Table Of Content
RCG completed the building of the new (5th) cruise berth in February 2021. The passenger traffic increased by scheduling regular visits by Oasis-class boats (world's largest passenger liners) each with max capacity 6300 passengers (plus 2150 crew). For the first year of operation (October-December 2021), Antigua Cruise Port's newest Pier 5 (USD 30 million project) had projections for ~285,000 ship tourists. Discover the rich colonial history at Nelson's Dockyard, soak up the sun on pristine beaches like Dickenson Bay, or venture into the lush rainforest of the Fig Tree Drive. Indulge in the mouth watering flavors of Caribbean cuisine, immerse yourself in local traditions, and let St. John's captivate your heart.
Central & South America
Typical tours like the ones to the Shirley Heights Lookout the Nelson's Dockyard (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) or the Betty’s Hope sugar plantation are a must. A Beach Break is combinable with a visit to Stingray City or the Canopy Zipline Adventure. An there are many exciting activities for thos into adrenaline pumping. Taxis are readily available at the cruise terminal, and there are also shuttle buses and private tours available. You can also explore historic sites like Nelson's Dockyard and Fort James, or take a scenic island tour to see more of Antigua's natural beauty.
Travel Advisory
Both of these seasons are the best time to visit the Eastern Caribbean. Most major cruise lines such as Carnival, the Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises, cruise to the island regularly. If the Caribbean is renowned for anything, it’s the pristine sailing conditions, making it one of the best places in the world to learn how to sail. If this has always been on your bucket list, then there’s no better time to spend a day learning how it’s done while in Antigua.
Try out the Local Cuisine
The official currency in Antigua is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), although the U.S. dollar is accepted in a variety of places as well. The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a rate of EC$2.7 to US$1. Keep a few EC$ handy if you’re shopping in markets or from street food stalls; if you pay in U.S. dollars, you will probably be given change in local currency. Some restaurants will include a 10% service charge already, but if they don’t, you should tip 10-15% for good service. Colorful St. John’s will be your port of call on a cruise to Antigua, a coral island fringed by no less than 365 white sand beaches. Alongside the brightly colored buildings in shades of turquoise, coral pink, and sunshine yellow, you’ll find stately old buildings and solid forts.
A Strong Start to the Year for Antigua’s Cruise Industry
Antigua Cruise Port Welcomes Carnival Venezia - Cruise Industry News
Antigua Cruise Port Welcomes Carnival Venezia.
Posted: Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
This is a definite must-see when visiting this island nation and is almost a rite-of-passage when exploring Antigua. While some of Antigua’s beaches may be a little overcrowded and busy, there are a few that aren’t, specifically, Half Moon Bay. Despite damage by Hurricane Irma, this island is still worth a day-trip. Simply hop on the Barbuda Express which is a high-speed catamaran that will carry you over for a day of exploration of this very untouched Caribbean habitat. For yet another spot to take in the beauty of Antigua, Shirley Heights is a must-visit location.
Prickly Pear Island Escape
As well as history and abundant shopping, you’ll find that St. John’s is the perfect gateway on your Caribbean cruise to the rest of the island’s charms. Sail through aquamarine seas on a catamaran, kayak through the mangroves, hike rainforest trails, or join a tour along the beach on horseback. Explore historic Nelson’s Dockyard, or head up to Shirley Heights Lookout for breathtaking views of English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour.
Since cruise ships dock at Heritage Quay, just an easy 5-minute stroll from the piers to downtown St. John’s, exploring the landmarks and attractions of Antigua’s main city and capital is a piece of cake. You can comfortably wander around on your own, taking in all the sights and sounds. On an Antigua cruise, visit St. Johns, the capital city of the dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
Top Tours & Excursions In St. John’s – Antigua
If you're looking for things to do in Antigua, there's no shortage of options. Some of the top attractions include visiting beautiful beaches like Dickenson Bay, Half Moon Bay, and Jolly Beach. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry.
Landmarks, churches and museum
The reward at the summit of Mount Obama is unhindered, panoramic views across Antigua. Bear in mind that the hike takes an average of three hours to the summit, and you’ll be hiking through lush jungle trails. This is the highest and most scenic point on the entire island — originally known as Boggy Peak. It’s a challenging climb, but both beginners and experienced hikers can easily complete the track. Otherwise, explore the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda or take your pick from an eclectic mix of restaurants to refuel for lunch. Since living in Antigua for the last 3 winters we have never experienced or heard of anything that makes us think that it’s unsafe.
Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. If you’re a nature lover and want to get your outdoor fix, then a great to do just that is by hiring a kayak for a few hours and exploring the island’s mangroves. During a mangrove kayak tour, you may even get a chance to spot a jellyfish species unique to Antigua — the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea). If you’re feeling particularly indulgent after a spot of luxury shopping, why not embark on a yacht cruise around the island of Antigua? There are several independent cruise charters that operate from the island, but one that is worth mentioning is the family-owned and operated Creole Antigua Tours.
This is a hike that we love to do as a family because the views are incredible. Plus there are so many things to see such as butterflies, hermit crabs, hummingbirds, cacti and much more. The best days to visit when it’s super busy with lots of local vibrancy are either a Friday or Saturday when it’s super busy with lots of local vibrancy. 📍 An off-road dune buggy tour of Antigua – we love to try different ways to take an island tour. This one is great fun as you go through the tropical rainforest off-road.
Antigua and Barbuda's Government has long-planned "to develop Fort James facility and its precincts into a daytime leisure activity to support the cruise tourism business". Following the project's completion, a water taxi service will be introduced to transport cruise tourists from Port St John’s to Fort James' facilities. Within walking distance, less than 10-minute walk from the pier, the Anglican St. John's Cathedral is a must-see, which has been under restoration for some time. As you sail into St. John's the magnificent towers dominated the skyline and you will see these baroque structures as you walk around.
As the Cathedral is perched on a high hilltop it has wonderful views of St John’s Antigua. There is a wide variety of water activities and snorkeling tours combined with beach stops, snacks, drinks, lunch, or just relaxing sailing across the Caribbean Sea options offered to the visitors. Nestled on the southwest coast of Antigua, this gorgeous piece of paradise is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Antigua. The Nest Beach Bar & Restaurant offers delicious food for you to enjoy, so make sure you try their famous coconut shrimp and Pina Coladas. Nelson’s Dockyard is part of the National Park and is located in English Harbour on the south of the island, approximately 40 minutes drive (20 km/12.5 miles) from Antigua cruise port.
Nearby, you can take a dip into the glimmering waters of Long Bay Beach, surrounded by several eateries and hotel resorts. Once you arrive at the site, your guide will give you a briefing and you’ll take a short boat ride off the coast to a shallow natural pool surrounded by coral reefs. Here you will have the opportunity to touch, feed, kiss, and play with stingrays while learning about these amazing and captivating animals. Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign island country located in the middle of the Leeward Islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.
The cathedral is located next to Mount St John’s Medical Center, approximately 1 km/0.6 miles from Antigua port. This is the major marketplace on the island where you can experience the authentic, local vibe. This church is located on St Mary’s Street, a 5-minute walk from the port. Christopher Columbus spotted the island in 1493 and named it after a saint worshiped in Seville, Santa Maria la Antigua. But he didn’t land here; the island was not occupied by Europeans until 1632. It was cultivated with the arrival of the British entrepreneur Sir Christopher Codrington, who exploited Antigua for large-scale sugar cane production using African slaves.
No comments:
Post a Comment