We did not pick this cruise itinerary because it stopped in Barbados. We were scheduled to be on another ship and with a different itinerary, but because of a mechanical problem, we had to pick a different sailing with an incentive from the cruise line that helped us pay for a cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Barbados was a surprising jewel among the five ports visited on a seven-day cruise that included St. Thomas and St. Lucia, ports we were eager to visit.
After reading several reviews, we decided to use a taxi to visit several landmarks on our own. I am careful about where and when we schedule our activities during a cruise. My risk tolerance requires one of two requirements be met to feel safe if we are to head out on our own in port.
1) Stay close enough to port that we can get back to port on foot with time to spare should that be required.
2) The town or island is small enough, and cellular service is available so that we can call a cab to return to port before sailing.
Barbados met the second condition, although we did push it a bit going all the way to North Point.
We like to snorkel when the water is clear enough to enjoy marine life. Folkestone Marine Park is a place where we could snorkel in an area protected from motorized water vehicles, and less touristy than the spots normally visited by cruise ship passengers.
St. James Parish Church is less than a five-minute walk away from the marine park. The original church was built more than 300 years ago and restored in the late 1870s.
One advantage of planning a private shore excursion is the opportunity to combine activities and personal interests. We like the combination of swimming or snorkeling in the ocean and taking in a historical site. There was one more stop I wanted to squeeze in before returning to port.
North Point, on the east side of the island, offers a splendid view of where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. We took a taxi from St. James Parish to North Point. There is also a bus that will get you to the North Point with transfers from Bridgetown.. I was concerned about time and because we were going first to Folkstone Marine Park and to St. James Parish Church, we decided to take a taxi.
Our taxi driver waited as we walked around admiring the beauty of the sea crashing against the cliffs and shopped in a small family run arts and crafts shop. The views are worth the trip from the cruise port. Do watch your step though, there are blow holes and underground caves all around the cliffs. Along with the majestic views at North Point, you will find Animal Flower Cave and restaurant. Animal Flower Cave is open for guided tours $25 BBD ($12.50 US) for adults and $10 BBD ($5 US) for children. The cave is named after animal flowers (sea anemones) that were present when the cave was discovered by a Welsh naturalist and author, the Reverend Griffith Hughes, in 1750. Depending upon the time of year, you many not find sea anemones inside the cave, but you will find colored rock formations and pools of water you can swim in with a view of the ocean crashing against the cliffs.
Having spent time snorkeling earlier in the day, we did not have time to explore the cave. Our next trip to Barbados we will head straight to North Point to explore the cave and enjoy the view from the restaurant. We enjoyed our private tour of Barbados and preferred it over a similar itinerary we followed in St. Kitts. Another reason to love cruising, you can taste the geography and culture of many different places and then decide if and where you would like to return on vacation. Have you visited somewhere where you hope to visit again someday? Please share in the comments below and tell us where you would like to return for a longer stay with more time to explore.
