Wind Spirit, Windward Treasures ex Bridgetown Return

14 Night Cruise sailing from Bridgetown roundtrip aboard Wind Spirit.

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.

St Georges
Grenada (the country) includes the large island of Grenada, and a few islands on the southern edge of the Grenadines, with Carriacou and Petit Martinique the most significant. The capital of Grenada, St George’s, is on the southwest coast and is considered to be the perfect cruise port. There is immediate access to the city from the cruise terminal, the best beach is only minutes away, the shopping is excellent and the oceanfront is packed with shops and restaurants.

Grenada is often referred to as 'Spice Island' with more spices per square mile than anywhere else in the world. The open market entices visitors with the sweet scents of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla.

A visit to Grand Anse Beach is essential as it is one of the world's best, stretching for over a mile. Other worthwhile experiences include the Botanical Gardens, a wonderful West Indian open-air market, the Royal Drive through lush green hills to spice country.

Basseterre
St. Kitts is located in the Eastern Caribbean. The island is 69 square miles with a population of 31,880. Basseterre is the capital city of St Kitts, a paradise of beaches, ponds and plantations. Basseterre's Historic District, towards the centre of the town exhibits excellent examples of Creole and West Indian architecture. Original structures are restored into museums and cultural centers. The Brimstone Fortress offers spectacular views of neighboring islands and visitors and locals enjoy the waters at Friar's Bay.

The many ship wrecks around Basseterre, make it a magnet for divers and the 15-feet deep waters off Banana Bay are great for snorkeling. Only twelve of 350 known wrecks have been identified. Basseterre Harbor claimed one hundred ships in one hurricane alone.

Pigeon Island
St. Lucia is an island in the Windward chain, between Martinique and St. Vincent, and (160 km) due west of Barbados. Pigeon Island, at the very northwest tip of St. Lucia has beautiful white-sand beaches and offers a variety of water sports.

Once home to a group of Carib Indians and later a pirate hideout, today Pigeon island is part of the St. Lucia National Trust, with beaches, a restaurant, and the historic remains of the barracks and garrisons where the French and English once fought for control of St. Lucia. The history of the island can be discovered at the Museum and Interpretive Centre, housed in the restored British officers' mess building. A hike up to the hilltop ruins of Fort Rodney gives sweeping views of the sea and the mainland.