Trinidad & Tobago

Table Of Content

• Celebrity Cruise Ships Make First Calls to Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Explore Trinidad's natural beauty during your free time.
• Port-of-Spain - user reviews and comments
• Best Deals to Port of Spain, Trinidad
• Night Caribbean CruiseDetails
• Things To Do in Port of Spain
• Trinidad and Tobago Cruises
• Port of Spain, Trinidad

From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. It's always wise to book your shore excursions in advance of your cruise to the Caribbean. If you would like to spend a day on the beach we could recommend Maracas Bay. Other than that, Trinidad's culture is mostly influenced by the Indians, Africans and Chinese brought over in the 19th century to be indentured workers in the sugar industry. The island is now 40 percent people of Indian descent, 38 percent of African descent and the rest a mix of Europeans (with a small percentage of Chinese).

Celebrity Cruise Ships Make First Calls to Perfect Day at CocoCay

When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Tobago is the most popular destination, with 43 cruises to dock at the Scarborough and Charlotteville ports in Tobago; the remaining 28 will dock at the Cruise Ship Complex in Port of Spain in Trinidad. You can also head to Scarborough’s market square and browse the stalls along Milford and Wilson roads. Tobago was originally inhabited by the Tacarigua and Aragua indigenous peoples, then settled by the Spanish, French, Dutch, and British over the latter half of the 18th century and into the 19th. In recent history, Tobago has been transformed into a vacation paradise, while retaining its commitment to protecting nature. The island is famous for its lush natural scenery, laid-back vibe, multi-cultural society, and great food.

Explore Trinidad's natural beauty during your free time.

The city is a regional, financial and business center and has one of the fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean. Oil and natural gas production, not tourism, is the island's biggest industry. Port Port-of-Spain cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry.

Port-of-Spain - user reviews and comments

Port of Spain serves primarily as an administrative and retail center and has been the capital of Trinidad and Tobago since 1757. It is also a major financial services center for the Caribbean, home to two of the largest banks in the area. Port of Spain is the 2nd largest capital city in the English-speaking Caribbean and among the largest Caribbean cities. It is also the biggest capital city in the Lesser Antilles and the Southern Caribbean, as well as the most southern Caribbean capital city. Port of Spain was the capital of the short-lived West Indies Federation. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.

Best Deals to Port of Spain, Trinidad

Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants and stores, although smaller beach bars and market vendors usually prefer cash. Make sure to look up local conversion rates in case you are spending TT$, and always ask if an item is priced in local currency before buying. There are ATMs in the main towns, as well as money exchange shops where you can get local currency. Tipping is not common, but a 10% tip on meals or tours is accepted and often very appreciated. Cruise visitors will disembark at Port of Spain, the capital city of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

Night Caribbean CruiseDetails

It is the location of many restaurants, casinos, cafes, shops and bars. Wander through the bustling streets of this cosmopolitan city, enjoy the vibrant ambiance; this is, after all, the birthplace of Calypso. Visit the Royal Botanic Gardens or hike into the rain forest at Maraca Bay for stunning views and waterfalls.

One of the more unusual attractions for a Caribbean island is Mt. St. Benedict’s Monastery, located 800 feet above sea level. The oldest Benedictine monastery in the Caribbean is still actively managed by the monks. It offers visitors attractive views of the island, 600 acres of nature trails, an art gallery, studio and cafe. Ariapita Avenue may be the most popular attraction for cruise visitors, but Trinidad has other tourist attractions as well. They are easily discernable by their license plates, all of which begin with the letter "H." Taxis in Trinidad do not have meters, so make sure to discuss rates with your driver before departure.

Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. But Trinidad is best known for its carnival—matched only by Rio and New Orleans in its festive grandeur. Steelpan orchestras with as many as 100 members join a procession of outrageously costumed dancers. You’ll also hear calypso and soca, two styles of music that originated on Trinidad and Tobago.

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Today, Trinidad remains a prosperous island that welcomes cruise ships from all over the world to dock at its picturesque capital, Port-of-Spain. Trinidad is less famous for its beaches than some of its other attributes, yet it still has more beach land than any other island in the West Indies. Although some of them are rather remote, they are still accessible and beautiful as well. Maracas Bay, nearly 20 miles from Port of Spain, has a protected cove, restrooms, and some limited food facilities. Manzanilla Beach, on the eastern coast of Trinidad, has breathtaking ocean views, and picnic facilities as well.

This explains why these port cities are used as seasonal turnaround ports for homeporting (roundtrip itineraries) by many major cruise companies with ship deployments in the Caribbean. The country's other major cruise ports (Scarborough and Charlotteville) are on Tobago Island. U.S. dollars are accepted in many places, so be sure to ask which type of dollar is being quoted if you're unsure.

Like many small islands, the best way to get from place to place while in port on cruises to Tobago is by car. Once you’re there, towns like Scarborough, Charlottesville, and Crown Point are walkable, but you’ll want to book private vehicle transportation to get around the island efficiently. Chartering a boat around the island is another enjoyable way to explore the rainforests and beaches along the shore.

Royal Caribbean explores partnership with local manufacturers at TIC - TT Newsday

Royal Caribbean explores partnership with local manufacturers at TIC.

Posted: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The port facilities for Tobago cruises are located at the tip of the town of Scarborough, the main commercial and tourism center of the island. The compact, modern port allows easy access to shore excursions, dining, shopping, and other attractions of downtown Scarborough. From the port, it’s a quick drive to the best beaches, by taxi or by shuttle. Cruises to Trinidad and Tobago unlock some of the most unique travel experiences in the Caribbean. By Tobago standards, Scarborough is the “big city,” where a full third of the island lives.

They include Trinidad usually during longer cruises such as 10 to 27 nights. In and around Port of Spain and Trinidad itself, you will be treated to a land that has been spared from the massive over-development that has troubled other notable ports of call. Trinidad, the larger of the two, is home to most of the country's cities and activity, and is the industrial center, noted for petroleum and natural gas production. Both islands have their share of natural beauty and enjoy a generally pleasant maritime tropical climate influenced by the northeast trade wind, though Tobago has the better beaches. This centuries-old fort offers beautiful views of the Gulf of Paria.

Along with Afro-Trinis, there are citizens of Indian descent, both Hindu and Muslim, who have maintained their ethnic heritage. As is true in much of the West Indies, many locals have Chinese and Middle Eastern roots as well. Your Caribbean cruise will take you to beaches with unique features like pink and black sand, so make sure to pack organic and natural sunscreen so not only you can stay protected, but the coral reefs can too. Some of the best cocoa in the world comes from Trinidad, making artisan chocolates a popular gifts.