Antigua and Barbuda target eco-friendly cruisers

Antigua and Barbuda are targeting eco-friendly cruisers and upgrading port facilities to attract more calls from operators offering Caribbean itineraries.

Sister island to Antigua, Barbuda is set to welcome calls from various operators in the 2014-2015 season. This includes visits from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa, Ponant Cruises, Sea Dream Yacht Club, Club Med, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Black Watch, and Windstar Cruises’ Windsurf and Wind Spirit.

“Barbuda has emerged as a green cruising destination welcoming, smaller luxury cruise lines with discerning cruisers, and this will have a significant impact on the economy of the sister island,” said Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.

While in Barbuda, cruise guests can visit the island’s unique pink sand beaches, a 17-mile beach, and the caves at Two Foot Bay including the Indian Cave with Amerindian petroglyphs. Visitors can also explore Codrington village, founded in the 16th century by Christopher Codrington, to see the 1720s Highland House and Martello Towers, a fort built by the British to guard Barbuda’s south-west coastline.

In addition, the island offers the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the western hemisphere, which can only be accessed by boat and contains more than 170 species of birds.

Antigua, which is carrying out major upgrade work on its port facilities, also offer various eco-friendly tours. For example, visitors can head to Antigua’s 300-year old capital city St. John’s to enjoy a walking tour to various landmarks. These include the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda, which was built in 1747 as a Court House and is the oldest building in St. John’s, as well as the 17th century St. John’s Anglican Cathedral.

Visitors can also explore farm and craft markets, the childhood home of national hero and cricketer Sir Vivian Richards, the Official Residence of the Governor General, the Cenotaph War Memorial and the Victoria Park Botanical Gardens.