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March 14, 2024

Professor Melissa posing in front of a colorful "Grenada" sign at the St. George cruise port with Royal Carribean's Explorer of the Seas
Caribbean, St. George's

Activities in the Cruise Port of St. George’s, Grenada

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St. George’s, Grenada Cruise Port The town of St. George, Grenada, outside of the cruise port exit. Many cruisers aspire to sail to the “Saint” islands, one of which is St. George’s, Grenada. While this is a less common port of call, it’s interesting. Most of the major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity port here, and I like many things about the Grenada Cruise Port. I’m not a fan of tender ports, as the tendering process can be lengthy and eat into your time in port, so I enjoy that this port has a pier and a short one. (Note: the streets of St. George’s are not accessible, so if you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair or scooter, I do not recommend navigating the town). Grenada Cruise Terminal The port area itself is unimpressive and features the standard duty-free shops and tourist stalls selling local trinkets and tchotchkes. The official language is English, but the currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$). Most vendors will accept US dollars, but like many Caribbean ports, they may not accept your currency if damaged or overly won, and you may get your change back in EC$. Grenada is a small island, ranking 185th in size worldwide, and the port city of St. George’s also serves as the island country’s capital. It’s also one of several Caribbean nations prohibiting civilians from wearing camouflage. Exploring St. George’s On Foot The Grenada cruise port terminal is off Melville Street and a short walk from the city center. Some cruisers may opt to just walk around the town, which is very doable, but on one condition – that you don’t have any mobility limitations. My biggest issue with this cruise port, or rather the surrounding city, is that it is not very pedestrian-friendly. The town is very hilly, sidewalks are sometimes nonexistent, and the sidewalk infrastructure is hazardous, with steep drops, holes, gaps, and other obstacles. If you choose to explore St. George’s on foot, I recommend a stop at the Grenada House of Chocolate. If you are a cruiser who uses a walking aid, wheelchair, or scooter, or has trouble getting around, do not – and I repeat, DO NOT, attempt to navigate the town of St. George’s. Complicating the sidewalk issue is that drivers in Grenada drive on the left side of the road, which can become hazardous for Americans unfamiliar with this in the many places where you have to walk in the road. If you do not have any limitations, and like the idea of exploring St. George’s by foot, you can find a walking tour map here. Grenada Cruise Port Beach Another thing I don’t love about the Grenada cruise port is that there is no pool or beach accessible at the port or on foot. There are, however, some great beach options nearby, with Grand Antse Beach being the most popular and well-known. Cruisers who wish to enjoy a beach day at Grand Antse can book an excursion, take a taxi, or, for the more adventurous, take public transportation at the low cost of just $1 per person each way.  Another interesting way to get to Grand Antse from the Grenada Cruise Port is via water taxi, which, at $5 per person each way, is an affordable option. Of course, traditional taxis are also an option. Grenada Port Taxis Like most cruise ports, the Grenada Cruise Port has a taxi stand located in the terminal, which is regulated by the government. There, drivers will provide their options and pricing to take cruisers to various attractions, which include the waterfall and beaches. During my visit, drivers asked for $20 per person to take us to Grand Antse Beach, but those prices were negotiable. So, the cost of a taxi from the Grenada Cruise Port to Grand Antse Beach or any other location may vary, depending on your negotiation ability. Best Excursions in St. George’s, Grenada Because of its small size, cruisers will find fewer excursion options at this port, but here are some things to do in St. George’s, Grenada: Grenada Cruise Port Ship Schedule As with all cruise ports, I recommend using Cruisemapper to access the ship schedule for the  Grenada Cruise Port. The ship schedule for Grenada can be found here. Grenada’s Time Zone Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions. Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of its departing port, so for sailings off the eastern coast of the US, this is Eastern Standard Time (EST). Grenada’s time zone is Atlantic Standard Time (AST), and they do not observe Daylight Saving Time, so the AST time zone may differ from EST — or it may be the same — depending on the time of year. Dress featured in the main photo: Acelitt black sleeveless tank dress. Other Things to do in Grenada

