Skip the souvenir shops. The real island culture is on your plate
Some vacations are about landmarks. Caribbean vacations are about planning your next snack between suntanning and swimming.
When you sail with Virgin Voyages through the Caribbean, shore days aren’t just about beaches and views (though those are epic too). They’re about tasting each island the way locals do, with bold seasoning, fresh ingredients, and recipes that didn’t come from a cookbook, but from generations of tradition.
It’s about knowing what to eat and drink on shore — the iconic flavors that belong to each destination that Virgin Voyages sails to. Our advice? Come hungry. Trust the locals. Repeat.
Why Caribbean food is best tasted on shore
Caribbean cuisine keeps things real. It’s shaped by geography and history, a fusion of West African, Creole, Amerindian, European, Latin American, South Asian, Chinese, Javanese/Indonesian, North American, and Middle Eastern cultures. (Quite a list, we know!) Seafood is fresh, spice blends are personal, and drinks are designed to cool you down fast.
We sail throughout the region — including the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Turks and Caicos, Barbados, Aruba, Curaçao, Bermuda, and more — giving you front-row access to some of the most crave-worthy flavors in the world. You can explore all the epic island-life places we visit across the region on our Caribbean port guides page.
But first, let’s talk about what to eat when you get there.
The Bahamas: Conch classics and beach-day bites
A staple of Virgin Voyages itineraries, the Bahamas is conch country — and locals know exactly what to do with it.
Best Bahamian foods to try on shore:
- Conch fritters: Crispy, golden, and seasoned just right
- Conch salad: Fresh conch with citrus, onion, and peppers — light and refreshing
- Cracked conch: Tenderized, breaded, and fried for serious crunch
- Rock lobster: Sweet, spiny lobster grilled simply
- Sky juice: Coconut water mixed with gin, sweet milk, and nutmeg
These flavors define a Bimini, Bahamas shore day. And trust us, you won’t leave hungry (or disappointed). Our Shore Things give you a diverse list of culinary cruise excursions in Bimini and Nassau, led by locals who want to show you the best of their food scene. We’ll sea you at the table soon!
San Juan, Puerto Rico — home of the most legendary cocktail
If your sailing includes San Juan, Puerto Rico (one of our favorite homeports), come prepared to eat well. Puerto Rican food is bold, savory, and comforting — and yes, this is where the Piña Colada was invented.
Must-try Puerto Rican foods:
- Mofongo: Mashed fried green plantains with garlic and pork cracklings, often served with seafood
- Lechón: Slow-roasted pork with crispy skin
- Arroz con gandules: Rice with pigeon peas, sofrito, and pork
- Alcapurrias: Fritters made from green bananas or yuca, stuffed with seasoned meat
- Tostones: Crispy fried plantains done right
Iconic Puerto Rican drinks:
- Piña Colada: Creamy, coconutty, and best enjoyed in its birthplace
- Coquito: Coconut milk, spices, and rum — especially popular during holidays
- Aged Puerto Rican rum: Smooth enough to sip on its own
Trust us, San Juan brings the heat (and so do our sailings that embark from there).
Jamaica: Bold spice and world-famous flavor
Jamaican food doesn’t whisper. If your Virgin Voyages itinerary includes Jamaica, expect smoky grills, serious flavor, and dishes that deliver every time.
Essential Jamaican foods to try on shore:
- Jerk chicken or pork: Smoked over pimento wood with fiery seasoning
- Ackee and saltfish: Jamaica’s national dish
- Curried goat: Rich, tender, and perfectly spiced
- Festival: Slightly sweet fried dumplings
- Ting with rum: Grapefruit soda plus rum — refreshing and iconic
These flavors are part of what makes Jamaica unforgettable. In fact, some of our Shore Things cruise excursions in Ocho Rios include memorable mouth-watering moments.
St. Maarten: Creole flavor with French and Dutch influence
Split between two cultures, St. Maarten brings serious variety to the table. Literally. The island is split with St. Maarten (Dutch) on one side and St. Martin (French) on the other.
Local favorites to look for:
- Johnny cakes: Soft, slightly sweet fried bread
- Callaloo soup: Leafy greens blended with coconut milk and spice
- Accras: Savory cod fritters
- Funchi: Creamy cornmeal, often paired with seafood
- Guavaberry rum punch: A local specialty unique to the island
It’s comfort food with a twist — sometimes literally. May we suggest an epic culinary cruise outing in Philipsburg? (We just did.)
