SPECIAL EDITION CARIBBEAN A–Z
P is for Ports The cruise ports of the Caribbean provide an introduction to island
life, whether wandering through the spice and craft markets of Grenada’s capital St George’s or enjoying the colourful quarters of Dutch-influenced Willemstad in Curaçao. Marella Cruises has announced two new ports for its Tropical
Isles itinerary this winter: Ponce in Puerto Rico and Isla Catalina in the Dominican Republic (pictured), where visitors can snorkel among coral reefs or take a catamaran cruise along the shore. Emerald Cruises also starts calls at Ponce as well as Nevis capital Charlestown for the 2027-28 season, while SeaDream Yacht Cruises has announced more overnights in St Barths. Ambassador Cruise Line’s 44-night Caribbean sailing, Tropical Treasures, has added opportunities to learn about biodiversity monitoring as part of the line’s renewed partnership with marine conservation charity Orca. Among the new ships debuting in the Caribbean this winter are Princess Cruises’ Star Princess, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel, Windstar Cruises’ Star Seeker and Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, with NCL’s Norwegian Luna to follow in 2026.
R is for Rum “In Barbados, rum is not just
something we make – it’s who we are,” says Rhea Cox (pictured) of Mount Gay Rum Distillery, culinary ambassador and educator for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. As the birthplace of rum in the
17th century, the sugarcane spirit is intertwined with the history and culture of Barbados, which remains Gold Medal’s top-selling Caribbean destination and a popular spot for B&B, self-catering and villa stays, according to Exsus Travel and Carrier, as clients like to explore the local restaurant scene. Tui Musement also says its Harrison’s Cave Nature Walk & Mount Gay Rum Experience (from £104) is one of its most popular Caribbean tours.
Q is for Quiet islands The Caribbean comprises 7,000 islands,
islets and cays, and while those with buzzing nightlife, large resorts and a host of family attractions are popular for a reason, clients keen on a Crusoe-esque sense of seclusion can easily find it. According to operators including Kuoni, Audley Travel and Inspiring Travel, clients are increasingly combining larger gateway islands like Barbados with smaller islands such as Bequia or St Vincent and the Grenadines, for two distinct experiences within the same trip. Ashley Pilkington (pictured), Caribbean and Mexico destination manager for
Cox adds: “If you really want to experience Barbados, you must go beyond sipping rum punch on the beach. Start with a visit to Mount Gay – the tour and tasting experiences are built on 300 years of craftsmanship, with the rum and chocolate pairing a standout. Then make your way to St Nicholas Abbey, a boutique distillery nestled in one of three Jacobean mansions left in the western hemisphere. During harvest, you can watch sugarcane being crushed on-site. “But the real heartbeat of rum
culture is in the rum shops – try local favourites such as Judy’s Watering Hole, Mustor’s Restaurant or hit Little Bristol for live music and rum under the stars. Rum isn’t a souvenir here, it’s a way of life.”
Gold Medal, says: “A twin-centre is the best option for seeing multiple islands in one trip. When booking flights to the Caribbean, many airlines touch down in other destinations – for example, when flying to St Kitts, the flight stops in Antigua on the way, so why not stay a few days to break up your travel? There is also a flight to St Vincent that stops in Barbados en route.” Pairing up sister islands also offers a quieter escape: take Nevis, a two-mile ferry journey from St Kitts. It’s home to a luxury Four Seasons resort, hiking trails up Nevis Peak (pictured) and rainforests replete with waterfalls and hot springs.
¯ 46 28 AUGUST 2025
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Dennis MacDonald, Sean Pavone; Reeko Lynch
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