Carribean Cruise | The Voyager | San Juan, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts | Part 2

After sharing our initial thoughts about our Caribbean adventure, we wanted to dive deeper into the practical tips we wish we'd known before stepping aboard the Voyager. Trust us, these islands each have their own personality, and we learned that the hard way!

San Juan was our gateway, and we're so glad we arrived a day early. The cobblestone streets of Old San Juan are gorgeous but absolutely brutal in heels – Samantha learned this lesson quickly! We also discovered that having some Spanish phrases ready made such a difference in connecting with locals.

St. Lucia stole our hearts with those iconic Pitons, but here's what cruise guides don't tell you: book your Soufrière excursion early. We almost missed out on the volcano tour because we waited too long. Also, the chocolate tours here are incredible – Amir, who usually sticks to Tim Hortons coffee, became obsessed with local cacao.

In Barbados, we fell in love with the rum culture, but pace yourself! The Mount Gay distillery tour hits different when you're not used to Caribbean heat. We also noticed how welcoming everyone was to us as an interracial couple – there's something beautiful about being in spaces where diversity feels so natural.

St. Kitts surprised us most. It's smaller but mighty, and the scenic railway is worth every penny. Pro tip: bring cash for local vendors – their handmade crafts are treasures.

Each island taught us something new about slowing down and embracing different rhythms of life. What's been your most surprising Caribbean discovery?