Barbados and the Bridgetown Cruise Port
A favorite port of call and a gateway to the Windward Islands.
Get Barbados Cruise QuotesPort of Call and Gateway
Barbados is the easternmost island of the Caribbean, a coral island with gentle hills, a calm west coast and an Atlantic-facing east coast pounded by surf. Its capital, Bridgetown, is a regular port of call and one of the region’s main departure ports.
The cruise terminal sits in the Bridgetown port, a short taxi ride or a walk along the shore from the city center. Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, take in the old town, the careenage where boats tie up in the middle of the city, and the British military garrison with its parade ground.
A Day in Barbados
West coast beaches
Carlisle Bay is right beside Bridgetown, with calm water and swim-with-turtle boat trips; the west coast north of town is lined with calm bays.
Harrison’s Cave
A limestone cave system in the center of the island, toured by tram past stalactites, streams and pools.
The wild east coast
Bathsheba’s rock formations and Atlantic surf make a dramatic contrast with the calm Caribbean side.
Rum and history
Barbados is closely associated with the history of rum, and distillery tours and plantation great houses are popular half-day trips.
For tours with live prices, see Barbados shore excursions.
Starting a Cruise in Barbados
Flying to Barbados and sailing from Bridgetown puts you at the southeastern corner of the Caribbean, within a day of St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada and the other Windward Islands. Barbados has direct flights from several U.S. cities and from the United Kingdom, so ships based there often carry a mix of North American and British guests.
Which lines base ships in Bridgetown changes from winter to winter, so our advisors check current schedules when they quote; our where-to-start guide has recent examples. Arriving a day or two early is wise, both to protect against flight delays and to enjoy the island before you sail; Cruise Airfare explains how to time your flights.
Good to Know
- The Barbados dollar is fixed at two to one against the U.S. dollar, and U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
- Driving is on the left, and taxis do not use meters; agree the fare first.
- A passport is required for a cruise that begins or ends in Barbados, because you fly in or out of a foreign country.
- Packing for a pre-cruise stay? Cruising Checklist has lists for flights, hotels and the ship.
If Barbados is a port of call rather than your starting point, it usually comes early or late in a Southern Caribbean week, because it lies east of the other islands. That makes it a natural first or last stop on routes from San Juan. With only a day, most visitors choose between a west coast beach near Bridgetown and an island tour that takes in Harrison’s Cave and the east coast; trying to do both is rushed.
Sail From or Visit Barbados
Tell us whether you would like to start your cruise in Barbados or visit on a longer voyage. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare sailings, flights and hotel nights and send free quotes.
Get Barbados Cruise Quotes