Wind Surf, Captivating Caribbean ex Bridgetown to Oranjestad

14 Night Cruise sailing from Bridgetown to Oranjestad aboard Wind Surf.

Highlights of this cruise:

Bridgetown

Barbados is an ideal Caribbean destination, whether you want to bake in the sun or spend your time discovering island life and culture.

The beaches along the West and South coasts are lovely. Because they're open to the public, though, they lack the privacy some visitors may seek. Elsewhere on the island, linked by almost 900 miles of good roads, are small villages, historic plantation houses, stalactite-studded caves, a wildlife preserve, and the Andromeda Gardens, one of the most attractive small tropical gardens in the world. Culturally, Barbados has retained a very British atmosphere: Afternoon tea is a ritual, cricket is the national passion, and a few luxury hotels request a jacket and tie at dinner.

But Barbados is true blue Caribbean as well, with classic sand beaches, and wild monkeys in the jungle.

Castries
St. Lucia is the second largest of the Windward Islands. Located between St. Vincent and Martinique, there is a hint of the South Pacific about this lush, beautiful island. Castries, the capital city of St. Lucia is one of the most beautifully situated Caribbean cities. Surrounded by hills, its large, safe harbor at the head of a wide bay is a constant hive of activity. Castries is a major port of call for cruise ships, which dock at Pointe Seraphine.

The spacious Derek Walcott Square features the 19th-century Catholic Cathedral standing in the shade of a 400-year-old samaan tree. There is also a colorful, bustling market. Morne Fortune, ‘hill of good luck’, affords the visitor the chance to inspect the fortification which defends Castries. It also provides a magnificent panorama of the city and the surrounding area.

There are a wide variety of shopping experiences from Castries market, where local crafts are available, to Po inte Seraphine and La Place Carenage, two duty free shopping centers in Castries where resort wear, Colombian Emeralds jewelry, cosmetics and perfumes are available. A variety of shopping malls with extended opening hours offer a wide selection of boutiques and restaurants.

Mayreau
Mayreau is part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and lies in the middle of the Grenadines, close to the famous Tobago Cays. It is the smallest island of the Grenadines, all inhabitants live in the village on the south-west side of the island. There is a trail from Saltwhistle Bay to the village that is currently being improved. The village boasts four bars and restaurants and colorful local rum shops with domino tournaments and pool tables.

Two beautiful anchorages will satisfy those cruising the islands. Salt Whistle Bay has a sweeping half moon beach, and the Salt Whistle Bay Club is tucked away behind it. A sailboat and motor boat is available to charter to the nearby Tobago cays for some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean. Snorkeling equipment is available for rent. Hiking trails abound throughout the island with spectacular views of the neighboring Grenadines from Captains Hill.

Willemstad
Curaçao, the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles, is part of the Dutch Leeward Islands, also known as the Dutch Antilles. Willemstad, the capital, is noted for its brightly colored, Dutch-style houses and Cunucu dwellings (based on African-style mud and wattle huts). It is one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean. The harbor has a floating market where colorful barges full of agricultural produce are moored. Nearby is the new market building, the design of which is very unusual.

Popular places to visit in Willemstad include Fort Amsterdam, now the seat of government of the Netherlands Antilles, the Queen Emma Pontoon bridge and the Queen Juliana Bridge. The latter spans the harbor at a height of 490m (1600ft). The architecture of the Scharloo area, reached by crossing the Wilhelmina Drawbridge, is fascinating, dating from as early as 1700. The Mikvé Israel Synagogue is the oldest in the Americas and, like the Jewish Beth Heim Cemetery, is worth a visit. Its courtyard museum has a fine collection of historical artifacts.

Oranjestad
Aruba is the smallest island in the Leeward group of the Dutch Caribbean islands. Its Dutch heritage can be seen in its pastel-colored gabled buildings and a windmill brought piece by piece from Holland found in the capital of Oranjestad. Oranjestad has a daily market in the Paardenbaai (Schooner Harbour), and offers numerous shops, boutiques and malls that are all within easy walking distance of the ship. In the main street you will find many stores, shops, boutiques, restaurants and street vendors to investigate.

Oranjestad is a popular tourist destination boasting sunshine, silky sand, aquamarine waters, cooling trade winds, natural scenic wonders, friendly and courteous service, modern and efficient amenities, golf and tennis clubs, duty-free shopping, an array of nightly entertainment and some of the best cuisine in the Caribbean. Most of its 29 hotels sit side by side down one major strip along the southwestern shore, with restaurants, exotic boutiques, fiery floor shows, and glitzy casinos right on their premises.

Aruba’s principal attraction is its beaches and the Natural Bridge, an arch carved from coral cliffs by the surf. The bridge is the biggest and highest in the Caribbean and is Aruba’s most famous natural wonder. On the northern tip of the island is the California Lighthouse, and off this coast is the wreck of a German freighter from World War II, which is now very popular spot for scuba divers. The Chapel of Alto Vista at Alto Vista is another popular site on the north coast. It is bright yellow and hard to miss.