maho Beach, St Maarten
Maho Beach, St Maarten
Maho Beach, St Maarten
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Bonaire

Bonaire is a beacon for nature lovers, majoring in unspoiled rural landscapes and world-class diving. The underwater world of the Bonaire National Marine Park offers wonderful insights into the world of coral reefs, beautiful tropical fish and the other sea creatures that live there. Or head to the northern head of the island for Washington Slagbaai National Park, which is home to wildlife cactus forests, sand dunes and salt lakes.

 

For history fans, the Slave Huts that once served the salt pans are a must-see, as is the Bonaire Museum of Natural History, which is located just a short walk from the cruise pier. If you’re looking for unique architecture, head to the capital, Kralendijk. Full of ochre-coloured beautiful monumental buildings, it’s also home to Plaza Wilhelmina, or Wilhelminapark, where you can discover traditional music and dance alongside a market that sells arts and crafts.

 

View cruises to Bonaire here.

Bonaire Slave Huts
Bonaire Slave Huts
Bonaire Slave Huts
Bonaire Slave Huts

Curaçao

A melting pot of cultures, with a diverse landscape of lush forest, white-sanded bays and a desert studded with giant cacti, Curaçao comes highly recommended by experienced writer Norman Miller. The capital, Willemstad, is a cosmopolitan town with brightly coloured Dutch and Spanish colonial architecture. It’s also a photographer’s dream with the colourful buildings along its waterfront making a striking contrast to the blue of the surrounding sea.

 

Towards the coast, the area of Punda has atmospheric markets that are the place to try the Caribbean’s eclectic cuisine, including yuana (stewed iguana) and kadushi (cactus soup). It’s also home to the Queen Emma Bridge, linking Punda to Otrobanda. The bridge, nicknamed ‘our swinging old lady’ by locals, cost two cents to cross in the 20th century if you were wearing shoes, but nothing if you weren’t – today you can cross it for free, regardless of your footwear choices.

 

View cruises to Curaçao here.

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