Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Caribbean Cruises St John's, Antigua Shore Excursions Norwegian Cruise Line

cruise to antigua

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.

Related Cruises

They spend their summers travelling the world to find adventures. If you’re keen on history then a visit to this sugar plantation is a must on your list of things to do in Antigua. This particular plantation dates back to 1651 making it one of the oldest in Antigua. As the Cathedral is perched on a high hilltop it has wonderful views of St John’s Antigua. When we visit a new country we always like to explore the local markets to try the local fruits and vegetables.

cruise to antigua

Explore Antigua’s Mangrove System

The full tour also includes an adventure obstacle course set up within the jungle, including rope swings, bridges, and the 328-foot zipline for the ultimate rush. With Antigua Rainforest Zipline Tours, you can soar across and through the dense rainforest, and choose from a short 45-minute tour, or one that spans 2.5 hours. If you’re looking to escape to an idyllic beach straight out of a Caribbean postcard, then Valley Church Beach is your go-to. You’ll find this spot south of Jolly Harbour, on the west coast of Antigua. This is a popular day excursion, so make sure to plan your time well and book in advance.

Relax at Redcliffe Quay

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. Whether you’re a seasoned scuba diver or prefer snorkeling, this is a family-friendly spot known for its impeccable visibility and a huge diversity of sea creatures. All of the city’s iconic landmarks are within walking distance of the cruise terminal. If you don’t feel like straying very far, pop across to Radcliffe Quay, connected to the docking terminal by a boardwalk.

The English arrived in 1632, establishing sugar plantations and bringing African slaves; slavery was fully abolished in 1838. Great Britain held the island until 1981, when Antigua (pronounced "An-tee-gah") achieved independence. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #antigua — you may see them right here. The currency of Antigua is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) more locally called “EC”. You’ll find that most things will be priced in EC, and higher-priced items such as tours and accommodation will also be advertised in US dollars. There are also lots of amazing boat tours that you can take to explore places such as Cades Reef which is one of the main coral reefs in Antigua.

It’s a bustling town that in winter months welcomes over 350 cruise ships bringing more than 610,000 cruise ship passengers to Antigua. Currently, only Ponant and Star Clippers offer cruises from Antigua, but many cruise lines offer cruises that include Antigua as a port of call (or destination port). Ponant’s ships L’Austral and Le Soleal feature 10- to 13-night South America and Central America itineraries.

Destinations for Cruises from Antigua

These are just a few of the many things to do in Antigua that will capture your heart and spirit and make you fall in love with the Caribbean. A crucial part of your cruise experience is preparing and booking your trip well in advance. Your ship is likely to dock at either Heritage or Radcliffe quay. The first thing that greets you once you disembark from your ship is the beautiful metallic island tunes, played tirelessly by an island band at the piers exit. You can expect a beautiful lobster lunch, a spot of island hopping, snorkeling, and plenty of sun, sea, and relaxation. If you can only visit during the day due to your cruise schedule, be sure to indulge in the locally caught lobster which is caught, split and grilled right on the beach.

There can be traffic backups in downtown St. John's, particularly if it rains or during evening rush hour. If you're docked at Deep Water Harbour, allow extra time to get back to your ship. Antiguans like to boast that they have 365 beaches -- one for each day of the year. And while no one counts to ensure the accuracy of this catchy marketing claim, the squiggly shaped island indeed is full of beachy gems, each with its own unique appeal.

Shore Excursions

Entering into the beautiful port area one is greeted by a burst of colorful buildings featuring lively outlets. The outlet host eateries, duty-free shopping malls, bars, and gift shops. This neatly organized port area with clean streets and plenty of amenities serves as a nice introduction to Antigua. Most major cruise lines such as Carnival, the Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises, cruise to the island regularly. This is another fantastic tour if you’re interested in learning more about Antigua’s naval history. Fort Berkeley was integral to the defense of Antigua during the reign of the British Empire.

Your cruise ship will dock at Heritage Quay, which is one of two quays perpendicular to St. Johns.The exit gates to the city are less than 500-feet from the ship. Basically, it will take you just a few minutes on foot until you enter the city center. The cruise port is found in St. John which is the capital city of Antigua. The dock there is large enough to accommodate four ships and soon to be more with the construction of a new pier that’s underway. For an amazing island dining experience, you want to schedule a visit to the Island Beach Bar. Also known as Turner’s Beach Bar, located on Turner’s beach, it’s the perfect spot for delicious island cuisine.

If you are looking for a tropical vacation that delivers, then a cruise from Antigua may be just the answer. From golfing and scuba diving to hiking, helicopter tours, and horseback riding, there is always something exciting to do in Antigua. If you are interested in history, then you certainly don’t want to miss checking out Nelson’s Dockyard.

While you’re in Antigua, it only makes sense to explore its incredible underwater sea life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Located in the idyllic waters of the Eastern Caribbean, Antigua will quickly steal your heart with its lush beauty, and warm and friendly locals. As a cruise stop, it’s hard to rival Antigua — it’s one of the most popular for many travelers exploring this side of the Caribbean.

Antigua Cruise Port Welcomes First Ship of 2023-24 Season - Cruise Industry News

Antigua Cruise Port Welcomes First Ship of 2023-24 Season.

Posted: Mon, 09 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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. On an Antigua cruise, visit St. Johns, the capital city of the dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. This city is the center of commerce, with international banks and boutiques as well as a lone rum distillery. St. Johns is located in the Caribbean Sea and is one of the hottest vacation spots. Explore the best of Antigua on one of many Holland America shore excursions and visit English Harbour, known for its maritime heritage, historic sites and excellent restaurants.

However, as you walk in you can feel the atmosphere which helps to bring it to life this historic site. 📍 Stingray City and Laviscount Island – this fun half-day tour combines 2 of our favourite animal experiences; snorkelling with stingrays and feeding giant tortoises. 📍 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. 📍 A Boat tour to Barbuda – this is the best way to visit Barbuda.

Specific request (ours is usually an omelette for Cameron) then they are usually happy to help. You can comfortably wander around on your own, taking in all the sights and sounds. Antigua uses the Eastern Caribbean dollar (E.C.), although most vendors in town will readily accept U.S. dollars. A bit farther away (about a five-minute walk), you'll find Scotia Bank, RBC Bank and CBC First Caribbean Bank -- all with ATMs -- at the intersection of High and Market streets. This colourful-lined street starts at the end of the cruise ship dock. This is one of the most prestigious tax-free shopping areas in the Caribbean with a variety of different shops to choose from.

We’ve also selected the best 22 things to do in Antigua for you to choose from to show you what a great place it is. This is a brilliant day out if you’re keen on exploring the natural landscape of Antigua, other than the beach. The Pillars of Hercules are a stunning natural wonder carved by the power of the ocean over thousands of years. From the pillars, you can explore private beaches, plenty of snorkeling opportunities, with sightings of rare fish species. You may not think that there would be much high-end or duty-free shopping on an island such as Antigua, but au contraire. If you’re keen on a spot of luxury shopping, then add a visit to Heritage Quay to your bucket list.

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