If
you’re lucky enough to visit St. Kitts and Nevis on your next Caribbean cruise,
you’ll enjoy the lush, tropical beauty of these islands. Little wonder that
they were fought over by the Spanish, French and British before becoming a
long-time part of the British Empire. Since 1983, St. Kitts and Nevis has been
an independent nation.
Cruise
ships, both large and small, sail into Port Zante, St. Kitts, just outside the historic
capital of Basseterre. Port Zante is a deep-water port that can accommodate the
largest ships currently at sea. Birdrock Port, located just across Basseterre
Harbor, is a freight port that can also welcome cruise ships when Port Zante is
full.
From
the port area, it’s just a 15-minute stroll to downtown Basseterre. The 18th-century
buildings that have survived numerous hurricanes, fires and earthquakes give
the town a timeless air. The hub of activity is The Circus, an octagonal plaza
that’s a smaller version of London’s Picadilly Circus. The much-photographed
clock tower in the center of the plaza is surrounded by art galleries, cafés,
boutiques and craft shops.
Beyond
Basseterre, take a ride on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, originally built to
haul sugar cane; visit the impressive Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site; or tour the remnants of sugar cane plantations. You might also choose
to visit one of the island’s many beaches – some are calm and perfect for
swimming and snorkeling, others have waves ideal for bodysurfing or windsurfing.
There’s
a ferry that can take you across a shallow channel to Nevis, which also has
wonderful beaches of soft white sand or black volcanic sand. You can look for pottery
made of Nevis clay, take a nature hike in search of adorable vervet monkeys, or
visit the lovely Botanical Gardens of Nevis.
Cruise
ships call on St. Kitts and Nevis all year long. High season runs from
mid-December through Mid-April.
To find out
more about cruises that visit St. Kitts and Nevis, talk with Anita, your Cruise
Holidays personal cruise expert.
Visit us on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel
