Caribbean

Caribb ean CALLING

Add a little spice to your next winter-sun sailing with Caribbean expert Nigel Tisdall’s guide to the region’s most colourful ports of call

This winter is going to be a fabulous time to take a Caribbean cruise. Covid protocols have been lifted in many islands, testing and vaccination requirements have been eased on many ships and there is an exciting choice of itineraries exploring this balmy region – including some that sail there from the UK.

How do you decide where to go? A key part of these islandhopping adventures are the ports of call where you’ll have the best part of a day to taste the distinctive culture of each destination, visiting top-class sights and yes, relaxing on a palm-lined beach with a hit-the-spot rum punch.

From engrossing World Heritage sites to soul-soothing sands, here’s our guide to the best places to take your sun hat on a tropical cruise you won’t forget. 

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada

SEE: With its lush greenery and colourfully painted houses, the Spice Island boasts one of the Caribbean’s prettiest harbours. It’s best explored on foot (but be warned, there are some steep hills), savouring its tumbledown character and calling into the House of Chocolate to learn about Grenada’s artisan chocolate-makers.

For lunch, try grilled fish or curried goat in a restaurant on the Carenage. An excursion following the winding roads into the forested, mountainous interior is also great fun.

Don’t bother with the touristy waterfalls – head instead for the Belmont Estate plantation, where you can learn about the island’s bountiful produce, then visit the seafront nutmeg-processing station at Gouyave and the water-powered River Antoine rum distillery, where they’ve been making the strong stuff since 1785.

SAVE: If you plan to devote at least one day of your cruise to relaxing on the beach, make it the well-kept, 1.5-mile-long sands of Grand Anse. A taxi there takes around 15 minutes, but you can also go by water taxi in five; or, for a mini adventure, jump on the local bus.

SAIL: A 30-night Springtime in the Caribbean cruise aboard Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery, departing Portsmouth on March 5, 2023, costs from £9,522 per person (saga.co.uk). Other lines visiting St George’s include Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Hurtigruten and NCL.

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao

SEE: This World Heritage-listed Dutch Caribbean port soon has you reaching for the camera to snap its colour-charged waterfront buildings, vivid street murals and the historic neighbourhood of Pietermaai. You can walk from the cruise terminal to the city centre, which has two parts, Otrobanda and Punda, that are connected by a pontoon bridge.

Lit up at night, it’s an enjoyable place to stroll, with Plasa Bieu, a former market turned casual lunch venue, a good place for fish and goat dishes from a choice of vendors. Transport is required to reach the best beaches, such as Playa Porto Mari and Playa Kenepa, but expect them to be busy.

Active cruisers will relish Curaçao’s snorkelling and diving, while Christoffel Park has hiking trails, driving routes and the Savonet Museum, so start early to make the most of it.

SAVE: Don’t waste money on blue curaçao, a sweet and lurid liqueur made with bitter orange peel that’s promoted everywhere. Beauty and health products made using the island’s aloe vera are a much better gift or souvenir.

SAIL: A seven-night Tropical Delights cruise on February 5, 2023, costs from £1,500 per person including flights (tui.co.uk). Other lines visiting Willemstad include NCL, Silversea and Windstar Cruises. 8 40

Waterfront in Punda, Willemstad

Clockwise from above: Lone Star restaurant, Barbados; Enchanted Princess at sea; Bibliothèque Schoelcher in Martinique

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados

SEE: A firm favourite with British travellers, Barbados feels like home with its parish churches and love of cricket and gardens. There’s lots to see, so try a tour with the effervescent costumed guides known as The Characters of Town.

Bridgetown’s Garrison Historic Area has been awarded World Heritage status for its colonial architecture, and the restored Synagogue Historic District has a fascinating backstory. The countryside is a delight to explore, with the highlight being stately home St Nicholas Abbey.

As you’ll most likely visit better beaches elsewhere on your cruise, concentrate on cultural sights or a slap-up lunch at one of the excellent seaside restaurants such as Champers, Lone Star and Paul Owens at the Beach House.

SAVE: Taxis are pricey so use the blue-and-yellow public buses. It’s a fun way to explore the beaches and shops on the west coast, with a flat fare of BDS$3.50 (£1.47, cash only).

