I like cruising, and the Caribbean is without doubt one of the hottest cruise locations. You possibly can usually get pleasure from nice climate no matter while you journey, that means you possibly can benefit from the outside options of the ship along with the ports of name.
There are such a lot of Caribbean cruise locations that you could be see while you guide your Caribbean cruise. Relying on the cruise line, they’re usually divided into Jap and Western Caribbean itineraries. For shorter cruises, they usually cease on the Bahamas, which is not too removed from the coast of Florida. Listed here are our favourite cruise locations within the Caribbean.
Disclosure: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, and a purchase order/click on by way of one among these hyperlinks might end in a fee paid to us at no further price to you. We have visited just a few of those locations for gratis, however all opinions are my very own.
Be aware: Please examine all state division warnings earlier than touring and know that conditions can at all times change. Staying on the ship is at all times an choice when you do not feel protected exploring the native space.
The Finest Cruise Locations within the Caribbean
Bimini, Bahamas
Bimini is a small island within the Bahamas, situated about 50 miles off the coast of Miami. It affords a really small cruise port, accommodating just one ship at a time. The principle resort on the island is Resorts World Bimini.
I spend my day on the Seaside Membership at Bimini once I go to Bimini. If you’re crusing on Virgin Voyages, your admission (and meals) on the Seaside Membership at Bimini is complimentary. You may board a tram proper on the port, and it’ll carry you on to the seaside membership.
If you’re crusing on one other cruise line to Bimini, you might be able to buy admission to the Seaside Membership. Once I sailed on the Superstar Summit, we bought a day go to the seaside membership and added on lunch.
The water in Bimini is an attractive blue colour, and it is such a pleasant place to go to. Different excursions are supplied on the island, together with some as a part of the Resorts World Bimini. You may as well go to the resort’s on line casino.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a enjoyable cruise cease. It is a part of america, so you should utilize your US forex and your US cellphone. When you can guide many excursions, together with excursions, we simply loved strolling round Outdated San Juan throughout our go to.
If you happen to select that choice, you possibly can store, dine at an area restaurant, and take a look at the native websites on time. We loved having lunch at Barrachina, a well-liked restaurant that provides each indoor and outside seating. Their huge menu consists of many native favorites, reminiscent of Mofongo. Do not forget to order their specialty, a pina colada.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Final yr, I visited Puerto Plata within the Dominican Republic. Our ship, the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Woman, stopped on the Taino Bay Port.
As a result of I wasn’t conversant in this cruise port or the Dominican Republic, I booked a meals tour within the city. It additionally included stops at a few of the city’s prime vacationer points of interest.
If you’re visiting the Taino Bay Port, there’s a lot to do. Actions and facilities within the Taino Bay Port embrace a lazy river, six aviaries, Monkey Island, outlets, and eating places. Whereas we did not keep within the port, I loved strolling by way of it after our deliberate tour.
Whereas in Puerto Plata, contemplate visiting Paseo Dona Blanca (Pink Avenue) and Umbrella Avenue. They’re each stunning and nice locations to take images. Learn this Puerto Plata put up to be taught extra concerning the cruise port and what you are able to do there.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is an island off the Yucatan Peninsula within the Quintana Roo state of Mexico. Cozumel is a well-liked cruise ship cease providing all of the facilities you’d count on. There are a number of cruise ship docks and ports in Cozumel, which may accommodate a number of ships concurrently.
The port space affords outlets and eating places, however you may also enterprise past the port for extra actions. One of the crucial in style issues in Cozumel is visiting a personal seaside membership.
We booked a day at Nachi Cocom Seaside Membership and Water Sports activities Heart throughout one among our winter Royal Caribbean cruises. It is a couple of 15-minute journey from the port by way of cab. The seaside membership must be booked prematurely as a result of they solely settle for a set variety of friends every day. Meals is included, and there are seaside chairs and a big pool.
