I really like cruising, and the Caribbean is without doubt one of the hottest cruise locations. You’ll be able to typically take pleasure in nice climate no matter if you journey, which 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 if you guide your Caribbean cruise. Relying on the cruise line, they’re usually divided into Japanese and Western Caribbean itineraries. For shorter cruises, they usually cease on the Bahamas, which is not too removed from the coast of Florida. Listed below are our favourite cruise locations within the Caribbean.
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, and a purchase order/click on by one among these hyperlinks might lead to a fee paid to us at no further price to you. We have visited a couple of of those locations for free of charge, however all opinions are my very own.
Notice: Please verify all state division warnings earlier than touring and know that conditions can all the time change. Staying on the ship is all the time an possibility when you do not feel secure exploring the native space.
The Greatest 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 provides 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 Seashore Membership at Bimini after I go to Bimini. In case you are crusing on Virgin Voyages, your admission (and meals) on the Seashore Membership at Bimini is complimentary. You may board a tram proper on the port, and it’ll carry you on to the seaside membership.
In case you are crusing on one other cruise line to Bimini, you might be able to buy admission to the Seashore Membership. Once I sailed on the Celeb Summit, we bought a day cross to the seaside membership and added on lunch.
The water in Bimini is a phenomenal blue coloration, 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 can too 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 the USA, so you should utilize your US foreign money and your US cellular phone. When you can guide many excursions, together with excursions, we simply loved strolling round Previous San Juan throughout our go to.
When you select that possibility, 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 preferred restaurant that provides each indoor and outside seating. Their huge menu consists of many native favorites, resembling Mofongo. Remember 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 number of the city’s high vacationer sights.
In case you are visiting the Taino Bay Port, there’s a lot to do. Actions and facilities within the Taino Bay Port embody a lazy river, six aviaries, Monkey Island, outlets, and eating places. Whereas we did not keep within the port, I loved strolling by it after our deliberate tour.
Whereas in Puerto Plata, think about visiting Paseo Dona Blanca (Pink Road) and Umbrella Road. They’re each lovely and nice locations to take pictures. Learn this Puerto Plata publish 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 anticipate. There are a number of cruise ship docks and ports in Cozumel, which might accommodate a number of ships concurrently.
The port space provides outlets and eating places, however it’s also possible to enterprise past the port for extra actions. Some of the widespread issues in Cozumel is visiting a personal seaside membership.
We booked a day at Nachi Cocom Seashore Membership and Water Sports activities Heart throughout one among our winter Royal Caribbean cruises. It is a few 15-minute trip from the port by way of cab. The seaside membership ought to be booked prematurely as a result of they solely settle for a set variety of company every day. Meals is included, and there are seaside chairs and a big pool.
Along with this, there are lots of different excursions and actions in Cozumel. These embody 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 all the time love being on a cruise ship with a cease there. Nonetheless, it is vital to notice that it is a tender port. You may have to take a smaller boat to the shore – there isn’t any strategy to stroll from the ship to the shore.
As a result of it is a tender port, you’ll want to construct in further time if 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 embody 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 the ship. That approach, 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 totally completely different island from Providenciales (the place you will discover Seashores Turks and Caicos).
Many alternative tour choices embody snorkeling, golf cart excursions, kayaking, parasailing, and ATVs. I might advocate one thing on the water due to the attractive views.
St. Thomas, USVI
St. Thomas, in the USA Virgin Islands, is one other widespread cruise vacation spot within the Japanese Caribbean. As a US vacation spot, you will in all probability be capable to take your cellular phone off airplane mode for the day (however verify together with your supplier first).
Throughout our St. Thomas day, we booked a cruise tour to Magens Bay Seashore. This seaside is commonly thought of among the many greatest on this planet.
The tour included transportation to the seaside, seaside chairs, and an umbrella. We selected the half-day possibility, so lunch wasn’t included.
This is a superb possibility if you wish to go to a seaside throughout your day in St. Thomas. It’s a lovely seaside.
Key West, FL
You could not consider Key West as a standard Caribbean vacation spot. Nonetheless, it’s an possibility on some Caribbean cruises, together with some that cease within the Bahamas. As a US vacation spot, you should utilize your US cellular phone and US foreign money.
Key West provides many actions for households. Many company lease a golf cart for the day to discover the island. Another choice is the Conch Tour Practice, which stops at many widespread vacationer locations. Do not miss a photograph alternative on the Southernmost level marker.
You’ll be able to 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 depart the port space when you do not wish to. There’s an on-site aviary with tropical birds, a Kakaw Chocolate Manufacturing facility, 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 company take a day journey to Baha Mar or Atlantis Bahamas Resort. When you guide an tour together with your cruise line, it would embody transportation to those resorts.
Personal Island Locations
Many cruise traces, together with Disney Cruise Line, MSC, and Royal Caribbean, provide non-public island locations unique to cruise line company. These are sometimes my favourite days of cruises as a result of these islands provide lovely places and enjoyable actions.
When reserving your cruise, verify 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 want to go to the seaside.
What’s your favourite Caribbean cruise vacation spot?
