Caribbean cruise holidays are what many lust after in the UK. Well, shiver (me timbers) no more, P&O Cruises’ ship Ariva sails the region come winter – here’s what you can look forward to.
Caribbean cruise holidays are what many lust after in the UK. Well, shiver (me timbers) no more, P&O Cruises’ ship Ariva sails the region come winter – here’s what you can look forward to.
Caribbean cruises conjure up images of white sandy beaches, rustling palm trees, azure blue waters and rum… lots and lots of rum.
But there’s actually much more to the region than sunbathing and drinking (although both very much encouraged!). P&O Cruises ship Arvia – the latest vessel to join the fleet – is offering a variety of Caribbean cruises to help you get your fix of sunshine.
The sailings range from seven to 22 nights so travellers can get a true taster of the Caribbean good life or take the time to really immerse themselves (read: more rum).
The P&O Cruises Caribbean itineraries – available to book via cruise agent Bolsover Cruise Club – have been carefully created so holidaymakers can explore eight of the region’s most idyllic islands: Antigua, Barbados, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Martinique, St Kitts, St Lucia and St. Maarten. Plus, all the Arvia cruises include overnights and late calls at some of the region’s most exciting ports of call. Hooray!
We’ve taken a look at the more unusual activities cruisers can enjoy on P&O Cruises Caribbean sailings in between sun-worshipping and cocktail-downing whether you join a cruise line shore excursion or go it alone. Reading with a glass of rum in one hand optional.
Cricket and hot sauce! OK, not together – although the spiciness might make you run faster – but these are two things Antiguans absolutely love. You can get a taster of both, no pun intended, during Caribbean cruises to Antigua.
To gobble up some culture head to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda where West Indies cricket legend Viv Richards’ treasured cricket bat can be found. To hoover up some, well, hot stuff, simply visit a local eatery to sample Susie’s Hot Sauce; bottles of the fiery condiment adorn most restaurant tables and roadside food shacks. Word of warning: this spicy treat has a kick that’s not for the fainthearted!
For more traditional Caribbean pursuits, Antigua also boasts 365 beaches, vibrant coral reefs, historical forts, fun-loving locals and tasty barbecue joints.
Yes, you can immerse yourself in luxury in Barbados and laze on immaculate white beaches but you can also get active and take your holiday to new heights. Literally.
Skim through the rainforest canopy on a thrilling zip-wire ride to get your adrenalin soaring or, if you prefer to stay on terra firma, trek with an expert guide and get up close to indigenous wildlife, from green monkeys to diminutive hummingbirds.
Other get-your-heart-pumping options include mountain bike rides, ATV experiences and island safari jeep tours.
Elsewhere in Barbados are lush plantations and flower-filled gardens, rum distilleries, museums, plantation houses, colonial architecture and colourful local communities. Don’t miss the Bajan nightlife either during your overnight cruise call here!
What’s that? You’d like some rum? Good news: there’s a fab rum-based excursion for you to sink your teeth into. On the Bajan Craft Beer & Rum Tasting day out you’ll visit Foursquare Rum Distillery which is located on a former sugar plantation dating back to 1720. Get ready to learn all things rum; from unique combinations of artisanal processes to state-of-the-art techniques used to create rich styles of rum. Then, do as all good students do – get stuck in and gulp back on some of the tastings on offer.
Too much of a rum do? It’s not just the strong spirit on offer. This P&O Cruises shore excursion also whisks you off to DreadHop Brewing, a local beer brewery committed to creating distinctive hand-crafted ales. You know the drill: learn about it then drink it. Oh and pick at some snacks too to soak up the booze.
Caribbean cuisine is globally recognised as being bloody tasty (official terminology) so you won’t go hungry during your P&O Cruises in the Caribbean. UNESCO-protected Willemstad [above, right] is divided into historic quarters with Downtown’s Punda and Otrobanda on either side of Queen Emma Bridge.
In Punda, seek out such local market delicacies as artisan fudge made with coconut, cashew and peanut. Feeling brave? Try tryuana (stewed iguana) and kadushi (cactus soup) – perfect for bragging rights when you get home (and a talking point during I’m A Celebrity episodes).
