Southern Caribbean Cruise Port Overview

Just returned from a 8 day Southern Caribbean cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas. Wanted to give a quick overview of the ports and internet cafe locations.

Bridgetown, Barbados
By the time the Brits arrived in the early 17th century, the indigenous Arawaks were long gone. Yet a cruicial piece of the evidence remained..a primitive bridge. Later on, after a new bridge replaced the old one in the very same spot, the area became known as Bridgetown. Like so many other Caribbean islands at the time, Barbadox adopted a plantation culture, cultivating tobacco, cotton and the prized sugar cane. Today Barbados exports most of the sugar cane as it is of such high quality that it brings in more revenue than keeping it for local use.

Although Barbados gained full independence in 1966, the British influence is still very strong in the commonwealth…from the chocolate and china to the national pastime-cricket. Wildlife enthusiasts can tour the Reserve, home of the Green Monkey or snorkel the sheltered waters of Turtle Bay. Shopaholics can find excellent buys on jewelry, watches and Bardadian rum, and if you just want to relax, head to the beaches (all of which are public) where the shady palms say to the Calypso beat.

Quick Tips
Taxis to the Downtown area are $2.00 per person, but it is an easy 5-10 minute walk from the pier. $15-$20 pp island tour of celebrity homes, highest point on the island with a single monkey in a cave.

Wifi a short walk from the pier into the shops terminal. Downtown $2.00 for 15 minute internet café around the corner from Diamonds International.

Castries, St Lucia
In 1605, the first English settlers arrived on St. Lucia’s shores, only to be driven away by the native Caribs. The French tried their luck a few decades later and for the next 150 years, St Lucia went back and forth between the French and the British. England got final dibs on the island in 1874 and even after St Lucia gained its independence, the Caribbean island remained a part of the British commonwealth. Yet the French influence is apparent in the culture, the local patois, and the names of historic towns like Castries and Soufriere.

The twin peaks of the Pitons tower over the island’s lush mountains and rain forests. So lush, in fact that the island looks like it should be floating somewhere in the South Pacific. But its lively festivals, calypso music and flavorful creole cruisine are unmistakably Caribbean. While in St Lucia, hike up to the Pitons, see the stunning coastline from the deck of a catamaran, or shop for unique souvenirs in Castries. A beautiful country, take an all day tour of the Island. Cosol is recommended.

Quick Tips
There are 2 downtown areas within walking distance. The first will take you to a cluster of tourist shops. Keep walking another 10-15 minutes for the true downtown.

Wifi is not available at this port. However, go to the white pyramid shaped building right across from the taxis. 30 minutes for $4.00, 1 hour for $6.00 and if you have your own laptop you can purchase an all day unlimited package for $7.00. Please note that they are only open until 7 pm.

St. John, Antigua
Columbus spotted Antigua, named it, and ignored it. In fact, the native Caribs were so determined to keep the colonists at bay that it took well over 100 years for any klind of settlement to take shape. When the first group of English settlers finally arrived in 1632, the plan was to grow tobacco. One day, a man named Sir Christopher Codrington decided that sugar might be a better way to go. So successful were his efforts that sugar mills started popping up all over the island and Antigua became a thriving sugar making machine. A century later in 1784, yet another man changed the island’s destiny. Horatio Nelson’s mission was to establish the British navel base in the Caribbean. Nelson’s Dockyard became home to the illustrious British fleet, and is now one of the biggest attractions in the Caribbean.

From the start, St John’s was at the heart of all the action. Nowadays it’s the capital of the British Commonwealth and a popular tourist destination. Enjoy it’s beautiful beaches, colonial charm, amazing landscape, and leisurely lifestyle.

Quick Facts
If you bring your laptop, free wifi is available at The Coast Bar. At the end of the pier, just turn right next to the casino.

