There are such a lot of wonderful itineraries and ports for cruises in the Caribbean, it may be actually onerous to decide on the precise one for you.
Whether or not you’re in search of inspiring historic websites, duty-free procuring, stunning seashores, fun-filled journey, or a mixture of all these items, the right port is on the market. It’s only a matter of discovering it.
We’re right here to assist make it simpler with our listing of the highest 10 greatest Caribbean cruise ports.
Havana, Cuba
Top-of-the-line Caribbean cruise ports for these enthusiastic about wealthy historical past, vibrant tradition, pleasant locals, attention-grabbing structure, glorious meals, and exquisite surroundings is the unmissable vacation spot of Havana in Cuba.
Located within the western Caribbean very near the U.S., Havana has a contemporary cruise port which may accommodate giant ships and supplies easy accessibility to town for cruise passengers.
For those who’re a historical past fan, you should definitely discover Havana’s landmarks, such because the Old Town of Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Website; the Museum of the Revolution; the Cathedral of Havana; the Morro Fortress; or the Plaza de la Revolucion. For a fast solution to get across the websites, you’ll be able to even take a tour of town in a classic automotive!
There are many alternatives for cultural experiences as properly. Stroll down the Malecon and mingle among the many locals, take a Cuban cooking lesson, and even take part in a salsa dancing class.
Cruising between November and April? That is the right time to move to Havana, as it’s in the course of the dry season when temperatures aren’t too sizzling and there’s little or no rainfall.
Phillipsburg, St. Maarten
Situated on the Dutch aspect of this dual-heritage island (St. Martin/St. Maarten), Phillipsburg is a beautiful vacation spot, taking delight of place on many Caribbean itineraries.
The port in Phillipsburg consists of two piers, accommodating as much as 4 vessels. This cruise terminal is surrounded by boutique retailers, luxurious lodges, a vacationer info heart, and a incredible collection of native eating places, so you can begin experiencing the enjoyable of St. Maarten as quickly as you disembark.
Trying to loosen up on a beautiful seaside? Head to downtown Phillipsburg, only a one-kilometer stroll from the port or a brief water taxi journey away. You probably have extra time to spend enjoyable on the sand, you should definitely go to Nice Bay Seashore the place you’ll be able to lease a lounger and umbrella and luxuriate in swimming and taking part in with the entire household. There are eating places close by, so that you don’t need to stray too far for lunch.
December to April is the perfect time to take pleasure in Phillipsburg and its seashores.
Roatan, Honduras
Roatan, Honduras provides beautiful surroundings and nice excursions. Since Roatan is a small island, you’ll be able to attain all the highest spots inside lower than an hour from both of the ports, Mahogany Bay and Coxen Gap, that are positioned simply 20 minutes aside.
Roatan is likely one of the greatest Caribbean cruise ports for snorkeling, and Grand Roatan Resort on West Bay Seashore is likely one of the greatest spots for snorkeling in the entire of the Caribbean. You don’t want a ship to get there and may discover wonderful sea life akin to vibrant coral, sea turtles, and a wide range of tropical fish. It’s a public seaside, so cruise ship passengers can take pleasure in snorkeling right here too.
Many thrilling and adventurous actions await in Roatan. You should definitely go to Gumbalimba Park, the place you’ll be able to zipline by the jungle cover, or escape from the crowds on the serene and secluded Camp Bay Seashore.
This Caribbean cruise port is greatest between March and August, as temperatures within the space at the moment of yr are wonderful.
George City, Grand Cayman
The biggest of the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman is a must-visit spot on any multi-destination journey to the Caribbean. It’s house to a variety of experiences plus a wide range of stunning seashores.
Cruise ships anchor barely offshore and passengers should take a young to the George City Cruise Port. For this you’ll require a young ticket, which generally is a prolonged course of, so it’s essential to plan forward.
Grand Cayman is a superb vacation spot for individuals who take pleasure in strolling alongside an exquisite seaside or happening a snorkeling journey. Various tour operators provide journeys round cruise port instances to the well-known Stingray City, an incredible snorkel location the place you’ll be able to work together with and feed the stingrays.
For those who’re not seeking to spend extra cash on this type of tour or if snorkeling merely isn’t your factor, head right down to Seven Mile Seashore, a scenic strip of shoreline widespread with vacationers seeking to loosen up and catch a tan.
Grand Cayman is greatest between January and April, as this time of yr provides good heat climate and little or no rainfall.
Previous San Juan, Puerto Rico
Top-of-the-line Caribbean cruise ports on the subject of historical past, tradition, nature, and above all selection, Puerto Rico is properly definitely worth the go to.
From the port within the well-known metropolis of Old San Juan, company can instantly start exploring world heritage websites, jungles, and superb white seashores as quickly as they step off the ship. Cruise vessels dock downtown, so all the favored points of interest are straightforward to succeed in by way of a brief stroll up the cobblestones.
If Puerto Rico is the beginning or finish level of your journey, it’s possible you’ll need to take into account spending a number of days right here. This provides you with the chance to discover not solely the great historic metropolis of Previous San Juan but additionally many extra websites throughout the island in addition to the towering rainforest, house to among the most stunning waterfalls in all of Puerto Rico.
