Lesser-known Caribbean gems: the ports that will earn you bragging rights
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, Santiago de Cuba Credit: iStock
John Wilmott, Travel writer
2 July 2018 • 3:30pm
John Wilmott
There are more than 7,000 islands in the Caribbean Sea, dished out between 28 independent nations and overseas territories. Yet the same names – Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia and Cozumel, for example – pop up on many cruise itineraries.
There's no doubt they have much to offer, but if you wish to visit more unusual destinations, plenty of options lie in wait. Many of these are dots in the ocean accessible only by smaller ships, though there are one or two larger cities that see few arrivals in port.
Here are eight places that will, at the very least, give you bragging rights at your next social gathering – and how you may reach them.
Mayreau
Tiny Mayreau – occupying just one and a half square miles of cobalt sea – is one of the gorgeous Grenadines, between St Vincent and Grenada. There's little to see and do; a miniature town up the hill, fine beaches such as half-moon Salt Whistle Bay and top-quality snorkelling. So why do a few cruise ships, including one or two larger ones, bother to anchor here?
Visitors to Mayreau might be attracted by its closeness to the Tobago Cays (pictured) Credit: Getty
A compelling reason is the closeness to Tobago Cays, a dreamy collection of little islets with talcum-powder sand, accessed on a catamaran trip. Another boat excursion can take you to hilly Union Island a couple of miles south.
Azamara Club Cruises has a 14-night round-trip from Miami departing Nov 26, 2019, from £2,620 per person, excluding flights.
With 12 miles of dazzlingly white sand, you would expect Anguilla to attract more cruise ships. One day, maybe, but for the moment this British Overseas Territory remains deliciously off-radar while vessels cram into Dutch-French St Maarten/St Martin next door.
There are many picture-perfect churches to be discovered around Anguilla Credit: Getty
Anguilla was badly damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 but is once again offering visitors classy restaurants, lively beach bars, art galleries and boat trips. Other diversions include visiting an old cotton factory, swimming with dolphins, golf and a beach-focused day at trendy Shoal Bay.
A final temptation? You may spot Hollywood royalty, who enjoy the lack of limelight.
Star Clippers has a seven-night round-trip from St Maarten, departing Mar 16, 2019, from £1,360 per person, excluding flights.
Read more: Telegraph Travel's Caribbean Cruise Guide
Nevis peak, the mostly dormant volcano, can be seen from anywhere on the island Credit: iStock
You can swim from St Kitts to Nevis (it's an annual event) but the former welcomes far more ships than its neighbour. This leaves the verdant circle of Nevis in peace for those on the smaller ships that call here. A worthwhile hour can be spent in the capital Charlestown, adorned with balconied Georgian buildings.
Those who take an island tour can expect to see old sugar plantations, lush rainforest around the 3,200ft Nevis Peak and a museum dedicated to Horatio Nelson. Nevis was where the admiral met wife-to-be Fanny Nisbet. Pinney's Beach, a lovely three-mile strand, is agreeably close to the anchorage.
Caribbean cruise natural wonders
Seabourn has a 14-night round-trip from Barbados departing November 23, 2019, from £4,299 per person, excluding flights.
In the deep south of the Caribbean Sea, close to Panama, the San Blas Islands showcase a different culture to their northerly cousins. More than 300 isles are strewn across the sea. The few that are inhabited are home to the indigenous Kuna people, who enjoy semi-independence from Panama and control the influence of tourism.
The indigenous people of San Blas Islands sell traditional appliquéd fabric Credit: iStock
Expect to do little more here than admire the Robinson Crusoe ambience – thatched dwellings, coconut palms, duvet-soft beaches and excellent snorkelling. Do, though, buy applique handicrafts from local women who wear colourful costumes.
Scenic has a 12-night cruise from Miami to Cartagena departing Oct 30, 2018, from £5,885 per person, including flights.
Bimini Islands
The site of the lost city of Atlantis? That's a bold claim for the Bimini Islands, which are part of the Bahamas but much closer to Florida than they are to their Caribbean sisters. What is beyond doubt is that the Biminis were a retreat for Ernest Hemingway and were used to stash booze during the Prohibition.
Stingrays can be found swimming the shallows of the Bimini Islands Credit: Getty
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Today, you can dine on conch salad in a chic restaurant, kayak among mangroves looking for stingrays and swim with wild resident dolphins. Prefer those mysteries? Visit the Healing Hole, a freshwater spring with all sorts of claims as to its curative properties.
Silversea has a 10-night round-trip from Fort Lauderdale departing Dec 27, 2019, from £3,330 per person, excluding flights.
An evening view of the snowy sands of White Bay on Jost Van Dyke Credit: Getty
The smallest of the four main British Virgin islands, JVD covers less than four square miles. Sadly many homes were destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017, but this charming little isle is open for business. Lush green hills running down pale sands and teal seas may be enough for cruise visitors – a few of the beach bars enjoy legendary status among the many visiting yachtsmen. A short hill walk will be rewarded by expansive views over neighbouring Tortola.
Wildlife enthusiasts can join a boat trip to nearby Great Tobago, a steep isle noted for its colonies of frigatebirds and tropicbirds.
SeaDream has a seven-night round-trip from Puerto Rico departing Jan 12, 2019, from 2,922pp excluding flights.
Birthplace of Castro's revolution, Cuba's second city is very different to headline-grabbing Havana, more than 500 miles away. It is a cultural centre with strong African roots and a historic quarter with an impressive range of architectural styles. The main square is especially vibrant and attractive.
Santiago de Cuba's main square, Parque Cespedes Credit: Getty
If you wish to get out of town, Santiago is close to Cuba's main mountains, which can be explored on a jeep safari; the climbable lump of La Gran Piedera (the Big Rock) is a popular destination.
Another trip is to the former copper-mining town of El Cobre, which has Cuba's most important religious site, a 'miraculous' statue of the Virgin Mary.
Viking has a seven-night round-trip from Miami, departing Jan 3, 2019, from £3,090 per person, including flights.
Who would have thought that one of the Caribbean's largest cities could be classed as a lesser-known gem? Most cruise ships pull into Dominican Republic's more beach-orientated ports; just a handful visit the country's capital on the south coast.
Catedral Primada de America, which is the oldest standing cathedral in the New World Credit: Getty
Perhaps they should, because this blend of old and new boasts many firsts. It is the oldest continuously inhabited European town in the Americas and has what were the first cathedral, castle and monastery in the New World.
In the Zona Colonial historic district, the collection of 16th-century buildings are listed by Unesco. As a bonus, three semi-underground lakes form a mini-national park near the centre.
Fred Olsen has a 14-night cruise from the Dominican Republic to Barbados, departing Jan 2, 2020, from £1,449 per person, including flights.
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