Caribbean Cruise: Curacao, Aruba & St.Lucia

If you were to close your eyes while enjoying a “high tea in Trafalgar Square,” you would swear you were in London – if it weren’t for the warm breezes and emerald green waters enveloping you. Nicknamed “Little England” by some, Barbados is home to many museums that chronicle the island’s rich past and over 100 shipwrecks along its reefs that are a playground for divers from around the world.

Dating back to the 1600’s, the beautiful city of Willemstad is the capital of the island of Curacao and one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean. It was once the former capital of the Netherlands Antilles and its Dutch influences are felt everywhere—particularly in the historic heart of the Willemstad, where the Old Town’s colonial culture and unique architecture has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Curacao Maritime Museum for engaging displays that trace the island’s considerable history or Museum Kura Hulanda, considered one of the best museums in the Caribbean. Watch ships of all sizes come through Willemstad’s channel via the Queen Emma Bridge or discover the rich colors of Dutch architecture at Fort Amsterdam, which dates back to the 1760’s. Head to Punda, the oldest part of Willlemstad, for local and international restaurants, great shopping and local specialty products like Dutch Delft Blue figurines, wheels of Gouda and Edam cheeses, and of course the original Curacao liqueur.

As the capital and largest city of Aruba, Oranjestad (Dutch for “Orange Town”) is named after King Willem van Oranje-Nassau, the first heir to the Dutch House of Orange. Now mainly referred to as “Playa” by the locals, Oranjestad is renowned for its sunny weather year-round, with a virtually constant temperature of 28C/82F. Given the beautiful climate and myriad of pristine white beaches, no wonder some of the city’s most popular activities to do are soaking in the sun, snorkeling, sailing, fishing and boat rides. Shopping is also a common pursuit, with the vast amount of jewelry stores in Aruba offering much lower prices than elsewhere around the world. If you’re in search of locally made goods and products, visit Oranjestad’s marketplace for art and handicrafts, sample an Aruba-made Balashi Beer, and maybe even try an ostrich burger, which are widely available due to the city’s proximity to a number of ostrich farms.

Famous for its twin peaks shaped by the upheaval of a now extinct volcano, St. Lucia is one of the truly unspoiled islands in all the Caribbean. Here you’ll find a variety of landscapes and eco-systems not found anywhere else in the region, including rain forests, mountains and beaches that truly deserve the “pristine” designation.

Get to know Nevis, one central volcano and an area five miles by seven, its circle island road less than a two-hour drive. Within that tiny space are crammed delights for every taste: a championship golf course at the Four Seasons; the exhilaration and romance of dashing across a beach on horseback; and a trek through a lush rainforest of bamboo and tropical fruit trees, entertainment provided by monkeys swinging through the branches. For history hunters there are a number of old sugar plantations in varying stages of preservation and decay. They have intriguing tales to tell, and perhaps a few ghosts for good measure.

This quaint, picturesque waterfront town is brimming with history and beauty. The Victorian style architecture creates a charming skyline for this small port city, and within it are numerous historical buildings and museums that can be explored by foot in just one day. Fort Frederik is the town’s most recognized National Landmark and dates back to 1700. Other favorites include the Gothic style St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Emancipation Park, and the elegant Customs House.

Ponce de Leon never did find the Fountain of Youth, but he did find stumble upon this lovely island, which had to be a close second. Just move to the rhythm of the ever-present salsa beat and you’ll be in the spirit in no time (secret – it’s all in the hips). Old Town San Juan is still partially enclosed by the original fortress walls dating back to the early 1500s. Attractively restored buildings with filigree cast iron balconies line its narrow cobbled streets, and cafés in shaded squares provide an ideal spot to linger. Outside the city the island offers an appealing array of golf courses, rainforests, and beaches galore.