Regardless of St. Lucia’s small measurement, it is without doubt one of the hottest ports of name in the whole Caribbean. In case you are taking a cruise across the Japanese Caribbean, there’s a good likelihood you’ll go to St. Lucia for your self.
That will help you get pleasure from a stress-free go to to this tropical paradise, we’ve got created this complete information to the St. Lucia Cruise Port. We’ll additionally cowl close by points of interest and actions so you can also make probably the most out of your keep in sunny St. Lucia!
St. Lucia Cruise Port Location and Description
St. Lucia Cruise Port is strategically located on the sting of Castries, the island’s capital metropolis. This affords guests quick access to lots of the island nation’s most iconic points of interest.
Castries itself facilities round a picturesque bay bordered by lush hillsides. Which means visiting cruise passengers are instantly struck by St. Lucia’s beautiful magnificence.
Whereas it might sound considerably complicated, St. Lucia Cruise Port really consists of two distinct terminals:
- Pointe Seraphine Cruise Terminal is a 20-minute stroll from the downtown core of Castries— 2273 QW8, Castries, Saint Lucia.
- La Place Carenage Cruise Terminal is situated instantly on the sting of downtown. Its deal with is 4B Bridge Avenue, Castries, Saint Lucia.
The 2 cruise terminals can each deal with full-sized cruise ships, however Pointe Seraphine tends to be probably the most generally used of the 2. Every of the 2 terminals encompasses a single pier, that means there may be one pier on both sides of the bay.
There may be additionally an industrial port throughout the bay, however that’s not used for cruise ships. Pointe Seraphine’s single pier has two berths for cruise ships, whereas La Place Carenage Cruise Terminal’s single pier can solely deal with one ship at a time.
Whereas La Place Carenage Cruise Terminal is extra handy for these trying to discover the town, these docking at Pointe Seraphine Cruise Terminal can simply entry Castries by taking a brief and inexpensive taxi or a 20-minute stroll alongside the harbor footpath.
There are additionally some small tendering ports on the town’s edge and the island’s north facet, however these are solely used in the course of the busy season.
Cruise Strains that Go to St. Lucia Cruise Port
As talked about, St. Lucia is without doubt one of the hottest ports of name in the entire Caribbean, so it’s no shock that it’s visited by a number of the most recognizable cruise strains on the planet.
The next are simply a number of the many with common cruise itineraries that go to the nation’s cruise port:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean Worldwide
- Princess Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Holland America
- MSC Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
Distance and Instructions from the Airport
Vacationers arriving at St. Lucia’s major airport, Hewanorra Worldwide Airport (UVF) in View Fort, take roughly 75 minutes to drive by highway. Whereas this may occasionally appear pretty prolonged, the journey is extremely scenic.
It’s additionally value mentioning that there’s a smaller airport in Castries known as the George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU). In some instances, guests will take a smaller airplane from UVF to SLU to keep away from the drive.
Taxis and personal shuttle companies are available on the airport, whereas some bigger cruise strains, like Royal Caribbean, supply complimentary shuttle companies.
If you end up driving the 35-mile journey your self, these simple instructions will get you from the airport to the Level Seraphine Cruise Terminal:
- Exit the airport onto Micoud Hwy and head South for 29 miles.
- If you see indicators for Castries, flip proper onto John Compton Hwy.
- From John Compton Hwy, you will notice a roundabout exit for Level Seraphine Cruise Terminal. Take the primary exit and arrive at your vacation spot.
Terminal Amenities and Companies
Each most important terminals in St. Lucia supply fashionable amenities that guarantee a snug embarkation and disembarkation course of for visiting cruise passengers.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is out there at each terminals, however connecting might be considerably troublesome, particularly if the port is busy throughout your go to. In case you are struggling to attach, there are a variety of cafés and eating places in Castries that supply free Wi-Fi for purchasers.
The terminals additionally supply clear and accessible restrooms and cozy seating areas for ready to board your ship. They’re wheelchair-friendly, with ramps guaranteeing all guests can navigate the terminals with ease.
The terminals’ consolation displays the significance of visiting cruise passengers to the Saint Lucian economic system. The tourism sector accounts for over 33% of the nation’s GDP, and Carnival and Royal Caribbean have each invested important funds within the port.
Transportation Choices
From both of the principle terminal buildings that make up the St. Lucia Cruise Port, guests can stroll into the downtown Castries. With that stated, a number of transportation choices can be utilized to discover the island’s extra distant points of interest:
Taxis
Authorities-regulated taxis are available outdoors of every terminal, providing handy, inexpensive, and secure transportation to the entire island’s landmarks, seashores, and points of interest. Ask a few flat charge in case you are touring to a selected attraction.