Along with this, there are various different excursions and actions in Cozumel. These embrace Chankanaab Journey Park, ATV rides, the Mayan ruins and archaeological websites (San Gervasio and El Cedral), and snorkeling.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman is one among my favourite locations, and I at all times love being on a cruise ship with a cease there. Nonetheless, it is vital to notice that it is a tender port. You may must take a smaller boat to the shore – there is not any option to stroll from the ship to the shore.
As a result of it is a tender port, it’s essential to construct in additional time while you arrive on the port and when it is time to go away. You may typically have to attend for a ship.
There are numerous completely different tour choices in Grand Cayman. These embrace Rum Level, Stingray Metropolis, the Cayman Turtle Centre, snorkeling, and seaside escapes. All of those actions are a lot of enjoyable, so it is best to decide on based mostly in your pursuits.
As a result of it is a tender port, I like to recommend reserving your tour by way of the ship. That manner, you will not have to fret about timing.
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is the place to go if you wish to see the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Cruises cease at Grand Turk, a very completely different island from Providenciales (the place you will discover Seashores Turks and Caicos).
Many alternative tour choices embrace snorkeling, golf cart excursions, kayaking, parasailing, and ATVs. I might suggest one thing on the water due to the attractive views.
St. Thomas, USVI
St. Thomas, in america Virgin Islands, is one other in style cruise vacation spot within the Jap Caribbean. As a US vacation spot, you will in all probability be capable of take your cellphone off airplane mode for the day (however examine together with your supplier first).
Throughout our St. Thomas day, we booked a cruise tour to Magens Bay Seaside. This seaside is usually thought of among the many greatest on the earth.
The tour included transportation to the seaside, seaside chairs, and an umbrella. We selected the half-day choice, so lunch wasn’t included.
This is a superb choice if you wish to go to a seaside throughout your day in St. Thomas. It’s a stunning seaside.
Key West, FL
You could not consider Key West as a conventional Caribbean vacation spot. Nonetheless, it’s an choice on some Caribbean cruises, together with some that cease within the Bahamas. As a US vacation spot, you should utilize your US cellphone and US forex.
Key West affords many actions for households. Many friends hire a golf cart for the day to discover the island. Another choice is the Conch Tour Practice, which stops at many in style vacationer locations. Do not miss a photograph alternative on the Southernmost level marker.
You possibly can see extra details about visiting Key West on a cruise ship right here.
Costa Maya, Mexico
Throughout a Western Caribbean crusing, our ship’s itinerary had modified from Jamaica to Costa Maya, Mexico. I wasn’t conversant in this port, however it turned one among our favorites.
The port of Costa Maya is situated within the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan peninsula. It’s bordered by the Caribbean Sea and is within the Western Caribbean. In contrast to Cozumel, it is not an island – it is a part of the mainland.
The Costa Maya port may be very new and has a lot of facilities. You do not even have to go away the port space when you do not need to. There’s an on-site aviary with tropical birds, a Kakaw Chocolate Manufacturing unit, a tequila museum, outlets, and eating places.
Nassau, Bahamas
It is not one among my favorites as a result of so many cruise ships dock in Nassau. We have been there so usually that I usually keep on the ship throughout stops.
If you have not been lately, the port has been remodeled with many new outlets. Many friends take a day journey to Baha Mar or Atlantis Bahamas Resort. If you happen to guide an tour together with your cruise line, it should embrace transportation to those resorts.
Personal Island Locations
Many cruise traces, together with Disney Cruise Line, MSC, and Royal Caribbean, provide personal island locations unique to cruise line friends. These are sometimes my favourite days of cruises as a result of these islands provide stunning places and enjoyable actions.
When reserving your cruise, examine the itinerary to see if a cease at one among these locations is included. Whether it is, you might be able to guide actions and excursions prematurely or might desire to go to the seaside.
What’s your favourite Caribbean cruise vacation spot?
