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June 26, 2024

A serene waterfall cascades into a clear pool surrounded by lush greenery and moss-covered rocks.
Caribbean, Cruise Ports, Dominica

Exploring the Roseau, Dominica Cruise Port: Waterfalls, Canyons and More

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Roseau (pronounced roe-zoe), the capital of Dominica (pronounced doh-MIN-ik-ah), is known for its colonial architecture, markets, and waterfront. The city is a gateway to the island’s lush landscapes and natural attractions, such as waterfalls, hot springs, canyons, and hiking trails. Dominica is a small island with 72,000 residents, covering 290 square miles, and is a popular stop on many Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries. About the Roseau Cruise Port The Roseau cruise port features two main terminals: Woodbridge Bay and the Roseau Ferry Terminal. Large cruise ships dock at both terminals, but cruise passengers primarily use Woodbridge Bay, which is conveniently located in close proximity to the city center. After exiting their cruise ship, visitors will find a small Old Market Square, a cobbled straw market square, with vendors lining the street immediately off the pier. Just steps from that is downtown Roseau, where local drivers gather in an attempt to win cruisers’ business and drive them around the island. On the day of my visit, I hired a private driver, Ricky’s Tours and Voyages. If you prearrange transportation like I did, this is also likely the same area where you will meet up with them. If you didn’t plan ahead and are taking the risk of exploring independently, you can barter here with drivers to find one to take you to your desired location or on a tour of the island. Dominica is known for its lush landscape and abundant waterfalls. Protip: Leave the camo at home! Like many other Caribbean island nations, civilians in Dominica are prohibited from wearing camouflage. From Roseau Cruise Port to the City Center As noted above, the Roseau Cruise Port is conveniently located immediately adjacent to the city center, less than half a mile away. Visitors without mobility limitations can reach it on foot within 10 minutes. En route to the city, a stop at Old Market Square allows cruisers to shop with local vendors selling handcrafted wares. For those preferring other transportation options, ride-sharing services like Uber are unavailable in Roseau. However, taxis are readily available and regulated, with set fares typically costing around $10 to $15 USC to the city center. Shuttle services and public buses are also options, with bus rides costing approximately $1.50. Related: Explore the pros and cons (and risks) of independent excursions. Things to Do in Downtown Roseau Roseau is a small island, so its downtown city center isn’t very big and is generally not the primary destination for visitors. If you want to spend your day here or just take a quick visit before returning to the ship after exploring other nearby sites and attractions, you can do so within a fairly short period. Notable places to visit downtown include the Dominica Museum, which showcases the island’s history, culture, and natural environment through various exhibits, and St. George’s Anglican Church and Roseau Cathedral (Our Lady of Fairhaven) as sites with impressive architecture and historical significance. The Botanic Gardens provide a serene environment with various tropical plants and trees, while the Roseau Bayfront (a promenade) offers a pleasant stroll along the waterfront with views of the Caribbean Sea and port area. