St. Lucia is a beautiful island in the West Indies in the Eastern Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Windward Islands, which include Barbados and Martinique. St. Lucia is known for its lush landscapes, pristine beaches, colorful towns, and the iconic Pitons. Castries, the capital of St. Lucia, is a favorite cruise port stop on many Caribbean cruise itineraries. For cruise ship passengers, a stop in St. Lucia offers a blend of relaxation, adventure, cultural immersion, and exploration of the rich local cuisine, a blend of Creole, European, and Indian dishes. If your itinerary includes a stop at the St. Lucia Cruise Port, also known as Port Castries, you will have the opportunity to see many sights that make up this beautiful Caribbean Island. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the cruise port facilities and the array of shore excursions available to make the most of your visit.
St. Lucia Cruise Port: Gateway to Island Adventures
Cruise ships that visit St. Lucia dock at the Port of Castries in Castries Harbor, located in the island’s capital. Castries Harbor is a natural deep harbor, making it perfect for large cruise ships.
The cruise port is comprised of two different cruise port terminals: Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage. During the busy cruising season, the St. Lucia Cruise Port can get busy as it can accommodate up to five cruise ships at once. One cruise ship can be anchored in Castries Harbor, requiring tender boats to reach the shore. Two cruise ships can dock at both Pointe Seraphine and La Place Carenage.
The cruise terminals are located across the bay from each other. Pointe Seraphine Cruise Port Terminal is the newest and largest terminal. It is the terminal that is most commonly used. La Place Carenage is the smaller of the two and most commonly used for smaller ships. Both cruise terminals have facilities that cater to cruise passengers, and each stop has its distinct benefits.
Pointe Seraphine Cruise Terminal, St. Lucia
Pointe Seraphine Cruise Terminal is located on the northern side of Castries Harbor. The terminal is the larger of the two and caters to most cruise lines. It is the most commonly used terminal.
Port Seraphine is an outdoor port and features a wide variety of duty-free shops, restaurants, and amenities, providing a convenient starting point for cruise passengers visiting St. Lucia.
Shops at Pointe Seraphine Cruise Terminal
The Pointe Seraphine Cruise Terminal has a wide variety of shops that cater to cruise passengers. There are duty-free shops where you can purchase high-end brands such as Hugo Boss, Chanel, Burberry, and Dolce & Gabbana.
You will also find the traditional cruise ship shops such as Effy, Diamonds International, and Tanzanite International. Other shops include Cariloha and Pirana Joe. There are also a variety of shops where you can find local artisan and food products to take home. All in all, there are more than 25 shops to explore at Pointe Seraphine.
Dining at the Pointe Seraphine Cruise Terminal
If you are looking for a place to eat or enjoy a refreshing drink at the cruise terminal, you will have a variety to choose from. There are several bars, cafes, and a couple of restaurants, such as the Pink Papaya, where you can try local cuisine.
La Place Carenage Cruise Terminal, St. Lucia
The La Place Carenage Cruise Terminal is located close to downtown Castries. While smaller than Pointe Seraphine, its location close to the city center is ideal as it is within walking distance to local markets and eateries in Castries.
The La Place Carenage is akin to an indoor mall with many amenities that cater to cruise passengers. You will find the traditional cruise ship stores, such as Diamonds International, and many other stores where you will find local and artisan products for sale.
Hiring a Taxi at the St. Lucia Cruise Port
There are taxi stands available at both cruise terminals where you can hire a taxi to get around the island. At Port Seraphine, the taxi stands are located at the front of the terminal. At La Place Carenage, the taxi stands are located at various stands within the indoor mall.
Taxi prices are not regulated in St. Lucia. You can negotiate the cost of the taxi prior to your trip. If you use the contact at the taxi stand to hire a taxi, you should confirm the cost of the taxi with the taxi driver as well. The price can change once you enter the taxi. If there is a discrepancy, the driver can call the contact to verify the negotiated price.
