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We opted for a Jeep safari into the higher points of the island to get some unbeatable views. Being able to see most of the island – and not just the area immediately around the port – was enjoyable. St. Kitts is less developed than neighboring islands, so we spent a lot of time trekking through dirt roads. On any cruise heading to St. Lucia, you'll hear talk of the famous Pitons.
Cruise Shore Excursions in Barbados
St. Croix is famous for its farming and you can get a taste of the wonderful island flavors in restaurants like Balter, Savant and Zion Modern Kitchen. For a rarer Aruba experience, skip the middle of the island and head to either end for rugged scenery, jungle views and quiet, photogenic beaches. Selecting the right port involves balancing personal preferences with the activities and experiences available.
St. Martin: Shopping and Dining in Marigot Market
I hope this guide was helpful to guide you in choosing the best possible Caribbean cruise itinerary. If possible, select cruises with the top destinations and maybe avoid the bottom three. Even though I’ve done a ton of cruising, each port visit is unique and can be skewed based on the weather, excursion choices, and time of year. I’ve actually had a ton of fun in Costa Maya, but after two visits, I feel like I’ve done everything there is to do there.
St. Thomas Cruise Port: Piers, Overview and What to Do - Cruise Hive
St. Thomas Cruise Port: Piers, Overview and What to Do.
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 01:42:20 GMT [source]
Harvest Caye, Belize
Another option is to take a small boat to explore the mangrove forests, which are filled with wildlife. In addition to Mexico and the islands of the Western Caribbean, Central and South America are also visited by cruise ships on their itineraries. Belize City is the largest city in the Central American country of Belize, which was called British Honduras until 1973 and gained its independence from Great Britain in 1981. Edged with powder-soft white sand, the island’s beaches are perfect for sunbathing and shelling. Capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan is a popular port of call for Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Western Caribbean ports of call include Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel; Roatan, Honduras; Nassau; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. If "more is better" is your mantra, skip the search and look up Icon of the Seas. At 250,800 gross tons, the new, 20-deck-high vessel is the biggest cruise ship in the world. ⑦ Shopping - Nassau is one of the top shopping paradises for cruise passengers looking for duty free goods like jewlery, watches and accessories. Carnival corporation cruise lines dock at Mahogany Bay, and all other cruise lines dock at Coxen Hole. Shopping in St Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) is pretty much all geared for the cruise travelers and in particular for jewelery shoppers but you will also find ...
Best Caribbean cruise for solo travelers: Norwegian Cruise Line
It also offers wintertime Caribbean cruises, though many are paired with a Panama Canal crossing. If you booked a land-based stay, you'd be forced to cancel — or hunker down and wait for the rain and winds to pass. Most cruise ships will dock at the Roseau cruise terminal, which is on the southwestern coast of Dominica. The water is crystal clear and filled with vibrant coral, tropical fish, and sea turtles.
On a clear day, you can even see Venezuela just 15 miles off in the distance. Don't miss the stunning architecture and interior design of Le West Indies Shopping Mall. It features bars, restaurants, a spa and some 20 luxury designer shops in a three-level masterpiece. Check out Marigot's open-air Waterfront Market, encompassing a craft market and a Caribbean food fair selling spices and fresh-off-the-boat fish.
Curacao: Scenic Island Tours with Hato Caves and Distilleries
Alternatively, head to Roatan’s more remote East End to escape the crowds on the long, secluded Camp Bay Beach. If you’re looking for the best Caribbean cruise parts, you can’t leave Roatan, Honduras, off your list. Roatan is one of three Honduran Bay Islands Located in the Western Caribbean Sea. It has stunning scenery and entertaining excursions for adults and kids alike. The best time to visit Havana is between November and April, the dry season, with average temperatures ranging from 73°F to 81°F.
Top 8 Things to Do and Visit
St. Thomas – Although the port is known for its shopping, the true gem of stopping in St. Thomas is the close proximity to St. John. San Juan – From the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, a visit to San Juan is a highlight of any cruise. A visit is not complete without a stop at Finca Cialitos, a local coffee house where the owner grows and roasts his own coffee beans. Sign up for Caribbean Journal's free newsletter for a daily dose of beaches, hotels, rum and the best Caribbean travel information on the net. If you'd like to do something beyond the beach, Antigua has historical attractions you can see.
Catamaran cruises usually include snorkeling, a light lunch and a rum punch. If you want to see both the French and Dutch parts of St Maarten, you will need to book an Island Tour to get around. Cruises offer the usual beach, snorkeling, Snuba diving and watersports tours as well as mountain biking and visiting a butterfly farm.
From here, passengers can explore the lush green mountains of the inland rainforests. Exciting shore excursions include river rafting, zip lining through canopy forests, visiting Dunn’s River Falls or touring a historic plantation house like Rose Hall. Located on Jamaica’s north coast, Montego Bay is one of the most popular West Caribbean cruise ports. Ships dock at the Montego Freeport Cruise Terminal, close to the many shops and restaurants of the Hip Strip. The Western Caribbean offers an array of exotic destinations with diverse cultures, breathtaking natural landscapes, and ancient historical sites.
Labadee is Royal Caribbean’s other “private island” which is actually a peninsula in Haiti. Above, I mentioned my thoughts on private islands when I talked about CocoCay. Roatan is also located on the Mesoamerican reef, which has some of the best snorkeling in the world. In addition to having a ton to do, San Juan feels super safe and Old San Juan is walkable from the cruise terminal. In Old San Juan, you can visit La Forteleza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There is also a private lounge with a bar and television where solos can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings. Additionally, many cabins on Disney's ships feature extra pull-down bunks and pull-out sofas that will allow four or even five people to stay in a single cabin. Most cabins have two bathrooms — one with a sink and a toilet, and one with a sink and a shower or tub. This is rare in the cruise world, and it's designed to make it easier for families sharing a room to get ready.
An exciting helicopter tour from Antigua will include views of Montserrat and the volcanic landscape created by the 1995 eruptions. Island Tours are a good way to learn about plantation history and the charming villages, lush scenery and volcanic peaks are breathtaking. Tours are also the easiest way for those interested in military history to visit Brimstone Hill Fortress. This 18th-century British stronghold is one of the best-preserved military structures and the views are definitely worth a photo. Trek up the mountain as part of a guided tour then ride downthe exhilarating Dragon’s Breath Zip Line at around 40mph. Just a short walk from the Tortola Cruise Ship Pier you’ll find Crafts Alive.
Cruise ships dock at Port Philipsburg, where its two piers can accommodate up to four vessels. Most cruise cities in the USA are primarily for embarking and disembarking passengers. However, one popular port of call for ships sailing the Western Caribbean is Key West, Florida. It's the southernmost point in the continental United States and has its own special flavor, with a fascinating history, bars, and one of the world's best sunsets (according to their brochures). For those with more time, Panama has some beautiful beaches in the Caribbean with bird watching, diving, and snorkeling. Those who love history should spend a few hours exploring the ruins at Fort San Lorenzo, a 16th-century fort that overlooks the Chagres River.
Similar to San Juan, your ship docks nearby to the downtown area that are filled with shops, markets, and restaurants. When you add in the Dutch architecture, you find a very intriguing city to explore. When you measure Caribbean island beaches, you're essentially talking about how much more beautiful one is from the other.
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