There isn’t any have to hail a cab, as each terminals have designated taxi pickup strains instantly outdoors. All you need to do is get in line and inform your driver the place you wish to go.
Shuttle Buses
Whereas St. Lucia doesn’t supply a free shuttle from its port, as a number of the different Caribbean nations do, there’s a paid shuttle known as the St. Lucia Shuttle, which might be booked forward of time.
It’s a good choice for bigger teams searching for an inexpensive, stress-free technique to get wherever within the nation. With fastened charges and free cancellation, it’s a extremely helpful choice.
Tour Shuttles
When you’ve got booked an tour to your time in St. Lucia, it’s value noting that they are going to embody free transportation from the port. Most use air-conditioned mini buses and vans, so the journey is pretty comfy.
Trip-Share Apps
Uber is the one ride-sharing app presently working in St. Lucia. The app generally is a helpful choice in order for you the pliability of being picked up at a particular location.
What Is the Finest Time to Go to St. Lucia?
St. Lucia enjoys a heat and tropical local weather all through the whole yr, making it the best year-round cruise vacation spot. Though you possibly can go to any month of the yr, peak vacationer season sometimes runs from December to April.
These are typically thought of to be the most effective time to go to, as you get the identical sunny skies because the summer time months, however you keep away from the rain and the oppressive warmth and humidity of the summer time months. Plus, there tends to be far much less rainfall within the winter and spring than in the course of the summer time and fall months.
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Nonetheless, some individuals favor to journey to St. Lucia between June and November, as these months can present a extra tranquil expertise with fewer crowds. Reserving throughout these much less in style months also can imply decrease costs.
Seasonal Climate Circumstances
Like many locations within the Caribbean, St. Lucia experiences two casual seasons: the “dry season” (December to Might) and the “moist season” (June to November). Because the names suggest, every season is characterised by the quantity of rainfall the island receives.
Whereas the drier months are actually extra in style for tourism, even the wetter months supply their very own appeal, with the nation coming alive with vibrant foliage.
Seashores Close to the Port
A part of the explanation St. Lucia is such a preferred island to go to is the sheer variety of pristine seashores surrounding its shoreline. Whilst you can actually discover extra secluded seashores in case you are prepared to journey, there are close by choices for these with restricted time on the island:
Vigie Seaside
Situated roughly two miles north of Pointe Seraphine Cruise Port, Vigie Seaside affords white sand, shady palm timber, and a laidback ambiance. Because of the truth that the seashore surrounds a relaxed bay, it actually has that tropical paradise really feel that many individuals are searching for after they journey to St. Lucia.
The seashore sits adjoining to the Castries airport, so beachgoers can sit again and luxuriate in airplane recognizing from the sandy shores. There are additionally loads of snack distributors and seashore bars to select from. On condition that it may be reached inside a 25-minute stroll from the port, it’s a good choice for these with restricted time.
La Toc Seaside
Located three miles south of the port, La Toc Seaside lies roughly the identical distance however in the other way. The seashore affords beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and is a well-liked choice for snorkeling. It is tougher to succeed in than Vigie Seaside, however this helps maintain the crowds to a minimal.
Sadly, many of the seashore is privately owned by Sandals Resort, so public area is proscribed. If you happen to select to go to, you can even take a while to go to La Toc Battery, a historic landmark as soon as a British artillery battery used to guard Castries from invasion.
Day Passes to Seashores in St. Lucia
Since a lot of St. Lucia’s most stunning volcanic seashores are owned by the resorts, some visiting cruise passengers will buy day passes. These day passes present non permanent entry to those beautiful seashores and grant the holder entry to numerous resort facilities, together with swimming pools, swim-up bars, eating places, and extra.
Whereas costs fluctuate relying on the resort, you possibly can anticipate to pay roughly $100 per individual. Whereas it might sound steep to make use of a seashore, it isn’t a nasty value when you think about that this additionally gives you with entry to the entire resort’s facilities and eating choices, in addition to Wi-Fi.
Facilities Inside Strolling Distance
If seashores aren’t your factor, there are many different points of interest which are inside strolling distance of the port:
Castries Market
Situated lower than a mile from each port terminals and only a 3-minute stroll from La Place Carenage Cruise Port, Castries Market is a must-see.
With contemporary produce, handmade crafts, and varied distributors promoting one-of-a-kind souvenirs, the market will provide you with an genuine really feel for what life is like for locals. Loads of meals distributors will supply native delicacies, so it’s an excellent place to cease for an off-the-cuff lunch.
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Some of the well-known constructions on the island, the Cathedral permits guests to view the Saint Lucian icon up shut. Not solely is the historic construction beautiful, however it’s simply 0.3 miles from La Place Carenage and 0.9 miles from Pointe Seraphine Cruise Port, making it extremely straightforward to succeed in.
