32 FEATURE Grenada Discover the sweet side of Grenada with a journey through the island’s rich cocoa and chocolate heritage. Visit the House of Chocolate in the heart of St. George’s to learn about Grenada’s history of cocoa production and its importance to the island’s culture and economy. Continue to a local chocolate factory for a hands-on, bean-to-bar experience, following locally grown cacao from bean to finished chocolate while learning about fermentation, roasting and production. Along the way, taste Grenada’s delicious chocolate and locally inspired flavours. This immersive experience connects visitors with Grenada’s agricultural heritage, local craftsmanship and culinary identity. British Virgin Islands As the sun sets over Cane Garden Bay in Tortola, cruise passengers can paddle out in illuminated glass-bottom kayaks with Paradize Water Sports, a locally rooted adventure brand founded by Clyde D. Hodge. Guests can glide across calm waters while the kayaks reveal marine life beneath the surface after dark, a side of the British Virgin Islands that most visitors never see. In the daytime, a variety of land- and water-based recreational activities are on offer to give visitors a unique experience of the island, including kayaking, flyboarding, water tricycles, and other adventures. Jamaica For Jamaicans, the value of cruise tourism extends well beyond the port. When passengers step onshore, their spending and interactions support a network of Jamaican businesses and communities, from attractions, such as ATV rides at Yaaman Adventure Park in St. Mary (pictured), to restaurants, craft vendors, entertainers and producers of Jamaican products such as Blue Mountain coffee and Appleton Estate Jamaican rum. Increasingly, travel advisors say cruise passengers are looking for authentic experiences, local culture and meaningful interaction with the people they meet, which is why Jamaica Vacations strives to strengthen those connections by encouraging visitors to explore more of the island. This increases the economic footprint of each visitor so more Jamaican businesses and communities can benefit from cruise tourism. Photo: Grenada Tourism Authority Photo: iStock/cdwheatley Photo: Matthew Khoury Photography Aruba To truly experience Aruba, visitors need to go beyond the beach and connect with its culture, history, food, art and local communities. Experiences that showcase Aruba’s heritage and allow visitors to meet local people offer a much deeper connection to the island. A visit to San Nicolas enables cruise guests to discover the island’s creative and cultural side through its vibrant street art, local history and community. When combined with an authentic local food or cultural experience, a visit allows cruise passengers to experience a different side of Aruba and discover the people and stories that make the island unique. Photo: Aruba Tourism Authority
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