SAIL: A 27-night Grand Caribbean Celebration cruise aboard Queen Mary 2, departing Southampton on December 15, costs from £2,949 per person (cunard.com). Other lines visiting Bridgetown include Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.

FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique

SEE: Commanding the huge Baie de Fort-de-France, the ebullient capital of this tropical outpost of France presents an engaging mix of Gallic tradition and Caribbean vivacity. You can stroll to its historical centre from the cruise ship piers, pausing at craft stalls and markets that do an attractive line in local spices, sauces and cosmetics (take euros in cash).

For a laid-back lunch of grilled langoustines, take the ferry to Anse Mitan. If you fancy a tour of this super-scenic volcanic island, book one that drives along the Route de Trace and calls into former capital St-Pierre, then follows the enchanting coastline that inspired painter Paul Gauguin. Alternatively, lovers of art and rum will appreciate the Habitation Clément distillery and sculpture garden near Le François.

SAVE: Entry is free to the Bibliothèque Schoelcher, a public library built in Paris in 1889 then shipped over. Today it graces the northwest corner of leafy Place de la Savane.

SAIL: A 20-day Caribbean Explorer cruise aboard Enchanted Princess, departing Fort Lauderdale on February 17, 2023, costs from £2,399 per person excluding flights (princess.com). Other lines visiting Fort-de-France include MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Ponant. 8

South Friar’s Bay (top); the St Kitts Scenic Railway

BASSETERRE, St Kitts & Nevis

SEE: Cruise ships dock in the centre of the St Kitts capital and although it’s enjoyable to mosey around the old streets, your time will be better spent hotfooting it to the island’s more exceptional sights.

First up is Brimstone Hill National Park, a World Heritage Site home to a colossal British fort from the 1690s known as the ‘Gibraltar of the West Indies’. Equally unique is the St Kitts Scenic Railway. This follows a narrow-gauge line originally used for sugar cane and trundles around the north coast to the accompaniment of a cappella singers in traditional dress – timings fi t with cruise schedules.

The best and liveliest beach is a half-hour drive away in the south at Cockleshell Bay, or there’s South Friar’s Bay, which is closer and has several bars. Golfers can hit a ball at the Royal St Kitts Golf Club where the palm-dotted course stretches between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

SAVE: Join locals for a friendly and inexpensive lunch at tiny El Fredo’s, on Newton Bay Road, where the menu is as Caribbean as it gets – think grilled fi sh, Creole chicken and fried plantain.

SAIL: A 14-night Caribbean cruise aboard P&O Cruises’ Arvia – the line’s new ‘sunshine’ ship set to launch in December – departs Bridgetown on March 3, 2023, and costs from £1,999 per person including fl ights (pocruises.com). Other lines visiting Basseterre include Holland America Line, Star Clippers and Viking.

NASSAU, The Bahamas

SEE: Cruise ships dock in the heart of the Bahamian capital so expect to emerge into a melee of vendors, discount stores and handsome heritage buildings. To stretch the legs, take a walk up to Fort Fincastle, which was built in 1793 and is intriguingly shaped like a paddlewheel steamer, with fine views over the port.

The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, housed in an elegant 1860s mansion, is worth some time, along with the absorbing miscellany of island finds in the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas. After that, you’re free to do what everyone else is here for – drinking cocktails, hitting the casinos and having fun on the beach.

Nassau lies on the north coast on New Providence island, with Junkanoo Beach a 15-minute walk west, or take a taxi to Cable Beach, which is lined with hotels and stretches for three miles.

SAVE: John Watling’s Distillery is an old estate and small-scale rum producer in Downtown that offers complimentary tours and is home to a variety of birds.

SAIL: A four-night Key West & Bahamas cruise aboard Celebrity Silhouette, departing Miami on November 17, costs from £392 per person excluding flights (celebritycruises. 8com). Other lines visiting Nassau include Carnival, MSC Cruises and P&O Cruises.

Getting around in Downtown, Nassau

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico

SEE: Founded in 1521, San Juan is dramatic testimony to the power and wealth of colonial Spain. The capital of this energised US territory, where the music and good times never seem to stop, is about to rise up the ranks of the world’s key cruise ports with a planned multimillion-dollar upgrade to welcome bigger ships and enhance its cruise terminal.