A woman in a green bathing suit swims in the ocean at Grand Turk with a Carnival cruise ship behind her.
Caribbean, Grand Turk

What to Do at the Grand Turk Cruise Center in Turks & Caicos

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The Grand Turk Cruise Center in Turks & Caicos is a great cruise port, frequented by most of the major cruise lines, because it’s one that you can enjoy without an expensive excursion (see my post Five Things to Do in Grand Turk – Without an Excursion). I also like that Grand Turk is not a tender port, which is always a plus for me, as I get impatient with the tendering process. Grand Turk is a favorite for many reasons, which I detailed in my Four Reasons to Love the Grand Turk Cruise Port post. Towels are not provided, so bring yours from the cruise ship. Things to Do in Grand Turk When I visit the Grand Turk cruise port, I usually use it as a free beach day, although it isn’t the best beach, compared to other ports, since it’s a bit rocky (so bring water shoes)! If you’re feeling more adventurous, or not feeling a beach day, this is a wonderful port to explore via golf cart.  You can see all my Grand Turk cruise port posts below, but here’s a quick summary of my recommendations for the top things to do at the Grand Turk Cruise Port: Beware of the Grand Turk chair pirates if you want to enjoy a beach day. These locals try to rent chairs and umbrellas to cruisers, unaware that some are available at no charge. The complimentary ones are green with markings indicating they are free to use. Note that these are limited, so you may go without or pay to rent from a local if you don’t arrive early. Note: If you’re an audio/visual learner, here’s a TikTok video I made that briefly explains the Grand Turk port experience. Turks & Caicos Time Zone Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries where there can be multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when making plans for your stop at the port, especially for excursions. Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of its departing port, so for sailings off the eastern coast of the US, this is Eastern Standard Time (EST). Turks & Caicos has a complicated history of time zones, with multiple changes, and now operates on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Exploring Grand Turk Book a Grand Turk Excursion Featured Clothes: Tainehs Bikini in Green

Disney and Carnival cruise ships at the cruise port in Nassau, Bahamas
Bahamas, Caribbean, Cruise Ports, Nassau

