Explora Journeys Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 8: December 19, 2025

It’s hard to believe it’s already Day 8 of this Explora Journeys sailing, but here we are. In just over a week we’ve gone from embarkation in Miami, to our first Caribbean stop in La Romana, followed by San Juan (when Mother Nature decided she hated us), then St. Kitts, Les Trois-Îlets in Martinique, and now today’s stop… another brand-new port for me.

That doesn’t happen often anymore. I’ve been cruising the Caribbean for a long time and it’s rare that something truly new pops up on the itinerary, especially something that isn’t a “greatest hits” port designed for megaships. And that’s exactly what Explora has been doing so far, taking us to some rare and rarely visited places, and today was no exception.

Day 8 brought us to Bequia, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and another tender port, much like yesterday’s stop in Les Trois-Îlets. I’ll be honest, going into today, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

When I first got out of bed and looked off the balcony, Bequia looked beautiful. Calm water, houses built on hills overlooking the ocean, sailboats anchored all around the bay, the whole package you’d expect on the cover of a Caribbean travel brochure. But let’s be real for a second… a lot of Caribbean ports look beautiful from a distance and then turn into complete garbage dumps the moment you step ashore. I’ve learned to keep expectations firmly in check, in other words, very low.

Explora I dropped anchor around 7:30am, and at about 8:15am the announcement came for guests with pre-arranged shore excursions and anyone wanting to be among the first ashore to head down and grab a tender ticket. This is another destination that simply isn’t built for cruise ships, even smaller luxury ships like Explora I, so once again the ship’s lifeboat tenders were used to ferry guests back and forth.

Around 10:15am, the call was made that tender tickets were no longer required, and open boarding had begun. That was actually about an hour earlier than yesterday’s open tender call, which was a welcome change and a sign that things were moving efficiently.

Before getting into Bequia itself and whether or not it lived up to what I saw from the balcony, let’s zoom out for a minute and talk about where we actually are.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is one of those places whose name alone raises questions. It sounds like two destinations because, in reality, it kind of is. Or, isn’t it?

The country is made up of the main island of Saint Vincent and a chain of smaller islands known as the Grenadines, which stretch south toward Grenada (get it?). In total, there are around 30 islands and cays, many of which are uninhabited or lightly developed. Bequia is the largest and most populated island in the Grenadines and is often the primary stop for cruise ships that venture into this part of the Caribbean.

The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979, but English remains the official language, and yes, they drive on the wrong side of the road… um, I mean the left. It’s a constitutional monarchy, meaning King Charles is the head of state, represented locally by a Governor-General, while day-to-day government is handled by an elected Prime Minister and Parliament.  (Thanks to Google for that little bit of history lesson, as I knew pretty much nothing about this place.)

The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is shared by several islands in the region. U.S. dollars are also accepted, especially anywhere tourists tend to spend money, though don’t be surprised if you get change back in local currency, as there’s not of U.S. money that changes hands here.

Unlike most of the Caribbean nations that have set their goals on making as much money as they can off tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is more about small-scale travel. Yachting, sailing, boutique hotels, and small-ship cruising is the name of the game here. This is why you won’t find this stop on mainstream cruise lines with ships that carry several thousand people at once.  There’s no pier, there’s no local infrastructure to support that amount of foot traffic, and any crowd like that descending on a location like this would be pretty much an invasion! That’s exactly why a ship like Explora I, with a max capacity of around 1,000, can visit while most other cruise lines can’t.

So the big question for me today was simple: would Bequia be one of those rare places that actually looks as good up close as it does from the ship?

Hold up on that for a bit, let’s talk about things to do first!

What’s there to do in Bequia?

I headed ashore around 2pm. There was a short wait for a tender, but once onboard it was a quick, smooth ride of about ten minutes to the marina. And let me be very clear about this part right up front: there are zero cruise port facilities here.

No shopping village.
No security checkpoint.
No bathrooms.
No welcome center.
No duty free.

You get dropped off at a small marina designed for boats and yachts, and that’s it.

