Inside Barbados Issue 5 /August 2019
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The History of Cruising in Barbados
Barbados By Day and By Night
Catch a Cat
Under The Sea
Revellers having fun at Kadooment
t’s pretty much summer all year long in Barbados but for the real summer months the fun heats up and you’re pretty sure to find a party anywhere! That’s because we celebrate our Crop Over Festival between June and the first Monday in August with music, art, craft, food and the culmination of one funtastic street party known as Kadooment Day. If you can’t stay with us for the entirety of the festival, no worries; you can grab a taste of it at our weekly Festive Fridays events not far from where your cruise liner docks. Even more excitement happens in the evening all across the island. Take in a walking tour and discover lots more about our island’s history, cuisine and natural heritage. Explore our coastline, above and below, with a catamaran cruise or a submarine dive! As we celebrate our placement as a top 5 Southern Caribbean Destination for a third consecutive year, we cruise back in time to explore the origins of cruising in Barbados and its historical popularity as a major cruise port. So how do you get here? One exciting way is with the Seabourn Cruise Line which offers a fleet of intimate ships with a luxury private club feel. Seabourn is one the destination’s most cherished homeporting partner lines. Beginning and ending a Seabourn cruise in Barbados allows for holiday perfection! The opportunity it affords for an extended stay means that you can easily combine the magic of the cruise experience onboard with the charm of this very special island onshore. Let’s learn more about what makes the island uniquely special and cruise inside Barbados by night!
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The History of Cruising in Barbados A chat with Dr. Kerry Hall, Director Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism. Q: How did Barbados emerge to be such a popular cruise port, even for early vessels? A: “Long before the birth of the land-based tourism industry in Barbados there was a growing cruise liner business. Dating back to as early as the year 1909 The West India Committee Dr. Kerry Hall which was owned by the Sugar Merchants of London and Planters of the Caribbean promoted itineraries to the Caribbean. The West India company distributed a pamphlet entitled, “The British West Indies: Our Rediscovered Colonies and How to Reach Them” with the sole purpose of increasing public awareness about the ease and affordable access to the West Indies by cruise ship. It also provided information on the itinerary of scheduled tours. The West Indies was essentially promoted as a destination with no global rival. Barbados remains a most popular cruise port in the southern Caribbean welcoming hundreds of cruise calls annually and featuring on most Caribbean cruise itineraries each winter season.” Q: What did an early cruise itinerary for Barbados and the Caribbean look like? A: “The early cruise itineraries allowed for full immersion into the destination and interestingly, latest research is showing a growing demand for these extended stays in port. Barbados welcomed its first organized cruise in 1910 when the 8,000 ton Ortana arrived on January 18th from Southampton on a voyage which began two weeks earlier on January 5th. This was the first all-inclusive Caribbean cruise to the region. Following their stop in Barbados, passengers were transferred to a yacht and continued their Caribbean cruise. During this era, travel for health and wellness were the primary motivators. The cruise package was advertised as offering travelers ‘a new, healthful, refreshing and entirely delightful holiday.’
Cruise holidays typically lasted from 62 to 76 days inclusive of 14 days hotel accommodation in Jamaica, and eight days in Barbados.” Q: Can you describe what a typical shore excursion was like in those early years? A: “During the infancy of the cruise industry, ships arrived early in the morning as is customary even in the present day and departed at midnight. Shore excursions had a magical formula which highlighted the diversity of Barbados. Many itineraries featured at least a full day in port with ships departing late, visitors were able to experience a multi faceted encounter with the island. The on island tour experience began with shopping at various merchants in Bridgetown followed by lunch at the Marine Hotel on the South Coast. After lunch, passengers were taken on a cross-country tour ending at the Crane Hotel perched on one of our most famous beaches. They were then treated to supper at the Marine Hotel and returned to the city to enjoy its nightlife that featured musical performances at some of the main theatres and entertainment at city hotels. Ships sailed away at midnight to the next Caribbean port.” Q: We are featuring Seabourn, an ultra luxury boutique vessel in this edition. The story suggests that luxury vessels were always attracted to Barbados even in the earliest years can you share any anecdotes? A: “Luxury yachts, carrying the rich and famous were attracted to Barbados since the early 1900’s. Travel during this era was a commodity available to those in the upper classes of society – the very elite. Cruising to the Caribbean on luxury vessels was also popular among the elite. Carlisle Bay was the designated Port of entry for these vessels. The Atman, a French steam yacht made a call to Barbados in 1911 carrying Baron and Baroness Rothschild and their guests. In 1912 Mr. Vanderbilt and his guests arrived on an American Yacht.” Q: What role did cruise tourism play in the early development of the sector?
A: “Early cruise tourism activity generated significant revenue for the island’s economy which trickled down and created prosperity throughout the wider society. The hotel industry, which was relatively small in those days, benefitted from this tourism activity as well as other industries including retail, ship operation services, restaurants, livery stable owners, hawkers, cabmen and motorcar rentals. Although the land-based sector was emerging, the cruise ship industry provided the island with major exposure which influenced the growth of long-stay arrivals to the island.�
Top & bottom far left: The Barbados Careenage. Middle photo: Deep Water Harbour as it looks today. Left: Stamp commemorating the completion of the Deep Water Harbour and Cruise Terminal.
