DOCKING
Most cruise ships dock at Heritage Quay or the Nevis Pier (Redcliffe Quay), or if both are
occupied, the commercial pier at Deepwater Harbour. All are located in St.
John's, the island's only town of any size, located on the island's western
coast. The three piers have a total capacity of six ships. A handful of
smaller vessels drop anchor at Falmouth Harbour, on the English Harbour main
road in Falmouth, on the south side of the island. This anchorage is also
used for overflow if the St. John's piers are all occupied. Heritage Quay
was upgraded in December 2006, and renovations were planned for the Deepwater
Harbour pier in late 2007. Long-term plans include a new cruise facility to
handle the super mega-ships.
St.
John's off Heritage Quay and Nevis piers.
ST. JOHN'S
The
city is approximately 4 square miles on size, and is designed in an easy to
navigate grid system. As long as you have a map in hand, it is very
difficult to get lost in St Johns – and if in doubt downhill is generally
towards the harbour, and uphill is out of town.
To print off a map to bring with you,
click here
Falmouth Harbour
on the other side of Antigua is where an increasing number of ships
are anchoring. Make sure you don't get mixed
up while making plans for Antigua. Know at which port you will be
docking. It's about a 45 minute drive from Dickenson Bay, on the
south side of the island to the west side, at St. Johns. The taxi
fare from Dickerson Bay to St. John's is $8 each way, plus tip, for two. You
can agree on a time for him to pick you up in the afternoon and he will be
there waiting for you.
In Antigua's
capital the cruise crowds start their shore excursions by making a mad dash
through duty-free shops, and again, before retiring to their ship.
Shops and
little streets near St. John's piers directly off the ship. Cobblestone walks
and weathered wooden houses make this a unique and delightful Caribbean
shopping experience.
King’s Casino is
located downtown in St. John’s at Heritage Quay overlooking the cruise pier.
KEEPING IN
TOUCH:
There is one Internet Cafe in Antigua which has a single computer that does
not allow you to plug into your own laptop. It's better to buy your
internet service on the ship where you can purchase a package deal. On
the Princess ships, Internet is 75 cents
per minute or you can buy a package: 100 minutes for $55; 150 minutes for
$75 or 250 minutes for $100. There is no refund for any unused
minutes.
Also, there is a $3.95
activation fee the first time you sign on. And you must use their computers
in their Internet Cafe. If you have your own wireless laptop, you can
use it in the Atrium. With other ship lines like RCCL, you can have
Internet service right in your cabin for package prices. Check before you
travel.
SHOPPING
The monetary
conversion rate is US$1 to EC$2.70. But don't worry too much, most
everything is priced in USD so the comparisons won't give you sticker shock!
Best shopping deals are found at Heritage and Redcliffe Quays. Shops at
Heritage Quay, directly next to the cruise port, sell the requisite
jewelry, cigars, designer bags, and perfume in air-conditioned comfort. At
Vendors' Mall in Redcliffe Quay (also next to the pier), you'll find an area
of restored warehouses with candy-colored cafés and restaurants.
Redcliffe Quay was once a slave compound, which has been restored and mostly
now functions as stores and restaurants There is also more traditional
shopping along the streets of St. John within easy walking distance of the
pier.
Start your shopping tour by hanging a right at the end of the pier, walking
along the wooden dock to the shops. When you’ve finished there, cut through
to the next street and get to Heritage Quay.
Street venders are selling everything under the
sun from tee shirts, wood carvings, shells and shell jewelry and so on. The
boutiques, shops and stores in the Quays sell mostly items of interest to
tourists such as beachwear, jewelry, cigars, soaps, tee shirts,
collectibles, wood carvings and other local handicrafts, pottery and so on.
You can find more traditional stores downtown St. John such as pharmacies,
book stores, etc.
Don't
miss the Australian ice cream shop on Redcliffe Quay Pier!
GETTING AROUND
TAXIS: Taxis are a good way to explore the
island, as a cab driver might also serve as a tour
guide. Antiguan taxi cabs aren't metered,
and their rates are based on regulations set by a
taxi cab association. Each taxi driver is supposed
to have a copy of these rates in his vehicle, so
(1) make sure that he is a
licensed cab driver with a rate card-- and (2)
before getting into the cab negotiate the
price with the driver--in USD. Taxis
may be a bit expensive as a means of island travel,
but they are a hassle-free way to get a feel for the
beautiful geography of Antigua.
TAXI TOURS: You
can also pre-book a Taxi Tour on-line. The
most common taxi tours include stops at The Old
Sugar Factory, some of the villages, Nelson's
Dockyard , English Harbour, Fort Shirley and the
lookout. You'll probably also pass through the
rainforest on Fig Tree Drive. Depending on
time available there may be beach time at Darkwood
or Turner's or perhaps an extended visit to see Betty's Hope and Devil's Bridge.
(1) Make a list of
the places you would like to see. (2) Let the tour
company know how many is in your party and
give him your wish list. If there are just the two
of you, and you don't want to be loaded into a large
bus, let them know that you expect a van of no more
than 4-10 people. (3) Inquire as to how long
the tour lasts and when you can expect to be
back to the ship. (3) And, of course, request the cost
of the tour in USD. Check
with the
recommended tour operators who will try greatly to
meet most of your needs: Heavenly Tours*
Sunshine Island
Beach Tours *Lawrence Taxi*Lawrence of
Antigua*Jackson Taxi
Tours*
BUSES: The bus
terminal is 2 blocks from the pier on Market Street.
It costs $1US per person and you must have the exact
amount. The bus goes to Jolly Beach and
further, to Darkwood Beach every half hour..
less often on Sunday. It's a longer, bumpier
ride, but you will save some money.
LOCAL SIGHTS TO SEE
DOWNTOWN
ST. JOHN'S
Certainly, St. John's Cathedral is worth
exploring. This fabulous church dates back to the mid 1800s, but has been
rebuilt a couple of times due to fires and earthquakes.
The skyline of
St. John's, the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, is
dominated by the magnificent white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral.
Built in 1845, the church is now in its third incarnation, as earthquakes in
1683 and in 1745 destroyed the previous structures. The towers are the first
sight of Antigua for about half of the island's visitors each year, many of
whom arrive by boat.
For those interested
in the early history of the island, the
Museum of Antigua and
Barbuda, is housed in the colonial Court House (1750). The museum
displays both
Arawak and
colonial artifacts recovered on archaeological digs on the islands. It also
features a thought-provoking, life-size replica of an Arawak house, models of
sugar plantations, etc.