There’s also plenty of Dutch colonial architecture to admire in historic Otrobanda, while The Kura Hulanda Museum and The Maritime Museum are good for visitors looking to take a cultural deep dive. Oh, and there are plenty of beaches and diving opportunities, complete with wrecked aircraft to swim amongst.
Crystal waters, palm-fringed beaches, coastal cocktail bars… so far so Caribbean, but what about a visit to the world’s biggest handmade cigar factory during your Caribbean cruise port of call in the Dominican Republic?
Tabacalera de Garcia in La Romana, where Arvia stops, boasts an outstanding selection of brands and produces many award-winning Dominican cigars. The cigar industry’s most experienced craftsmen and women work here – more than 5,000 of them! Fun fact, the Dominican Republic is the number one premium cigar manufacturing country in the world thanks to the fertile soil and perfect weather for cultivating high-quality tobacco.
There’s lots more culture to be found in the DR while cruising the Caribbean; it was the first European settlement of the New World after Christopher Columbus ‘discovered’ the island in 1492. The capital, Santo Domingo, is brimming with architectural wonders.
In the UNESCO Colonial Zone, there’s the New World’s first castle, first monastery, first university and the Americas’ oldest cathedral, 16th-century Santa Maria le Menor which has an amazing art collection.
Well, after all that culture you’ll need some downtime, amiright? Take a relaxing shore excursion and put all your cares to one side at the exclusive, five-star Be Live Collection Canoa resort.
The Caribbean resort, neighbouring the pretty fishing village of Bayahibe, boasts a tropical setting and excellent facilities. A beach towel and sun bed are included in your visit so relax by the sun-infused pool, stretch out on the powder-soft white sand on the resort’s private ‘Blue Flag’ beach or seek the breeze under the shade of a palm tree.
If you want to get active, hop into the pool or rally the troops for a game of volleyball. Thirsty? There’s an open bar for cocktails and drinks during your stay plus an included lunch – simply choose between the main buffet or the beach restaurant.
Martinique, meanwhile, has been a French outpost since 1635, so, unsurprisingly, more intriguing history and culture can be delved into on P&O Caribbean cruises here.
Capital Fort-de-France, snaked with colourful streets, is home to the Bibliothèque Schoelcher featuring a blend of Romano-Byzantine, Art Nouveau and neo-Egyptian influences. It was named after Frenchman Victor Schoelcher, the Under Secretary of State for the Navy who supported the abolition of slavery and advocated for access to culture for all, donating 10,000 books to Martinique. In short, one of the good guys.
Impress your travel companions with your insight – the library was built in Paris in 1889 and shipped over brick by brick. That’s some serious commitment to reading.
Keep an eye out for St Louis Cathedral and the Fort St-Louis – the 17th-century fortress gave the Martiniquan city its name. The Caribbean island also boasts Mont Pelée, a still-active volcano whose slopes make for scenic hiking…and rum. Never forget about the rum.
St Kitts has divine beaches, charming villages and historic sites, but, for something a little different, jump on the St Kitts Railway to see the island in style.
The railway was constructed between 1912 and 1926 and originally delivered sugarcane from the fields to the island’s capital, Basseterre. Thanks to an open-air observation deck you can take in the gorgeous sights of rural St Kitts, from delightful coastlines and villages to farms and sugarcane fields.
For more panoramic vistas over the entire British Leeward Islands, take a hike up Mount Liamuiga, the highest point on St Kitts at 1,156m. If it’s Dolce far niente you fancy, hit the beach – the clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and watersports (the sea temperature rarely dips below 26°C) or for simply lying next to, preferably with a cocktail.
P&O Cruises guests also have the option of getting creative during their Caribbean cruise holiday to St Kitts. Ever heard of batik? It’s an ancient Indonesian technique of applying wax-resist dyeing to cloth and is made either by drawing dots and lines resulting in gorgeous geometric patterns – and you can try it yourself on a shore excursion.
Romney Manor in St Kitts is home to textile company Caribelle Batik which produced its first batik in 1976 and has a world-famous reputation for producing fine batik products made with quality one-of-a-kind fabrics.
