(Special Southern Caribbean Itineraries)

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1 197 Topic: St. Lucia St. Lucia Size: 26 miles (42 km.) long by 13 miles (21 km.) wide Climate: Tropical Temperatures: 76 F (25 C) to 86 F (29 C) Population: 158,000 Busy Season: Late December to April Language: English, French Money: E. Carib. Dollar (1 = 37 U.S. cents) Time Zone: Atlantic (no DST) Transportation: Taxis, cars Phones: Dial 1- from U.S., dial 911 for emergencies, dial 999 for police INTRO St. Lucia is called the Helen of the Caribbean. Like Homer s Greek heroine, the island s beauty is notable. Like many Caribbean islands, the Arawak Indians were settled here two thousand years ago, only to be later ousted by the aggressive Caribs in 800 A.D. The first European to set foot on the island is widely believed to be Juan de la Cosa, a prolific explorer. The first European settler was Francois Le Clerc, a.k.a. Pegleg, who set up house on Pigeon Island and attacked passing Spanish ships. The French and British battled over Helen for more than 150 years the island changed hands fourteen times during that period. The British had the final triumph in 1814 (thanks to victory in Europe over Napoleon), so cars drive on the left-hand side, but the French influence is still huge most place names are French, and the French-based Creole patois is still widely spoken. The volcanic hot springs were developed as a military health spa under the direction of King Louis XVI, only to be destroyed several years later during the French Revolution. As with most islands in the region, St. Lucia achieved independence in the late 1970s, and is now part of the British Commonwealth. St. Lucia s tourism has grown steadily over the last 20 years. HISTORY St. Lucia is about as French as any British island can be. Most place names are French, including Les Pitons, those twin mountains rising a half-mile from the sea. Les Pitons are possibly the mostphotographed mountains in the Caribbean. Your entry port of Castries, alas, has little of its old architecture remaining, due to several disastrous fires. Unless your goal is to shop, head out of town to enjoy the island s many sights and activities. FACTS Towering mountains covered in lush vegetation, bubbling sulfurous hot springs, and black-sand beaches combine to make St. Lucia (pronounced LOO-sha ) a memorable stop for Caribbean vacationers. Watersport and eco-tourism opportunities abound if only we had more time in port to hike those mountains and explore the forests! AMBIENCE (Special Southern Caribbean Itineraries)

2 GETTING AROUND GETTING THERE % SAFETY 198 Topic: St. Lucia Tips and Notes Making the Most of St. Lucia Your ship will likely dock at Pointe Seraphine Pier across the harbor from Castries, the capital city of St. Lucia. If that pier is busy, however, you may dock at the Elizabeth II pier. Both are located in Port Castries on the west coast of the island and are indicated on the map on the next page. On the 10-night holiday itinerary in 2006, the lists an all-ashore at 9:30 am and an all abourd at 6:15 pm. Both S. Caribbean itineraries show all ashore time at 12:00 pm and an all aboard at 9:15 pm. Taxis are available at the dock to take you into town or to another destination, or you may simply walk to the nearby shopping. There s good shopping near the pier at Pointe Seraphine, a red-roofed, harbor front shopping complex with over 20 shops, many of which offer duty-free goods. You can walk there easily. Due to the rugged terrain of this island, shore excursions and taxis are the best way to get around. You can get a taxi right at the pier taxis do not have meters, but rates for common routes are set by the government. A typical fare from Castries to Rodney Bay is $40 for up to four people. Confirm the fare before getting in. If you re thinking about a rental car, we think it may be more trouble than it s worth. You are only in port for seven hours, and a temporary driver s permit is necessary (you can get these from car rental agencies for $20). Also be aware that St. Lucians drive on the left side of the road, like the British. If you have your heart set on renting a car, there are half a dozen rental agencies at the pier prices start around $50/day. Beaches at Pigeon Island or Choc Beach are about 20 minutes away by taxi. Petty street crimes and beach theft are the most notable crime problems you ll encounter, so leave your valuables on board, and safeguard your purse or wallet while shopping. It s best to stay on the main roads and not wander into alleys or away from downtown Castries on your own. Lockers aren t easy to come by on the island. As always, know your prices before you shop, and agree to taxi fares in advance. Sunblock is a must. Apply it before you leave your stateroom, and dress according to your planned activities changing rooms aren t always easy to find. Wear cover-ups while shopping or walking in town, as local customs are conservative. You should also note that it is a local offense for anyone outside of the police force to dress in camouflage clothes, and topless bathing is illegal.

