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Interestingly, these ports are scattered all over the Caribbean. They each have tropical weather and are surrounded by beautiful waters. In addition, they each all have something special that makes them popular. Let's take a quick look at these ports.
• St. Thomas
It is not surprising that this island is a favorite of many Caribbean cruisers. One of the three United States Virgin Islands, it has mountains, beautiful countryside, and gorgeous beaches. St. Thomas also has plenty of shore activities for all ages and exceptional shopping. No wonder it is the cruise lines' favorite Virgin!
• St. Martin/St. Maarten
This island in the eastern Caribbean is split between the French and the Dutch. Maybe that's why it is so popular--the island has something for everyone! Most of the mega-ships cruising the eastern Caribbean port at Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten, but some of the smaller ships port at Marigot, the French capital of St. Martin, which has a smaller harbor. St. Martin/St. Maarten has great shopping, casinos, and good beaches. Some of the beaches on the French St. Martin side of the island are truly European, i.e. nudity is more prevalent. The island also has some interesting shore excursion activities such as the America's Cup Regatta.
• Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is due south of Miami and included on many cruises to the western Caribbean. The island is flat and covered with scrubland and swamp, making it not as attractive as other islands. However, Grand Cayman makes up for this boring exterior by offering great underwater adventures for visitors and an outstanding port experience for cruise ships. It has great shore excursions, great beaches, and good shopping. Divers and snorkelers will revel in its turquoise water, and a visit to Stingray City is one of the most popular shore excursions in the Caribbean.
• Aruba
Located in the southern Caribbean, Aruba is usually visited by cruise ships embarking from San Juan or other Caribbean ports. It's a little too far for a seven-day cruise from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale or other mainland ports. However, some cruise ships visit Aruba on longer, 10-day cruises. It is one of the most popular ports because of its spectacular beaches, continuous sunshine, gambling, and interesting landscape. Aruba is much drier than many of the other Caribbean islands, and the wind blows year-round. Two popular shore excursions are a four-wheel-drive jeep tour of the island or an Atlantis submarine trip, which will take you 150 feet under the sea.
• Bahamas
The Bahamas are really in the Atlantic but are included as a port in many Caribbean cruises, due to their proximity to the east coast of the United States. Nassau and Freeport are the two main ports of call. These islands are a great introduction to the rest of the tropical islands in the Americas because they are not as exotic as some of the more far flung islands. There's much to do in the Bahamas--great beaches, shopping, and activities. A visit to the Vegas-style hotel of Atlantis on Paradise Island is also a popular activity for cruisers.
• Cozumel
Cozumel is a small island off the Yucatan peninsula in the western Caribbean, and many ships port at both Cozumel and Playa del Carmen on the mainland. It has white-sand beaches,great snorkeling and diving, and some fantastic shore excursions. Cozumel is the gateway to the fascinating Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichén-Itzá. We once did a shore excursion while docked in Cozumel that included a tour of Tulum and time for snorkeling at Xel-Ha lagoon. While Tulum is easily accessible and perched on the coast, a shore excursion to the magnificent pyramids at Chichén-Itzá will take a whole day. A Jeep trip into the interior jungle is also a fun way to see some of the Yucatan.
• Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios is the favorite stopover of cruise ships porting in Jamaica. Jamaica is lush, green, and mountainous. It is also the third largest island in the Caribbean and is included on many western Caribbean cruise itineraries. Like Cozumel, Ocho Rios probably made the list of favorite ports because of its outstanding shore excursions. A visit to Dunn's River Falls is a popular trip, although you will find thousands of other cruisers there. Tubing the White River or horseback riding on the beach are two other outstanding activities available while your ship is docked at Ocho Rios.
• Curacao
Curacao is the largest of the Netherlands Antilles and is just 35 miles north of the Venezuelan coast. The island is desert-like, with cacti and divi-divi trees dotting the landscape. The capital of Curacao is Willemstad, which is one of the major attractions. Your cruise ship will dock at a huge pier within walking distance of Willemstad. The center of the city has been restored to its original storybook look, and it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The floating pontoon bridge is also fun to watch, and the shopping is good, with over 200 stores in the city. Shore excursions are varied and include a trip to the 4,500-acre Christoffel National Park or a visit to the mystical underground lake in the Hato Caves.
The Caribbean is popular with cruise ships because of its spectacular weather and wonderful ports of call. Every island in the Caribbean has some similarities and some differences. What's your favorite?
Next page > About Cruises Poll: What's Your Favorite Caribbean Cruise Port? >
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