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Traverse the Panama Canal, snorkel with sea turtles and parrotfish in St. Lucia, and ride horses on Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s exclusive private island in the Bahamas. Smaller ships also tend to slow down itineraries, with late nights or overnights in port, so that you can enjoy the local nightlife. The departure points for these cruises are places you may want to linger before or after your sailing, such as lively Barbados, both a culinary and rum capital. Eastern Caribbean cruises sail to tried-and-true islands such as the Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and sometimes Puerto Rico. Western Caribbean itineraries visit islands such as Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Cozumel, or other ports in Mexico, and sometimes Belize and Honduras. Southern Caribbean cruises might venture to the Leeward Antilles for a taste of Dutch Caribbean culture, and attractions such as the otherworldly landscape of Aruba’s Arikok National Park.
San Juan
Dominican Republic cruises can include stops in Santo Domingo, the country's capital and oldest city, as well as Puerto Plata, a bustling resort town with stunning beaches. Whether you want to enjoy local culture and nightlife or just relax on the beach, Dominican Republic is a great destination for any type of cruise. Take a day trip to explore the colorful Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – or relax in one of its secluded coves. Get active and try out some of the watersports available like kite-surfing or snorkeling.
The Bahamas and Florida
The 6 Best Cruise Ships in the Bahamas: A Comparison - Cruise Critic
The 6 Best Cruise Ships in the Bahamas: A Comparison.
Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The beaches of the Caribbean are legendary for their natural beauty and tranquil turquoise waters. Relax with a tropical cocktail in your hand, swim with stingrays and sea turtles, or just take in the calming ocean air. Many cruises focus on a region, like the Southern, Eastern, or Western Caribbean, and itineraries, regardless of destination, often feature stops at cruise line operated private islands in the Bahamas. Some of these sailings visit offbeat destinations like volcanic Montserrat, while others take a non-traditional southern track from Panama along the northern coast of South America.
Princess Cruises' 7-day Eastern Caribbean With St. Kitts
Setting sail in summer 2023, Silver Nova is the first ship in the luxury Silversea fleet on which every cabin has a balcony. Sailing on a variety of all-inclusive Caribbean voyages from New York, Fort Lauderdale, San Juan and Bridgetown, the ship carries 728 passengers. The eight dining venues include SALT — the Sea and Land Taste programme that showcases dishes from the destinations the ship visits. Each port of call brings a wide selection of shore excursions; 13 alone in St Lucia, such as zip-lining through the rainforest and a chocolate-making workshop. On San Juan, rum tasting reaches a new level with a private mixology class.
In Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, you can take an exciting ATV tour through the lush backcountry. Carnival ships are packed with fun-focused attractions, including multiple pool areas, water parks with waterslides, basketball courts, miniature golf courses and even roller coasters on select ships. As you might expect, the line caters heavily to families in every aspect of the cruise experience — from onboard attractions to family-friendly cabin configurations. Foodies will delight in fresh, authentic Caribbean dishes on this itinerary to the Western Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Wonder of the Seas®. In Cozumel, Mexico you'll find lunch specialties featuring locally caught seafood, often grouper and red snapper fried on a plate with rice and a vibrant salad. In Roatán, Honduras, ceviche is the local favorite, along with fried plantains and baleadas — tacos made with soft flour tortillas.
Caribbean Cruise Onboard Experience & Featured Program
The cushy Nautilus Club is equipped with foosball and the latest generations of video games and VR consoles, with activities such as technology tournaments, plus discussions on ocean conservation. On these cruises, you can explore the fascinating and diverse cultures and traditions throughout the Caribbean, and free your mind while hiking tropical landscapes or diving with colorful sea creatures. Small and medium-size ships get you to both known ports and off-the-beaten path places for more intimate beach and island experiences. Travelers board ships headed to the region year-round for sunny skies, sugary white sands, and the crystal blue sea. While it’s not exactly an under-the-radar destination, the best Caribbean cruises will bring you to multiple islands, including some lesser-frequented gems, and away from the larger cruise ship crowds. The Bahamas, a series of islands with sparkling waters and pristine beaches, is a top Caribbean cruise destination.
I've sailed to a large number of those ports and would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. Cruisers can swim, snorkel and scuba dive, of course, but they can also kayak, snuba, Jet Ski, sail and parasail. Sometimes you can do these things right from whatever beach is your destination for the day. Or, book a leisurely sunset sail or high-octane party cruise to get on the water, not necessarily in it. For something a little different, try SeaDream Yacht Club for a super-small ship that feels like a private yacht, complete with an emphasis on alfresco recreation and dining. Star Clippers appeals to sailing enthusiasts with its masted ships, simple entertainment and emphasis on water sports.
