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Try everything from typical American fare to decadent, made-to-order Japanese cuisine at Izumi or juicy hand-cut steaks at Chop's Grille. Entertainment and relaxing won't be lacking either, as there's a spa, shops, live shows and auctions, to name a few activities. Or perhaps it's sinking your feet and crinkling your toes in the warm, embracing sands of one of the myriad jaw-dropping Caribbean beaches. Perhaps it's trying new cuisine or interacting with people from a culture you've never even heard of. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world.
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The classic Western Caribbean itinerary visits Mexico (typically Cozumel or Costa Maya), Jamaica, Grand Cayman and a cruise line's private island, which is typically in the Bahamas. The best Caribbean itineraries for first-time cruisers are often the seven-night Eastern or seven-night Western Caribbean cruises out of Florida home ports, such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral (near Orlando). When packing for a cruise to the Caribbean, you’ll need clothing for a warm, sometimes humid climate. Bring plenty of beachwear, a sun hat, sunglasses, coverups, water shoes if you’re visiting coral beaches, and reef-friendly sunblock. You can now cruise the Caribbean year round on one of our newest Edge series ships, Celebrity Beyond, starting in 2024.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line passengers get a warning - TheStreet
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line passengers get a warning.
Posted: Tue, 13 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Plan your best Caribbean cruise vacation
They really seemed to want to give passengers every bit of information possible to help them plan a "perfect" day ashore. The enhancement included a pier, as well as numerous attractions targeting thrill-seekings, including Thrill Waterpark, a zip line, and a helium balloon. Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the candy-colored waterfront town is similar in design and feel to Amsterdam. The airy European plazas, lively markets and artisanal stands add to the vibe of the sunny city while places like Papagayo Hotel feature minimalist designs. Restaurants, lounges, bars, a casino, a dance club and a sky bar are just a few of the features that highlight an engaging experience aboard Seabourn Odyssey. See what adventures await you off the beaten path, whether it’s exploring a Dutch-style city or kayaking through a mangrove forest.
Best island for history and culture - Puerto Rico
The ship takes care of everything -- transportation, accommodation, meals and entertainment – so you can skip much of the daily planning drama and simply enjoy your vacation and travel companions. Every day you wake up to warm weather and sunny skies (well, most of the time) and a new destination promising white sand beaches, fun activities and memories to be made. Cruise to Caribbean and discover the cliff-diving, breeze-swaying, sand-between-your-toes, no-worries pace of island life. Hundreds of years of history have left jungle ruins from ancient times and vibrant colonial towns with brightly painted buildings reflecting a fascinating history. See towering mountains like Petit Piton in St Lucia, explore the lush rainforests of Belize, or boost your adrenaline as you zip-line through the treetops of Labadee or Honduras. If calm, contemplative nature is more your thing, spend the day admiring cascading waterfalls in Jamaica and the vivid coral reefs of Bonaire, home to manta rays and parrot fish.
Cruise to St. Lucia and visit the famous Pitons, journey to the only drive-through volcanic cavern in the world, or experience the sulfur mud baths and recharge your batteries in ancient pools. Travel to the town of Soufriere, supposedly the birthplaces of Napoleon's Queen Josephine, zipline through the lush jungle canopy, or relax on one of the islands many resort beaches. Caribbean cruises depart from many port cities, so for some travelers, a few days in a new place before or after the cruise adds to the experience. Cruises can be family-focused or adults-only, and many accommodate all ages with activities to keep everyone happy. Whether you're looking for a quick getaway or an extended vacation, a cruise can fit into your plans.
When it comes to pleasure, relaxation and reconnecting in the warm sunshine, nothing is better than a Caribbean cruise with Holland America Line. Seriously, you can almost always find a deal on a Caribbean cruise if you're flexible enough with your travel dates and cabin types. On other Caribbean cruises, you can enter with your U.S. passport book, passport card, Trusted Traveler card (Nexus, SENTRI, or FAST), or an enhanced driver’s license. It is the responsibility of each guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available at the pier when necessary. Before leaving home, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship.