Barbados by Day and By Night
Likrish Food Tour.
Likrish Food Tours Eat like a Bajan on a walking food tour by day in Bridgetown or by night in St. Lawrence Gap. On the day tour, visit local heritage sites in Bridgetown while stopping for more than 6 food tastings located throughout the city. On the evening tour, experience the energy of St. Lawrence Gap making stops at 3 sit-down restaurants, 1 Irish Pub, a street cart and a dessert stop. Visit www.lickrishfoodtours.com for details. Historic Garrison Night Tour.
Historic Garrison Night Tour This nighttime, guided walking tour of Barbados’ Historic Garrison takes visitors - children included – on a 2.8km walk highlighting the macabre history of crime and punishment in the remarkable site.
La Cabane This cool beachside bar delights your senses with a spectacular ocean view and delicious food. At night tiki tourches and bonfires, drums and island rhythms turn the beach vibe into an explosion of fantasy that words simply cannot describle.
Oistins Fish Fry.
La Cabane.
Oistins The fishing village at Oistins is transformed nightly into a party atmosphere featuring a multitude of grills, bars and food kiosks serving grilled and fried seafood dishes.
2nd Street Holetown A popular west coast party street lined with hip clubs and bars and restaurants offering exceptional Caribbean dishes, sushi, Indian and more.
Red Door Lounge, 2nd Street, Holetown.
Limegrove Lifestyle Centre From fine dining at Fusion to grabbing a pizza at Pepenero or Thai at Lemongrass. Shop at designer stores like Michael Kors and Always Summer and satisfy your sweet tooth at the Pastry Box or the Green Monkey Chocolatier or even watch a movie at their cinema.
St. Lawrence Gap This is a bar hopper’s dream come true! From Mexican on the corner to mimosas on the beach, fine dining restaurants to burgers on the street, the Gap is your nightcap!
McBrides Pub, St. Lawrence Gap.
Clifton Hall Great House A beautifully restored Georgian mansion in the eastern parish of St. John has a thought provoking history.
The story of Clifton Hall begins with a direct descendent of a Greek emperor who emigrated from Clifton, Cornwall in England. The remains are buried less than two minutes away at the historic St. John’s parish church. This grand property turned derelict, has been restored to its former glory and showcases the gracious Palladian double entrance staircase, arcaded gallery and spacious reception rooms together with the sprawling 3-acre gardens with orchard. Visitors can enjoy a fascinating day or mysterious night tour that includes tastings of an award winning 12-year-old Clifton Hall Great House Signature Rum and other treats. The property is also used for weddings and other special events Visit www.cliftonhallgreathouse.com for more information.
Catch a Cat! Cruise along the coastline of Barbados on a chic catamaran like Cat & The Fiddle or Tiami and capture an amazing sunset. Cat & The Fiddle
Tiami
Cat & The Fiddle
A delectable buffet dinner and countless cocktails are yours for the evening as you soak in the sunset, snorkel or swim with the turtles. For further details visit them at tiamicatamarancruises.com catandthefiddlebarbados.com
Under the Sea
Experience another side of Barbados’ great nightlife 150ft below the surface. You will be fascinated by the coral reef under the spotlights of the submarine and get a close up look of the underwater night predators. A more romantic and awe-inspiring experience than during the day, the night dive is followed by a short cocktail reception. Visit www.atlantissubmarines.com for more information.
Seabourn Cruises The Seabourn fleet of boutique small ships has all-oceanfront suites guaranteeing an onboard experience that is private, intimate and purposeful. Complimentary premium drinks and gourmet dining occasions ensure that your vacation is exquisite, pleasurable and entertaining. Begin your Seabourn vacation from Barbados’ port during the 2019/2020 Winter Season on Seabourn Odyssey. To find out more about sailing to Barbados with Seabourn’s Summer Opportunity Sales Event click here Contact your travel agent to book your next Seabourn cruise
Please Stay! As you learned from our history of cruising, Barbados has long been celebrated as an immersive cruise port; a prestigious port of call on itineraries of up to 8 days or as little as one day. It was this early model that drove the development of the land based and hotel sector in the 1900’s. This - we like to believe - is due to the irresistible nature of the island. The longer the cruise stay and island encounter, the greater the Check out visitbarbados.org attachment to its people, to see what else is going on in beautiful landscapes, food, rich heritage, beaches, Barbados. We’re always adding sunsets and sundowners too! more activities and experiences When booking your cruise you’ll love! vacation to begin and end in Barbados, staying on is a must before or after your cruise. Daily airlift from major cities and gateways in Canada, the USA, and the UK make this dream vacation a close reality. You will be amazed at the diversity in accommodation on this little island. You can choose from your own private villa or a luxurious all-inclusive resort, or you can select from one of the Intimate Hotels of Barbados - a range of smaller hotels that give you that at-home feel but with a range of services at your fingertips. If you actually want to stay in a home, there are a growing number of Airbnb and HomeAway properties available. Contact your travel agent for booking information on our pre and post cruise packages.