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What development there is on St. Lucia is mostly in the area around Castries, the island's colorful, energetic capital city. It's not picturesque but it's still worth a look, especially if you're in search of duty-free goods or local handicrafts. But to appreciate St. Lucia's natural beauty, rent a car or take a cab out of town.
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The sand in the north of the island is of a white and golden variety, while beaches further south tend to be comprised of a more silvery, volcanic type of sand. After docking at Castries, the Celebrity cruise ship will depart the port for a trip to Soufriere – home to the island’s most celebrated landmarks of Gros and Petit Piton. Soufriere had served as the capital of St. Lucia during French colonial rule, and today it is considered one of the top holiday destinations on the island. The ships pick and carry passengers on full-day tours around the famous Pitons and other destinations nearby from Soufriere. Castries, the capital, commercial center and main cruise port of St. Lucia is full of charm, treasures, luxury apparel and adventure. Founded by the French around 1768, it changed hands in the early 1800’s, when the British turned the town into a major naval port and built fortifications on Morne Fortune, overlooking the harbor.
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Dasheene places their focus on lobster, offering everything from grilled lobster to lobster pasta and bisque. They also serve tuna sandwiches featuring local tuna, as well as jerk chicken sandwiches and other classics. Ships anchor in Castries, either at Pointe Seraphine, a duty-free shopping complex on the harbor's north side, or at La Place Carenage, a smaller duty-free shopping complex near the markets on the harbor's south side. While the island is known best for its immense pair of rocky pyramids – the Pitons – its distinct culture and its warm, friendly natives make a lasting impression on visitors and travelers. You can drive up to the edge of the geothermal springs and see the steam coming out of the Earth, caused by the water in the springs whose temperatures reach up to 340 Fahrenheit (170 Celsius). Known also as Soufriere Qualibou Volcano and Soufriere Drive-In Volcano, Sulphur Springs is the world’s only drive-in volcano whose last eruption took place in the 1700s and is nowadays considered a dormant volcano.
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Then explore the ship’s thrilling entertainment, or take a romantic stroll around the deck in the moonlight. La Toc beach – Nestled south of the Castries, within a minute drive from St Lucia port, La Toc public beach is a beautiful sandy beach offering all necessary facilities for a memorable beach day in St Lucia. You can access the beach through the Sandals Resort and although located near the town, La Toc Beach is not that busy. Pointe Seraphine cruise ship terminal is located on the northern side of the bay, around 1.7 km/1 mile from Castries downtown. To get into town, you can either walk for 20 minutes or take a 5-10 minute taxi ride.
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While you’re here, wander around the UNESCO-protected Nelson’s Dockyard to see the beautifully restored 18th-century buildings, galleries, pub, and museum. Lowest pricing is based on our 3rd party pricing supplier and valid as of April 23rd, 2024. I am the creator of an e-book “Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide“, the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports, & YouTube channel @AdventourBegins. Anse Chastanet – Besides being an amazing snorkeling spot, Anse Chastanet is also a popular beach and a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the towns.
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All these places lie along the west coast of St Lucia and are known for the fringing reefs and abundant sea life. For more experienced and daring ones, St Lucia scuba dive is an alternative option. Cruising along the coast and the Bay of Soufriere will allow you to admire the mountains from the sea, and if you want to go by bus there are several spots in Soufriere town from where you can capture great shots of the Pitons.
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GPH to operate Saint Lucia cruise port - Hurriyet Daily News
GPH to operate Saint Lucia cruise port.
Posted: Fri, 11 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Take a mud bath at Sulphur Spring Park, or simply swim and snorkel at Pigeon Island National Park or the beautiful Reduit Beach. (Check xe.com for current exchange rates.) You can generally use American dollars anywhere on the island, although you may receive change in local currency. See the famous Pitons and island vistas from the sea as you glide down the coast of St. Lucia on a coastal cruise. See the lush vegetation and fishing villages as you make your way to the Pitons. Melt away your cares in the town of Soufriere, home to Sulphur Springs, known for its medicinal waters since the 1600s. Soak in natural thermal pools at the bottom of the bubbling craters and zen out while indulging in a therapeutic mineral mud bath from head to toe.
Inland, you’ll find rippling sugar cane fields, old plantation houses, and tropical gardens. This Caribbean island offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the raw power of Mother Nature at her finest. On a Cruise to St. Lucia, visit the only drive-in volcano in the world, explore the natural wonders of the wild or simply relax with a good book on an even better beach. Book a Caribbean cruise and discover St. Lucia's sandy white beaches, vibrant tropical foliage, and authentic island food. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S.
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Featuring a large harbor amid a backdrop of lush green hills, Castries operates two piers within walking distance from the city’s main cruise port and shopping terminal called La Place Carenage. You’ll dock at bustling Bridgetown on your visit to Barbados, where you’ll find great art galleries and abundant restaurants, as well as historic buildings reflecting the 350 years of British rule. The island’s tranquil west coast is lined with fine beaches lapped by the warm Caribbean; you can swim with sea turtles here.
A Caribbean cruise to Castries, St. Lucia offers a different side of the Caribbean than you’ve ever seen before. Head to Derek Walcott Square to relax after exploring the town, and don’t miss the historic cathedrals in the heart of the city. Of course, you have to try traditional St. Lucian food, including saltfish and green banana, the region’s signature dish. Both Place Carenage and Pointe Seraphine have duty-free shopping, cafes and souvenir shops.
Climbing the Pitons is one of the most exciting things to do on the island, but it’s not recommended to go hiking without a tour guide. Petit Piton is quite dangerous and requires previous mountaineering experience, while the Gros Piton hike is safer and requires a moderate level of physical activity. This resort restaurant overlooks the two Pitons, so a seat outside offers the best views.
Your views of the rest of St. Lucia will be unmatched from the top of a Piton, and the four-hour hike is a genuine challenge for outdoors enthusiasts. Be aware that drive times on St. Lucia's many winding roads can be longer than you might think. Settled first by the Arawaks and then the Caribs, St. Lucia became a hotly contested territory with the arrival of Europeans in the 17th century.
Amid this alluring and peaceful retreat is a diverse range of tropical plants and wildlife that make this place a jaw-wrenching sight. Celebrated as one of the most monumental places in St. Lucia’s history, the Pigeon Island National Landmark is a living museum in the natural, historical and cultural setting of the island. The sheltered 44-acre reserve island in the North West of St. Lucia was initially surrounded by water, but it was connected with the mainland via a human-made causeway back in 1972.
Fans of open air markets will find plenty to see at Castries Market, where over 300 vendors sell their goods every day but Sunday. The Castries Market is known for its variety of spices for sale, and the place to stock up on locally sourced spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and cocoa. Pointe Seraphine, one of the places where your Castries cruise ship may be docked, is home to duty-free shopping where you can purchase art, gifts, and souvenirs very conveniently near the terminal.
You will find all the necessary cruise port facilities in the terminal area. A 10-minute walk from La Place Carenage is the Castries ferry terminal, providing daily ferry transport from St Lucia to the islands of Martinique, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. Pointe Seraphine cruise terminal features a wide range of facilities, such as ATMs, a duty-free shopping complex, tour operator stands, souvenir stores, and a few restaurants and bars offering great food and amazing service. There is a taxi rank in front of the terminal, as well as parking for tour buses.
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