Exploring the Nassau, Bahamas Cruise Port: Beaches, Taxis, & Safety

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Almost every seasoned cruiser has sailed at least once to Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas, as it’s one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, and you’ll likely find fewer cruise ports that invite more controversy. Just do a search for Nassau, and you’ll see popular hits like “is Nassau worth visiting?” and “is Nassau dangerous?” and my answer to this is “yes” and “no”, respectively. Regarding the safety issue, check out my post “Is Nassau Safe for Tourists”, and in terms of whether it’s worth visiting, I’ll share with you in a moment some of the top things to do in Nassau. Is Nassau Safe? But first, let me touch upon why Nassau gets such a bad rap. I first visited here in 2018, and like many cruisers, was put off by the unappealing, dirty port area and super aggressive vendors. But with the recent $300M renovation unveiled in May 2023, the experience now is like night-and-day. The new port area is huge, gorgeous, and clean, and it’s well regulated, meaning no pushy vendors. Now, you will still encounter some of this when you immediately exit the port, but it’s not bad. Due to the size of this port, it can be very crowded, especially when it’s at capacity with six ships, and the pier is quite long, so a tram runs periodically for cruisers with mobility issues. Cruise ships at the cruise port in Nassau, Bahamas Things to Do in Nassau Some cruisers opt to stay on the ship and skip Nassau entirely as a cruise port of call, which always saddens me, because I find this to be a beautiful location filled with great culture. I encourage all cruisers to visit, and here are my top recommendations of things to do in Nassau if you choose an independent excursion: Many cruisers opt to enjoy a beach day and save on excursions by visiting one of the public beaches like Cabbage Bezach, or Junkanoo Beach, which is walkable from port, but I discourage this because these tend to be overcrowded and filled with pushy vendors. My personal go-to is a day pass at one of Nassau’s resorts. Unlike Cozumel, however, most of them are not all-inclusive. These resorts provide private beachfront access and other amenities. The top ones in Nassau include: British Colonial – This one is typically the cheapest and is also closest to the cruise port, just a 10-minute walk. Margaritaville – This is right next door to British Colonial, and also a short walk from the port. It’s family-friendly with a lazy river, high jump and water slides. It gives private access to Junkanoo Beach. Atlantis – This one is the most famous Nassau resort, and it’s located on Paradise Island so you’ll need to take a taxi there. It’s pricey, but well worth it if you love adventure and water slides. It also has a pretty awesome “not so lazy” river. RIU Palace – There are two unique factors to this resort… it’s one of the only ones in Nassau that is all-inclusive, and it’s adults-only! Baha Mar – Like Atlantis and RIU, a visit to Baha Mar will require a taxi, but its private access to Cable Beach and Baha Bay Waterpark are top tier. If you want to get around and explore, especially if you’re concerned with safety in Nassau, I highly recommend hiring a private driver for the day. My go-to guy is Clement Stanley, and you can get his pricing and book him online here. You can walk, or take a taxi or use a driver to great stops like Queen’s Staircase (which is free) and Fort Fincastle, and sample rum cakes. My absolute favorite Nassau rum cake is the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory, where their cakes are made fresh in-house, and they offer free samples. Other top Nassau attractions include the Pirate Museum, Graycliff, and John Watling’s Distillery. Swimming with the pigs is a bucket list goal for many, and while I’ve done it and loved it at CocoCay, I’ve heard from many that Nassau isn’t the best spot for this.  Nassau Time Zone Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries where there can be multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you of these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when making plans for your stop at port, especially for excursions. Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of its departing port, so for sailings off the eastern coast the US, this is Eastern Standard Time (EST). The Bahamas operates on Eastern Standard Time across all islands. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, The Bahamas recognizes Daylight Saving Time, in conjunction with the U.S.   https://youtu.be/4h5M8v2FoHA?si=A8ZMPhY8yPhyhP3k Hire a Private Driver in Nassau If you want to get around and explore, especially if you’re concerned with safety in Nassau, I highly recommend hiring a private driver for the day. My go-to guy is Clement Stanley, and you can get his pricing and book him online here. Online Here Get my full color detailed downloadable Nassau Guidebook here

