On St. Vincent (Saint Vincent) island, Kingstown is the capital and main commercial center of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Most tourists regard it as a gateway to other islands, but the town exudes an old Caribbean charm, and you'll find a few tourist attractions worth visiting here.

Cobblestone streets and colonial buildings enhance the quaint downtown area, and if you're wondering what to do in Kingstown, St. Vincent, its handsome churches are among the highlights. Beautiful stained-glass windows adorn St. George's Cathedral, an 1820 Georgian-style structure, and the 1823 St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral features Gothic spires and Romanesque columns and arches.

Green thumbs should also make a point to stop by St. Vincent Botanical Gardens, the oldest botanical gardens in the West Indies. Strolling around these palm-studded grounds for a few hours is a good option if you're looking for things to do in St. Vincent from a cruise ship.

For beautiful views over Kingstown and the surrounding islands, head to Fort Charlotte, high on a ridge north of the city.

If you're a nature lover, you can hike the popular Vermont Nature Trail, about 14 kilometers from Kingstown, and look for the endemic Saint Vincent parrot.

About a 20-minute drive north of Kingstown, a much-anticipated Beaches resort in St. Vincent is scheduled to open in the former Buccament Bay Resort.