Multicultural Caribbean

For travel groups who simply can’t decide on a destination to visit, the Caribbean islands could be the perfect solution. Shortly after the discovery of the Americas, the islands were claimed by European countries who hoped to benefit financially from the different climate and more diverse produce that could be grown in the Caribbean. Many of the islands became European colonies, and although only a small number remain governed by overseas territories today, even those who have since gained independence retain a great deal of their colonial influences, creating a region that’s a true melting pot of European, North American, South American, and Caribbean cultures.

Perhaps the best way to experience all of these blended cultures is to arrange for travel groups to take a cruise, as Caribbean cruise packages allow travelers to explore a number of different ports, different islands, and different countries all on one trip. The proximity of the Caribbean islands particularly lends itself to this method of travel, as it allows for a different culture to be experienced every day. The diversity in the Caribbean really is unique to this part of the world, and is a good compromise to please varying tastes and preferences.

United Kingdom

The British Virgin Islands remain governed by the UK, with residents officially classed as a part of the EU, although the land itself is not. English is the dominant language, and the cuisine really sets the region apart from the rest of the Caribbean. As with most of the islands, seafood is common, but it’s the telltale fish and chips in many of the beachfront cafes that hint at the region’s British heritage. Of course, there’s still a mash-up of cultures, with the US dollar being the preferred currency, and the national music, ‘fungi’, which stems from African sounds. There are many cruise ship docks throughout the islands, but consider a package that stops in Tortola for spectacular hikes up Sage Mountain.

Netherlands

Curaçao may have become independent from the Netherlands in 2010, but strong ties remain between the two, with unrestricted travel and employment opportunities, and many schools and colleges encouraging student swaps. The Netherlands Antillean guilder is the official currency, which is standard throughout the Dutch colonies in the Caribbean. Travel foodies, or groups with differing tastes, will enjoy the blended cuisine here, with Dutch-style croquettes often served as side dishes to traditional Caribbean foods such as kadushi and funchi. Cruise ships dock in one of two ports located in the vicinity of the capital, Willemstad, putting travelers right in the heart of the island, with fantastic shopping, dining, and sightseeing opportunities.

France

Guadeloupe is one of the few islands that was both colonized by the French and remains governed by France today. In fact, of all colonies, Guadeloupe is probably one of the best examples of strong European identity, with the official language of French being spoken by 99 percent of the population, and the Euro being the preferred currency. Soccer is one of the island’s main sports, with many promising athletes going on to play for major teams such as FC Barcelona and Parma FC. As with many of the Caribbean islands, there is a great love of music and dance here, with the national music of kompa taking influences from the French arts. Cruise ships dock just one town over from Pointe-à-Pitre which is the hub of cultural diversity and tourism on the island.

United States

It’s not only Europe that has retained influence over the Caribbean islands, as demonstrated by the US Virgin Islands, which was purchased from the Dutch in 1916. Residents of the US Virgin Islands are in a sort of limbo between US and Caribbean citizenship, officially classed as US citizens but without the right the vote in presidential elections. English is the official language, and the islands celebrate many of the same holidays as the US, such as Martin Luther King Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving. Cuisine is varied but of course American favorites such as KFC and Subway can be found here. St. Thomas is one of the main destinations of the US Virgin Islands, and is a popular inclusion on Caribbean cruise itineraries.

The featured image is sourced from Flickr.