Bridgetown, Barbados

When you think of the Caribbean, you automatically think of Barbados – white sands, turquoise waters, guaranteed sunshine, turtles, steel drums and rum, never forget the rum!! Barbados has so much to offer, with varied landscapes and local island traditions, it really is at the heart of the Caribbean.

I simply love this island and having worked in the cruise industry for over twenty years, Barbados is still one of my favourite places to visit and has a firm place in my heart. Being an adventurer and a foodie, I always enjoy getting under the skin of a destination and I have loved exploring the length and breadth of this independent nation from the south coast to the north.

If you are wondering about when is the best time to visit Barbados, cruise lines will plan itineraries to coincide with the best part of the season which is from November through to March, P&O Cruises offer long duration cruises to the Caribbean directly from Southampton on Arcadia and Ventura. Temperatures are between 23 to 30 Degrees Celsius and the days are mostly filled with gorgeous sunshine, but as this is a tropical, humid region, you can expect the odd passing rain shower, which will disappear as quickly as it came.

My absolute all-time favourite thing to do on the island is to jump on a boat and sail around it, this would be something to plan in advance. You can either find an independent company who will look after you for the day, or even book an excursion directly with the cruise company which will often include food and drink. P&O Cruises has a number of options available to guests. But sitting on deck in the sunshine, whizzing over turquoise waters, wind in your hair, taking in all the beautiful beaches and watching the flying fish go by is my idea of heaven. Even better still if you can jump in the sea for a spot of snorkelling, you may be lucky enough to spot a turtle or two.

If you just want to hit the beach for the day then there is also plenty of choice. If you are a surfer, I would suggest heading towards Bathsheba bay on the East coast, this is the Atlantic side of the island and therefore has bigger waves. There are also the most amazing giant rock formations along the beach making it a really photogenic spot!

For a livelier beach with a bit of atmosphere head to Carlisle Bay, a short taxi ride away from the port (5 US Dollars each way) and you will get some great packages which include sunbeds, cocktails and use of inflatables in the sea. My favourite is the Boatyard, but there are various options available, including Pirates Cove, Harbour Lights and Copacabana beach club.

For a more sophisticated, luxury beach day then I would suggest Nikki Beach Club which sits to the Northwest of the island and has 1.4 acres of pristine beachfront. This place has everything you need in one place, chilled music, fresh local dishes and a swim up bar!

If you happen to call at the Island on a Friday and have a late sail, then you should head over to Oistins for the Fish Fry which has a fantastic atmosphere. It is a reasonable drive across the Island from the cruise terminal, however if there is a group of you sharing a taxi you can easily bring the costs down. The drivers will often wait for you, probably best to negotiate this up front.

I suppose you could liken Oistins to a Caribbean pumped up version of Borough market meets Notting Hill Carnival with plenty of the local Banks beer thrown in for good measure! When you arrive, you will find a wonderful mix of locals and tourists all coming together for good food. Wander around 80 plus stalls for something authentic and tasty, you will find mahi mahi, swordfish, tuna and of course chicken – so pull up a seat at your chosen venue, tuck in and enjoy the atmosphere.

These are only a few of my favourite things, but Barbados has so much more to offer – paddle boarding, rum distillery tours, diving (clearly do not mix rum and diving), rainforest adventures, 4×4, visit caves, have a special dinner at The Cliff, go hiking or just stroll through the historic town of Bridgetown.

However you choose to spend your time in Barbados you will find it brimming with local life from rum shops, fish markets, roadside takeaways to churches. Just drop in and the gracious, warm friendly Bajans will make you feel absolutely welcome, and be part of memories you will treasure forever.