Vision of the Seas - November 29, 2025 (12 Nights)

St. Kitts, together with the neighboring Isle Nevis, is among the loveliest and unspoiled islands in the south Caribbean. It attracts many cruise visitors because of its scenic natural beauty as well as for its native culture and fine beaches. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, the original name of the island was St. Christopher, shortened more recently to Saint Kitts. The eco-friendly preservation of the island's natural geography is one of the reasons so many come here to relax and explore. However, the tourist trade is alive and well, with a myriad of souvenir shops, gift stores and some extremely fine dining establishments. Above all, however, Saint Kitts is truly a getaway destination, perfect for couples, honeymooners and those who really enjoy nature.

Cruise lines make their port of call at Basseterre, the capital and largest community on the island. Just outside of the town a new, quite modern cruise dock has been constructed at Port Zante, and the terminal is complete with information desks, currency exchange booths and ATMs. Taxis can take visitors into the heart of the city in less than 15 minutes. However, some cruise travelers prefer to stroll along the waterfront to the central district of Basseterre. Port Zante itself has a number of newer shops and restaurants that have opened since the completion of this modern dock facility.

Some of the earliest Colonial style architecture remains around the island, and there are a number of fine old structures worth investigating in Basseterre. Romney Manor was once owned by the grandson of Thomas Jefferson and today visitors can delight in its magnificent grounds and visit the Caribelle Batik shop, one of many such establishments that offer genuine batik clothing. The Nature Reserve contains a stunning display of flora and fauna, including the brown pouchless pelican. One of the most intriguing destinations on the island is the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Brimstone Hill Fortress. A 17th century British military barracks, this fortified complex was occupied by a huge number of troops during the period when fighting over control of Saint Kitts was at its height. Among the delightful beaches, the Great Salt Pond is one of the most enjoyable. Here visitors can stroll between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea in just a few moments, as the beach is on a narrow peninsula. South Frigate Bay is a favorite for surfers and beachcombers, and waterskiing is popular along this entire stretch of coastline. For those wanting a bit of marine adventure, take a ferry ride to the neighboring Isle Nevis, which is more remote and ringed by coral reefs. The white sand beaches on this smaller island are exemplary.

Mr. X's Shiggedy Shack serves the famous rum cocktail made with cane juice. At the Glimbara Guest House on Cayon Street the locals can be found whetting their appetite at the Glimbara Diner, a well-known establishment specializing in Creole style cuisine. Outside of town and a short taxi ride from the center of Basseterre is the equally popular Rawlins Plantation. Here on the lower slopes of Mt. Liamuiga, diners experience the very finest in shrimp and lobster entrees. The excellent desserts are a mix of French and Caribbean cooking and the views are exceptional.

Taxis are the preferred method of transportation for cruise visitors. The fares are determined by agreement and there are no metered fares. Taxis are plentiful at hotels, restaurants and along the waterfront as well as at the cruise terminal. Rental cars are available. However, you would need to purchase a visitor's permit in order to drive. The rural streets are crowded with pedestrian traffic as well as livestock such as goats and sheep. Driving slowly around the island is highly recommended.

The local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar, although many of the gift shops and restaurants accept U.S. Dollar as well. The native language of the island is English, but the locals have created their own distinct accent, which can be a bit tricky to understand at first. Several of the cafes in downtown Basseterre have Internet access, especially those located in and around the central circus and at the TDL Mall on Fort Street.

Philipsburg is the biggest town located on the Saint Maarten island. Saint Maarten island is divided into two parts - Dutch and French. Philipsburg is located in the Dutch part of the island. You can also visit the French side of the island, the main city of which is Marigot. Philipsburg and Saint Maarten island have amazing beaches, very large and vibrant duty free shopping opportunities (it's one of the largest shopping centers in Caribbean) as well as many types of entertainment and fun activities.

The majority of cruise ships will dock in Great Bay on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. The pier, which is one mile from the Philipsburg city center, is called the A.C. Wathey Pier. Taxis are available directly at the pier to transport travelers into town for a small fare. In addition, one can walk from the pier to downtown Philipsburg in approximately 15 minutes. Some ships may choose to dock at Little Pier and then transport their passengers into the center of Philipsburg.

There is much to see and do in Philipsburg and in St. Maarten. In Philipsburg you can enjoy some of the trendiest restaurants and you can shop in the multitude of duty-free shops available. The most famous shopping streets are Front and Old Streets, although you can enjoy great shopping in many other places. On another note, you can explore Orient Beach (part of which is clothing optional) to enjoy the beautiful white sand that stretches for over 1 1/2 miles along the coast. If you are a big fan of nature, you can take a trip to the Butterfly Farm to admire hundreds of butterflies of various colors and species. For the more adventurous travelers, kayaking activities and snorkeling are available for you to experience the exotic wildlife and coral reefs of St. Maarten. You can also take a historical tour of St. Maarten via bicycle. Finally, St. Maarten is also a great place to sail. In fact, you can even compete in a shortened version of the America's Cup race if you so choose.

There are plenty of nice restaurants to enjoy on both Dutch and French side of the St. Maarten island. On the Dutch side, you can, for example, go to Chesterfield's for a casual lunch or to St. Antoine, which is a more upscale place. On the French side, in Marigot (the main town on the French side) you can go to l'Oiseau Rare - a French bistro that has a great view of Marigot harbor. Or you can visit Le Mini Club, which is famous for its Creole and French cuisine. These are just some suggestions, there are many other places where you can have wonderful dining experience.

Once you arrive at the port, you can either hail a taxi to travel into the center of Philipsburg, or you can choose to take the 15 minute walk. Cab fares are extremely reasonable. Another option is to take a water taxi from the cruise pier to the center of Philipsburg. That will cost you $3 one-way and $5 roundtrip. It is possible to rent a car in St. Maarten, but if you are only staying for a day as part of a cruise, this may not be your best option. In that case, you can just walk or use a taxi to explore the area.

The island of St. Maarten is owned by two different countries. One side of the island has French as the official language, while the other side has Dutch as its official language. However, English is the language most frequently spoken on both sides of St. Maarten. The official currencies of St. Maarten are the Euro on the French side and the guilder on the Dutch side, but the US dollar will be accepted everywhere. Most stores will post prices both in the local currency and in US dollars. If you want to stay in touch with folks back home, you can use the Internet Paradise cafe located at the intersection of Yrausquin Boulevard and Front Street.