Most visitors are happy to explore its historical core, Old San Juan, crowned by the mighty forts of San Felipe del Morro and San Cristóbal. Both o er guided visits, with the fi rst a popular spot for picnics and kite fl ying.

There are plenty of special interest tours focusing on Puerto Rican food, cocktails, photography and salsa as well as cultural landmarks, or you can just wander freely admiring the churches and shops. A popular spot to relax is the courtyard of Barrachina restaurant where the piña colada may or may not have been invented in 1963. Either way, you’ll have to try one...

SAVE: A free trolley runs between the cruise ship pier and the historical centre, handy if you’re tired or have done too much shopping.

SAIL: Virgin Voyages’ Eastern Caribbean Antilles cruise includes a late night in San Juan, from £1,114 per person for eight nights departing from Miami on December 3, excluding fl ights (virginvoyages.com). Other lines visiting San Juan include Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Carnival and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

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Castillo San Felipe del Morro

A DAY IN THE SUITE LIFE

EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR ONBOARD ARVIA

What’s on board? Arvia has more features than you can shake your keycard at. If you’re part of the P&O Cruises loyal band of followers then you won’t be disappointed - Headliners Theatre and The Crow’s Nest are never far away, but Arvia wouldn’t be worthy of its Excel class status without a few not-so-little extras thrown in. If you’ve already stepped aboard Iona, then you can’t have failed to notice her spectacular SkyDome. Arvia’s is much the same, but with one major difference - it’s retractable. Measuring a whopping 40.96 meters by 34.24 meters, this glass dome will be open or closed depending on what the weather has in store. By day, you can stare at clear blue skies as you chill out by the pool. Once the sun sets (which you will, of course, have watched from one of the many viewpoints on board), decks 16 and 17 come alive with evening entertainment. Aerial artists, cookery demos and DJ sets under the stars - SkyDome looks set to be the beating heart of Arvia.

SkyDome The Grand Atrium

The stunning Atrium will provide widescreen ocean views against the most spectacular backdrop. Aside from watching the scenery roll by, aerial performances will also be held in the triple-height space, alongside a full programme of live events and entertainment. Enjoy the fi ner things in life from the comfort of your own personal haven onboard P&O Cruises new Excel-class luxury ship, Arvia. Bring the outdoors in from your conservatory Mini-suite, which is a personal and versatile conservatory-style room that forms an extension to the cabin off ering great fl exibility. Whatever the time or mood, you can choose to keep this space open or closed off whilst still enjoying the beautiful seascape views.

Some highlights to a Conservatory Mini-Suite: • Fresh fruit and mineral water in your cabin • Bottle of Champagne in your cabin

• Box of Chocolates in your cabin • Bath Robes and Slippers • Fresh fl owers in your cabin • Daily canapes • Inclusive room service • Spacious lounge area and separate bedroom

£70PP LOW DEPOSIT Canary Islands Caribbean Canary Islands Caribbean Transatlantic

MAIDEN VOYAGE

Mediterranean

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

Mediterranean

9 DEC 2022 | 14 NIGHTS | K203ARVIA (K304) | 17 FEB 2023 | 15 NIGHTS 23 DEC 2022 | 14 NIGHTS | K204ARVIA (K307) | 2 APR 2023 | 14 NIGHTS 6 JAN 2023 | 15 NIGHTS | K301ARVIA (K320) | 1 OCT 2023 | 13 NIGHTS

Southampton, Madeira (Funchal), Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz (Seville), Lisbon, Southampton Southampton, Funcal (Madeira), Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz (Seville), Lisbon, Southampton

Fly from/to London*, Barbados (overnight in port), Curacao, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Southampton, Tenerife, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados Barbados, Fly to London Regional departures at no extra cost.

