Eastern Caribbean Cruise: Saint
Lucia, Dominica & Sint
Maarten

Bridgetown

Bridgetown originally called 'Indian Bridge' is the capital and commercial centre of Barbados with about 80 000 inhabitants. It is a busy port with a natural harbour inlet known as the Careenage and is well utilised by pleasure craft and fishing boats.Bridgetown has a long and colourful history as a British settlement from the 17th century. A bustling city with many attractions for travellers its mix of modern and historic buildings are interspersed with markets monuments and a number of lush gardens.The main street Broad Street is where one finds banks department stores and duty-free shops. At the top of Broad Street is the Parliament Building (the Barbados Parliament is the third oldest in the Commonwealth dating from 1639) facing National Heroes Square. Bridgetown is home to a number of historical buildings that will interest visitors including the Garrison Historic Area which is a must-visit for military history buffs.Another attraction in Bridgetown is a massive Baobab tree (said to have been brought to the island from Guinea Africa around 1738). It takes 15 adults with outstretched arms to encircle the trunk.Tourists in Bridgetown will find much to see and do: cricket games at Kensington Oval which hosted the 2007 Cricket World Cup; the Barbados Derby at the racetrack in the Garrison area; and many other events and activities. A range of duty-free shops near the harbour sell staples like Mount Gay Rum while more colourful shopping options include the Cheapside Market and the Swan Street pedestrian mall. Local restaurants in the Careenage serve up fresh lobster and fish with Caribbean flair.

Castries

The main reason for the existence of the town of Castries capital of St Lucia is as a port of call for hundreds of cruise ships that dock in the deep harbour every year disgorging thousands of day-trippers who shop till they drop in the market and duty-free shopping malls. Visitors who linger find the town has a certain charm surrounded by hills although little to offer in the way of sightseeing or architectural heritage. Most of the buildings are fairly new with Castries having been destroyed several times by fire during its history most recently in 1948. There is a very vibrant and colourful market on the go every day except Sunday some good waterfront restaurants and a few remains of the defences of the island's various occupiers to claim the attention. Castries also serves as a good base for island exploration whether it is by road or water.

Roseau

Roseau lies in a small area on Dominica's west coast, where
rugged green hills meet a deep blue sea. A mix of French and
British colonial structures run along its narrow streets,
punctuating the modern concrete buildings and recalling the
capital's history.

Most visitors gather along the Bayfront before browsing through
the Old Market. Historically speaking, the area hosted the slave
trade. These days, its craft and souvenir stalls are popular among
cruise-ship passengers. Tourists should also explore the compact
museum in the Old Post Office if time allows. Otherwise, seeing the
island's natural beauty should be the priority. The botanical
gardens are certainly a worthwhile stop in this regard. A hillside
enclave called Morne Bruce lies above them and offers a
breathtaking view of Roseau.

All in all, the destination appeals to travellers who want a
friendly, relaxed atmosphere, though the local hotel bars and clubs
can be lively. The World Creole Music Festival makes visiting in
late October a special treat.

Basseterre, Saint Kitts

Basseterre is the capital city of Saint Kitts and Nevis, in the West Indies. It is also the main port and commercial center for the island nation. The city has a long and rich history, dating back to the early days of European colonization.

The city was named by the French after Christopher Columbus, who stopped here on his second voyage to the New World in 1493. The city was then known as Basseterre de Guadeloupe, or Basseterre of Guadeloupe. It was one of the first European settlements in the Caribbean and quickly became an important trading port.

In the 17th century, the British took control of the island and renamed it Basseterre. The city remained an important port and commercial center under British rule.

Today, Basseterre is a busy and vibrant city with a population of around 13,000. It is a popular tourist destination, with its beautiful beaches, historic buildings, and lively nightlife.

Charlestown

Charlestown is the capital city of St. Kitts and Nevis, two Caribbean islands known for their stunning beaches, lush forests, and beautiful architecture. Located on the main island of St. Kitts, this historic port city and its picturesque harbor have become a popular destination for travelers looking to explore the Caribbean.

Charlestown is a bustling port city, with a wide variety of things to do. From the largest market in the country, to numerous museums, churches, and monuments, there are plenty of attractions for visitors to explore. The St. Kitts National Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the islands, while the nearby Fort Charles offers stunning views of the harbor. For an outdoor adventure, visitors can take a hike or bike ride through one of Charlestown's lush forests or spend an afternoon exploring its nearby beaches.

When it comes to shopping, there's no shortage of options in Charlestown. Visitors can find everything from souvenirs and local crafts to luxury items at the shops located around the harbor. After browsing the stores, visitors can grab a bite to eat at one of the many eateries in town, ranging from classic Caribbean fare to international cuisine.

Nightlife is also alive and well in Charlestown. The city hosts several festivals and events throughout the year, and locals and visitors alike can be found sipping cocktails in local bars and nightclubs. If you're looking for a more laid-back scene, the nearby beaches provide an idyllic spot to watch the sunset.

Charlestown has something for everyone. Whether you're looking to explore the city's rich history or spend the day relaxing by the sea, this charming Caribbean port provides an ideal destination for your next getaway. From culture and nightlife to shopping and outdoor activities, Charlestown is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit.

Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the capital of Dutch Sint
Maarten. It has two main streets, Front Street (Voorstraat) and
Back Street (Achterstraat), connected by several bustling
thoroughfares and filled mainly with duty-free shops, cafes, hotels
and courtyards overflowing with flowers.

The town enjoys an unusual setting, located
on a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay, on the south coast
of the island, and the Great Salt Pond (a huge marsh). It is the
port of call for hundreds of cruise ships, their daytripping
passengers coming ashore to sample everything from Italian leather
goods and Japanese cameras to local crafts and Philipsburg's
nightlife, regarded as among the liveliest in the Caribbean.

Architecturally, the town, founded in 1763
by John Philips (a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy), is quaint,
with characteristic pastel-coloured West Indian houses lining the
streets, and a few Dutch colonial landmarks, including Fort Willem,
built in 1801, and Fort Amsterdam, constructed nearly 200 years
earlier in 1631.

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

The capital city of Puerto Rico, San Juan
is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean and home to a third of
all Puerto Ricans. Nearly every visitor to the island arrives at
San Juan, many on cruise liners. It's one of the largest home-based
cruise ports in the world, hosting many vessels with more being
added each year.

San Juan is divided into three distinct
districts: Old San Juan, the historic walled city; the beach and
resort area; and the outlying suburbs. Tourists mainly visit Old
San Juan, the site of most restaurants, shops, entertainment venues
and some exquisite beaches.

The old city is linked to the new by the
largely residential barrio of Puerta de Tierra and a series of
modern highways leading to the Condado beachfront, which is
reminiscent of Florida's Miami Beach with its high-rise hotels and
apartment blocks.

It is not only tourism that keeps the
financial mills grinding in San Juan. The city is an important
centre for petroleum and sugar refining, brewing and distilling,
and the manufacturing of cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products
and tobacco products.

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle,
there are numerous attractions in San Juan to amuse, entertain and
interest many tourists, and the city is a perfect base for
exploring the rest of what this small Caribbean island has to
offer.