Cruise Buzz

Photo tour: Caribbean Cruise

Caribbean cruise visitors are greeted with a warm weather (most months), duty-free shopping, and an abundance of crystal-clear water to keep them busy during a day in port.  Cruise itineraries range form two-nights to extended voyages linking Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean ports together.  The best time to cruise the Caribbean is in the winter and spring, but the region is a year-round destination.

 

Popular Caribbean Cruise Ports of Call

• Basseterre, St. Kitts
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Casa del Campo, Dominican Republic
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Cozumel, Mexico
• George Town, Grand Cayman
• Key West, Florida
• Labadee, Haiti
• Montego Bay, Jamaica
• Ocho Rios, Jamaica
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Philipsburg, St. Maarten
• Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Tortola, British Virgin Islands
• Willemstad, Curacao

 

Eastern Caribbean

 

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

When calling on St. Thomas, I hire a taxi and head to Magen’s Bay for a swim or I take the ferry to nearby St. John (if time permits). I learned about Magen’s Bay from a waiter on a cruise who told me that this destination was worth a visit: he was right.

 

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

 

The dual personalities on this half-Dutch and half-French island does not matter too much, the beauty of the surroundings is enough to content even the pickiest of cruise passenger.

 

Labadee, Haiti

Royal Caribbean has done a great job creating the illusion that this private oasis is eden on earth. In fact, just over the hill is the “real” Haiti. Royal Caribbean International has helped build a school and is an “unsung” hero helping the local community, bringing in  pallets of supplies after the  earthquak is just one example…. but I digress….

 

Casa del Campo, Dominican Republic

Prior to the arrival of mass-market cruise lines, the Dominican Republic was a sleepy-Caribbean island mostly known for their export of great baseball players. Now, the area plays host to travelers sill looking to get off the tourist path, the Dominican Republic still has amazing beaches and a laid back feel.

Western Caribbean

A popular cruise itinerary that combines Caribbean-island charm, Key West, and a little taste of Mexico.

Key West, Florida

Two things come to mind when I think about Key West: Hemingway and landsend. The southernmost point of land in the United States.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Cruise visitors to Ocho Rios have a few options for how to spend the day. I hired a taxi and went to Dunn’s River Falls, which would have been fun except there were so many vendors and locals desperate for me to spend money, I spent most of my time shooing people away than taking in the scenery. On the other hand, the photo above is typical of the beauty found close to the ship. A quick walk to the white sand, and you can be swimming in the clean water in no time.

Southern Caribbean

Defined as the region of small islands from Antigua south to Trinidad and the northeastern coast of South America, this region also enjoys the Caribbean’s sunniest climate. It is also the best itinerary for those that tend to get sea sick.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Cruise ships dock within easy walking distance of the heart of San Juan.