Doing a Caribbean cruise is very different than an European cruise, for example. Spending a week in the Caribbean on a cruise seems to me to be perfect since it is an experience that will allow you to relax, have fun and create unforgettable memories.
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And of course, I have to say, for me a cruise is not the ideal way to get to know cities since you do not have enough time to explore them well. On a cruise you only have a few hours to stroll around the city you visit and, at least for me, I have to have several days (depending on the town) to be able to try various dishes and drinks, stroll around the streets, get to see monuments, visit museums and other attractions. For example, when we did a Mediterranean cruise, it was great, yes, but I wanted at least 3 or 4 days in one of those cities that we stopped at. So once you know your cruise itinerary, it’s good to know exactly what would be the most important thing to visit in the short time you have in each town.
And well, many cruises include other islands that are not in the Caribbean, such as the Bahamas, which is officially in the Atlantic.
There are enough reasons to click on ‘book’, that maybe you’ve been wanting to do it for a long time and you keep thinking if it’s a good idea or not. Here I give you some good reasons why you have to grab your suitcase, your swimsuit and sunscreen (and a lot!) and enjoy a few days in the Caribbean.
- The Caribbean has many islands so you have many options for cruises in that area. For example, on a cruise we visited Aruba, Curaçao and Turks & Caicos, another cruise we went to USVI and BVI and a private island in the Bahamas. So many options!
- As I mentioned before, I like to take my time to get to know a city or a region, spend several days in one place, so many times a cruise is not my best option because of the number of hours in one of those stops. BUT… for the Caribbean, I love it! Many islands are small, many of the towns are easy to explore. Obviously, you will find beaches that are a paradise that you have to visit too.
- Each port you arrive at is a different experience. You can find a super colorful place or lots of little shops with local crafts. Or if you prefer to spend several hours relaxing on the beach or strolling through the city and shopping. In many stops you can do everything because it is so close to the port. For example, in Tortola we took a tour to Virgin Gorda, which was a magical place, but before that we were able to walk among the shops right in front of the cruise ship. In Curaçao, for example, we do not visit beaches, but we strolled around all the downtown area between the colorful streets.
- Every place we have visited, the people are always super happy, ready to help you, positive attitude, very friendly… I love it! You will always feel with a lot of positive energy. There is not other better place to recharge the batteries than in the Caribbean.
- No matter when you visit, the weather is always great. No winters, maybe some breeze at night but nothing extreme. If you travel during hurricane season (between June and November), the cruise will always avoid the place where the hurricane will pass or is passing by.
- On a cruise you also enjoy the trip and not just the destination. You have swimming pools, spa, a variety of restaurants, bars, you meet many people from all over the world. Evenings with entertainment with theater or other kind of shows, some ships have a casino, nightclubs… you will never have a boring time.
- Why visit only one place when you can visit several on the same trip? And while you sleep you get to another town.
- Cruise ships always offer a ton of activities and excursions when you arrive at your destination. You can also go on your own, but perhaps you already have some credit that will help you save on excursions. And with an excursion you will always get back to the ship on time, with no worries.
- The cruises usually arrive near the center of the city or the tourist side. For example, if you want to visit Ocho Rios in Jamaica, if you arrive by plane you have to get to Montego Bay and then by car/transport for about 2 hours until you reach Ocho Rios. The cruise will stop right in Ocho Rios.
- The views from the boat will always be amazing. Incredible sunsets. Depending on the ship, you could enjoy a fireworks night or a movie night.
Are you planning to take a cruise soon? Have you already taken cruises in the Caribbean? Tell us in the comments below your experiences and what destinations you’ve been to! By the way, a lot of times we find great deals on Expedia when looking for the perfect cruise!