Southampton, La Coruna, Mallorca, La Spezia (Florence/Pisa), Marseilles, Barcelona, Cadiz (Seville), Southampton Southampton, La Coruna, Valencia, Marseilles, Barcelona, Cadiz (Seville), Southampton

Cruise Conservatory Mini-Suite Club fares from pp

Fares From

◊ Per Person£1,564 £4,800

With ^ £90

per cabin to spend on board Cruise Conservatory Mini-Suite Club fares from pp

Fares From

◊ Per Person£1,534 £2,276

With ^ £90

per cabin to spend on board Cruise Conservatory Mini-Suite Club fares from pp

Fares From

◊ Per Person£1,257 £1,811

With ^ £90

per cabin to spend on board

0800 028 2177

The Cruise Centre

6 Lindrick Way, Barlborough, Chesterfield S43 4XE

Ocean Studios

Is there anything more relaxing than sitting back in front of a blockbuster flick on a sea day? With Ocean Studios, you’ll get a proper big-screen experience from the comfort of your ship. The multi-screen boutique cinema has ultra-comfy seats and a myriad of movies to choose from, complete with all the popcorn and ice cream you could ever want. Grand Atrium If you’d rather sit under the SkyDome and soak up the rays while you munch your way through a selection of movies, the everpopular SeaScreen has you covered. Altitude Skywalk, Minigolf and The Grand Atrium is certainly the heart of Arvia. Spanning over three decks, each level will off er guests a place to socialise, relax and dine all in beautiful décor whilst balancing larger social areas and more intimate spaces. Being the main focus of entertainment for the ship, you will fi nd anything from aerial performers descending Splash Valley through the triple-height space to a spectacular background for live entertainment. Just when you think you’ve seen it all on board a P&O Cruises ship, they go and knock it out of the park with this sky-high spectacle. If you’re afraid of heights then look away now. Altitude Skywalk includes two courses scaling 54 metres above the ocean waves in the first P&O Cruises high ropes experience. Rather keep your feet on the ground? pick up a putter and try your hand at nine holes of tropicalthemed Altitude Minigolf on the level below. For the youngsters in your party, head to Altitude Splash Valley, a colourful outdoor play area with interactive water features. That should keep them happy for a good few hours!

Skydome:

Having something for everybody from day until nightfall, Arvia’s Skydome is the place Mission Control Escape Room where you can expect all day entertainment with something to please everybody in the Thought you couldn’t handle any more P&O Cruises firsts? Arvia will also feature a submarinethemed, multi-sensory escape room experience. With two storylines to choose from and a host of twists and turns to navigate, Mission Control is sure to be a sea day hit. family. With a retractable glass roof which will maximise your time in the sunshine and activities for everybody, you will be spoilt for choice. Gameshows, cookery demonstrations and live music to spectacular production shows, parties, DJ sets and blockbuster fi lms on the SeaScreen are only the start of what Skydome has to off er. Be among the first to experience Arvia, the brand new P&O Cruises ship. when she launches in December 2022. Take your pick from one of her incredible itineraries, ranging from seven to 22 nights. Get your swimwear on and head towards ultimate luxury where you will be able to fi nd loungers, whirlpools, infi nity pools and even a swim-up bar by day. By night, get your party shoes on and take things up a notch with live Arvia’s maiden voyage sets sail from music and silent discos. Southampton on 9 December 2022, when guests will head down to the Iberian Peninsula in search of flamenco, fiestas and well-earned siestas. Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz and Lisbon are all on the itinerary for this inaugural cruise. Then Arvia will be heading westwards to Barbados for the winter 2022/23 season. If you’re lucky enough to be on board, the ports of call include Antigua, Barbados, Curaçao, Dominican Republic and Martinique. Even further into the future (and who doesn’t want a holiday or six to look forward to?), it’s now possible to book Arvia as far ahead as 2024. More Caribbean and Transatlantic itineraries await, so if you want a countdown to beat all holiday countdowns, add Arvia to your list. Headliners Theatre:

Barbados Make your night one to remember and head to Headliners Theatre where you will witness the dazzling lights of the LED backdrop and amazing production shows. P&O Cruises have just announced the latest addition to Arvia’s line up of show-stopping-entertainment: Greatest Days by Tim Firth. The Offi cial Take That Musical features the songs of Take That and a beautiful story by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth.

