www.jetlinecruise.com
16
The Caribbean is probably the best place in the world
for a relaxed beach cruise with lots of things to do. It's
all about fun the sun with breakfast on deck, crystal
clear water lapping on silky soft sands, water sports,
jungle adventures, lazy afternoon naps on the balcony,
balmy evening wallows in the hot tub and warm
midnight promenades under the stars. A marvellous
day in the sun is defined by when you are still up on
deck after sunset and you return to your stateroom
in your swimwear and everyone else is already
dressed for dinner!
A Caribbean cruise is not simply one that you do
just once but more a fall-back option to visit time
and time again to capture the magic described
above in the cold damp days of the UK Winter.
Discover the
ANTIGUA: There are 365 beaches - one for every
day of the year; the most popular ones are Galley Bay
and Hawksbill Beaches. Nelson's fleet was hosted in
the late 1700's in a picturesque bay on the other side
of the island to the capital St John and is now one of
the best-known bays for the sailing fraternity - now
aptly named Nelson's Dockyard.
ARUBA (ORANJESTAD): Aruba is situated just
15 miles off the coast of Venezuela at the Southern
end of the Caribbean. This island is just 5 Miles
wide by 19 Miles long so getting around does not
take long and is relatively in-expensive. The south
side of the island features soft white sand beaches,
great shopping, stunning sea and desert landscape
views. All of this can be experienced from the capital
Oranjestad with its heavy Dutch influences.
BAHAMAS: A scattered group of islands off the
coast of Florida make up the Bahamas and these
really mark the gateway to the Caribbean. Most cruise
ships dock in Nassau (the capital) where you will find
the magnificent Atlantis Hotel with its water park,
marine habitat and Dolphin Cay. Princess Cruises
have their own a private island called Princess Cay
where the ships dock and you are straight onto the
beach with a free BBQ lunch.
BARBADOS: Visit the incredible white sand
beaches on the sheltered western side of the island,
try a round of golf, visit sugar cane plantations and
sample the popular Mount Gay Rum. Barbados is the
only Caribbean Island to be colonised by one nation
- the Brits! You will even find a Trafalgar Square
here. Bridgetown is the capital lying in the South
Western corner of the island. The closest beach to
the cruise terminal is Boatyard Beach - a white sand
happening beach that is well equipped particularly in
its Adventure Beach area.
BONAIRE: Is part of the Netherlands Antilles group
situated just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela.
This rural island is flat and rather unremarkable - but
also has the benefit of being relatively unspoilt.
Its entire coast is a protected marine park prefect
for snorkelling, plus the mangrove swamps are the
perfect place for an energetic yet tranquil Kayak
adventure taking you back to nature. The ships moor
at the quayside which is in the heart of the capital
Kralendijk meaning "Coral Reef".
CURACAO: This volcanic island is sandwiched in
between Bonaire and Aruba. The capital Willemstad
is a cosy Dutch haven with its neat row houses which
are 17th and 18th century Dutch colonial buildings.
Visit the Hato Caves formed from coral reefs, the
freshwater waterfall and Shete Boka National Park
with its limestone tidal cavern. The Ostrich Farm is the
largest outside of Africa where you can feed the birds
and watch the Ostrich dance. Best souvenir buys are
Delft pottery and of course the Sapphire Blue Liqueur
- Curacao.
DOMINICA: Dominica was discovered by
Columbus in 1493 and was named after the day
he discovered it - Sunday! This mountainous lush
tropical island belonging to the Leeward Island group
is approximately 30 miles long by 15 miles wide.
The capital Roseau lies in the South Western corner
and is very picturesque at the foot of green hills and
mountains. Ships usually moor at the quayside and
you are right in the heart of the town. Visit Ti-Tou
Gorge where there is a refreshing waterfall amidst the
rain forest. On the way back check out the Sulphur
Springs and take a photo stop at the Botanical
gardens overlooking the capital - Roseau. The sail
away from Dominica is beautiful - one of the best in
the Caribbean.
GRENADA: Known as the Spice island where
the aromas of Nutmeg, cinnamon and Cocoa
hang in the air. This volcanic island with tropical
rainforests and waterfalls lies at the southern end of
the Windward Island chain. Most ships dock at the
quayside, and the closest beach is Grand Anse beach
-a two mile stretch of white sand. Perhaps visit the
Grand Etang cobalt blue lake and take a refreshing
dip in the Royal Mt Carmel waterfall or perhaps go
river tubing on the Balthazar River. There is also the
unique underwater sculpture park at Molinere Point
for keen snorkelers.
ST KITTS: St Kitts is a member of the British
Commonwealth and lies at the top of the Lesser
Antilles chain close to Antigua. Visit Brimstone Hill
National Park known as the Gibraltar of the West
Indies and the sister island of Nevis just a 45-minute
ferry ride way. Get a good feel for the island on the
scenic railway - originally built to transport sugar cane
or chill out at one of the best beaches on the island
Cockleshell Beach. Try an invigorating natural Aloe
Vera massage on the beach - it does wonders for
your sunburn!!!
ST LUCIA: St Lucia is a lush tropical island and part
of the Windward Island group. The capital - Castries
lies in the North West and there is a lush verdant
rain forest in the centre. This island is volcanic and
is most famous for Les Pitons - two twin conical
shaped mountains. St Lucia became part of the British
Commonwealth as recently as 1979. Trek through the
rainforest, take a refreshing dip in a waterfall or take a
jungle top zip wire adventure.
Barbados
Antigua
Here is just a small selection of the ports of call available:
St. Lucia