The only cruise line on this list with vessels that accommodate more than 1,000 passengers, Virgin Voyage’s 2,770-passenger ships are restricted to adults ages 18 and up and operate with more cheekiness than formality. Adults on a Virgin Voyages’ Caribbean cruise can expect an anything goes attitude, where you can dance outdoors under the stars alongside mermaids and mermen during a themed party, when not attending beach bashes on shore. By day, work up a sweat in an ’80s-style dance aerobics class or get a tattoo or piercing from one of the visiting artists in the onboard parlor. At night, play drinking games while eating at the Korean barbecue venue or enjoy a first-rate molecular dining experience with items that pop or smoke (all meals are complimentary). Embrace the detox/retox ethos onboard with time spent in the gym and spa when not partying. Big spenders might opt for a RockStar suite, where they can entertain guests when not taking a peek-a-boo shower with wide-open views of the sea.
Who Does Free Cruise Dining Best: Royal Caribbean, Carnival or NCL? - Cruise Critic
Who Does Free Cruise Dining Best: Royal Caribbean, Carnival or NCL?.
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The cruise line has ensured that they cater to adults, while your children have the time of their lives. A cruise lasts two to sixteen days, with stops in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the Bahamas. A basic package like the Carnival Conquest costs around $139 per person.
One of the best parts of a Caribbean cruise is the freedom to spend your days however you like. Ashore that can mean relaxing on popular beaches, diving into the local culture or exploring the islands’ many natural wonders. However, some ships sail a Western Caribbean itinerary that's more focused on Central America, with stops in Mexico, Belize and Honduras. These itineraries are great for travelers who are interested in Mayan or Mexican culture in addition to beaches and water sports. An exhilarating sky ride above St Martin is just one of the many shore tours to choose from with this luxury line, with a selection of included excursions at every port.
With over 300 miles of coastline, there are plenty of bays and lagoons to discover. Go snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, or take a dip in the natural swimming pools. Whether you're looking for a party or a relaxing beach getaway, Cuba has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or a two-week island-hopping adventure, Celebrity Cruises has the Caribbean cruise for you with departure ports in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Tampa.
Caribbean-craving couples will be sated with the nine-day Southern Caribbean Seafarer cruise sailing out of Fort Lauderdale aboard Rotterdam. The 2,650-passenger ship, which debuted in 2021, is Holland America's newest. From there, the ship visits St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. When it comes to catering to solo cruisers, the king of the hill in the Caribbean is Norwegian Cruise Line — at least among the big-ship lines. The Miami-based cruise operator in 2010 began adding entire zones for solo travelers to the center of every new ship it deployed to the region.
When picking the best cruise in the Caribbean, as with choosing the best cruise anywhere, a lot comes down to tastes and preferences. Some people demand (and are willing to pay for) the highest levels of luxury. The best cruise for a family with kids isn't necessarily the same as the best cruise for a couple looking for romance. Not far from Port Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a great place to spend a day admiring the vast scope of NASA.
Luxury cruises differ from standard or budget-friendly cruises quite a bit. They have much longer itineraries; the shortest cruise you can book is a seven-day week. Another mid-market cruise line that offers a spectacular cruise around the Caribbean is the Celebrity Cruise Line. You can choose between a smaller cruise ship that accommodates 48 passengers only or the newly refurbished Celebrity Equinox that can house 2,850 passengers.
You can head to the beach, go scuba diving or snorkeling or head to the mainland to see Mayan cultural sites like Tulum and Chichen Itza. Stick around town to find cheap drinks at Senor Frog's or shop for souvenirs. Shopping is a popular diversion, from high-end French stores in Martinique and St. Barts to crafts markets and souvenir shops.
So how do you know which ships are the best for The Bahamas and Caribbean cruise destinations? In general, you want a ship that not only gets you to stunning ports of call, but one that makes it a hard choice between getting off the ship or staying onboard to enjoy all the ship has to offer. For an under-the-billowing-sails experience, it’s hard to top the 342-passenger Wind Surf, the largest sailing ship in the world, with sails that unfurl with the push of a computerized button (or two). There are kayaks and other water sports toys to borrow from the marina and the opportunity to walk barefoot in the sand at laid-back ports. Some of the main perks include a pampering crew and a convivial yacht club atmosphere, with live music and dancing out on deck, which are just icing on the cake.
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