3 199 Castries pt on Babonneau John Com Pigeon Island National Park Rodney Bay Hwy. Derek Walcott Square Elizabeth II Vieux Fort Pointe Seraphine Map Scale 1 mile 1 kilometer Marigot Bay Anse La Raye Canaries Soufriere Pitons Anse Chastanet A minute walk from Pointe Seraphine brings you into Castries proper, where you can view historical monuments, the busy harbor, and the city s farmer s market. We suggest you start your walking tour at the north end of Peynier Street where you ll find the newlybuilt Central Market, a bustling farmer s market in the mornings. In addition to the produce and spices you d expect to find here (neither of which you can bring back into the U.S.), you ll find baskets, T-shirts, carvings, straw hats, and plenty of silly souvenirs. Across the street is Vendor s Arcade, which houses more craft stalls. Your next visit may be to Derek Walcott Square, located between Micoud and Brazil Streets. The square is named for the island s poet laureate, who won the Nobel Prize in In the recently refurbished square you ll see a statue in honor of the Nobel Laureate, a 400-year old Massav tree, and monuments to St. Lucian soldiers lost in the Second World War. Lining the square are historic buildings displaying both the French and English architecture of the island. The large Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located on one corner of the square you can take a look inside the ornate interior unless a Mass is underway. There are plenty of other sites to see along the way, as well as the local flavor of the city. We suggest you pick up a good tourist map on your walk into town. If you feel intimidated about touring on your own, Solar Tours offers the Castries Heritage Walk get more information at or call WALKING TOUR Caribbean Sea Castries Dennery w St. Lucia s e n ST. LUCIA MAP Touring St. Lucia Topic: St. Lucia Map

4 Topic: St. Lucia Playing in St. Lucia ACTIVITIES 200 St. Lucia is known for its beautiful beaches, all of which are public (though some can only be reached by boat or by passing through private property). Closest to the pier is Vigie Beach, just a mile and a half from Castries and parallel to the nearby airport. It s a clean, pretty beach. The best beaches are a short taxi ride away. Choc Beach (sometimes known as Palm Beach) is about 20 minutes away by taxi and offers a gorgeous stretch of white sand with swaying coconut palms. This is a great family beach with calm, crystal-clear waters and plenty of amenities. The secluded beaches at Pigeon Island National Park are also a favorite among visitors, offering water sports, a restaurant, and even a small historical museum. It isn t actually an island anymore it was connected to the mainland in the 70s by a causeway. Those interested in snorkeling should visit Anse Chastanet on the southwest side of the island, about 12 miles from the pier. This is the site of a Marine Park and the Anse Chastanet Reef, which has been buoyed off specifically for snorkeling. The beautiful beach here has a volcanic black sand blanket and views of the twin Piton peaks. Be aware that a taxi trip to Anse Chastanet could take at least an hour, however, due to the steep, hilly roads and blind turns. Shopping on St. Lucia is pretty easy. The Pointe Seraphine shopping complex (see previous page) is just steps from the pier, and the Central Market with its crafts and souvenir stalls is in downtown Castries. Note that bargaining is not customary on St. Lucia. Shopping is duty-free, sales tax-free, and is conducted in U.S. dollars. As always, while prices can be excellent, know what you d pay back home for the same goods. Golfers may enjoy a visit to the St. Lucia Golf & Country Club, an 18-hole golf course offering great views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Rental clubs are available. For more information, visit or call St. Lucia is a treasure trove of beautiful natural resources, including Pigeon Island National Park, the drive-in volcano near Soufriére (which means smells of sulphur, by the way), and the famous Piton peaks which rise almost a half mile into the sky. These are all worth visiting if you re able! For more information on St. Lucia, visit

