Cruise ships dock in the capital, Port of Spain, at the Cruise Ship Terminal Complex where disembarking passengers are greeted by locals dancing in dazzling Carnival costumes, singing calypso or playing steel pan. The cruise ship terminal houses a tourism information office, duty-free stores, clothing boutiques and souvenir shops. Immediately outside the terminal is a craft market and you can also find taxis offering island tours, also watch out for unauthorized taxis. The rates are cheaper, but they are not regulated by the government. If you want to explore on your own, Port of Spain is just a 10 to 15 minutes walk away.
Port of Spain's downtown, has an urban feel, with skyscrapers, a financial center, arcade malls and debilitating rush-hour traffic. The city is a regional, financial and business center and has one of the fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean. Oil and natural gas production is the island's biggest industry. The nearest swimming beach is an hour away and Sundays and public holidays, downtown Port of Spain is deserted.
Several cruise lines visit Trinidad, mostly out of Miami between November and April, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Fred Olsen, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America, MSC Cruises, MV Adriana, NYK Cruises, Oceania Cruises, P&O, Princess Cruise Lines, Regent, Seven Seas Cruise Lines, Saga Travel, Seabourn, Silver Whisper, Windstar, and World Odyssey. To see cruise ship schedules CLICK HERE