Tuesday, April 2, 2024

St Lucia Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions

st lucia cruise

Through the formation of a consultative committee comprised of representatives of relevant stakeholder groups, the St. Lucia Cruise Port team will work with the community to ensure that our common goals are achieved. We want to connect with community members, understand your needs, and create mutually beneficial partnerships to support all involved in ensuring the success of this project. We are excited to work with all Saint Lucians to help build a better community that inspires visitors and creates more joy and opportunity for those who live and work here. By continuously collaborating with port, industry, and community stakeholders, we will achieve even greater economic stability and growth to provide for future generations of Saint Lucians. If you want to avoid big crowds, then you want to consider cruising to St Lucia between March and April or October to November. This is when the weather is at its best, and there are fewer people on the island.

Where cruise ships dock in St Lucia

The bus ride might take up to 1 hour 45 minutes, while the boat ride lasts up to 1 hour. Some boats are large (like ferries), with little shade, so make sure you bring sunscreen and a hat. Climbing the Pitons is one of the most exciting things to do on the island, but it’s not recommended to go hiking without a tour guide. Petit Piton is quite dangerous and requires previous mountaineering experience, while the Gros Piton hike is safer and requires a moderate level of physical activity.

Explore Castries, The Island’s Capital

Ironically, the square is named after a man that was not at all happy with the touristic development of St Lucia island. Cruise travelers interested in exploring historical landmarks will find a few sites in Castries worth a visit. The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, usually referred to as “The Cathedral” is 200 ft long (61 m) by 100 ft wide (30 m) and said to be the largest church in the Caribbean. Therefore you should look into booking a day pass at the Marigot Beach Club.

Castries, St. Lucia

It’s located on the southeastern side of the Caribbean and bears the most dramatic landscape in the entire West Indies. Twin Volcanic hills blanketed by lush vegetation rising from the sea create the island’s unique feature and induce awe in anyone who sees them. Antigua is famed for its 365 beaches, not to mention snorkeling, kayaking, rainforest hiking, horseback beach rides, and even swimming with stingrays. Dickenson Bay is one of the best beaches, with soft sand and buzzing bars.

Or head to English Harbour, home of Antigua Sailing Week, and admire the sleek yachts. While you’re here, wander around the UNESCO-protected Nelson’s Dockyard to see the beautifully restored 18th-century buildings, galleries, pub, and museum. Today, bargain hunters often stock up at the duty-free shops at Pointe Seraphine before taking a moment for themselves at the relaxing Serenity Park. If you’re looking for a more cultural experience, head over the Castries Market where you’ll find local produce, crafts and unusual souvenirs. Castries, the capital, commercial center and main cruise port of St. Lucia is full of charm, treasures, luxury apparel and adventure.

There’s plenty to do, whether you want to join a chocolate-making workshop or browse Castries Market for spices and gifts. Bathe in the natural hot springs near Soufriere, or simply relax on one of the exquisite beaches. True adventurers could tackle the hike up Grand Piton for jaw-dropping views across the island. On a cruise to Castries, It’s an hour’s southbound drive to Soufriere, which is where most excursions will take you to get to the massive Pitons nearby. Once the capital city of the island, today a visit to Soufriere is one of the best ways to understand the island’s history.

Bimini Islands, Bahamas

La Place Carenage cruise terminal is located at the heart of the Castries downtown, in the south of the bay. Historic landmarks, shops, restaurants, parks, and main city attractions including a famous Castries central market are within a short walking distance from the cruise terminal. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your visit to St Lucia. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion, or natural beauty, St Lucia has it all. So embrace the island’s charm, soak up the Caribbean sunshine, and create memories to last a lifetime. Each one offers a unique atmosphere and a chance to unwind amidst natural beauty.

st lucia cruise

We take immense pride in supporting the communities in which we operate around the world. Our partnerships reflect a simple yet powerful idea – that bringing more business, sustainably, to cruise destinations around the world, empowers people. Through a delicate balance of operational excellence, community engagement, and sustainable business practices, we aim empower Saint Lucians and to become an indispensable part of the community.

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Our local port team will be committed to the growth and development of the country because they will be Saint Lucians. At GPH, we strongly believe that the port operator, government authorities and tourism industry stakeholders should work closely as the interests of all parties are aligned. We look forward to engaging key stakeholders through establishing consultative committees to achieve these goals.

If docked at La Place Carenage, and considering that this terminal also has quite a few good stores, you really have to be a serious shopaholic to walk all the way to Pointe Seraphine or cross the bay by water taxi. Along the northern west coast, there are a few other wonderful beaches such as Choc Beach (20-minute taxi ride), Reduit Beach (on Rodney Bay) and Pigeon Island Beach (between US$20.00 and US$30.00 each way by taxi). I am the creator of an e-book “Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide“, the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports, & YouTube channel @AdventourBegins. The beach features several resorts and restaurants backed by stunning volcanic and mountainous landscapes. It takes a 1-hour 30-minute drive to get to Jalousie Beach from Port Castries. Anse Chastanet – Besides being an amazing snorkeling spot, Anse Chastanet is also a popular beach and a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the towns.

You can also plan a vacation during the island’s Jazz Festival Week or enjoy St. Lucia’s numerous festivals throughout the year. If you love golfing, the island also offers a great, challenging course that you can conquer and add to your golf stories. This garden boasts plenty of colorful tropical flowers found alongside the walking paths that run through the gardens. Of course, the one attraction that you shouldn’t miss on the island is the Pitons.

Indulge in the flavors of grilled seafood, gourmet pizzas, sushi, or enjoy a fine dining experience with breathtaking ocean views. Nothing spells island fun more than a luxurious catamaran ride along the coast of the island. This leisurely tour takes you along the coastline with stops at major attractions.

st lucia cruise

Founded by the French around 1768, it changed hands in the early 1800’s, when the British turned the town into a major naval port and built fortifications on Morne Fortune, overlooking the harbor. The world’s only drive-in volcano to the world’s best saltfish – and boundless white sand beaches in between. Taxi and group excursions are the two best ways to see sights beyond the center of Castries. Walking around the city center is common for cruise passengers who wish to stay in Castries during their stop in St. Lucia.

GPH: Two Year Timeline for Saint Lucia Cruise Port Project - Cruise Industry News

GPH: Two Year Timeline for Saint Lucia Cruise Port Project.

Posted: Sat, 30 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise ships offer excellent tours but if you wish to explore the island on your own the taxi services are very good alternatives. Undoubtedly, Reduit Beach is the most popular - the scenery, sand, water clarity and many activities offered are major attractions for the cruise traveler. And also the proximity to the Rodney Bay Marina (with a few nice restaurants), the Splash Island Water Park which is great for families and the Bay Bay Gardens Resort offering a beach day pass. There are two main piers (and Terminals) in St Lucia's main cruise port, which is located on a very nice bay next to Castries - the main city and capital of the island.

Piton beer and Chairman’s rum are the local drinks of choice, which can be enjoyed after a visit to Castries Waterworks Forest Reserve, offering a rare glimpse of rainforest flora and fauna. If you’re looking for more adventure, travel to the Grand Pitons or for a hike up to Fort Charlotte on Morne Fortune, and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful vistas and historical perspective. Grande Anse – Located around a 40-minute drive from the port of Castries, Grande Anse is a charming, secluded beach located on the eastern coast of Saint Lucia. If you are searching for lush nature, mountainous sceneries and peace, Grande Anse is a perfect spot. People come here to see the turtles, as the beach is a popular leatherback sea turtle nesting ground and turtles often come out of the water.

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