Basseterre, St Kitts
Columbus sailed past the island of St. Kitts, never actually landing on its pink sand beaches. Yet by thetime French and English settlers arrived n the 1620’s, this lush paradise was known as St. Christopher. The town of Basseterre, one of the oldest in the Eastern Caribbean, was originally part of the French colony. Then in 1727, the British made Basseterre the capital of the entire island. It was right around this time that the world fell in love with sugar. St. Kitts, with its rich volcanic soil and tropical climate, had just the right conditions for a booming industry. At one point, 68 sugar plantations dotted the 68 acre island.

The glory days of sugar may be long gone, but you can still see remnants of the old plantations in the midst of saying sugar cane fields. The island’s colonial history is also reflected in the abandoned fortresses, city squares, and architectural details. The dormant volcanoes and rugged mountains are the perfect setting for hiking, with spectacular panoramic views from the crater base of Mount Liamuiga.

Two Internet cafes are located right off the pier. Cyber Link is located to the right and Peter KN is located further down and up the stairs across from Captain Jacks.

Cyber Link - $4.00 for 15 minutes, $5.00 for 30 minutes and $6.00 for 1 hour
Peter KN as discounted prices if you bring your laptop
Laptop Internet
30 minutes - $3.00 15 minutes - $3.00
1 hour - $4.00 30 minutes - $4.00
2 hours - $7.00 1 hour - $5.00

St Maarten
Before St. Maarten became a must-see destination for cruisers, the island was most popular for its must have ingredient, SALT. Back in the 17th century, Dutch settlers started harvesting salt from Great Salt Pond and sending shiploads back to Europe. And even before the Europeans started craving the stuff, the natives named the island, Soualiga or Land of Salt.

Today, the island is split in half between France and the Netherlands Antilles. Other than the island’s name (spelled Saint-Martin on the French half), both sides are quite unique. As you arrive in Phillipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten, you’ll immediately notice the Dutch influences, dating back to the colonial days. Wander down the narrow alleyways that lead to pastel-colored houses, perfectly intact with their second-story verandeas and courtyards filled with flowers. Spend the day perusing unique boutiques on Front Street or hop over to the French side, known for its international cruisine, for a delectable gourmet meal.

Two main roads run across Phillipsburge – Front Street and Back street. On Front Street, you’ll find most shops, cafes and historical landmarks including the Courthouse built in 1793. This is a good shopping destination for jewelry, perfume, fashion and one-of-a-kind gifts.

If you don’t mind a 10-15 minute walk, skip the taxi and just walk to the downtown and beach area. There are shops, bars and beaches for your enjoyment. But if you want a chair on the beach you will have to pay for it.

No free wifi in Philipsburg, St Maarten and there is only one internet café at the pier. Look for the Tourist Information station and it is in the same building on the right. The cost is $6.00 for 30 minutes and $10.00 for one hour. Sometimes you can find a hotspot at the bar with the green Heineken awnings but it is hit and miss.

St Thomas, USVI
Aside from the idyllic beaches and fascinating history, St Thomas is internationally known for its unbelievable bargains. Hundreds of duty-free shops and boutiques line the streets of Charlotte Amalie, selling everything from fine jewelry and imported china to liquor and tobacco. In fact, this vibrant port town has been declared duty-free since 1764, back when it was still a Danish colony thriving on sugar. And even before that, pirates used the island as a refuge and trading post for their precious booty.

Merchants have been selling their wares for centuries in some of the very same buildings. So, you can easily see the sights while you shop. Along the way, you can visit Fort Christian, Emancipation Park and other historic landmarks. Or head to the beach and see for yourself why Magens Bay is considered to be one of the top 10 beaches in the world.

Double up on the bargains as you can bring home $1200 in merchandise without paying duty. That’s twice the usual limit. Take the 99 steps back in time. Built by the Danes in the mid 1700s this famous brick staircase leads to Government Hill.

Since this is a US port, check your telephone provider as telephone calls and internet on your Blackberry or iphone should be free.