If you decide to hire a taxi to explore on your own, make note of the all-aboard time, as you want to make sure that you return to the ship on time.
Services Available at St. Lucia Cruise Ports
Both terminals that make up the St. Lucia Cruise Ports are equipped with facilities such as restrooms, seating areas, and accessibility features. We found the restrooms to be very clean. The cruise terminals are comfortable, state-of-the-art terminals.
Taking the Ferry at the St. Lucia Cruise Port
There is a ferry available that will take you to either cruise port. The ferry at Port Seraphine is located right outside the terminal to the north, past the shops, not too far from the St. Lucia Letters. The ferry at La Place Carenage is located outside the mall near where the cruise ships dock.
Visiting Castries, St. Lucia, On Your Own
It is possible to visit Castries on your own. If you dock at Pointe Seraphine, you can take a taxi or walk to the city center. The walk is about 15 minutes. I recommend taking a taxi. If you dock at La Place Carenage, you are steps away from the city center. There are a few sites worth visiting while in Castries.
Castries Central Market
The Castries Central Market is a large market with an indoor and outdoor area. Castries Market is the best place to try local cuisine, purchase spices, and buy locally produced souvenirs at the best prices. Items you will find for sale include clothing, handmade jewelry, soaps, banana ketchup, and St. Lucia hot pepper sauce. The options available are endless.
If you would like to try local cuisine, there are a variety of food stalls with different dishes available for sale. Castries Market is a great stop and the perfect place to experience the St. Lucia vibe, cuisine, and culture.
Derek Walcott Square
Derek Walcott Square was named after the famous St. Lucian poet and playwright, Derek Walcott. He was awarded the 1992 Nobel Prize in Literature. The square is located in the city center and is surrounded by colorful colonial buildings. The square takes up a block surrounded by Bourbon Street, Micoud Street, Laborie Street, and Brazil Street. Both the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Castries Public Library are located near the square.
The square has a nice grass area with a fountain in the middle. On one side of the square, there is a large 400 year old monkeypod tree and a gazebo that provides shade from the strong St. Lucia sun.
Derek Wilcott Square is very picturesque and worth a visit.
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, is located across from Derek Walcott Square on Laborie Street. It is one of the historic landmarks in St. Lucia that you should consider visiting.
The Cathedral was built in 1835 and is the largest church in the Caribbean. The inside of the Cathedral is colorful, capturing the essence of the Caribbean style. The Cathedral is beautiful and worth visiting.
Top St. Lucia Shore Excursions for Cruise Passengers
St. Lucia’s diverse landscape offers many activities that cater to various interests. Cruise lines offer a variety of excursions for different activity levels, from mild to strenuous. Excursions include hiking, snorkeling, culinary experiences, and shorter town tours. There is a shore excursion available for just about everyone. Here are some popular excursions to consider.
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Tour Castries by Trolley Train
The Trolley Train is an open-air, blue and yellow vehicle that resembles a train. This excursion lasts about two hours and takes you on a tour of Castries, the capital of St. Lucia. You will pass by government buildings, the local craft market, and see the many colorful buildings of Castries. Its open-air design is perfect for taking photographs throughout your tour of Castries.
During the Trolley Train tour, you will make two stops. On your first stop, you will visit the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The Cathedral was built in 1835 and is the largest of its type in the Caribbean.
The second stop will be at Vigie Beach, the closest beach to the cruise port. You will spend about 30 minutes enjoying Vigie Beach. A small serving of rum punch is served at this stop. Beach chairs are available for rent during your short stay for about $5.00 to $10.00 (USD).
If this excursion sounds like one you would like to book, it’s important that you know a little bit about downtown Castries. First, you should expect quite a bit of traffic as you make your way throughout downtown. The traffic can be more congested if there are several cruise ships in town. Second, the church is an actual church. If a funeral is scheduled during the time of your visit, out of respect for the family, you will not be able to enter and tour the church.