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. Beaches at and Near the Roseau Cruise Port Since downtown Roseau isn’t the most bustling spot, many cruisers use their port stop in Roeau as a beach day. While the Roseau Cruise Port does not have direct beach access, there are several beautiful beaches nearby: Mero Beach Mero Beach, situated about 12 miles from the port, is a popular beach among cruisers. The beach is well-served by friendly and enterprising locals who offer lounge chairs, umbrellas, palapas, food, and beverages for rent and sale. Restrooms and showers are available for visitors. Getting to Mero Beach is easy, with a 30-minute bus ride from Roseau and tour bus and taxi options. With its easy access from Roseau, it’s an ideal spot to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of Dominica. Champagne Beach Champagne Beach is the closest beach to the Roseau cruise port, at just under 5 miles. This beach is famous for its underwater geothermal activity, which creates bubbles that resemble champagne (hence the name “Champagne” Beach). While this is a really cool experience for snorkelers, and the variety of marine life here is impressive and vast, the area is known for being quite rocky, the entrance to the water difficult to traverse, and the waters often murky. Because of this, I recommend experiencing Champagne Beach with a snorkeling tour by boat to get further out in the water and avoid these issues. Scotts Head Beach About 9 miles from the port, outside of Roseau is Scotts Head, Dominica. Scotts Head Beach has a beautiful shoreline ideal for swimming and relaxation, and its adjacent location, Scotts Head Pinnacles, is a renowned dive site featuring underwater volcanic formations, coral reefs, and abundant marine life. It is a stunning location where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. Top Things to Do in Dominica While I love a good beach day, there are many other opportunities for those on any Caribbean itinerary, so unless you’re absolutely beach-obsessed, my recommendation, if you’re visiting Dominica, is to skip the beach and instead explore the island’s lush landscapes and other natural sites. Here are my top recommendations. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. Morne Trois Pitons National Park Located about 7 miles from the cruise port, Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The park is home to Boiling Lake in Dominica, reputed to be the second largest hot springs lake in the world, and features a churning cauldron of gray-blue water with temperatures between 180 and 197 degrees Fahrenheit. Holding a friendly sloth at Manawakie Park. Visiting this remarkable natural wonder requires a full-day, rigorous hike with a guide, so it’s best for cruisers with the physical fitness to make this journey. However, it offers an unforgettable adventure through the lush rainforest to witness the awe-inspiring sight. There are guided tours, including admission and transportation. Protip: Physically fit, adventurous cruisers may also consider canyoning. Trafalgar Falls Trafalgar Falls, also known as the Twin Falls, is 5 miles