Antigua: Seafood, spice, and island heritage
Antiguan cuisine leans traditional, hearty, and proudly local. We’re fans. You will be too.
What to try in Antigua:
- Fungee and pepperpot: The national dish — cornmeal fungee with spiced stew
- Grilled lobster: Fresh and unfussy
- Ducana: Sweet potato dumplings steamed in banana leaves
- Saltfish with plantains: Savory, sweet, and satisfying
- Local rum or Wadadli beer: Perfect after a sunny shore day
Discover the island culture (and maybe do a rum tasting or two) on a Shore Thing cruise excursion in St. John’s.
St. Kitts and Nevis — bold stews and island tradition
In St. Kitts & Nevis, food is meant to fuel island life. A.K.A. fill up, then veg out on a beach somewhere.
Signature dishes include:
- Goat water: The national dish — rich and spiced
- Saltfish buljol: Shredded cod with citrus and peppers
- Breadfruit: Roasted or fried
- Pepper pot: A slow-cooked, warming stew
- Classic rum punch: Strong, sweet, and well balanced
Enjoy the best of St. Kitts and Nevis (and grab lunch with us) on one of our epic cruise excursions in Basseterre.
Barbados: Comfort food and rum culture
Barbados takes its food (and rum) seriously. So do we. That’s why we love it here.
Barbadian favorites:
- Cou-cou and flying fish: The national dish
- Macaroni pie: Baked, cheesy comfort food
- Fish cakes: Salt cod fritters with spice
- Bajan pepper sauce: Not for the faint of heart
- Rum punch: Barbados is considered the birthplace of rum — sip accordingly
From rum tasting adventures to Barbadian barbeque, these Bridgetown cruise excursions are a feast for all senses.
Aruba & Curaçao: Dutch-Caribbean classics
These islands blend Caribbean ingredients with European influence. A combo that has us all like, “please, sir, may I have another?”
What to try:
- Keshi yena: Cheese stuffed with spiced meat
- Stoba: Slow-cooked meat stew
- Pastechi: Savory pastries filled with cheese or meat
- Blue Curaçao cocktails: Made with the island’s signature liqueur
Champagne and lobster…on a catamaran? That’s just one of our many epic food tours in Oranjestad.
Turks and Caicos — fresh, ocean-driven simplicity
In Turks and Caicos, seafood leads the way. And the seafood is as fresh as fresh comes.
Don’t miss:
- Conch salad: Fresh, citrusy, and local
- Grilled snapper or grouper: Simply prepared
- Cracked lobster: A seasonal favorite
- Boiled fish with chutney: Comforting and flavorful
- Rum-based fruit coolers: Light and refreshing
Besides the food, there are plenty of exciting adventures to be had on one of our Shore Thing cruise excursions in Grand Turk.
Bermuda: Island flavor with a British twist
Virgin Voyages sailings from New York bring you to Bermuda, where comfort food meets cocktail history.
Bermudian classics to try:
- Bermuda fish sandwich: Fried fish on raisin bread
- Fish chowder: Traditionally finished with rum and sherry peppers
- Codfish and potatoes: A beloved staple
- Cassava pie: Sweet-savory island dessert
The drink you can’t skip:
- Dark ’n Stormy: Invented in Bermuda, this bold and refreshing highball cocktail marries ginger beer, dark rum, and lime
How to make the most of Caribbean food on shore
A few easy tips:
- Follow where locals eat (if it’s crowded, it’s a good sign. Lines? Maybe not so much)
- Don’t skip street food or markets
- Ask about spice levels if you’re sensitive, because “spicy” can be an understatement
- Pair dishes with local drinks for the full-flavor experience
You can also explore food-forward experiences through our unique Virgin Voyages Shore Things while in port.
Eat like the islands intended
From mofongo in San Juan to conch in the Bahamas and a Dark ’n Stormy in Bermuda, the Caribbean’s best flavors aren’t hiding — they’re waiting for you just off the ship.
Sailing with us means tasting destinations, not just visiting them. Come hungry. Leave happy. And don’t be surprised if your favorite souvenir is a craving you can’t quite recreate back home.
Ready to plan your next bite-filled adventure? Don’t forget our onboard dining is award-winning too.