Caribbean Caribbean

£70PP LOW DEPOSIT Caribbean Transatlantic Caribbean Caribbean Transatlantic Mediterranean

17 FEB 2023 | 15 NIGHTS | K304 17 MAR 2023 | 16 NIGHTS | K306 24 NOV 2023 | 15 NIGHTS | K324 Fly from/to London, Barbados (overnight in port), Curacao, La Romana, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Maarten, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados Fly from London, Barbados (overnight in port), St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Kitts, Tenerife, La Coruna, Southampton

ARVIA (K405) | 1 MAR 2024 | 15 NIGHTS ARVIA (K406A) | 16 MAR 2024 | 15 NIGHTS ARVIA (K420) | 29 SEP 2024 | 13 NIGHTS Fly from/to London*, Barbados (overnight in port), Tortola, Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, Antigua, Fly from/to London, Barbados (overnight in port), Tortola, St. Kitts, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados La Romana, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Kitts, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados

Fly from London* to Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Tenerife, La Coruna, Southampton Southampton, La Coruna, Valencia, Marseilles, Barcelona, Cadiz (Seville), Southampton

Cruise Conservatory Mini-Suite Club fares from pp

Fares From

◊ Per Person£2,207 £3,513

Regional departures at no extra cost.

With ^ £90

per cabin to spend on board Cruise Conservatory Mini-Suite Club fares from pp

Fares From

◊ Per Person£1,376 £2,722

Regional departures at no extra cost.

With ^ £100

per cabin to spend on board Cruise Conservatory Mini-Suite Club fares from pp

Fares From

◊ Per Person£1,930 £1,910

Regional departures at no extra cost.

With ^ £90

per cabin to spend on board

QUOTE: BCC REF 8121. ISSUED 24.08.22. The process of production/distribution takes several days and could therefore limit the availability of prices and accommodation as advertised, or they could not be available at all. Please see our website www.bolsovercruiseclub.com for the most up to date off ers and availability Select Prices are per person and based on two adults sharing the lowest grade of cabin available. ^Book a new Select Price holiday Sea View cabin or above on applicable departures between 10 Jul 22 and 29 Oct 24 by 22 Aug 22 and QUOTE: BCC REF 8118. ISSUED 06.07.22. The process of production/distribution takes several days and could therefore limit the availability of prices and accommodation as advertised, or they could not be available at all. Please see our website www.bolsovercruiseclub.com for the most up to date offers and availability. This offer applies to new bookings only and may be withdrawn by P&O Cruises without notice. receive extra on board spend to use during your cruise. ^Extra on board spend amounts shown are per cabin based on two adults sharing the lowest grade of Sea View cabin available and amount shown includes the Select Price benefi t of on board spend plus the extra on board spend. Amount varies by cabin, cruise duration and date and is not applicable to Inside cabins or on cruises under 7 nights. ◊5% low deposit applies to new Select Price or Early Saver bookings made by 22 Aug 22 on applicable departures from 10 Jul 22 to 29 Oct 24. Off er It is not combinable with any other promotion and is subject to the booking conditions of P&O Cruises. A copy of Bolsover Cruise Club’s Terms of Business is available on request or by visiting our website. This excludes The World Cruise, Classic Southern Hemisphere Journeys and Exotic fl y-cruises. For bookings made after the balance due date the full amount will be due at time of booking. advert contains an outline description of the cruises featured, which are solely organised by P&O Cruises. It should be read in conjunction with P&O Cruises current brochure which contains full information about the cruise itineraries, accommodation details, booking conditions that apply, passport and health requirements, what’s included in the fare and other general information. Prices shown are per person, based on twin occupancy in the lowest available grade within the category type, and already includes current fuel surcharges and Cruise Club Members Cashback at the time of going to print. Further terms and conditions Off er is combinable with the current on board spend off er on qualifying departures 10 Jul 22 to 29 Oct 24. As the cruise line operates a fl uid pricing policy these fares may change and P&O Cruises reserve the right to change or withdraw these off ers at any time in whole or on individual cruises without notice. A copy of Bolsover Cruise Club’s Terms of Business is available on request or by visiting our website. This advert contains an outline description of the cruises featured, which are solely organised by P&O Cruises. It should be read in conjunction with P&O Cruises current brochure which contains full information about the cruise itineraries, accommodation details, booking conditions that apply, passport and health apply, please call for details. Travel insurance, visa’s and vaccinations are at an additional cost. E&OE. requirements, what’s included in the fare and other general information. Prices shown are per person, based on twin occupancy in the lowest available grade within the category type, and already includes current fuel surcharges and Cruise Club Members Cashback at the time of going to print. *Other airports may be available at a supplement. Further terms and conditions apply, please call for details. Travel insurance, visa’s and vaccinations are at an additional cost. E&OE.