Ocean Cay Cruise Tour
Bahamas, Caribbean, Cruise Ports, Ocean Cay

What you need to know about Ocean Cay Marine Reserve 

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Most of the major cruise lines own and market their own private islands; in some cases, these are not “islands” at all (I’m looking at you Royal Caribbean and Labadee). However, one private island that truly is both an island and private is MSC cruise line’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay has many great things to do, and you don’t need an excursion. Exclusive to MSC cruisers, this is one of my absolute private cruise line private islands. It’s not a tender port, so you exit immediately onto a short pier, and just a short distance from the ship is an amazing beach with sugar-white sands and turquoise waters. Towels are not provided, so be sure to bring yours from the ship. Related: 3 Things to Know About Cruise Ship Towels Ocean Cay Excursions Because Ocean Cay is a private island, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to partake in an excursion (offerings include a lighthouse climb, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and snorkeling), you must book it directly through MSC. My recommendation is to save money and enjoy a beach day here. Ocean Cay is expansive, with many locations and opportunities for snorkeling (I recommend you save money and bring your own gear). You can rent an umbrella or cabana, but I’ve never had a problem finding a shaded spot for free, and ample chairs are available for cruisers at no cost. If you branch out further from the port, you can escape the crowds, although due to the size of the island, this can be a bit of a hike. MSC does offer tram service, but it’s not particularly fast or efficient, and it does not take cruisers to all corners of the island. There is also a spa on the island if you’re looking for a day of relaxation, but these spots book fast in advance. Ocean Cay Weather Because Ocean Cay is in the Bahamas, the weather there is generally lovely year-round. I have noted, however, that this location seems to have quite a bit of wildlife activity. I’ve heard from other cruisers that there are often shark sightings, and on my most recent visit, the MSC marine biologists warned of a Portuguese Man o’War migration, so heed any warnings made by the cruise line. MSC has installed shark nets, or “shark barriers”, surrounding the beaches and lagoon entrances. Wi-Fi at Ocean Cay MSC does promote that their Wi-Fi works on the island, which would be a nice perk, but it has been spotty at best in my two visits there. They also promised complimentary food at Seaker’s Food Court, but they did not provide this on my recent sailing, likely because our docking was pushed back from 8 am to noon due to high winds. If you have a sailing that docks late or is delayed, don’t count on eating there. They have other snack bars with ice cream and other items for sale, which can be charged to your stateroom account. Another thing I love about Ocean Cay is that it is often a long port call, with no rush to get back on board. MSC often offers it as a two-day overnight option. If you’re fortunate enough to visit there overnight, MSC offers a fantastic nighttime beach party, with a complimentary lighthouse laser show that you won’t want to miss. Ocean Cay Time Zone Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions. Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so for sailings off the eastern coast of the US, this is Eastern Standard Time (EST). The Bahamas operates on Eastern Standard Time across all islands. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, The Bahamas recognizes Daylight Saving Time in conjunction with the U.S. Exploring Ocean Cay Featured Clothing: CharmLeaks Bikini in Pink

Grenada Chocolate Museum
Caribbean, Cruise Tips, Excursions, St. George's

Grenada Chocolate Museum: Something Free to Do at St. George’s Cruise Port

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If you’re looking for free things to do in Grenada when porting at St. George’s, I recommend visiting the Grenada House of Chocolate. Grenada isn’t a stop where the port is a destination, like Taino Bay or Grand Turk, nor is there a beach or pool accessible by foot. If you’re trying to save money on a taxi or excursion, the Grenada House of Chocolate is a free and fun option that is a short walk from the cruise terminal.  (Note: the streets of St. George’s are not accessible, so if you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair or scooter, I do not recommend navigating the town).  Grenada Chocolate Museum The Grenada House of Chocolate touts itself as a museum, but it’s really a store with some educational components. There are lots of signs and some small exhibits, but the star of the show is the free demonstration that occurs every 15-20 minutes or so, where a House of Chocolate employee describes the “bean to bar” process. The best part is that all of these things are free, and the House of Chocolate even provides free WiFi to guests. There are also bite-sized chocolate samples available, so guests can try bits of chocolate with varying percentages of cacao, up to 100%.   The Grenada House of Chocolate provides free demos to explain the “bean to bar” process. Free Things to Do in Grenada While a purchase is certainly not required, the House of Chocolate has a wide variety of food and other items for purchase. There is a gift shop with Grenada souvenirs, packaged food items (not just chocolate, but also things like honey), a broad array of chocolates, and ready-to-eat foods. This includes baked goods, hot and iced chocolate and coffee drinks, ice creams, smoothies, and more. I recommend the Grenada Cocoa Tea if you want an authentic local taste. While the locals drink it hot, an iced version features chocolate, tea, and nutmeg ice cream.  The Grenada House of Chocolate offers baked goods and specialty chocolates. I’m always on the lookout for free activities at cruise port calls, and this one also gives cruisers a great local experience and some education about the production of chocolate. Since it’s so close to port, it’s definitely worth the stop, even if you enjoy a day at the beach or on an excursion.  What to Expect at the Chocolate Museum https://youtu.be/ONrWpMmCsz0 St. Mary’s Cathedral, also known as Visby Cathedral, is a significant historical and religious site. The cathedral dates back to the 12th century and is a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Like many of Visby’s other historic sites, there is no entrance fee to visit the cathedral. 

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