St Lucia Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions
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This is your view from the cruise ship when your ship is docked in Vigo cruise port. The ship is docked just a few minutes away from the city center of Vigo. These excursions offer the chance to go beyond the cruise port and truly explore the wonders of St Lucia. Each experience presents a unique opportunity to discover the island’s beauty, engage in thrilling activities, and gain a deeper appreciation for the culture and natural heritage of St Lucia. Most cruise ships of all sizes dock in a small bay by Castries - the capital of St Lucia.
Cruise dock Castries, berth 1
From the iconic Pitons and Sulphur Springs to the captivating rainforests and pristine beaches, St Lucia offers a diverse range of attractions that cater to every interest. Whether you’re seeking thrilling activities like zip-lining through the treetops or prefer to unwind on picturesque shores, St Lucia has it all. These cultural experiences will allow you to connect with the heart and soul of St Lucia.
Take a Relaxing Mud Bath in Sulphur Springs Park
Although the Editor has walked there from Pointe Seraphine it is a stretch in the sun and a taxi shouldn't cost more than US$10 each way (per trip up to four people).
Ports by Region
But the cruise traveler will only have a glimpse of this natural wonder if booked on a shore excursion. Restaurants in St. Lucia are a blend of Creole and Caribbean influence, and the coastal setting means lots of fresh catches rule the menus. The local delicacy is saltfish and green banana (called figs in St. Lucia). Ships anchor in Castries, either at Pointe Seraphine, a duty-free shopping complex on the harbor's north side, or at La Place Carenage, a smaller duty-free shopping complex near the markets on the harbor's south side. (Check xe.com for current exchange rates.) You can generally use American dollars anywhere on the island, although you may receive change in local currency.
St. Lucia Cruise Port Terminal Information: Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage
The basilica dominates Derek Walcott Square, a charming green park featuring a bust of Derek Walcott, a Saint Lucian poet, playwright, and Nobel Prize winner in 1992. Another charming garden is the King George V Gardens, named after Marquis de Castries, situated in the vicinity of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, another magnificent place of worship. There are a few other Castries landmarks you can visit such as La Toc Battery or Governor House, located within a minute driving distance from the cruise terminal. When Pointe Seraphine cruise dock is taken ships dock at the Port Castries. Photo's of cruise port Gibraltar Gibraltar cruise port is situated at the North Mole.
It’s totally worth the effort (moderate activity level), as from the hilltop you can admire the exceptional views of the northwest coast of St Lucia and Rodney Bay. In case you don’t want to hike, you can visit the Pitons by bus or a minivan in a small group, or by boat. 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. The Pitons are part of the Soufriere Volcanic Centre and overlook the town of Soufriere and its bay.
Castries Shore Excursions
In St. Lucia, a 10% service charge is usually already included in your bill at restaurants, and you can choose how much to tip additionally from there. Nestled right between the two Pitons outside of Soufriere is Sugar Beach, which is a luxurious Viceroy resort area, but also boasts some of the best views of any of the beaches on the island. Lounging is freely available to the public; you don’t have to be staying at the resort to enjoy the imported sandy beach.
Castries St. Lucia Port Guide
The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines. Inorder to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departuretimes just follow the ship’s link. Saint Lucia uses the East Caribbean dollar, and local ATMs will spit out this currency when you withdraw funds.
View All Cruises to Castries, St. Lucia
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Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Buildings of note surrounding the square include the Castries Public Library and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, both of which warrant a visit. It is central to most activity in the city and a good location to take a moment or find your bearings. Fresh local fruit and vegetables, such as mangoes, bananas, yams, cucumbers, are a staple of St. Lucian menus, which tend to take on a French-Creole flair.
Less time consuming, a visit to the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Falls is a must. This six-acre retreat is an invitation to walk through lush tropical vegetation, bird watching or bathing in the mineral waters of the spa. The main attraction of the Diamond Gardens is the 17 meters high waterfall. The Diamond Botanical Gardens Website has great information about this highlight of St Lucia.
The first such RCI-Royal Caribbean ship (Anthem OTS) docked here on January 13, 2018. The ship was on a 12-day Caribbean cruise (itinerary Jan 7-19) roundtrip from NYC New York to San Juan (Puerto Rico), Philipsburg (St Maarten), St Johns (Antigua), Castries, Bridgetown (Barbados) and Basseterre (St Kitts). Quantum-class ships have LOA length 348 m (1142 ft) and max capacity 4800 passengers plus 1300 crew. In October 2019 was officially opened Glittering Sands - a new tourist attraction at L'Oranger Bay (Anse La Raye Beach) located at ~20-min drive from Port Castries. The complex is managed by Carvalho's Cruise Services Ltd (travel agency) and offers as amenities beach chairs and umbrellas, restrooms, showers, storage lockers, bar-restaurant. Glittering Sands offers as activities like snorkeling, seakayaking, sail boating, river rafting, hiking (along the waterfalls).
Their bar is also famous for its rum punch and a variety of martinis. Head south by car, and in a little over an hour you’ll be at Sulphur Springs, where you can drive right past an active volcano. They call it the “drive-in volcano,” and it’s one of the most unique sites in St. Lucia.
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