Pristine beaches, aquamarine waters, a famously laid-back attitude, and a vibrant culture – no wonder the Caribbean is the cruising capital of the world. Quite simply, the Caribbean is perfect for whatever you have in mind – romantic retreats, family-friendly getaways, or sanity-saving escapes. Innovative and beautiful ships serve as all-inclusive floating resorts and include everything from thrilling theater productions and live music to rock-climbing and onboard water parks.
With more cruise choices than anywhere else in the world, the Eastern Caribbean proves to be a popular choice for everyone, from first-time cruisers to more seasoned guests. Highly developed ports and a diversity of well-organized activities, from snorkeling and fishing excursions to shopping trips and history-filled sightseeing tours make cruising the Eastern Caribbean extraordinarily fun.
Barbados is famous for its rugged natural beauty, making it ideal for safaris and surfing. Golfers will love the island's championship courses and bargain-hunters will find high-quality, tax-free goods in the shops of Bridgetown. Beach bars and romantic restaurants serve island specialties as well as gourmet, international cuisine. Indulge, then sway the night away to live calypso or reggae music in the nightclubs of St. Lawrence Gap.
From the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to lush rainforests to the festive salsa music that can be heard floating through the night, Puerto Rico is study in contrasts – and a crowd-pleaser. Beyond the hip nightclubs and casinos of vibrant San Juan, Puerto Rico is blessed with myriad resorts, white-sand beaches, and historical significance. Deep-sea fishing, shopping, golfing, exploring caves, horseback riding, and world-class surfing are just a few opportunities for fun that can be found on this bountiful island.
Part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas offers some of the best shopping in the region, making it the #1 cruise port in the Caribbean. Most of the island is an unspoiled, tropical wilderness, and boasts some of the world's best ecotourism. With average temperatures ranging from 77 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 82 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, St. Thomas is an ideal destination any time of the year.
On this exotic island paradise, lush green wilderness, fragrant flowers, and tropical birds are perfectly complemented by miles upon miles of soft white-sand beaches. St. Lucia Rain Forest Reserve covers ten percent of the island, overflowing with giant ferns, towering bamboo, and all the tropical wildlife you could ever dream of seeing. Don't miss the Twin Pitons, a pair of towering volcanic peaks, which were immortalized in Jurassic Park, or the mysterious rock formations surrounding Mount Soufriere, the world's only drive-in volcano.
Boasting 37 unique beaches, the island offers secluded hideaways and every water sport imaginable. The French side of St. Martin is a serene, culinary nirvana filled with Parisian-inspired bistros and cafés. The Dutch side of St. Maarten and its capital Philipsburg is distinctly cosmopolitan – casinos, duty-free shopping, and lively bars offer excitement for everyone.
Conveniently close to the U.S., the ports of the Western Caribbean include idyllic stops in Mexico, Honduras, the Cayman Islands, Belize, and Jamaica. The Western Caribbean has earned worldwide praise from cruisers who choose adventurous activities like zipping through the jungles of Mexico on an ATV tour, swimming with dolphins, trekking Mayan ruins, and much more.
At 185 miles long, Belize has the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, which produces the ideal environment for world-class scuba diving. Or, choose to snorkel along the reef in Shark Ray Alley – and swim along friendly stingrays and calm nurse sharks. Belize also counts among its treasures the highest concentration of Mayan ruins in all of Latin America
You'll dock in the capital of George Town where you can explore the shops' treasures of coins from salvaged wrecks, old maps, handmade jewelry, and more. Beloved Seven Mile Beach soothes with soft, white sands and warm, turquoise water.
An island just off the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel is the Mexican port of choice for Caribbean itineraries. An abundance of duty-free shopping, dining, and diving opportunities can be found here. The ferry to the mainland leads to Playa del Carmen, a fun destination itself with more beaches and shopping. Further down the coast of the Mayan Riviera is the ancient city of Tulum. Join a tour or explore the incredible houses, fortresses, and temples on your own.
From the soft sands of Negril's famous beaches to the isolated shoreline of Treasure Bay to the natural whirlpools of Mayfield Falls – Jamaica has it all. Add the soulful sounds of calypso, soca (a soul-calypso fusion), and reggae and the average 86°F days and 68°F nights, and you've got a recipe for paradise.
Just north of South America, the ports of the Southern Caribbean are comprised of the gorgeous "ABC" islands – Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. These destinations are far enough away from home to feel exotic, yet easy to get to. And if you enjoy sugary soft sands, clear warm waters, and amazing diving and snorkeling opportunities, the Southern Caribbean is for you.
Welcoming smiles, postcard-perfect beaches, and year-round sun. On the island oasis of Aruba, indulge in some of the Caribbean's best dining – a fantastic choice of restaurants and cafés can be found across the island. Aruba also boasts a huge variety of water sports, from snorkeling around sunken ships to windsurfing to deep-sea fishing. For souvenir opportunities, visit Oranjestad, the Royal Plaza, and the trendy shops at Seaport Village. Find Lady Luck at a fun-filled casino. Must-see attractions and activities include the Guadirikiri cave and popular four-wheel-drive safaris.
Over the last two decades, Bonaire has consistently ranked as the finest snorkeling and scuba diving destination in the Caribbean. Steady trade winds that wash over the island create ideal conditions for windsurfing. Iguanas sun themselves atop the desert rock formations of Washington Slagbaai, while vast orange-pink clouds of flamingoes drift across bone-white salt flats. Divi-divi trees bend into surreal sculptures of the wind itself, and towering cacti stand as reminders of the Caribbean's diverse ecology.
Curacao combines the beauty of the tropics with Dutch flair and Latin energy to create the perfect vacation paradise. Taste a range of cuisine as eclectic as the population — everything from Swiss to Indonesian fare. Snorkel or scuba dive at approximately 100 different sites, and admire exotic reef life in clear, turquoise waters. Relax on white-sand beaches, take the kids to Ostrich Farm, enjoy quaint duty-free boutiques, or sway to live salsa or jazz. For adventure, climb Mt. Christoffel and explore the incredible Hato Caves.
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