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Grenada Cruise Port Guide
Location:
Passengers disembarking at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal exit directly through the newly opened Esplanade Shopping Mall and out to downtown St. George's, while passengers disembarking (mostly smaller ships) at the Inner harbor, exit onto the picturesque Carenage waterfront, with its traditional architecture, shops and restaurants. Sometimes when very busy tenders will be used.
Printable map to take along.
Cruise calendar for this port.
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Monthly Climate Averages for Grenada Grenada
Sightseeing:
Grenada's capital, St. George's, is known as the most picturesque city in the Caribbean. Its horseshoe-shaped harbor is surrounded by a pastel rainbow of dockside warehouses and the red-tiled roofs of traditional shops and homes. Rich in English, French and West Indian history, St. George's is filled with beautiful well-preserved examples of French and British Colonial architecture.
With its lush and mountainous interior, Grenada, "The Spice of the Caribbean", is being steadily discovered by nature lovers of all types including hikers, mountain bikers, bird watchers and waterfall buffs. Recreational sports enthusiasts will find the island offers an abundance of activities and facilities to keep them entertained. And for those looking to experience the true essence and character of Grenada, sightseeing and historical sites abound as well as unique shops and outstanding cuisine.
Fort George: Grenada’s oldest fort was established by the French in 1705 and it's the centerpiece of the St George’s skyline. You can climb to the top to see the cannons and perfect views. Just outside the main fort area is a series of dark defensive tunnels to explore. Much of the fort is still intact and open to visitors. However, the buildings are very dilapidated, from a combination of Hurricane damage and neglect.
Tours Excursions Transportation:
The town is hilly. Cabs are available for about $4.
Once you've arrived, travelling around is just as easy, with a variety of car rental companies, taxis and buses. In the capital town of St. George's, there are even water taxis who will take you across the Carenage $4, to the Esplanade or even as far as Grand Anse Beach $10 (Often called the "most" Caribbean beach) Two lounge chairs and an umbrella is $25.
If you rent a car a $12 charge for a temporary driving permit will be added to the already expensive rates,
Many people partake in spice factory tours either through the ship or by own arrangements.
It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.
Nearby Places:
Shopping and Food
From exotic spices to duty-free bargains, shopping in Grenada offers something of interest for everyone. Bustling with activity and offering a wide assortment of fresh produce, spices and handicrafts, St. George's market is the center of island life. Souvenir, gift and handicraft shops are also prevalent in the St. George's district, especially on Young Street and the Carenage. The best buys in Grenada are batik and screen printed textiles, locally made handicraft, leather craft, and wood carvings.
Spices: Essence is much cheaper than extract and has other ingredients besides the pure spice. So read the labels before you buy.
Currency:
Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, car rental companies, and shops. travelers cheques are accepted everywhere. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar, linked to the US Dollar, is the local currency. Banks will exchange EC$2.67 for US$1.00 cash, and EC$2.68 for US$1.00 in travelers cheques. It is advisable to exchange currency at the banks, as the most favorable exchange rates may not be obtained elsewhere.
Communication:
English is the official language but it is not uncommon to hear a French-African patois spoken.
Just inside the terminal there is a cafe with free internet (although you have to buy at least a drink at $3.50 to get the password.)
Opening Hours and Holidays:
Shops are generally open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Supermarkets and shopping centers are usually open from 9:00 am. – 7 pm. And there are one or two that are open on Sundays.
The market close to the terminal is open every weekday morning but the best day on Saturday from 8 to noon.
Craft and souvenir shops will open on a Sunday or Bank Holiday, especially if cruise ships are in port.
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