A woman in a purple bikini is standing on the sandy beach with crystal-clear turquoise water in the background
Bahamas, Bimini, Caribbean, Cruise Ports

Exploring Bimini: Beaches, Free Tram, Golf Carts, and More

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The Bimini cruise port is teeny tiny compared to the other two popular ports of call in the Bahamas, Nassau and Freeport. Bimini comprises two main islands, North and South Bimini, with a total area of about 9 square miles, housing just 2,000 residents. It’s a very narrow and skinny island. In contrast, Nassau, located on New Providence Island, spans approximately 80 square miles and is the capital city with a higher population density and more developed infrastructure. Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island, covers around 530 square miles. Bimini is surprisingly close to the United States, only 55 nautical miles offshore from Miami. Because of its very small size, there aren’t many options in Bimini for cruisers. Virgin Voyages is the main cruise line to call here, but some of the others like Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Margaritaville at Sea do as well. Cruisers most commonly use their time at this port of call as a beach day. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. Bimini Cruise Port to the City Center One advantage of Bimini’s small size is the ease of getting around, with everything situated close together. The Bimini cruise port is just over 2 miles from the main city center, known as Alice Town. This downtown area of North Bimini is the main hub of activity, featuring local shops, restaurants, bars, and cultural sites. Alice Town is where you can experience much of the island’s charm and local flavor. There are several transportation options for those who prefer not to walk. While Uber is unavailable in Bimini, local taxis offer a convenient alternative with regulated fares. A typical taxi ride to the city center costs around $10 USD. A local tram is also available (more on that below), providing a hassle-free option for travelers. Bimini Tram & Port Map A Malaysian company called Resorts World pretty much has a Bimini monopoly, as the island is so small and the company operates the only major hotel, a co-branded Hilton location on the Resorts World complex. While this makes for limited options in Bimini, it does provide cruisers with the benefit of an efficient and free tram service. Resorts World runs a tram service that operates every 30 minutes, making select stops around the island. With clearly marked pick-up locations, these trams transport passengers between various Resorts World properties from the cruise pier. Although they only stop at Resorts World locations, anyone can use them to access the island’s casinos, beaches, and dining options. This map, provided by Resorts World, highlights some of the key features of the Bimini cruise port area and details the various tram stops. Bimini Golf Cart Rentals Because of Bimini’s small size, some cruisers are tempted to rent a golf cart, which is a popular option at another similar cruise port, Grand Turk. While that’s a great option in Grand Turk, with numerous options and competing vendors, I do not recommend it in Bimini—at least without doing some homework first. There are very limited vendor choices in Bimini, and I’ve heard almost nothing but universal complaints about old and poorly maintained golf carts with regular breakdowns. Some cruisers have reported some success using this company by making an advance reservation, so that may be an option worth exploring. I’ve personally never used this company, though, so I can’t vouch for them. In Bimini, golf carts typically cost around $90 per day for a four-seater and $120 per day for a six-seater. Things to Do at the Bimini Cruise Port The Bimini cruise port area is pretty sparse (basically, a pier), but fortunately, there are options to explore that aren’t far away. The island is small enough that cruisers could conceivably explore downtown and have time to enjoy the beach, all on the same day. Explore Alice Town As noted above, downtown Bimini is known as “Alice Town,” many cruisers spend their day here exploring this area, which is just over two miles from the cruise port. Alice Town in Bimini is the main hub of North Bimini, known for its blend of local culture and activities. In Alice Town, visitors can explore the Bimini Museum to learn about the island’s history, enjoy seafood at local restaurants, and shop for souvenirs at quaint shops. Popular activities include visiting the Dolphin House Museum, a hand-built mosaic structure, and relaxing at nearby Radio Beach. Alice Town offers travelers a taste of Bimini’s heritage and a variety of experiences. Enjoy a Beach Day Radio Beach in Bimini is a popular public beach known for its soft white sand, clear turquoise waters, and relaxed atmosphere. It is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the beautiful Bahamian coastline. The beach is conveniently located near the Bimini cruise port, just about 2.5 miles away (about a 10-minute ride), making it easily accessible for cruise passengers looking to enjoy some time by the sea without traveling far. Other beaches, all on the tram line, include Paradise Beach and Bimini Beach. Bimini Beach Club The Bimini Beach Club, also known as The Beach Club at Bimini, is located on the western shore of North Bimini, within the Resorts World Bimini complex (see… that whole monopoly thing). It provides beachfront access and a range of amenities for visitors and is included as a stop on the free tram route. Resort day passes start at $40, but… there’s a big caveat here. When a Virgin Voyages ship is docked at Bimini, Virgin cruisers benefit from exclusive use of the Bimini Beach Club, a perk that I enjoyed when sailing Scarlet Lady on my visit there. It’s included in the cruise fare at no additional cost for Virgin gusts, and I found this club to be stellar, with fantastic beach access, including complimentary use of loungers and umbrellas, and a great pool area with a DJ and a fun, upbeat beach club vibe. The downside, however, is that the Bimini Beach Club is off-limits if you’re on a non-Virgin

A young person with curly hair and a necklace is looking out a window at a Carnival cruise ship docked in port.
Bahamas, Caribbean, Cruise Ports, Freeport