On condition that the 2 cruise terminals are situated near downtown Castries, you additionally don’t want a lot of a plan. Merely stroll or take a taxi journey to Castries Market, then discover the town’s vibrant streets for your self.
Distance to In style Points of interest
When you’ve got extra time in your arms and wish to discover extra of what St. Lucia has to supply, we propose reserving an tour or just taking a registered taxi to one of many following points of interest:
Pitons
Sitting roughly 20 miles southwest of the port terminals, the Pitons are a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and one of the vital iconic symbols of St. Lucia. These towering pure peaks are former volcanic spires. The 2 spires attain almost half a mile in top and are totally coated in lush flowers.
Guests can take a 3.2-mile hike to the highest of Gros Piton, the bigger of the 2. Nevertheless, when you’re not up for the hike, you possibly can nonetheless benefit from the beautiful view of the Pitons rising from the waters of close by Sugar Seaside.
Sulphur Springs
Situated roughly 15 miles south of the port, Sulphur Springs is one other geological marvel and iconic image of the island. These waters are recognized for his or her therapeutic properties, so many guests get pleasure from splashing round and rubbing silt on their pores and skin in a mud tub.
You possibly can get pleasure from a full spa remedy, take a tour of the world, and find out about its volcanic previous. Entry to the spa space is simply $11 for adults, so it’s an inexpensive and enjoyable exercise.
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and Mineral Baths
The Diamond Botanical Gardens are house to the beautiful Diamond Waterfall and the nation’s oldest botanical backyard. Situated throughout the city of Soufriere, the gardens are about 25 miles from port, so they’re best to succeed in by taxi.
The six-acre property showcases the most effective of the island’s tropical natural world. Not solely are the gardens stunning and a photographer’s dream, however you can even calm down within the heat and soothing waters of a number of mineral baths.
Visiting may even will let you study in regards to the property’s historical past, together with the truth that King Louis XIV of France gifted it to 3 brothers in 1713.
Eating Close to St. Lucia Cruise Port
The port terminals are situated on the sting of Castries, so discovering scrumptious and genuine Caribbean delicacies couldn’t be simpler. Because of the nation’s distinctive French and English colonial previous and the seemingly boundless provide of contemporary elements, Saint Lucian delicacies is scrumptious.
If you wish to pattern as a lot as attainable, head to the market round lunchtime. Quite a few meals stalls serve up native favorites, like lambi, bouyon, pepper pots, and callaloo soup, so that you’ll don’t have any scarcity of distinctive choices to attempt. Loads of meals distributors line the town’s hottest seashores, so a beachside lunch consisting of native dishes can be an excellent choice.
If you happen to don’t have time to wander across the market and would favor to have a sit-down meal, you possibly can all the time head to The Pink Plantation Home for scrumptious Caribbean delicacies.
Though it’s almost 4 miles from the port, it is without doubt one of the most well-known eating places in St. Lucia, and it hardly ever disappoints. The Coal Pot is barely extra informal but in addition affords scrumptious meals in a surprising setting.
Castries’ purchasing scene additionally displays the town’s reputation as a vacationer vacation spot. With quite a few duty-free outlets outdoors of the 2 port terminals, you should have no hassle discovering them.
You can even enterprise to Cheers Boutique or Scott’s Underground Boutique close to the harbor facet of Castries in order for you clothes and small presents. There are additionally loads of locations for duty-free purchasing in Castries, so that you don’t should really feel constrained by the port.
For these searching for extra distinctive, handmade souvenirs, the Castries Market is your finest wager. With loads of distributors promoting native paintings, rum cocktail elements, handcrafted pottery, distinctive sizzling sauces, native honey, and wooden carvings, you’ll you should definitely discover a becoming memento.
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Needless to say the official forex is the Japanese Caribbean Greenback, however lots of the distributors will settle for the US Greenback. Simply don’t anticipate favorable charges in case you are paying in US {dollars}.
Continuously Requested Questions (FAQs)
How far is the seashore from the cruise port in St. Lucia?
Vigie Seaside, one of many closest seashores to the port, is roughly 2 miles north of Castries, whereas La Toc Seaside is situated 3 miles south of the port.
Are you able to stroll round Castries?
Sure, you possibly can stroll round Castries and discover its points of interest and landmarks on foot. Town middle is definitely accessible from the St. Lucia Cruise Port, and the town is comparatively secure by Caribbean requirements.
Are you able to swim in St. Lucia?
Sure, swimming is a well-liked exercise in St. Lucia, because of its pristine seashores and crystal-clear waters. Bear in mind, not all public seashores have lifeguards, so it’s best to all the time comply with native warnings and solely go deep in case you are a robust swimmer.
