Authentic Caribbean Shore Excursions Redefine Luxury Travel

It’s time to re-imagine shore programs.

For about two decades, I have held leadership positions in the travel and tourism industry on the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, and I have battled against the presence of inauthenticity in our offerings to travellers. There was a time when some service providers deliberately hid what was truly authentic in order to deliver what they thought travellers wanted. Sadly, while those inauthentic offerings were accepted, they resulted in diluted experiences which could be had anywhere and were far from luxurious.

And while I speak in the past tense, do not be deceived, some of those types of excursions still exist, and these help to inform the misleading, but waning perception that the Caribbean is the same from island to island.

Golden sands, lush hillsides, and the majestic Nevis Peak rising in the distance capture the island’s natural beauty and laid-back Caribbean charm. Image courtesy of Nevis Tourism Authority.

Thankfully, something changed – travellers are seeking luxury both on and off the cruise ships. And in my current role as CEO of Nevis Sun Tours, a destination management company and luxury travel enablement platform, we’ve found that the best way to deliver truly luxurious shore excursions is to double down on authenticity. In fact, authenticity is one of the four pillars on which our offerings are built, alongside immersiveness, intimacy, and memorability. Whatever we offer must pass the test of all four.

On the cruise side of our business, we directly serve passengers on small luxury lines, including Azamara and SeaDream Yacht Club. Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand how much discerning cruise travellers appreciate authenticity in their excursions. What they crave — and what they increasingly define as luxury — is genuine connection.

Authentic cultural experiences come alive on the island of Nevis, where generations connect over local traditions, vibrant flavors, and warm Caribbean hospitality. Image courtesy of Greg Phllip. — Authentic cultural experiences come alive on the island of Nevis, where generations connect over local traditions, vibrant flavors, and warm Caribbean hospitality. Image courtesy of Nevis Sun Tours.

As far as we are concerned, Caribbean authenticity means more than beaches and cocktails. It’s tasting the flavors of a home-cooked meal in a village. It’s hearing the stories of history told by locals who live that legacy every day. It’s walking through landscapes that have shaped cultures for centuries. These experiences don’t just entertain; they connect travellers to place and people in ways that feel rare, exclusive, and deeply personal.

A colorful Nevisian spread of saltfish, Johnny cakes, plantains, and breadfruit — a delicious taste of island life and local flavor. Image courtesy of Greg Philip. — A colorful Nevisian spread of saltfish, Johnny cakes, plantains, pumpkin pancakes, and mash green bananas — a delicious taste of island life and local flavor. Image courtesy of Nevis Sun Tours.

That’s the paradox of luxury in 2025 and beyond: it isn’t always about more — sometimes it’s about less: Less scripted. Less generic. Less expected.

It might look like a dinner in a rustic local restaurant where each course revives dishes that have nearly disappeared from island menus, brought back solely for that evening — with every dish served alongside the story of its cultural roots. Or a bespoke, live documentary-style tour exploring the life of Alexander Hamilton, told only where it could be told: on Nevis, where he was born. These are not mass- market experiences. They cannot be replicated elsewhere. And that is precisely what makes them both authentic and luxurious.

The Hamilton Museum in Charlestown, Nevis, birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, overlooks the Caribbean Sea, preserving the legacy of one of America’s Founding Fathers in this restored 18th-century stone building. Image courtesy of Nevis Tourism Authority. — The Hamilton Museum in Charlestown, Nevis, birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, overlooks the Caribbean Sea, and preserves the legacy of one of America’s Founding Fathers in this restored 18th-century stone building. Image courtesy of Nevis Tourism Authority.

Cruise lines that understand this shift are re-imagining their shore programs. They are partnering with on-the-ground experts who know how to weave culture, history, and service into unforgettable moments. Because in the Caribbean, authenticity is no longer a nice-to-have. It has become the very definition of luxury.

As we continue to welcome cruise travellers to St. Kitts and Nevis, we at Nevis Sun Tours are committed to creating these authentic luxury encounters. They are not only memorable for the traveler — they are transformative for the destination. And in today’s cruise landscape, that’s a win for everyone.

Greg is a seasoned travel and tourism professional with a strong background in finance. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree and has previously worked as an accountant, a banker, management consultant, and CEO of our destination marketing organization – The Nevis Tourism Authority. Today, he leads Nevis Sun Tours—an award-winning destination management company he co-founded with his wife, Moreen.

Greg is also the author of The Truth About Early Birds and Worms: How Travel Businesses Survive and Thrive After Covid-19. His company is known for creating authentic and immersive experiences, including their most popular award-winning tour—The Alexander Hamilton Island Tour—a compelling and historically grounded story of Alexander Hamilton’s early life in Nevis.