Discover Freeport Cruise Port: Everything You Need to Know

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Freeport, located on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas, is a popular cruise port in the Caribbean, along with Nassau and Bimini. Of all the Caribbean ports, this one generally gets the least amount of love and, admittedly, is probably my personal least favorite of them all, but there are still some hidden gems here. The key with this one, though? Get out of the port area. It’s important to note that many Caribbean destinations, including the Bahamas, prohibit civilians from wearing camouflage. While you can wear it on the cruise ship, don’t risk disembarking with it on, or you risk being sent back to the ship to change. Enjoying the view from the balcony About the Freeport Cruise Port The Freeport Cruise Port is a gateway to the stunning Grand Bahama Island, and many major cruise lines, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, frequently visit this port. The port features two terminals, and the primary terminal for cruise passengers is the Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility. The facility isn’t the best or most aesthetic cruise terminal, and here you’ll find a small straw market with local vendors selling their wares, and… that’s about it. This is nothing compared to the better-known Nassau cruise port in the Bahamas, which, after the 2023 renovation, is clean, modern, and filled with things to do, eat, and see. Freeport just isn’t the sort of port of call where you can just get out and wander around on foot. You can certainly do that, but you won’t find much in and around the cruise port area, and many seasoned cruisers who visit here opt to stay on the ship when calling to Freeport. My advice here is not to do that. Don’t stay on the ship, but don’t just wander, either — this is one of those times where, in my opinion, it’s essential to do an excursion, or at least a planned activity that will require some form of transportation, such as a taxi or shuttle. Related: Explore the pros and cons (and risks) of independent excursions. From Freeport Cruise Port to the City Center The Freeport Cruise Port is about 6 miles from the city center. Due to the distance, walking is not practical, which is another reason I encourage cruisers not to wander around when visiting here. Ride-share services like Uber are unavailable in Freeport, but taxis are a common choice, costing around $20 USD each way. Taxis here are regulated with set rates. Another convenient option is the shuttle service, which is more affordable at about $15 USD roundtrip. Public buses are available, too, but are less reliable for tourists due to infrequent schedules. Related: New to cruising? Check out my Comprehensive Cruise Guide. Rainy day adventures at Freeport. Things to Do in Freeport Even outside of the cruise port area, there aren’t many great attractions in Freeport, so I generally advise cruisers to use this port of call visit as a beach day or purchase a water activity like snorkeling or boating. But if that’s not your thing or the weather isn’t cooperative, here are the top things to do in Freeport. Port Lucaya Marketplace As noted above, the straw market at the Freeport cruise terminal leaves a lot to be desired, so cruisers who love shopping will find a much better experience at Port Lucaya Marketplace, which is about 5 miles from the cruise terminal. This vibrant open-air shopping and entertainment hub offers shops, restaurants, bars, and live music. It’s great for souvenirs, dining, and experiencing local culture, and the nice thing is that a shuttle is provided to transport cruisers to and from the terminal to the marketplace.   If you visit the Marketplace and want to experience the beach, you can walk to Lucaya Beach through one of the public access points between the resorts. However, be aware that there are no public restrooms, beach chairs, or other amenities available. Most of this beachfront area is private and reserved for resort guests, so it’s probably not the best place to plan for a full beach day. Bahamas Maritime Museum The Bahamas Maritime Museum, located in the Port Lucaya Marketplace, offers a fun exploration of the country’s rich maritime history. It features exhibits on shipwrecks, exploration, and maritime artifacts. Admission costs are generally around $12 for adults and $6 for children, providing an affordable and educational experience. The museum is conveniently situated about 5 miles from the Freeport Cruise Terminal. The Bahamian Brewery The Bahamian Brewery, located in Freeport, is a popular attraction where cruisers can tour the facility to learn about the brewing process and sample various locally produced beers, including the well-known Sands beer. The brewery also has a gift shop where guests can purchase souvenirs and their favorite brews. It is situated about 4 miles from the cruise terminal. Freeport Perfume Factory The Freeport Perfume Factory, also known as The Perfume Factory of Fragrances of the Bahamas, offers visitors a unique experience. They can learn about the perfume-making process and even create their own custom scents. The factory is housed in a pink and white replica of an old Bahamian mansion and provides guided tours. It’s great because admission is free (they provide that with the hope that visitors will buy something, although that is not required), but it is about 5 miles from the cruise terminal (and conveniently en route to the Port Lucayan Marketplace), so it’s not accessible on foot. Garden of the Groves Garden of the Groves, a twelve-acre garden full of tropical plants and animals, is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island. Located about a 30-minute taxi ride from the port, this lush botanical garden offers a serene escape with waterfalls, wildlife, and trails, making it perfect for nature lovers. Admission costs $17 USD for adults, and $11 for children. Related: Learn more about how to prepare for port days. Beaches at the Freeport Cruise Port There is not direct beach access from any point at the Freeport cruise

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