Eastern Caribbean

The traditional culinary delights of the Eastern Caribbean, a fusion of European, Cajun and African cuisine, will send your taste buds into raptures. You’ll come across mouth-watering dishes in a range of different venues across the islands, from beach cafes and street food stalls to romantic bistro bars and fine dining restaurants.

From legendary jerk chicken to mofongo, a tasty favourite featuring fried plantains, pork and garlic, this sensational destination is easily capable of satisfying the most discerning palate. Hearty stews, scrumptious curries and exotic seafood dishes help justify the Eastern Caribbean’s reputation as a foodies’ heaven. Pepperpot stew is a staple in the Eastern Caribbean comprising aubergine, squash, okra and potatoes which are slow-cooked with meat, with dumplings often added to enhance the dish. Roti are chewy pancakes filled with curry stew or chickpea curry, while rice and peas, served with chicken, is a classic dish you’ll find wherever you visit.

  Much-loved desserts in this part of the world include bread pudding, guava duff, rum cake and cornmeal pudding. You’ll also discover delicious fresh fruit on the islands, including guava, papaya and mango, while the Caribbean’s rum is legendary and definitely worth sampling during your cruise holiday..

A fabulous tropical climate, with all-year-round sunshine, makes the Eastern Caribbean a great place to visit any time you choose. July and August are particularly sunny months, with temperatures in many ports of call reaching 32°C. The weather is still very appealing in May and June, plus it’s a great time to avoid the big crowds associated with the prime summer months. The festival season in the spring is a popular time to visit the Eastern Caribbean and really get in the party spirit.
The winter months of November and December still enjoy plenty of sunshine, with plenty of vacant loungers and parasols on the beaches and fantastic deals available with the cruise companies. The rainy season runs from May to October, while the drier season, from November to April, is slightly cooler, with less rain and lower humidity. The Eastern Caribbean rarely gets too hot, thanks to consistent sea breezes.      

A plethora of awe-inspiring natural attractions and exciting things to do means there’s never a dull moment when your ships docks at an Eastern Caribbean port of call. Enjoy a trip on the St Kitts Scenic Railway, set off on a hike to the rim of Mount Liamuiga volcano in St Kitts, visit Blackbeard's Castle in St Thomas and Nevis or ride the world's longest overwater zipline at Labadee. Other delights include the chance to horse ride on a beach or through verdant jungles, dive among the incredible marine life in beautiful coral reefs and explore fabulous landmarks such as the 99 Steps in St Thomas, which date back to the mid-1700s. .
 Windsurfing, canyoning, jeep safaris, scuba diving, island hopping, mountain biking and rock climbing are other popular outdoor activities. The islands in the Caribbean are renowned for their top-quality rum and many local distilleries organise guided tours and the chance to sample their wonderful produce. The Eastern Caribbean is blessed with a multitude of sensational sandy expanses including Mullet Bay Beach in St Maarten, Crane Beach in Barbados, Love Beach in Antigua and Grand Anse Beach in Grenada. It’s also a duty-free shopper’s paradise, with everything from bustling open air markets to plush designer shopping malls.