Best Caribbean Cruise Destinations and Ports of Call
Table Of Content
New outdoor dining and imbibing spaces add to the elevated beach club vibe. The 728-passenger ship is both the largest and most eco-friendly ship in the fleet, equipped with a large-scale hybrid power source, which combines hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and dual engines that run on liquified natural gas. For foodies, the S.A.L.T. program focuses on local food and drink culture, both on and off the ship.
Scenic Cruises
For those who wouldn't be caught dead on a vessel that doesn't have butler service and free-flowing caviar, the Caribbean can be a tough spot. Many of the world's most luxurious cruise ships spend a lot of time in Europe and Asia or gallivanting around the globe on exotic world cruises. Eastern Caribbean itineraries vary but include stops at St. Maarten; St. Thomas; Nassau, Bahamas; Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and the line's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas. At the time of publication, prices for the seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise started from $1,731 per person.
Island shore excursions
There is also a private lounge with a bar and television where solos can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings. 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. Royal Caribbean offers seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings departing from Miami aboard Icon of the Seas through April 2026.
Why Cruise the Caribbean with Princess
Calm, clear waters make the Caribbean a top spot for diving, with lines offering beginners’ lessons and sessions for experienced divers, and you can snorkel off the beach for close-up views of the underwater wonderland. Get an authentic taste of the islands by visiting a chocolate factory, rum distillery or sugar plantation and check out colourful markets for crafts, spices and handmade souvenirs. Then simply sit back on deck with your favourite cocktail and watch some of the most spectacular sunsets at sea.
These Are the 8 Best Cruises Departing From New York City in 2024 - Condé Nast Traveler
These Are the 8 Best Cruises Departing From New York City in 2024.
Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The world’s first discovery yacht, the Scenic Eclipse, which spends part of the year exploring the Arctic and Antarctica, is now bringing guests to some of the most exotic small ports of the Caribbean. Scenic is one of the best Caribbean cruises for the traveler who wants to experience remote escapes for a more culturally authentic vacation in well-traveled waters. You will visit ports such as Darby Island, Egg Island and Long Island in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico’s Isla de Culebra, Grenadine’s Mayreau and Colombia’s Isla de Providencia, as well as have the opportunity to make a full Panama Canal voyage.
Animal lovers will also love boat or kayak tours at Bonaire's Wild Bird Rehab, befriending the donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary, or taking in the colors at the Bonaire Butterfly Farm. Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean (technically in the Atlantic), so the waves and breaks on its eastern coast make for some of the most impressively rugged coastline in the islands. A 4x4 tour out here is definitely worth your time, though a stroll through the historic British colonial capital of Bridgetown is a whole different kind of impressive.
I love tacking on an extra day or two at an Orlando theme park, usually before my cruise departs. I always appreciate the days of racking up thousands of steps traversing a theme park before boarding a cruise, where I know I'll be able to lounge on a deck or relax in a hot tub. This luxurious cruise line is known for its smaller ships, elegant staterooms, personal service, and gourmet restaurants.
Features and Coolest Things to Do on MSC Meraviglia in the Caribbean
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. Norwegian’s award-winning ships sail to dozens of Caribbean islands and offer a raft of different experiences.
Night Tropical CaribbeanDetails
Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages Caribbean cruise ship set out to break the cruise ship mold – and it succeeded. Come instead for something completely different and go home with a tattoo reminder of that time you cruised the Caribbean without feeling like you were on a cruise ship. Carnival Mardi Gras (and sister ship Celebration) premiered the line’s newest Excel class. Mardi Gras shows off loads of new design features exclusive to the class, including a side atrium, fun-themed “neighborhoods” and a top-deck roller coaster on a ship that’s 35 percent larger than previous Carnival ship classes. Extend your Caribbean cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel.
However, more ships sail this region of the world in the winter, when other destinations (such as the Mediterranean, Baltic, Canada/New England and Bermuda) are too chilly for vacations at sea. The laid-back Eastern Caribbean is home to many of the region’s most popular islands — gems like St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Grand Turk. Known for world-famous beaches, stingrays and limitless water activities, this is the perfect option for a sunny Caribbean cruise vacation, reconnecting with loved ones. There is no shortage of choices for a cruise to the Caribbean — the most popular place in the world for cruising. More than 200 cruise ships spend at least part of every year in the region.
The line's 10-day Eastern Caribbean sailing from New York City on Carnival Venezia is a solid choice for budget-minded travelers seeking an affordable Caribbean escape. Passengers can swim with graceful stingrays in Gibbs Cay or tour historic Cockburn Town during a port call in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. In Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, you can take an exciting ATV tour through the lush backcountry.
This is rare in the cruise world, and it's designed to make it easier for families sharing a room to get ready. Western Caribbean ports of call include Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel; Roatan, Honduras; Nassau; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Celebrity Cruises feature award-winning cuisine in a range of elegant gourmet restaurants (it has been voted the best cruise line for food and dining) plus sophisticated staterooms and public areas, all designed to make you feel like a celebrity. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Check out ancient forts, museums, old churchyards, and UNESCO World Heritage sites in ports of call like St. Kitt’s and Nevis, Curacao, Barbados, and Puerto Rico. Discover Bonaire’s salt flats and flamingoes, climb up waterfalls and down into caves, tee off on a lush green golf course, and shop for everything from Mexican silver to Cuban cigars.
Aruba offers diversions below and above the water, from submarine tours and snorkeling to hikes and four-wheeling adventures. The stop at pristine Half Moon Cay provides an easy and relaxing beach day. Transatlantic sailings make for such a special vacation, and this 13-night Transatlantic Azores itinerary on Adventure of the Seas® packs four remarkable ports into the crossing. You'll cruise the Atlantic for the first nine days, living it up on a ship that is packed with ways to play and relax. You'll arrive in idyllic Tenerife in the Canary Islands on the tenth day.
This experience is about lingering on islands or hanging out on deck, watching the sails catch the breeze, relaxing with a complimentary rum punch and dining alfresco. There’s also the thrilling opportunity to jump into the water from the rope swing, or to get out onto the sea on a selection of water toys, such as paddleboards and kayaks. The brand new line Explora Journeys, launching in July 2023 with the 922-passenger Explora I, marks the MSC Group’s move into the luxury cruise sector; albeit that’s not a word you’ll hear. The firm likens the brand to a top hotel that just happens to be at sea and sailings are called ocean journeys; cabins — each one with a balcony — are homes at sea; and shore excursions are destination experiences. The ship will sail in the Caribbean out of Miami, Bridgetown and San Juan to islands such as St Kitts, with the chance to take a cookery class, try your hand at making batik fabric or peer into a volcanic crater.
Pack several pieces of swimwear so one set is always dry, plus a cover-up for the beach or to walk on deck. A rash vest and waterproof phone or camera case are good for water sports. With perfect timing for sun-starved Brits, the dry season runs from mid-December to mid-April and temperatures average 22C to 31C. The islands are quieter, and prices are cheaper, during the June to August wet season. The hurricane season runs from June until November, peaking in July and August when there are bargains to be had. You will find your favorite Caribbean cruise ports no matter what direction you go.
Comments
Post a Comment