Best Caribbean Cruise Destinations and Ports of Call
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Stunning Magens Bay beach; duty-free shopping galore; and the ease of visiting neighboring U.S. Eastern Caribbean cruises typically call at ports like the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico, providing a mix of shopping, pristine beaches, and historical sites. Western Caribbean itineraries often include destinations like Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico, which are well-suited for adventure activities and cultural experiences.
Roatan: Tabyana Beach and Animal Sightings at Gumbalimba Park
Don't get us wrong, if you've got a card you absolutely must hit the marine park—but even snorkeling around Klein Bonaire is better than the diving almost anywhere in the US. If you prefer to find your adventure on dry land, a hike through Washington Slagbaai National Park will take you through a spectacular desert with more than 200 different species of birds. Animal lovers will also love boat or kayak tours at Bonaire's Wild Bird Rehab, befriending the donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary, or taking in the colors at the Bonaire Butterfly Farm. Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean just offshore from Playa del Carmen and just south of Cancun.
Harvest Caye, Belize
Shore excursions include dolphin encounters, kayak safaris, hiking and zip lining in the rainforest, visiting historic plantations and riding the double-decker St Kitts Scenic Railway. Tortola is a premier sailing destination and many private yachts offer full and half-day sailing tours around the neighboring islands. The mountainous island is one of the safest, friendliest and driest in the Caribbean. It’s a short water taxi ride or a 20-minute walk along the road to the designer shops, waterfront market and beach in Philipsburg, capital of the Dutch side of Sint Maarten. Browse the shops, sit at a beachfront café or visit the Sint Maarten Museum. Alternatively, the French cuisine served in the gourmet restaurants in Grand Case is well worth the 30-minute taxi ride.
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You can find departures from ports as far west as Galveston and as far north as the New York area, but the majority of true Eastern Caribbean cruises set sail from Florida or Puerto Rico. Tours will take you around the island, to Aruba’s best beaches, the natural arches, and through the rugged terrain of Arikok National Park with its tall cacti before ending in the capital. Malls, banks, and restaurants are all within walking distance of Grand Anse Beach, so it’s a perfect place to go also to explore the South of the island. If you want something more thrilling or unique, visit Gumbalimba Park for ziplining through the jungle canopy and then a snorkeling break.
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Shutter bugs can get the best bragworthy photos from the gorgeous lagoon-like bay of Columbus Cove. Located on the southern coast of the Caribbean island of Aruba, Oranjestad serves as a popular cruise port of call. Arriving ships dock at the Renaissance Marketplace, adjacent to the historic downtown featuring Dutch colonial architecture and shopping venues. To experience Jamaica’s famous beaches, excursions travel to Doctor’s Cave Beach or book a catamaran sail and snorkeling trip. For an authentic taste of Jamaican culture, visitors can check out Sam Sharpe Square, barter at the craft market, or join a reggae dancehall party. With its stunning natural scenery, activities ranging from adventurous to laidback, and fun-loving spirit, Montego Bay offers cruise goers the quintessential Caribbean experience.
Yes, I know that the Bahamas is technically located in the Atlantic, but it's an easy mistake to think the balmy islands are found in the Caribbean. The majority of the cruise line private islands are located in the Bahamas, and these appear regularly on all Caribbean itineraries. The Bahamian ports of Nassau and Freeport, even Florida's Key West, may appear on Caribbean-centric cruises.
Shopping ❯
It features sun-kissed beaches, secret coves and gin-clear waters in idyllic ports of call like St. Barts, St. Kitts and Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica and St. Lucia. Windstar Cruises specializes in small ships carrying between 148 and 342 passengers each. The line calls them yachts, but the ships are structured more like tiny cruise ships with indoor lounges and communal dining rooms. The line's 10-day Eastern Caribbean sailing from New York City on Carnival Venezia is a solid choice for budget-minded travelers seeking an affordable Caribbean escape.
However, don’t let my rankings scare you from visiting any of these destinations. As I stated at the beginning, I have loved every single Caribbean cruise I’ve taken. The second issue was that there were four ships in port and it was way overcrowded. It was challenging to get a taxi, and the beach we visited was sold out of chairs by the time we arrived.
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Categorizing Eastern vs. Western Caribbean Cruise
Montego Bay has some fascinating historic plantation homes, called Great Houses, that are open to tourists. Visitors can also arrange tours to popular sites near other Jamaican ports like Dunn's River Falls, which is closest to the port of Ocho Rios. The Costa Maya area also features many different types of birds, monkeys, and even jaguars in its jungle setting. Those who enjoy more active fun will enjoy water sports, biking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. Progreso is on the northern side of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, only about 30 miles from Merida.
But venture outside the ports and you'll find a city where you can experience Dominican culture and look at Victorian architecture. There's also an entire museum devoted to amber and some of the most underrated beaches in the DR. Many cruise lines also run sales at the end of the summer or during Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and Caribbean sailings are almost always included. Beach, beach and more beach — Aruba is definitely a port to be in, on or near the water. Animal lovers might want to check out its ostrich farm — not something you usually find in a Caribbean cruise port.
When you combine hundreds of years of history along with a vibrant culture, you get San Juan. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Ships are filled with stylish, adult-oriented bars promising a hopping scene late into the night as well as hipster venues like a colorful karaoke lounge. Onboard entertainment is inventive and often edgier than what you might see on traditional-style cruises.
For history lovers, you won’t want to miss a trip to Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site. Brimstone Hill is one of the only remaining forts in the Caribbean and has been largely restored so visitors can get a real sense of what life was like in the 1700s. With average temperatures between 28-31C/82-89F throughout the year, there is no best time to visit in terms of temperature. However, June-November is hurricane season, so it may be wetter during those months.
Puerto Plata’s most famous historic sites include the Cathedral San Felipe and the 16th-century Fortress of San Felipe, with fantastic city and bay views. Plata Dorada, the golden beach, is the most famous and a short taxi drive from the port. If you’re not looking for a beach day, head to Maho Beach, known worldwide for watching planes land right over your head. Maho Beach has a noisy location at the end of Princess Juliana International Airport’s runway. Great Bay Beach is perfect for families to enjoy sand castle building and swimming. The beach has a shallow, gradual entry, with excellent restaurants steps away.
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