THE BEST DESTINATIONS YOU’LL VISIT ON A CRUISE FROM BARBADOS
Craving sun-kissed beaches with translucent waters, culture-soaked colonial towns and mouth watering island cuisine? When your starting point for a Caribbean cruise in 2022 or 2023 is Barbados all those tropical enticements await – along with your choice of epic Royal Caribbean® cruises departing from Bridgetown. Come along as we explore beautiful Barbados and must-visit, can’t-miss, fan-favourite destinations in the Southern Caribbean!
Published on - Octoiber 25, 2022 at 11:53 am
WHY CRUISE FROM BARBADOS
Treasured by travellers from all four corners of the world, Barbados is the easternmost of the Lesser Antilles, a dazzling island paradise just 34 kilometres long and 37 kilometres wide. But while small in size, Barbados is brimming with breathtaking adventure and opportunities for discovery! Among its natural wonders you’ll discover an ancient cave system – including the majestic Harrison Cave, a crystallised limestone wonder – the island’s famous flower-filled gardens, friendly free-roaming monkeys and much more than its fair share of natural beauty. If you are a snorkeler or diver, don’t miss Carlisle Bay’s famous underwater shipwreck trail. You will hit several wrecks in one shallow dive and there are also stunning coral reefs to explore. Now a home port for Royal Caribbean, Barbados is the cruise line’s newest jumping-off point for bucket-list itineraries. Sail to such jewels of the Caribbean as Trinidad, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao — or embark on farther-flung journeys cruising to Central and South America on longer cruises. With seven-and fourteen-night sailings onboard Grandeur of the Seas®, your memory-maxing holiday beckons. Adding welcome convenience to bold adventure, British passport holders do not need a visa to enter Barbados!
EXPLORE MORE IN BRIDGETOWN
Not only does Barbados unlock some of the most popular shores in the southern Caribbean and beyond, but Bridgetown, the capital and main cruise port, offers a captivating combination of Caribbean and European charm. Think streets lined with well-preserved colonial buildings and brightly painted wooden houses, bustling open-air markets and quaint seaside cafes overlooking the aquamarine bay. Bridgetown is also a foodie heaven, with the local Bajan cuisine fusing African, English, Portuguese, Irish, Creole and Indian flavours. Whether you’re in the mood for a special waterfront dinner of freshly-caught seafood, or grab and go options at a street food stall, there is something pleasing for every palate.
How To Get To Barbados
Direct flights from London carry you across the Atlantic to this sunny southern Caribbean isle. Make planning your holiday a breeze by opting into the Royal Caribbean Air2Sea program which guarantees you’ll get the lowest airfare on your chosen airlines. Also offering 24/7 support from air specialists, you can rest assured you’ll make it onto your cruise from Barbados, even if there are flight delays or cancellations. In fact, for each sailing, Royal Caribbean specially reserved seats on aeroplanes and chartered flights for the protection of its guests. Going through customs in Barbados is a piece of cake too. As we noted, you only need a valid British passport and there are no visa requirements for visits under six months.
On the big island in the Gulf of Paria, you’ll dock in Trinidad’s capital, the exciting, attraction-laden Port of Spain. Travel in time to 1804 exploring the mountaintop Fort George where after visiting the prison and officers’ mess, you can soak up astounding ocean views. Lovers of history and architecture should tour the impressive churches dotting Port of Spain, such as the Cathedral Basilica dating back to 1816. Also well-worth a visit, the city boasts a sprawling botanical garden. Outside Port of Spain, you’ll discover myriad natural standouts – like the Caroni Wetlands. Take a nature boat ride along the waterways through dense mangrove forests populated by tropical birds and wildlife. Afterwards, unwind on a beautiful beach such as Maracas, a serene strip of shoreline protected by a deep bay and flanked by rolling hills. As is the case in Barbados, Trinidad’s global fusion cuisine is also a tantalising draw. A wildly popular local dish is the Bake and Shark, a street food staple consisting of fried flatbread, coleslaw and…shark meat! Although you can request other fish as a substitute, we recommend you give shark a try: its mild chicken-like flavour is in fact quite delicious and you’ll score bragging rights for being a daring culinary explorer!
Trinidad’s diminutive sister island, Tobago, is another lovely spot to visit on a cruise from Barbados. With incredible coral reefs and dive sites in the south coast, snorkelers and divers flock to the island, while beach-buffs can’t resist the idyllic north coast. Graced by pristine coves, turquoise bays and pale stretches of sand, the north coast is perfect for travellers who value beauty combined with seclusion. In Scarborough, the island’s main port, you’ll find no shortage of things to do, although the pace is slower and more laid-back than that of the bustling Port of Spain. The city has beautiful botanical gardens of its own as well as cannon-wielding historic fortresses. When you work up an appetite, settle into one of Scarborough’s open-air cafes and consider trying tender rum-roasted pork or fragrant curried crab dumplings. But don’t say we didn’t warn you: the local specialties are delicious and addictive!
St. Vincent And The Grenadines
Another incredible destination to consider on your next cruise, whether you go in 2022 or 2023, is St. Vincent — the main island in a string of smaller, beautiful isles known as the Grenadines. In picturing St. Vincent, imagine a destination where luxurious yachts line peaceful harbours and tanned bodies are stretched on its postcard-worthy beaches. Kingstown, the island’s main cruise port, is a charming hub mingling vibrant outdoor markets, quaint 19th-century churches and British colonial-era forts. Featuring a wonderful array of restaurants, it can be difficult to make a choice, but wherever you end up, do try the local callaloo soup — a delicacy made with potatoes, beef, herbs, coconut milk and of course, callaloo greens.