You step off the tender and you’re basically standing on a street in town. If your plan involves doing anything beyond going to the beach or wandering locally, you’re going to need a taxi, and taxis are not lined up waiting for you. You’ll be asking around, and honestly, this is one of those ports where if you want to see more than the immediate area, booking a shore excursion directly through the cruise line is the smart move.

So what kind of excursions are typically offered here? Most cruise lines focus on catamaran and sailing excursions around Bequia and nearby island, snorkeling and boat trips, and island tours that loop you around Bequia.  This is not a zipline, ATV, shopping, or anything-like-that port. Bequia is about water, scenery, and slowing way, way down.

Now, if you’re not looking to do a shore excursion, plain and simple – do the beach! The entire coastline here is lined with absolutely stunning beaches. And I’m happy to report that yes, it really is just as beautiful up close as it looked from the ship.

If you want to do what I did, and what most people onboard seemed to do, it’s very simple. When you step off the tender, take a right and follow the water. Don’t go left, unless you’re looking for residential streets and not much else.

You’ll pass through a short stretch that I’d describe as mildly sketchy, nothing dangerous, just rough around the edges. Once you’re past that, everything changes. You’re suddenly walking along a narrow seaside path lined with small bars, small cafes and restaurants, and shops that literally sit right on the water’s edge. This stretch is known as the Belmont Walkway, and it’s one of the most unique coastal walks I’ve done in the Caribbean.

The path itself is narrow, uneven, and at times feels like it might not belong there at all. Waves crash right up onto the sidewalk, soaking parts of the walkway as you go. It’s kind of wild, a little chaotic, and very cool all at the same time. This isn’t a manicured promenade. This is the ocean saying, “I’ll take this space when I feel like it.”

As you walk, you’ll pass beautiful villas available to rent if you’re vacationing here, along with older historic homes that have been converted into cafés, bars, and small restaurants. It feels lived-in, not touristy, and very real – this is not a manufactured port area.

Keep following the walkway and you’ll eventually come to the entrance of the Princess Margaret Trail. This trail is named after Princess Margaret, who reportedly loved Bequia and spent time on the island. The trail is short but no joke. It goes straight up the side of a hill and then back down the other side. There are steps, uneven ground, and some steep sections, but at the end of it, you’re rewarded with a curved wooden boardwalk that leads directly to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

And this beach? Stunning. Clear water, soft sand, and absolutely no commercial chaos. A few locals rent chairs. A few sell cold beers or sodas. That’s it. No big beach clubs. No blaring music. No jet skis buzzing around. Just a place to sit, swim, and exist.

You can sit right on the shore, grab some shade under a tree, and just chill. One important warning though: manchineel trees are found throughout the Caribbean, including here. They are extremely toxic. The fruit looks harmless but is poisonous, the sap can irritate skin, and even standing under one during rain can cause problems if the water drips off the leaves. If you’re unsure, ask a local before setting up under a tree and there are plenty of signs all around warning you about this.

This is exactly how I spent my afternoon. Sitting on the beach, crystal-clear water in front of me, a good Cuban cigar in hand, and absolutely nowhere I needed to be. It was one of those rare travel moments where you just stop and take it all in.

That said, a very important reality check: this walk is not for anyone with mobility issues. The trail is steep. There are lots of steps. The walkway is wet and slippery from the ocean. Your shoes will get wet. If balance, stairs, or uneven surfaces are a concern, this is not the outing for you.

There are a few guys running water taxis from near where the tenders drop you off to spots closer to the beach, but that’s very much at your own discretion. Some of these boats look… let’s say, less than reassuring. And even with a water taxi, there is still walking involved.

Bottom line: Bequia is incredibly safe, relaxed, and welcoming. I never once felt uncomfortable here. But it is also very limited. There are no shops, no tourist attractions, no curated experiences waiting for you. This is a walk, wander, and beach port. If a simple beach day surrounded by natural beauty sounds perfect, you’ll love it. If you need activities, shopping, or structure, this is not your place unless you’re on an organized excursion.

