Experience Trinidad and Tobago's vibrant island culture

Known as the birthplace of steel drums and calypso music, the tropical paradise of Trinidad and Tobago is a great destination for people going on a Caribbean cruise.

The first place you'll visit on a trip to Trinidad and Tobago is Port of Spain, the capital of the island country. Unlike many other cities in the Caribbean, this destination boasts a truly cosmopolitan culture thanks to the nation's thriving oil industry. Here, you can explore galleries, theaters, clubs and more.

Two other popular cultural attractions include Queen's Park Savannah, a 400-acre former sugar plantation that now hosts Carnival and many major concerts, and Mount St. Benedict's Monastery, a structure known for its location atop an 800-foot seaside cliff as well as its status as the oldest Benedictine monastery in the Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago is also famous for its beautiful natural landscape. When you visit the Royal Botanical Gardens on a shore excursion, you will be able to see a wide array of stunning native plants as well as trees imported from other countries around the world. At the Caroni Bird Sanctuary or the Asa Wright Nature Center, you will be able to spot some of the country's most colorful creatures - including the scarlet ibis, Trinidad and Tobago's national bird.

If seaside adventure is more your style, you'll want to pay a visit to Maracas Bay. This inlet features the most popular beach in Trinidad, where you can sample the local delicacy of fried bake and shark. Another great spot for adventure on the waves is the former U.S. naval base at Chaguaramas. Here, you can learn about military history or take a ride on a luxurious yacht.