For desserts, go with bolo di banana, a plantain pudding, or with pan bollo, a bread pudding served with rum sauce and a side of vanilla ice cream. Starting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this Caribbean adventure will take you to eight other ports. Start in Tortola, and consider a forest hike or an offshore fishing trip.
Night Perfect Caribbean EscapeDetails
Almost 30% of all passengers who sail with us are celebrating an important milestone in their lives. Throughout your cruise to the Caribbean there will be events that excite, enrich and challenge you to fully experience the islands. With award-winning onboard programs, regional cuisine from world-class chefs and celebrations of Caribbean life, Princess makes your ship a destination all its own. See the kids’ vlog of their experiences in Camp Discovery and adventures ashore, and watch the parents tackle cruise myths in their vacation recap.
It can take a whole day to see it properly so make sure to stop by the visitor center and museum to plan your visit. Bonaire has a whooping 22 beaches to discover and the island offers soft sand beaches as well as rugged coastline. Atlantis Beach is ideal for kiteboarders, white-sand seekers and those looking for a long beach stroll while Te Amo Beach has tranquil waters with a sandy shoreline and great snorkeling nearby. Playa Chikitu, which is located inside the Washington Slagbaai National Park, is a remote cove with white sand dunes, luminescent waters and sea turtle nests. Be careful there because the currents are strong and swimming is not allowed. Many people would agree with me that a Caribbean cruise is the perfect antidote to the winter doldrums and work stress, plus a wonderful way to reconnect with friends and loved ones.
You can find weeklong sailings from Florida, but more commonly, they're eight nights or longer. Plus, cruise ships can change course to avoid bad weather, such as hurricanes, so you can salvage your beach vacation when a storm is headed toward a particular island by cruising to a different one. If you booked a land-based stay, you'd be forced to cancel — or hunker down and wait for the rain and winds to pass. Vacationers from all over the world flock to the best beaches in the Caribbean for their famed white sand, dazzling multi-hued sea, and laid-back vibe. From radiant sunshine to turquoise waters, enjoy the best Caribbean cruise weather all year round when you sail to these tropical lands with Princess. The diverse cultural influences, local climates and history of the Caribbean combine to make one of the most exciting and unique regional cuisines in the world.
It doesn’t matter how many times you visit the Caribbean—you will never run out of things to do. Over the course of one day in Key West, you can experience the joie de vie of the southernmost city in the continental United States. From last-minute getaways to extended breaks, we have the perfect vacation for you. No matter the length or itinerary, you’re sure to feel relaxed, renewed, and revitalized. In Perfect Day at CocoCay, you can whizz down North America’s tallest water slide or chill out in a private Overwater Cabana.
In addition to the best Caribbean beaches, the region offers spectacular surfing (particularly in Puerto Rico), a bustling nightlife scene and several modern casinos. Visit Key West and tour the home of long-time resident, Ernest Hemingway. Our Caribbean cruises take you deep into these featured regions, where you’ll experience island magic through dining, music and nightlife.
If you consider the best Caribbean cruise lines to be the ones with the most ship and itinerary choices, look to the big-ship lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. You'll be hard-pressed to find a cruise line that does not sail to the Caribbean at least for a few months a year. The big-ship lines will station multiple ships in this region year-round, with additional ships swinging by during the colder months.
From picturesque beaches in The Bahamas to cabana lounging in Cozumel, your ultimate beach day is here. Western Caribbean itineraries depart from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, as well as Galveston, New Orleans and other East Coast and Florida ports. Some Florida departures add a stop in Key West, the southernmost tip of Florida, to the lineup. From relaxing beaches and breathtaking colors, to old cobblestone streets full of hidden gems, incredible flavors and beautiful live music, San Juan always has more to show you. I also recommend that all passengers bring a passport on their Caribbean sailing. Swimsuits and warm-weather clothing should top your Caribbean cruise packing list, but don't forget the sunscreen.
