DOCKING in ROSEAU
There are three cruise ship berths in Dominica: (1) the Bay Front in Roseau, the capital; (2) Deep Water Harbour, Woodbridge Bay just 5 minutes north of Roseau with a $2 per person shuttle to town; and (3) The Cabrits in Portsmouth, about an hour's drive north of Roseau.
Most of the cruise ship visitor's coming to Dominica arrive at the Bay Front's T-shaped cruise-ship pier in Roseau. The cruise ship berth can only take only one ship at a time. Right off the ship you can explore the shopping areas of Roseau, starting within the cruise terminal.
Bay Front promenade Bank (on left) Museum (right) from pier
Despite its poverty, Roseau has a certain colonial charm about it, and it’s refreshing to come to a Caribbean island that isn’t afraid to bare its soul and offer its visitors a little rough-and-ready adventure. Aside from its immaculate waterfront promenade (Bay Front), there are some typical tourist stands with typical Caribbean tourist trinkets, a duty-free store, and some local restaurants, but not much for a one-day stop to do actually anything in the town.
Roseau street scenes
The town itself is a compact assortment of colorful West Indian houses, with old-world French architecture, louvered windows, delicate ironwork, and balconies supported by scarily thin stilts. Narrow streets separate the ramshackle houses, with roadside markets. There is poverty on the island but no hunger; the jungle provides bountiful supplies of tropical fruit and the ocean teems with fish. Many islanders sell their produce at the roadside.
Dilapidated, colorful buildings--but the people are very friendly and helpful.
Roseau is a town of contrasts. Mostly, it is run down and poor. Parts of it, especially down near the ocean, are in good condition. There are no major resorts here but many pretty villas and hotel rentals are scattered around the island where visitors can return to luxuriate in pure nature on a land vacation. Cruise ships visit only from October to May.
WALKING TOUR OF ROSEAU
If you are not up to the vigorous excursion exercises in the rainforests and jungles of Dominica, the little town of Roseau has attractions worth exploring. Visitors can learn about the history of Roseau and Dominica through a visit to the Dominica Museum, which has artifacts and informative displays about the island.
The Noorwood House
on King George Vth street with its
large front step and enclosed portico dates from at least the middle of the 19th
century. Built entirely of wood it is one of the last surviving town houses
which still has its large backyard of the kitchen and out houses.
Noorwood House Roman Catholic Church
The stained-glass windows are still intact in this mid-19th church despite damaging hurricanes in the church.
Dominica Museum The Fort Young Hotel Interesting displays on the slave trade and Creole and Amerindian culture are housed at this compact but well-organized museum. Once a fort and a prison, Fort Young is a British fortification converted to a hotel after being damaged by Hurricane David in 1979.
Botanical Garden
The 40 acre Botanical Garden consists of shrubs, trees and acres of gorgeous tropical flowers and fruits; luxuriant vines, trees, and bushes; and exotic birds and insects. If you don’t get lost, it only takes about 20 minutes to walk from the pier to the Botanical Gardens. The gardens are open year-round, and there is no admission charge. There are entrances off Trafalgar Road and Queen Mary Street.
For the best views of the town of Roseau visit Morne Bruce following the path known as "Jack's Walk" from the Botanical Gardens. It's quite a climb in the heat of the day but the reward is worth it.
View of Harbor from Morne Bruce
French Quarter - The most historic section of the city, the streets are lined with picturesque wooden buildings; most with beautiful balconies.
Be sure to explore the Old Market Plaza (once a slave trading market located next to the Roseau Museum) and the boutiques found in and around it.
Old Market
The old market is a pedestrian area with shops and a craft center. Once the site of the former slave market, a wrought iron Victorian-style memorial marks the old block where slave auctions occurred. Vendors are set up in wood-frame booths, outdoors similar to a USA Flea Market. Since Old Market is cobblestone it can be hard to walk on and uneven. If you walk the neighboring streets (narrow alleys) you will find a nice art store, leather store, shoes and a few other souvenir shops. Aside from this advantage the traditional arts and crafts are visitor favorites. The pieces you'll find here are unique to themselves, often made just days before they are sold, each sculpture, jewelry piece, or artist's work holds onto originality as recreation en masse is not the theme here. Specialties include bamboo and various wood works, leather, and alcohol.
Back in the town, sit on a balcony cafe overhanging the street, and simply enjoy the steel band playing nearby.
