Walking Distance from Bridgetown Cruise Terminal?

[jcathers1]

What are the best things to do that are within walking distance from the cruise terminal? Are there local shops/bars/restaurants near by? This will be our first time in Barbados, and looking on Google maps it appears that the cruise port area is more industrial/manufacturing than retail.

 

Our plan is to take a boating excursion in the morning, but we were also hoping to spend some time shopping, and hoped it would be close to the ship.

 

Thanks in advance.

[PORT ROYAL]

4 hours ago, jcathers1 said:

What are the best things to do that are within walking distance from the cruise terminal? Are there local shops/bars/restaurants near by? This will be our first time in Barbados, and looking on Google maps it appears that the cruise port area is more industrial/manufacturing than retail.

 

Our plan is to take a boating excursion in the morning, but we were also hoping to spend some time shopping, and hoped it would be close to the ship.

 

Thanks in advance.

Outside the dock gates is Pelican Village, but there is nothing really there, because each time visited (over many years) most outlets were unused and boarded up.  It’s off the beaten track for high volume tourists, therefore limited footfall, so people are reluctant to invest.

Also, on exiting the port gates, before even reaching Pelican, one will have to run the gambit  of droves of persistent unlicensed taxi drivers descending on one’s party, trying with all coercions to get a fare.  Be prepared for issuing many “No Thank You”, because they are desperate to obtain a fare.

If one wishes to spend some quality time “local shopping”, then suggest take an about $15 taxi ride to Chattels Village in Holetown (high number of hotels etc). There one will find a more pleasant experience, plus food/drink, with numerous stalls outside shops selling local wares etc.

About a 25 minute walk from the cruise port is Broad Street, being the main shopping thoroughfare for Bridgetown.  Not the greatest of ambience, but it’s for locals not tourists.

 

Don’t forget, inside the Cruise Terminal are many stalls and stores selling Duty Free, beer, spirits soft drinks, jewellery, leather goods, and local handicrafts.  Plus a Post Office for sending cards etc., to friends and family, with a Barbados postage stamp and endorsement.

 

[jcathers1]

14 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

 

Outside the dock gates is Pelican Village, but there is nothing really there, because each time visited (over many years) most outlets were unused and boarded up.  It’s off the beaten track for high volume tourists, therefore limited footfall, so people are reluctant to invest.

Also, on exiting the port gates, before even reaching Pelican, one will have to run the gambit  of droves of persistent unlicensed taxi drivers descending on one’s party, trying with all coercions to get a fare.  Be prepared for issuing many “No Thank You”, because they are desperate to obtain a fare.

If one wishes to spend some quality time “local shopping”, then suggest take an about $15 taxi ride to Chattels Village in Holetown (high number of hotels etc). There one will find a more pleasant experience, plus food/drink, with numerous stalls outside shops selling local wares etc.

About a 25 minute walk from the cruise port is Broad Street, being the main shopping thoroughfare for Bridgetown.  Not the greatest of ambience, but it’s for locals not tourists.

 

Don’t forget, inside the Cruise Terminal are many stalls and stores selling Duty Free, beer, spirits soft drinks, jewellery, leather goods, and local handicrafts.  Plus a Post Office for sending cards etc., to friends and family, with a Barbados postage stamp and endorsement.

 

Great info. You sound very knowledgeable. Our current plan was to take the lunch tour (5 hours) with Silver Moon, but are very open to other suggestions (or suggestions to do after the tour end at 2:00pm). 

 

Anything you'd recommend we do while in port? We are there until 8:00pm, so we have aplenty of time even with the morning boating tour...

[PORT ROYAL]

7 minutes ago, jcathers1 said:

Great info. You sound very knowledgeable. Our current plan was to take the lunch tour (5 hours) with Silver Moon, but are very open to other suggestions (or suggestions to do after the tour end at 2:00pm). 

 

Anything you'd recommend we do while in port? We are there until 8:00pm, so we have aplenty of time even with the morning boating tour...

Silver Moon is a great call……

Also, at the end of lunch cruise, you’ll be delighted, and suffering from post Moon depression.  So suggest something genteel and upmarket (like SM), because anything else could be considered a letdown. Take a cab to Drift Terrace Lounge, where one will find a great ambiance, excellent cocktails and nibbles. to gently unwind, before a cab back to the ship.  Patrons of Drift are just nice old school people.  Join the “club”.  Enjoy

 

[PORT ROYAL]

@jcathers1

Forgot to mention.  
When at Drift, one can watch a beautiful sunset, take in the Drift’s subtle lighting, enjoy the evening ambiance, all accompanied by music.  It’s a great package.