Amid a splendid location surrounded by lush gardens and magnificent views, watch expert artists guide you through the various steps of applying wax, dyeing and boiling vibrant colours while they teach you about the ancient art form and its history. And then visitors can enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime chance to create their own! That’s a Caribbean cruise holiday souvenir to treasure, we reckon (unless your textiles skills haven’t improved since school…).
You can’t come to the Caribbean and forget about pirates, me hearties. St Lucia is breathtakingly picturesque at every turn but there is a darker side. Pigeon Island National Park in the north echoes with legends of St Lucia’s founding father, French pirate Francis Le Clerc. The island was used as a hideout by his famous pirate gang as they could see ships approaching from this vantage point.
Fearlessly aggressive, Le Clerc was the first pirate in the modern era to be dubbed ‘peg leg’ after he was left with a wooden limb following a brutal injury, resulting in the name ‘Le Captaine Jambe de Bois’. The park is also home to Carib caves and hilltop military ruins.
Another St Lucian highlight is Gros Islet’s renowned Friday night street food market. If your P&O Cruises Caribbean holidays are timed right, you’ll be able to join in the rowdy open-air celebration. Tuck into barbecued chicken and fish and wash the feast down with a Piton beer all to the soundtrack of reggae pumped from giant speakers.
Ready for some fresh air after the partying? P&O has you covered with the Big Wheel Electric Scooters shore experience in St Lucia. You’ll get to explore the rugged, picturesque northern coastline of the Caribbean island on an exciting al fresco adventure without any exertion at all thanks to the scooters’ powerful, fully electric motors! No hangover excuses, please.
The self-drive journey takes in plenty of highlights such as Rodney Bay Marina and its centuries-old pirate haven, the famous fishing village of Gros Islet and the Pigeon Island National Landmark. Then, over in Cap Estate, you can marvel at the top views from the Cas-en-Bas Viewpoint and snap the requisite photos for the Gram. Along the way you’ll hear fascinating tales about the locations you visit and even get to eat and drink some local Caribbean delicacies. Fuel for all that energetic scooter riding, you know.
Incidentally, don’t let the tech worry you – the custom-built iRide scooters are fun and very easy to ride, with fully automatic gearboxes. As long as you are comfortable riding a bicycle, you won’t struggle at all with the scooter
There’s more delicious cuisine to be sampled over on half-French, half-Dutch island St Maarten while cruising the Caribbean.
Soak up the French Riviera vibe in the French capital Marigot; meander around Gallic-style markets, pop into parfumier boutiques, dine at quayside eateries serving creole dishes or try an open-kitchen lolo for grilled surf and turf treats.
Want to go Dutch, literally? Head to Dutch capital Philipsburg for quaint cobblestone streets, historic churches, splendid public buildings and leafy courtyard cafés paired with ritzy malls and top shopping.
Of course, you cannot miss the jaw-dropping plane-spotting experience St Maarten is so famous for. Although it’s not so much spotting as ducking out for the way – planes roar directly overhead Maho Beach so close you might almost feel you can reach out and touch them (please don’t).
Want some rum afterwards, you know, to help calm the nerves? P&O Cruises shore experience Caribbean Cuisine & Rhum Tasting takes you to award-winning Topper’s Rhum Distillery in St.Maarten where you can tuck into Caribbean cooking at its finest and taste speciality Rhums (which are made from fresh pressed sugar cane juice rather than distilled from fermented molasses).
Not only can you watch the chefs at work but you can also join in if you fancy yourself a bit of a Marco Pierre White. A variety of dishes will be rustled up, including breadfruit balls and fried local fish with Sauce Sousk, accompanied by a delicious T’punch cocktail.
You’ll then get to see where the alcohol comes from on a distillery tour – sip on homemade punch, taste over 20 samples of rhum and savour up to twelve small-batch speciality versions of the drink from the rhum tap (oo, I wonder if we could install one of those at home?).
Duration: 14 nights
Where: Barbados | Curacao | Dominican Republic | St Kitts | Antigua | St Maarten | Martinique | St Lucia | Barbados | Barbados
Ship: Arvia
Price: From £1,089 pp
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