See full version: Castries (St Lucia Island)
20-min drive from Port Castries. The complex is managed by Carvalho's Cruise Services Ltd (travel agency) and offers as amenities beach chairs and umbrellas, restrooms, showers, storage lockers, bar-restaurant. Glittering Sands offers as activities like snorkeling, seakayaking, sail boating, river rafting, hiking (along the waterfalls). [links]
In January 2018 was completed the Port Castries expansion project. The new "dolphin berth" is located at Pointe Serafine Cruise Terminal. The new facility has capacity to handle larger cruise vessels - two Quantum-class ships berthing simultaneously (on each side of the pier). The first such RCI-Royal Caribbean ship (Anthem OTS) docked here on January 13, 2018. The ship was on a 12-day Caribbean cruise (itinerary Jan 7-19) roundtrip from NYC New York to San Juan (Puerto Rico), Philipsburg (St Maarten), St Johns (Antigua), Castries, Bridgetown (Barbados) and Basseterre (St Kitts). Quantum-class ships have LOA length 348 m (1142 ft) and max capacity 4800 passengers plus 1300 crew.
Castries is a major port and the capital city of Saint Lucia Island - a Commonwealth country in Eastern Caribbean Sea, part of Lesser Antilles (archipelago). The island is located northeast of St Vincent island, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. The island has land area approx 617 km2 (238 mi2) and total population around 180,000. Castries has population around 70,000.
Other (tender) ports on St Lucia Island are Rodney Bay - Pigeon island (northernmost), Soufriere (central-west) and Vieux Fort (south). In October 2019, Carnival Corporation and RCCL-Royal Caribbean signed with the St Lucia's Government a long-term concession deal for a joint venture company to manage and operate Port Castries' cruise terminal and also to construct and operate the new cruise port Vieux Fort. The new facility will have capacity to handle even the world's biggest cruise ships.
In October 2019 was officially opened Glittering Sands - a new tourist attraction at L'Oranger Bay (Anse La Raye Beach) located at [links]
Visitors to Port Castries were greeted by Tourism Officials including Cruise Agents-Foster and Ince, Invest Saint Lucia, the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Minister- Hon. Dominic Fedee and were gifted with branded items and serenaded to the sweet sounds of steel pan music. here
While visitors were being tendered in, Captain Ricardo Pinzon of Star Breeze and Minister Fedee exchanged plaques at the IGY Rodney Bay Marina, commemorating the vessel’s inaugural call to the destination. Star Breeze will overnight in Saint Lucia and depart on the evening of July 14, giving visitors two full days to enjoy the destination. more
“It is a great day as these are the second and third cruise calls to Saint Lucia. We are indeed elated to see strides towards consistent cruise calls and are pleased that more and more employees within the sector are returning to work,” said Tourism Minister – Honourable Dominic Fedee. here
In continuing to take all necessary precautions amid the covid-19 pandemic, all visitors were screened by Port Health Authorities and all fully vaccinated cruise visitors were issued with a wristband on arrival. Vaccinated adults accompanying unvaccinated minors, as well as all unvaccinated visitors, were accommodated within a bubble. here
Press Release:– 545 cruise visitors graced the shores of Saint Lucia on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. 410 visitors arrived on Celebrity Summit into Port Castries and 135 visitors arrived on Star Breeze’s inaugural call which anchored at Rodney Bay. Star Breeze is a German-built cruise ship owned by Windstar Cruises. more
Depart the Morne Fortune Viewpoint for a short drive to Caribelle Batik. Spend time seeing a Batik demonstration and shopping for that special souvenir. Depart Caribelle Batik for a scenic drive through the Cul De Sac and Roseau Valleys to the Rum Distillery and sample some of the Island’s finest produced rum products after which you will have a short drive to the Marigot Bay Viewpoint.
Start with a drive through the Castries town bypassing the Cathedral Church and the Derek Walcott Square. Continue up to the Morne Fortune Viewpoint for a spectacular view of the Castries Harbor and the Northern Landscape.
This is a photo moment not to miss and while relaxing can also sample some of the local treats or drinks that is available for purchase. Depart Marigot Bay for drive to St. Marks. Arrive St. Marks for a guided tour of this old family colonial home whilst enjoying a cool refreshment and a selection of snacks before returning to your ship. [links]
[links]
[links]
Visitors to Port Castries were greeted by Tourism Officials including Cruise Agents-Foster and Ince, Invest Saint Lucia, the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Minister- Hon. Dominic Fedee and were gifted with branded items and serenaded to the sweet sounds of steel pan music.
Posted on July 13, 2021 in ST.Lucia
While visitors were being tendered in, Captain Ricardo Pinzon of Star Breeze and Minister Fedee exchanged plaques at the IGY Rodney Bay Marina, commemorating the vessel’s inaugural call to the destination. Star Breeze will overnight in Saint Lucia and depart on the evening of July 14, giving visitors two full days to enjoy the destination. [links]
Press Release:– 545 cruise visitors graced the shores of Saint Lucia on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. 410 visitors arrived on Celebrity Summit into Port Castries and 135 visitors arrived on Star Breeze’s inaugural call which anchored at Rodney Bay. Star Breeze is a German-built cruise ship owned by Windstar Cruises.
“It is a great day as these are the second and third cruise calls to Saint Lucia. We are indeed elated to see strides towards consistent cruise calls and are pleased that more and more employees within the sector are returning to work,” said Tourism Minister – Honourable Dominic Fedee. [links]
[links]