Touring Castries by Trolley Train is one of the most affordable excursions cruise ships offer. The points of interest and length of the tour are similar across many cruise lines.
The Pitons and Soufrière Exploration
On this excursion, you will embark on a journey to the southwestern town of Soufrière, which is the home to the iconic twin peaks, Gros Piton and Petit Piton. The Pitons are a UNESCO World Heritage site with breathtaking views and hiking opportunities. When you think of Saint Lucia, an image of the awe-inspiring Pitons might come to mind. The incredible Pitons are a must-see when visiting St. Lucia and are part of the mystique of Saint Lucia.
Cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line offer similar excursions to explore Soufriere and the Pitons. Some excursions offer hiking opportunities for a closer look at the Pitons. Other excursions offer a visit to a viewpoint where you can take incredible photographs of the pitons.
Along with a visit to the pitons or the viewpoint, you will explore the town of Soufriere and have lunch at one of the local restaurants. This type of excursion can differ between cruise lines, but they generally offer similar itineraries.
Island’s Delights
The Island’s Delights excursion is a bus tour of St. Lucia. This excursion will have different names depending on the cruise line you sail with. On this excursion, you will drive to the town of Soufriere, where you will be able to view the Pitons. On the way to Soufriere, you will make a few scenic stops, such as the Marigot Bay Viewpoint, where you will be able to take incredible photographs. You will also stop at the fishing villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries. At Anse La Raye, you will have the opportunity to purchase handmade souvenirs.
As you continue on your tour, you will stop at one of the local hotels for lunch. We stopped at La Villa de Piton, where we enjoyed a delicious Creole buffet with incredible views of the Pitons. Similar excursions offer a Creole lunch served at the Morne Coubaril Estate.
After lunch, you will visit Morne Coubaril Estate and have a cultural and historical tour of the estate. After visiting Morne Coubaril Estate, you will visit Toraille Waterfalls, where you can go for a relaxing swim.
This excursion is very similar to the one we chose. We had the option of going on an excursion that included hiking the pitons or the buffet lunch. We opted for the buffet lunch. This excursion is great because you see several sites on one tour. The excursion is about six hours long, and the drive is on a winding road. If you get motion sickness, you will want to prepare, just in case.
See the Pitons by Bus
This excursion is a great way to see various points in St. Lucia while making your way to see the Pitons from the viewpoint at Beacon’s Restaurant. Along this scenic drive, you will have great views of Castries and Marigot Bay, where you will have opportunities to take incredible photographs of the beautiful bay and the Caribbean coast.
Beacon’s Restaurant has an outdoor area with incredible views of the Pitons. A drink is generally included with this excursion, and you will have the opportunity to purchase other drinks and food.
Some cruise lines also include a stop at the Chocolate Factory and a stop at a local shopping area with coastal views.
Coastal Cruise to the Pitons
Driving to the Pitons from the cruise port takes about 90 minutes. It’s a long drive along a winding road. Going on a coastal cruise shore excursion to the Pitons eliminates the drive. On the coastal cruise, you will have great views of St. Lucia’s west coast. You will see fishing villages such as Anse La Raye and other coastal towns along the route. You will also see the beautiful mountain ridges that make up the island of St. Lucia.Â
As you make your way to the southwestern part of St. Lucia, the Pitons will come into view. The Pitons are two majestic volcano peaks, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, located near Jalousie Bay. During the coastal cruise to the Pitons, you will have a great view of the Pitons at close range from your boat. This is an incredible opportunity for photographs. You will also snorkel in one of the bays.
On the return trip to the cruise ship, you will cruise near Marigot Bay. Marigot Bay is one of St. Lucia’s most photographed, well-known, and beautiful bays.
This excursion is about four hours long and can vary depending on the cruise line you sail with.