For me? This was easily one of the most beautiful and unique ports of the trip so far.

Crema Cafe for Coffee & Light Bites

Back onboard, I made a pit stop at Crema Café, which has quickly become one of those places you just naturally gravitate toward throughout the day. This is the ship’s casual coffee spot, but calling it just a coffee shop doesn’t really do it justice.

Crema Café serves light bites all day long. You’ll find things like cookies, little muffins, small sandwiches and paninis, and before dinner they even put out charcuterie. And of course, they’re doing all the coffee drinks you’d expect, along with teas and other non-alcoholic options.

I took a look through the case and asked for a couple of panini sandwiches, though I didn’t ask for them to be pressed. I just took them cold back to my suite. At that point I was hot, sweaty, and my sneakers… yeah, sneakers… were absolutely soaked from walking the Belmont Walkway and Princess Margaret Trail. First dumb move of the day was wearing those to the beach. Lesson learned. All I wanted was something quick to hold me over until dinner without hanging around anywhere.

What I really like about Crema Café is how flexible it is. You can walk up to the counter and get something to go, or you can sit in the lounge area right next to it and have a server take care of you. And yes, this being Explora, cocktails are absolutely an option here too. Coffee in the morning, light bites in the afternoon, wine or a cocktail later in the day… it works at pretty much any hour.

It’s a simple space, but one that you’ll probably end up using a lot without even realizing it.  This spot can be a lifesaver when hunger hits as it fills in the void when the Emporium Marketplace (buffet) closes between after lunch and doesn’t reopen until dinner time.

Dinner at Marble & Company on Explora Journeys

Speaking of dinner, tonight was another meat night in Marble & Company Grill, and honestly, this place continues to be my comfort zone onboard.

After enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail at the Lobby Bar, I headed over to the restaurant and was immediately taken to my table. Within minutes, my Gin & Tonic was in front of me, which is always a good sign. While there were several open tables throughout the evening, the restaurant still had a great energy. Not packed to the point of chaos, but definitely what the kids would call bussin.

I started things off light with a roasted artichoke salad dressed in a simple vinaigrette, then moved straight into the main event. Those panini from Crema Café earlier? Yeah, those turned out to be my appetizer, lesson learned.

At my server’s recommendation, I went with the grilled prime rib. Now, this is not your traditional roasted prime rib. Think more along the lines of a bone-in ribeye, different from the ribeye already on the menu. It’s taken off the bone for serving, but the bone stays on the plate, and the steak is sliced for you. I ordered mine medium rare and it came out absolutely perfect. Lightly seasoned, juicy, and cooked exactly as requested.

For sides, I paired it with a Swiss chard gratin and a butter-baked potato. And when I say baked potato, I mean just that. No sour cream, no chives, no bacon, no extra butter on the side. It’s baked in butter, and honestly, a little salt and pepper was all it needed. Simple, clean, and very well done.

Dessert was where things got interesting. I ordered what might be the most intriguing item on the menu, “Sorrento Mio”, made with lime curd, coconut crumble, tofu espuma, and lemon sorbet. Any dessert with tofu listed as an ingredient is something I would normally run from at full speed, but curiosity got the better of me. Turns out, it was pretty darn good. Very light, bright, and citrusy. Honestly, it would pair perfectly with a cold shot of limoncello.

Once again, service at Marble & Company Grill was fantastic from start to finish.

After dinner, I opted for an early nightcap at the Malt Whisky Bar. When I returned to my suite, I realized I had completely forgotten about the Explora Club reception with the ship’s senior officers. Turns out, that was earlier in the evening at 6:30pm.

Oops.

Thankfully, a tray of chocolate sweets had been left in my suite, which turned out to be a pretty solid consolation prize and a nice way to end the night.

We’re currently sailing just “across the street” to Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, another brand-new stop for me. I’m looking forward to seeing how a different island in the Grenadines compares to Bequia.

More on that tomorrow, and as always, thanks for following along.

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