Couples on a cruise from Barbados seeking a taste of luxury love St. Lucia, where the coastline is dotted with upscale resorts and fine dining includes the likes of Jacques Waterfront Dining. The island, a quintessential Caribbean paradise of glittering sapphire bays, dramatic emerald mountains and colonial-style plantations, also features ancient volcanic peaks and rustic fishing villages that merit exploring. Nature lovers will be right at home, hiking the twin peaks of the iconic Pitons, trekking through Maria Islands Nature Reserve, or diving in waters teeming with rainbow-colored fish, turtles and other marine life. Plan on also visiting the steam-shrouded Qualibou Volcano, an impressive sight with its bubbling springs. Head to beautiful Castries, the capital city, for a taste of St. Lucia’s French, British and Creole heritage. These influences are evident in the architecture, cuisine and even in some of the parks, like the leafy Derek Walcott Square Park, adjacent to the cathedral.
Every Grandeur of the Seas® cruise out of Barbados includes a stop at St. George, Grenada, one of the best-kept secrets in the southern Caribbean! Everything in this West Indies island is outstanding — from the towering rainforest-draped mountains to the bright, neatly-painted homes in the capital, St. George. Even the cuisine here is outstanding and bold, with aromatic curries and savoury creations that incorporate a wealth of spices. Spices are so much a part of Grenada that it has earned the nickname “Spice Isle”! Throughout the countryside you’ll spot spice plantations, but even as you stroll around the city, you’ll catch the tempting aromas of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon scenting the air. Fortunately, St. George has many wonderful restaurants so when you want to do more than simply sniff spices you’ll have plenty of tasty options! One last note: do make time to visit Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park, the world’s first-of-its-kind and the awe-inspiring handiwork of sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. Located off the island’s west coast, the park offers visitors the unique opportunity to swim through the exhibition space!
Aruba, the best-known of the ABC Islands, is a captivating study in contrast, with terrain that ranges from the gold-hued beaches of the west coast to the rugged limestone cliffs and arches of the east. Between the two, you’ll find craggy volcanic hills and deserts dotted with cacti – a wild, haunting beauty that calls to hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Diversity also marks the Dutch island’s capital, Oranjestad, where more than 90 nationalities make the city one of the world’s most heterogeneous destinations. Blending the old and the new, Oranjestad’s beautifully restored colonial buildings rub elbows comfortably with modern structures, such as brand new luxury malls. Getting around the city is a pleasure. A state-of-the-art tram connects the cruise terminal to the downtown area, passing by the picturesque Main Street, lined with boutiques and restaurants.
The “B” of the ABC Islands, Bonaire is a southern Caribbean treasure, located just off the coast of South America. Every bit as captivating as Aruba and Curaçao, her sister isles, Bonaire is famous for spectacular coral reefs and famous dive sites, which attract divers from around the globe. If chilling on a picture-perfect beach is more your vibe, you have your choice of approximately 20! Some boast powdery white sand while others are flecked with crushed shells and corals – the result of thriving reefs just beyond the breakers. It’s not only the marine life that is prospering in Bonaire, but other wildlife as well. A true ecological marvel, the island is home to several endangered species and some of the world’s most fragile habitats. Wetlands are protected to ensure nesting and feeding sites for turtles and birds and Bonaire has embraced sustainable energy as part of its efforts to preserve this magical isle. You’ll see many fascinating birds and creatures as you kayak through Bonaire’s dense mangrove forests, or even if you go hiking through desert trails that snake past cacti and massive boulders. And despite all the natural enticements you’ll find on the island, carve out some time to explore its capital city, Kralendijk, a charming enclave where colonial Dutch style meets laid-back Caribbean flavour.
The last of the ABC Islands, Curaçao offers plenty of thrills for even the most daring of outdoor adventurers. On the windswept and rocky north coast, Shete Boka National Park offers limestone bluffs with panoramic views, sinuous trails through rolling lava hills and pocket beaches where three species of turtles lay eggs. You’ll also find a natural blowhole formed by crashing waves and fierce currents, as well as the Hato Caves – an astounding network of subterranean chambers considered one of the island’s top natural wonders. Curaçao also offers all the more traditional charms of a Caribbean island escape. Breathtaking beaches. Culture-soaked streets vibrating with Calypso rhythms. Mouthwatering cuisine. Overflowing with Old World charm, Willemstad, Curaçao’s capital, invites lazy strolls down cobblestone streets to the cafes of Sint Anna Bay. After sipping a refreshment and having your fill of people-watching, swing by the famous Floating Market, packed with boats selling wares and produce from South America and the surrounding islands.
Whether you are seeking a holiday full of outdoor adventure; a cultural getaway packed with history, heritage and cuisine; a relaxing beach escape; or a bit of everything, Royal Caribbean has you covered. With multiple itineraries sailing from Barbados, the most beautiful pearls of the Caribbean are yours to seize.
Ahead of your cruise, check out these insider tips:
- Before you book, keep an eye out for cruise deals on sailings from Bridgetown. Royal Caribbean offers frequent sales online.
- Once you’ve made your reservation, consider staying in Bridgetown for a few days before or after your cruise from Barbados to explore the island.
- Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum. Add some to your list of souvenirs to bring home from the island.