West Coast Catamaran Cruise
The West Coast Catamaran Cruise is a longer excursion than the Coastal Cruise to the Pitons. This excursion starts by sailing to Pigeon Island, located in the northern part of St.Lucia. You will enjoy coastal views of the beautiful landscape of Pigeon Island National Park.
After sailing by Pigeon Island, your cruise will begin to make its way south to the Pitons. On the way, you stop in Soufriere, where you will enjoy a swim near the Pitons. As you make your way back to the ship, you will enjoy a second swim stop in Anse Cochon and a visit to Marigot Bay.
This excursion is about six hours long and includes lunch. The swim stops and the order of the stops can change depending on the cruise line you sail with.
Rainforest Adventures, St. Lucia
Rainforest Adventures is a unique eco-adventure park that offers a variety of activities, both mild, intermediate, and strenuous. Cruise lines offer a variety of different excursions to Rainforest Adventures.
Rainforest Adventures is about 30 minutes away from Castries, so it is possible to book a tour and enjoy the park on your own. If you do book this excursion on your own, you will want to ensure that transportation is included and that you return to the ship by the all-aboard time.
Aerial Tram Tour, St. Lucia
The Aerial Tram tour includes a round-trip open-air gondola ride up the mountain. You will have spectacular views of the rainforest as you ascend up the mountain. The guide who rides with you will point out and teach you about the trees, the flora, and the fauna along the route.
After you descend from your gondola ride, there is a 15-minute fern nature trail walk where you will learn about the ferns that grow in the area.
There are restrooms available for guests. There is also a gift shop where you will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs. This is a nice leisurely excursion with great views of St. Lucia.
Ultimate Three: Aerial tram, Zipline, and Hike
Rainforest Adventures also offers a zipline for more daring and active cruisers. This excursion includes the Aerial tram, a hike, and an exhilarating zipline.
On this excursion, you will start with the Aerial Tram tour. On the tram tour, you will exit the gondola at the top platform and hike to the first zipline platform, where you will begin your zipline adventure. There are sixteen platforms and eight zip lines along the route.
After ziplining, you will go on another short hike and hop on a gondola for your return down to the ground station.
This excursion is considered strenuous and has weight and mobility restrictions.
Stairway to the Pitons, Rum, and Chocolate
On this excursion, you will tour Castries as you head to Marigot Bay to enjoy a beautiful view of this spectacular Caribbean Bay. You will drive through a couple of fishing villages, Anse La Raye and Canaries, as you make your way to Tet Paul Nature Trail.
Tet Paul is a popular hiking trail in St. Lucia that offers many photo opportunities. The hiking trail is considered easy to moderate in some areas and takes about 45 minutes to complete. As you make your way along the trail, you will have spectacular views of the Pitons. On a clear day, you will also see the islands of Martinique and St. Vincent. Other points that you will see along your hike include Jalousie Bay and Maria Island.
After hiking Tet Paul, you will visit Morne Coubaril Estate, where you will learn how chocolate is made and enjoy tasting some of the best rums on St. Lucia.
Beaches Close to St. Lucia Cruise Port
If you are looking to relax on one of the beautiful beaches in St. Lucia, you are in luck, as there are a couple of beaches close to the cruise port. These beaches offer a variety of amenities, such as beach rentals. There are also places nearby where you can purchase food and beverages.Â
Vigie Beach
Vigie Beach is right by St. Lucia’s inter-island airport, a five-minute drive by taxi or a 30-minute walk from the cruise port.
The water at Vigie Beach is calm, making it ideal for swimming. Vigie Beach is generally quiet. However, it can get busy if there are several cruise ships in town or if it is included as part of several cruise excursions.
Umbrellas and chairs are available to rent from vendors at the beach. There are food stands and bars nearby where you can grab a bite to eat or something to drink. Its close proximity to the cruise port makes this an ideal beach to visit.