Regardless of how lengthy you’re right here, you should definitely head to a restaurant, as Puerto Rican delicacies really units itself other than the remainder.
For those who’re planning on taking a cruise between June and November, you received’t discover many itineraries that embody Puerto Rico as a vacation spot, as that is the time of yr when it experiences many storms. As a substitute, the perfect time to go to is between December and March.
St. George’s, Grenada
One of the crucial southern ports within the Caribbean, Grenada is fondly generally known as the Island of Spice resulting from its manufacturing of spices; it’s the second-largest producer of nutmeg on the earth.
With a wealthy historical past, an abundance of waterfalls, among the greatest seashores within the Caribbean, and attention-grabbing reefs and wrecks to discover, Grenada is a high vacation spot. Cruise ships dock within the coronary heart of the capital metropolis, St George’s, and there’s a lot to be seen inside strolling distance. Nonetheless, public transport on the island is extremely low cost.
Whereas entry to all seashores on the island is free, Grand Anse Seashore is arguably the preferred. There’s a collection of procuring malls, eating places, and banks all inside strolling distance, making it the right spot for a soothing time out.
Grenada is likely one of the greatest Caribbean cruise ports between December and April as that is the start of the dry season and provides heat sunny climate.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
One of the crucial stunning cities to go to within the Caribbean, Puerto Plata has each a wealthy historical past and beautiful pure surroundings. There are literally two cruise ports in Puerto Plata, one at Taino Bay and the opposite at Amber Cove. Each of those have easy accessibility to city, the place you’ll be able to discover a variety of museums, historic websites, bars, eating places, and retailers.
For those who’re a historical past fan, you’ll need to tour among the most well-known websites such because the Cathedral San Felipe and the Sixteenth-century Fortress of San Felipe. You should definitely go to the breathtaking seashores akin to Plata Dorada, also referred to as the golden seaside. Probably the most well-known on the island, it’s positioned only a quick taxi journey from every of the ports.
For those who’re trying to absorb the astonishing views from the mountains, you’ll be able to hop in a cable automotive to the highest of Mount Isabel de Torres. Or when you’re enthusiastic about collaborating in one thing somewhat extra exhilarating, strive a ziplining journey or go to Ocean World Journey Park or Monkeyland.
It’s greatest to go to the Dominican Republic between December and March, when the climate is dry and temperatures are heat however not too sizzling.
Willemstad, Curacao
An incredible island that must be on everybody’s cruise itinerary is Curacao, whether or not you’re seeking to loosen up on one of many island’s seashores, snorkel with sea turtles, or just sit again and luxuriate in a scrumptious cocktail with the island’s namesake liqueur.
Cruise ships visiting Curacao dock proper within the capital metropolis of Willemstad, and the newly constructed cruise terminal is adjoining to each a vacationer heart and a shopping mall and simply mere steps from the history-rich streets.
Willemstad additionally provides a wide range of cultural experiences to take pleasure in. Separated into the 2 districts of Otrabanda and Punda, this charming metropolis has attention-grabbing museums, vibrant avenue artwork, brightly coloured homes, and glorious procuring.
Curacao is likely one of the greatest Caribbean cruise ports yr spherical. Situated simply exterior of the hurricane belt, it experiences incredible climate all yr.
Cozumel, Mexico
A well-liked vacation spot on many cruise itineraries is Cozumel, an island simply off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. There are three ports for ships to dock at in Cozumel. At every one, many taxis can be found so you’ll be able to start exploring the island with ease as quickly as you disembark.
Cozumel is thought for its unbelievable diving and snorkeling alternatives. For those who’re in search of an underwater journey, you’ll need to head right down to the clear waters surrounding Palancar Reef the place you’ll be able to see an ideal number of colourful tropical fish.
There are additionally loads of seashores close to the port, the place you’ll be able to merely loosen up and take in the solar. For those who’re planning on cruising between March and June, this can be a nice alternative to take pleasure in delicate temperatures and dry climate in Cozumel.
Port Zante, St. Kitts
For those who’re in search of a vacation spot that’s stuffed to the brim with actions, look no additional than the island of St. Kitts, a part of St. Kitts & Nevis. Ships dock at Port Zante within the island’s primary city of Basseterre, from the place you’ll be able to discover the excellent mixture of historical past, seashores, and nature that this island has to supply.
Only a quick taxi journey from the port are among the most stunning white sand seashores on the southeast peninsula, the place you’ll be able to take within the views from Timothy Hill. Apart from this, the vast majority of seashores on the island have black sand resulting from St. Kitts being a volcanic island. They aren’t particularly picturesque sunbathing spots, however undoubtedly price seeing!
There’s a wide range of hikes obtainable across the island, and historical past lovers received’t need to miss out on a visit to Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Website and one of many solely remaining forts within the Caribbean.
The climate in St. Kitts is mostly good all yr spherical, however June to November is the hurricane season.
After studying our picks for the perfect Caribbean cruise ports, the place do you need to go? Tell us within the feedback! And when you’d like assist planning your good cruise, be at liberty to succeed in out to one among our professional Caribbean travel advisors!
