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DESTINATION GUIDES

CARIBBEAN

A region which is synonymous with the Cruise Industry, there are next to no lines which do not indulge in the beauty and relaxation of a Caribbean cruise at some point across their calendar. Itineraries commonly start from the major hubs of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, but there are some lines which will take in the Caribbean from the UK with a Transatlantic crossing included, often stopping at the Azores or Bermuda on the way. The Caribbean also plays its part in World Cruises as stops in the region are regular prior to a Panama Canal Crossing.

The beautiful beaches, fantastic weather, friendly locals and rich history all play their part in making the Caribbean a varied region and it can be a great itinerary whatever a potential customer is looking for, as it covers all of the best points of a cruise holiday. Many cruise lines have invested in their own private islands in the Caribbean and these have become a unique selling point for each line as part of their efforts to differentiate themselves in what is quite a saturated market.

The Caribbean can be split into the distinct Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean areas and itineraries often stick to these areas, but obviously the proximity to each other in this relatively small sea mean that many lines will juggle itineraries to keep them fresh. The Southern Caribbean covers Northern South America, the former Dutch colonies in the Netherlands Antilles such as Aruba and Curacao and Trinidad & Tobago, one of the larger island nations. The Eastern Caribbean is the region that those aforementioned ex-UK itineraries will reach and covers some of the most beautiful and famous islands such as Barbados, St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands and Antigua, while the Western Caribbean contains famous cruise ports like Grand Cayman and developing destinations such as Cuba, now freed from its cruise ship embargo by the recent easing of US/Cuban diplomatic tensions.

A Caribbean Cruise has something for everyone and therefore this is a great option for first-time cruisers and experienced travellers alike. Rates in the Caribbean can also regularly be bery reasonably priced, however it is always worth noting the length of the itinerary, as this may dictate the clientele, and that rates do not include air travel to the USA from the UK.

HistoryMuch of the history of the Caribbean has been shaped by the influence of the Western World and the colonial powers who took advantage of the Caribbean climate and introduced plantations and slavery to slake the ever growing needs of the West.

When considering the Caribbean’s history many accounts tend to start from the discovery of the islands by Christopher Columbus and the subsequent conquest of the region by the Spanish. In fact, the islands were populated by a number of tribes prior to the arrival of Columbus and later the Spanish forces.

Following the arrival of the Spanish, who came in search of gold and pearls which were abundant in the region, the local population

were mostly enslaved and forced to work to drive the Spanish colonial machine. Until recently it was believed that many of these tribes had been entirely removed, yet studies into the DNA of the region show that the native Amerindian tribes have survived in a number of locals across the many islands here.

As the Spanish empire fell into decline, the other great powers of the time, such as the British, the Dutch and the French came to the Caribbean and where they settled can still be seen in the influence on certain islands in the area today. Agriculture was introduced to the Caribbean for luxuries desired by the West such as sugar and tobacco, and to drive this the colonial powers brought thousands upon thousands of slaves, taken from Africa, and put them to work on huge plantations. Companies such as the VOC and the East India Company regularly braved the hazardous crossing of the Atlantic and the rebellious nature of certain individuals in an attempt to control the waters, the trade and, therefore, the money.

While far away from the political decision makers in London, Madrid, Amsterdam and Paris, the Caribbean was often a battleground for the power struggles going on in Europe, as well as a hazardous place to sail due to increasing piracy, which has recently been regularly dramatized. Slave Rebellions were also common, unsurprising given that by the time Britain passed its Abolition of Slavery Act in the 1830s it is estimated nearly 4 million slaves had been forced to travel to the Caribbean to labour. Notable amongst these was the Haitian revolution, the only known successful slave uprising, which led to the independence of Haiti – the first island in the Caribbean to gain this freedom. Much of the Caribbean remained under colonial control until into deep into the 20th Century and only recently have many Caribbean nations become independent, while a number still remain under the control of the Netherlands, Britain & France.

The Caribbean in recent times has started to finally build its own history and its own successes free from its difficult past with its own heroes and in doing so has only increased its touristic potential. The Caribbean is often touted as the source of the current complexion of the world Cruise Industry and it is unlikely that at any time will it relinquish its place as the most popular cruise destination on the planet.

Cuisine

Caribean Cuisine is very much a fusion of cultures from Africa, the continent of origin for many of the Caribbean’s residents, as well as the countries of many of the former colonial powers controlling the region. This has been built upon by increasing Chinese and East Indian influences brought through close British links and the influx of labourers to the region following the abolition of slavery. The food in the region is therefore a difficult thing to define and can differ supremely from island to island.

Common amongst all islands is the use of locally grown produce such as sweet potato, rice and plantain, as well as peppers and tomatoes and many spices. ‘Jerk’ seasoning is one of the key spicings which has reached Europe as a cuisine of its own, but is far from the only type in this varied region. Dishes such as callalloo have strong African links and is found widely across the region. Goat stews are also very popular in many islands, as is Roti, a dish with strong Indian influence. However, there are also dishes like Ackee which is found almost solely in Jamaica, with different saltfish variants across the islands. Religions such as Rastafarianism have strict guidelines upon eating and therefore it is difficult to define one style of Caribbean Cuisine.

Key PortsBasseterre, St. KittsPhilipsburg, St. MaartenSan Juan, Puerto RicoCastries, St. LuciaMontego Bay, JamaicaGeorge Town, Cayman IslandsTortola, British Virgin IslandsHavana, Cuba

Key AttractionsBob Marley MausoleumNine Mile, Jamaica

Mount Gay Rum Distillery Tour Bridgetown, Barbados

The BathsVirgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Cruise round The PitonsSt. Lucia

Old Town of HavanaCuba

Castillo San Felipe del MorroSan Juan, Puerto Rico

Stingray CityGrand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Nelson’s DockyardEnglish Harbour, Antigua

Best Times to Go Peak Season: Cruise ships will be found in the Caribbean year round – Summer Months & the Christmas and Easter Holidays are all peak

Shoulder Season: April & May and September & January

Key InformationLanguages: English is the national language across the majority of the Caribbean and is widely spoken even in those nations where it is not. French, Spanish and Dutch is also common as languages reflect former colonial divides.

Currencies: Local dollar denominations are present across the Caribbean, for example the Eastern Caribbean Dollar and the Barbadian Dollar. However, for most of the islands in the region (bar Cuba) US Dollars are accepted so it is wise to be well stocked up on these before travelling. Do note that while Cash machines may say dollars they will most likely give you the local versions

Visa Required: Yet again Cuba is the anomaly here. Tourist Cards are required for many nationalities, but this may be acquired upon arrival for around 20-25 pesos. Puerto Rico is a US Territory and is therefore acceptable to visit on a ship, however you may need a visa if you are disembarking here.

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