🇩🇴 La Romana
La Romana itself is rather unremarkable – and the city near the port is considered a bit unsafe, so it’s best to leave valuables on board. The real highlight is Isla Saona. The catamaran ride itself is an experience: turquoise waters, Caribbean music, and drinks on board. On the island, you’ll find stunning beaches, palm trees, and crystal-clear water. I even spotted starfish in the sea – a truly unforgettable moment!
👉 Tip: Book the excursion through the ship to ensure you return on time. If you prefer to go independently, a taxi (~25 minutes, around 30 USD) will take you to Bayahibe Beach, which is also beautiful and more relaxed.
Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)
€1 ≈ 75 DOP
Hostel Life Enthusiast
Laura loves the vibrant hostel community and shared experiences.
Authentic Travel Stories
Laura craves the freedom and spontaneity of backpacking adventures.
Global Encounters
Meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures during Laura’s travels.
🇧🇧 Barbados
Barbados is very easy to explore on your own. A taxi (~10 min, around €12) takes you to Carlisle Bay, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. If you prefer, you can also walk from the port – about 20–25 minutes – which is perfect if you want to stroll through town a bit before hitting the water.
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for around 20 USD. Bring your own snorkel set – you’ll often see turtles and colorful fish right from the shore. For more adventure, there are also small boat trips and watersports.
Currency: Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
€1 ≈ 2.35 BBD
Hostel Life Enthusiast
Laura loves the vibrant hostel community and shared experiences.
Authentic Travel Stories
Laura craves the freedom and spontaneity of backpacking adventures.
Global Encounters
Meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures during Laura’s travels.
🇱🇨 St. Lucia
St. Lucia is one of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean. Its iconic Pitons – two majestic volcanic peaks – are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Castries (the port), it takes about 1.5 hours by car to reach viewpoints or nearby beaches.
Popular are catamaran tours, offering stunning views of the Pitons from the sea. You can also book combined tours that include beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls.
👉 Tip: Book these excursions through the ship to ensure a smooth return, as distances on the island are long.
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
€1 ≈ 3.18 XCD
Hostel Life Enthusiast
Laura loves the vibrant hostel community and shared experiences.
Authentic Travel Stories
Laura craves the freedom and spontaneity of backpacking adventures.
Global Encounters
Meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures during Laura’s travels.
🇰🇳 St. Kitts
On St. Kitts, the Sugar Train is very popular – an old railway that takes you through the lush landscape along the coast. Some cruise lines offer the excursion directly.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi at the port (approx. 20–25 €/hour). Highlights include the Brimstone Hill Fortress (entrance ~13 €) and the Timothy Hill viewpoint, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea. Beaches are also reachable within 20–30 minutes.
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
€1 ≈ 3.18 XCD
Hostel Life Enthusiast
Laura loves the vibrant hostel community and shared experiences.
Authentic Travel Stories
Laura craves the freedom and spontaneity of backpacking adventures.
Global Encounters
Meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures during Laura’s travels.
🇦🇬 Antigua
Antigua has 365 beaches, one for every day of the year! Many are reachable in 15–30 minutes by taxi (16–25 € per trip).
Highlight: Stingray City Adventure, where you can swim with gentle stingrays. Many ships offer this excursion, or you can book it independently online. Tip: Book in advance – it’s almost impossible to secure a spot last minute.
For a relaxing day, head to Dickenson Bay Beach, home to the famous red telephone booth – perfect for photos and swimming.
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
€1 ≈ 3.18 XCD
Hostel Life Enthusiast
Laura loves the vibrant hostel community and shared experiences.
Authentic Travel Stories
Laura craves the freedom and spontaneity of backpacking adventures.
Global Encounters
Meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures during Laura’s travels.
🇲🇶 Martinique (Fort-de-France)
Martinique is part of France, so everything is in Euros. The port area itself isn’t very interesting to explore. Better options are a visit to a rum distillery (entrance ~9–10 €) or a scenic island tour. Beaches are reachable by taxi or ferry in 20–30 minutes. Enjoy French pastries and cafés – the Caribbean with a Parisian touch!
I went on a day trip in Martinique, visiting a charming church by the beach and then heading to see the statues of monks. Both spots were beautiful and made for a memorable outing.
Currency: Euro (EUR)
€1 = €1
Hostel Life Enthusiast
Laura loves the vibrant hostel community and shared experiences.
Authentic Travel Stories
Laura craves the freedom and spontaneity of backpacking adventures.
Global Encounters
Meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures during Laura’s travels.
🇸🇽 St. Maarten / St. Martin
Right at the port is Great Bay Beach, which is really lovely. If you just want a relaxed beach day, this is more than enough. Chairs and umbrellas are around 20 USD.
For more excitement, take a taxi (~25 min, ~20 €) to the famous Maho Beach, where planes fly just meters above the sand. Spectacular, but loud and windy – have your camera ready!
Currency: Dutch side = U.S. Dollar (USD) / French side = Euro (EUR)
€1 ≈ 1.08 USD
Hostel Life Enthusiast
Laura loves the vibrant hostel community and shared experiences.
Authentic Travel Stories
Laura craves the freedom and spontaneity of backpacking adventures.
🇻🇬 Tortola (British Virgin Islands)
Road Town is small, but Cane Garden Bay and Brewers Bay are amazing beaches (~20 min taxi, 12 €).
I had the chance to join a catamaran excursion myself, and it was absolutely beautiful. We saw turtles, some guests spotted stingrays, and the local guides created a fun atmosphere with music and rum punch – pure Caribbean vibes!
The ultimate highlight is the Baths on Virgin Gorda: huge granite boulders forming pools and caves. Entrance is ~3 €, plus boat/ferry from ~70 €. Totally worth it.
Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD)
€1 ≈ 1.08 USD
Hostel Life Enthusiast
Laura loves the vibrant hostel community and shared experiences.
Authentic Travel Stories
Laura craves the freedom and spontaneity of backpacking adventures.
Global Encounters
Meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures during Laura’s travels.