Reduit Beach
Reduit Beach is a 19-minute drive from the cruise port. It is located in Rodney Bay. This beach offers soft sands and calm waters and is ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
Reduit Beach is a popular beach to visit. There are a variety of places available to grab a bite to eat or a refreshing drink. Umbrellas and chairs are available for rent from local vendors on the beach.Â
Other Nearby Places to Visit in St. Lucia
There are several other places you can visit while you are in St. Lucia. Visiting these places would likely include hiring a taxi, as cruise lines might not have these options as one of their shore excursions.
Sulphur Springs, St. Lucia
Sulphur Springs is located near Soufrière, about an hour and a half drive from the cruise port. It is a great place to enjoy hot springs and mud baths. Sulphur Springs, also known as the Soufriere Volcano, is a dormant volcano that has not erupted in over 200 years. It is also known as the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano, as you can drive close to where the steam generated by the heated water comes out of the earth. The hot springs in this area are over 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Further down the volcano, away from the very hot water, you can enjoy geothermal mud baths. The mud baths detoxify the body and are thought to have medicinal healing powers. After spending time in the mud baths, you can wash off at the local waterfall.
Sulphur Springs offers several packages, including half-day and full-day packages. The half-day packages are more appropriate for cruise ship passengers, as time is limited when you include travel to and from the area.
Transportation options for cruise ship passengers are available from the venue. As always, if you choose to plan an excursion on your own, make sure you return to the ship by the all-aboard time.
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens is located near Soufrière, about an hour and a half from the cruise port. The botanical gardens are spread over six acres. You can spend your day exploring the diverse tropical flowers and plants in the gardens, and then explore other points of interest available at the botanical gardens.
The botanical garden is also home to Diamond Falls. A colorful waterfall that is picture-perfect. Bathing is not allowed at the waterfall. However, you can visit the mineral baths at the botanical garden.
Diamond Botanical Gardens has two private pools and three public pools available for bathing. The mineral water is fed from Sulphur Springs and is considered to have medicinal healing powers.
Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens is open daily, and you can purchase entry tickets at the gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are answers to frequently asked questions about visiting St. Lucia on a cruise. We hope the answers will help you as you plan your visit.
Yes, U.S. dollars are widely accepted in St. Lucia. It is a good idea to have local currency available for tips or to get a better exchange rate.
Credit cards are accepted in St. Lucia at larger stores, restaurants, and hotels. It is a good idea to have sufficient cash on hand if you will be purchasing items at smaller stands or eateries.
The local currency in St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which is also used in several eastern Caribbean islands.
No, you should plan ahead and book your St. Lucia shore excursion as soon as you select one. St. Lucia is a popular cruise ship port and can accommodate up to five cruise ships at a time. Popular excursions can fill up quickly. Booking as soon as you can will ensure that you don’t miss out on your desired activities.
Most cruises visit St. Lucia from October through April. However, you will find a few voyages scheduled beyond these months.
The best time to visit St. Lucia is from December to the end of May. Hurricane season runs from June through November, so you should keep this in mind when booking a trip to this part of the Caribbean.
Yes, it can get hot in St. Lucia. The Caribbean sun can be intense. It is a good idea to carry water and wear sun protection such as a sun hat, sun block, and a sun shirt during outings.
St. Lucia is generally safe to visit. St. Lucia is a beautiful island with many beautiful points of interest. However, there have been crimes such as robbery and petty theft committed against tourists. As with any other country, you should be cautious during your visit. This includes not wearing expensive jewelry or having expensive electronics out for everyone to see.
Final Thoughts on Visiting St. Lucia on a Cruise
St. Lucia offers a wide range of experiences for cruise passengers. From the beautiful Pitons, exciting adventures such as hiking and zip lining, to cultural and culinary experiences, St. Lucia is hands down a must-visit destination. Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, this island paradise promises unforgettable memories. You might even come away with the desire to return to St. Lucia on another cruise. Happy cruising!
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