5 201 Embarking on Shore Excursions in St. Lucia Below are descriptions of common shore excursions in St. Lucia intended to acquaint you with the possibilities, based on typical offerings by other cruise lines. North Coast Tour and Beach Break Board an air-conditioned bus for a tour of the Castries area with its beautiful views. Then it s on to Morne Fortune and it s impressive mountain range. After this, you ll visit Bagshaws at La Toc and see a demonstration of the 2000-yearold batik fabric making craft. Back on the bus you ll tour the countryside, visit Pigeon Island, and pass the Rodney Bay Marina. Your last stop is Reduit Beach for an hour or so of swimming and relaxing. A complimentary beverage and a reserved beach chair are waiting for you. Leisurely $ hours Waterfall Island Bike Tour Travel down the East Coast of the island into the rainforest, where you ll meet your tour guide, get your mountain bike and safety equipment, and listen to a short orientation. Then it s off the trail to explore banana plantations, stopping along the way to sample the local fruit. You ll end up at beautiful Errard Falls, where you ll receive a complimentary beverage and have a chance to cool off with a swim at the base of the falls. This bike tour is along routes with gentle inclines, and is recommended for experienced mountain bikers and/or those in excellent physical condition. Very active Ages 12 & up $ hours Tour Pirates of the Caribbean Adventure Imagine an opportunity to board an actual ship used in Disney s film, Pirates Tour of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The Brig Unicorn is a replica of Leisurely a 138 ft., 19th century tall ship, and appears in both Pirates of the Caribbean $30 90 (where it was named Black Pearl ) as well as Roots. Your adventure begins 5.5 hours in Vigie Cove, near Castries, where 16th-century pirates once docked their warships. After boarding you ll sail the same waters once dominated by genuine Caribbean pirates you may even have the chance to swing from the ropes or walk the plank. You can expect to visit historic Pigeon Island and Fort Rodney, which was the scene of several important naval battles between the British and French. The crew even treats you to a mock pirate attack, during which you ll hear the ship s working cannons. You ll then go ashore to explore and play, with time for swimming and hiking. You may also have the chance to go on a pirate treasure hunt while ashore! Back onboard there are snacks, rum punch, and soda. (On Your Own: Sun Link Tours at ) Soufriére Cruise and Swim Board a large boat for a relaxing cruise down to Soufriére. You ll pass the Tour Anse La Raye fishing village and the Canaries village, catching a glimpse of Leisurely St. Lucia s famous Pitons, twin peaks towering 2,500 ft. above the sea. Once $40-50 you reach Soufriére, you ll board mini-buses and journey to Sulphur Springs, 5.5 hours the world s only drive-in volcano. You may also have the chance to visit Fond Doux estate, a 250-year-old working plantation. Back on the boat you ll be treated to snacks while you take a 45-minute cruise to Cochon Beach. At the beach there will be time to take a swim and enjoy a complimentary beverage. See page 158 for a key to the shore excursion description charts and their icons. Topic: St. Lucia Excursions

6 Topic: St. Lucia Shore Excursions Deep Sea Fishing Hunt for blue marlin, wahoo, barracuda, and other big game fish off the waters of St. Lucia, home to some of the best deep sea fishing in the world. You ll fish aboard a fully-equipped fishing boat; fishing tackle, bait, and fighting chair are all included. Catch-and-release only. This excursion is not recommended for those who are prone to motion sickness. St. Lucia Beach Snorkel Take a 60-minute ferry boat ride along the St. Lucia coast to a marine preserve. After receiving your snorkel equipment and instruction, enter the waters from a special beach at the preserve. You ll have the opportunity to snorkel the Anse Chastanet Reef, voted one of the ten best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. A complimentary beverage is served after snorkeling. (On Your Own: Scuba St. Lucia at ) Embarking on Shore Excursions in St. Lucia (continued) 202 Active $130 4 hours Active Ages 5 & up $ hours Off-Road Adventure and Hike Would you like to see areas of St. Lucia that are normally inaccessible to regular vehicles? Board an off-road, open-air, safari vehicle and drive through Very active Castries, up Mourne Rouge, into the Cul-De-Sac Valley, over a volcanic hill, Ages 6 & up and deep into the rainforest. From here, you ll continue on foot to the upper $58 part of the Anse La Raye valley and along a river to a waterfall. Then it s 3.5 hours back in the vehicles to visit the La Sikwi Sugar mill for rest, a brief tour, and a complimentary beverage. You should be in excellent physical condition for this excursion, as there is moderate to heavy walking. You may have the chance to cool off with a swim, so we recommend you underdress your swimsuit. Pigeon Island Sea Kayaking Transfer to Rodney Bay for a 30-minute paddle in a two-person kayak. Safety instructions and kayaking lessons will be provided. As you paddle the calm waters, your tour guide points out local flora and fauna, as well as historical trivia. Once you reach Pigeon Island National Park, you ll have time to swim and explore the ruins of a British fortification. A complimentary beverage and light snack will be served after kayaking. Active Ages 6 & up $65 3 hours See page 158 for a key to the shore excursion description charts and their icons. St. Lucia On Your Own For those that want to get a head start on their excursion plans, or just want to do it on their own, here is some information on tour operators in St. Lucia. Please note that we have not used these operators, nor is any mention here an endorsement of their services. For land and sea adventures, try SunLink Tours they have cruises on the Brig Unicorn pirate ship (see previous page), dolphin and whale-watching, deep sea fishing, island tours to Soufriére, 4x4 safari tours, rainforest hikes, and biking tours. For more information, visit or call Those interested in scuba diving and snorkeling should check out Scuba St. Lucia, which is located on the southwestern shore near the Anse Chastanet Reef. A variety of diving and snorkeling excursions are offered. For more information, visit or call