A journey through the southern Antilles can combine larger port cities with smaller islands and beach stops. What matters is the actual itinerary and whether the ship docks at a pier or anchors offshore. A published seven-night voyage aboard Star Clippers’ sailing ship Royal Clipper departs from and returns to Bridgetown, calling at Grenada, the Grenadines, Martinique and St. Lucia. This specific example is scheduled for December 12–19, 2026; it is not a fixed annual itinerary.
Round trip with port calls and anchor stops
The itinerary alternates between St. George’s in Grenada and Kingstown on St. Vincent, and the Tobago Cays, Bequia, Martinique and St. Lucia. The 2026/27 winter brochure also lists a beach stop in Martinique. A beach stop is not the same as a city pier: access and tender or landing arrangements depend on the actual call and local conditions.
A seven-night island-hopping trip from Barbados brings several islands together in one week. Compare it with longer voyages or other southern Caribbean routes by looking at how many stops are actual port visits, how much time is available ashore, and which islands are scheduled only as anchor or beach stops. Check the current itinerary for each departure rather than assuming that an example route is the standard one.
Getting to Bridgetown and embarkation
Barbados Port Inc. lists Bridgetown as a cruise terminal. Grantley Adams Airport lists authorized taxis as well as hourly buses between the airport and the city center. This confirms general ways to get to Bridgetown, but not the embarkation point for a particular sailing ship; follow the operator’s travel documents for that information.
Season and tropical weather
The National Hurricane Center places the Caribbean in the Atlantic basin; the official hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Tropical activity can also occur outside this period, and the season dates are not a guarantee of weather. The December departure mentioned here falls outside the official season, but that is no substitute for checking current weather or the operator’s guidance. When comparing departure months, consider the season, itinerary and current forecast together.
What to compare before booking
- Which islands are port calls, and which stops are at anchor?
- How long are the stops ashore, and which are intended for beach time or excursions?
- Where exactly are the embarkation point and return terminal, according to the booking documents?
- What part of the Atlantic hurricane season does the departure fall in?
- What current weather and itinerary updates apply to the ship?
For more context, see Caribbean cruises, the eastern Caribbean and the western Caribbean.
