The basics of Southern Caribbean Cruises

In a very quiet way, the Southern Caribbean, probably the least known part of the region, is becoming one of the most interesting. And Caribbean cruises are gaining more and more popularity there.

The islands of the Southern Caribbean, which translate roughly to those lying east and south of St. Maarten/St. Martin, have always been slightly more exotic than counterparts in the Western and Eastern Caribbean. Part of that is due to the very strong colonial influence that pervades many of these islands, a great percentage of which are still related to France, the Netherlands and the U.K.

But in the immediate post-September 11 era, these islands, including Aruba, St. Barth's, Curacao, Martinique, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Nevis (to name a handful), took a big hit.

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Cruise lines struggled to fill ships for a variety of reasons. San Juan has typically been a major port of embarkation for seven- and 10-night itineraries, but its airlift is far more limited than those starting points in major cities in the continental U.S. like Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. As such, departures are often pushed back until 11 p.m. (Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas is one example) to allow for more time for day-of arrivals.

Ref: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1367

Southern Caribbean Ports of Call

Antigua: Your ship will dock in Heritage Quay in St. John's. Within walking distance are shops, restaurants, and ATMs. Taxis and rental cars are available.

Aruba: Cruise ships dock in Oranjestad, which is the capital city of Aruba, so there is plenty to do within walking distance. Beaches require a taxi ride or public bus.

Barbados: You’ll depart your cruise ship at the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal, which is a mile from Bridgetown. Locally there are souvenir shops, but the walk/taxi ride to Bridgetown will provide you with many more shopping options. You can rent a car, but be wary of the roads; everyone drives on the left.

Bonaire: Cruises typically dock in downtown Kralendijk, which is withing walkin distance of restaurants, bars, shops, and snorkeling and diving sites. Taxis and rental cars are available to explore the rest of the island.

Curacao: Larger ships dock in the Curacao Mega Pier, which is a short distance from downtown West Willamstad. Smaller ships can dock at the Curacao Cruise Terminal, which is also close to Willamstad.

Dominica: Ships stop at Roseau Cruise Ship Berth, conveniently located in the heart of Roseau.

Grenada: Melville Street Cruise Terminal in downtown St. George’s is where your cruise ship will drop you off. Taxis, buses, and rental cars are readily available.

Guadeloupe: You'll get off at Centre Saint-John Perse, which is a short walk from Pointe-a-Pitre, a major Guadeloupean city.

Martinique: Cruise ships dock in two piers that are walkable from the bustling Fort-de-France.

Nevis: You'll be anchored and tendered into Charleston, where many sites are within walking distance. Taxis and public buses are readily available.

St. Barth's: Cruise ships stopping at St. Barth's are anchored and tendered into the capital city of Gustavia. Shops, restaurants, resorts, and beaches are reachable by foot. Taxis are rare, and small rental cars are available, but be wary of the small roads and steep curves when driving.

St. Kitts: Cruise ships can unload passengers at Port Zante, which is geared towards tourists with its shops and restaurants. Within walking distance is Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts.

St. Lucia: When your cruise ship anchors in St. Lucia, you will be a short walk from Castries, the only major developed area in St. Lucia. Transportation options include public bus, rental car, and taxi. If you plan on renting a car, note that St. Lucians drive on the left.

Ref: http://www.cruise411.com/promotion/southern-caribbean-cruises.do

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