Which Part Of The Caribbean Is Best To Cruise?

Cruise lines divide the Caribbean into Eastern, Western, and Southern regions, with longer itineraries focusing on islands in both or all of these regions. The best Caribbean cruise itineraries depend on the desired itinerary. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Seabourn, Windstar, Silversea, and Star Clippers offer top cruise options in the Eastern Caribbean, known for its duty-free shopping and pristine sandy shorelines. The best Caribbean cruise ports include Cozumel, Mexico, Jamaica, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Belize City, Belize St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and St. Lucia. The Western Caribbean is more diverse and offers a variety of cruise options. San Juan is the best port to visit all the best Caribbean islands, while Miami is another great option. The best Caribbean islands to visit include Aruba, Dominican Republic, and St. Thomas. Top 10 hottest Caribbean cruise destinations include Nassau, Bahamas, Kings Wharf, Bermuda, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, Falmouth, Jamaica, Ponants, Panama, Colombia, and Caribbean Islands, Disney Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. St. Lucia, Cuba is the best destination, with its sea gardens, coral reefs, and vibrant marine life.

Which part of the Caribbean is best for cruises?

Best Caribbean islands to visit on your next Cruise Trip.Best island for beaches – Aruba. … Best island for food – Dominican Republic. … Best island for history and culture – Puerto Rico. … Best island for diving – Roatán. … Best island for nightlife – Barbados. … Best Time of the Year to Cruise to the Caribbean’s.

With over 700 islands in the Caribbean, choosing one to visit on a cruise can be tougher than choosing which present to open first on Christmas. The good news is, like Christmas, you don’t have to choose just one. That’s what makes a Caribbean cruise adults only vacation so special, you will be able to island hop to your hearts desire. Depending on the length of your cruise trip, you could visit over six Caribbean destinations in a single voyage, with each Caribbean island offering something unique.

Best islands in the Caribbean to visit. Whether you’re looking for the best traditional Caribbean food, epic nightlife, idyllic white sand beaches, snorkeling and diving, or just a deep dive into local history, these are the best Caribbean islands to visit on your next cruise trip.

Best island for beaches – Aruba. If there’s one thing the Caribbean destinations are known for, it’s beaches. And look, you really can’t go wrong by visiting Aruba. Even a bad beach is like bad pizza… it’s still pretty good. We certainly live by the credo: there are no bad beach days. That said, we’re giving this one to Aruba, thanks to its unique Flamingo Beach, which embodies everything that makes the Caribbean so idyllic. A private beach on Renaissance Island, Flamingo Beach is perhaps the most famous in Aruba for its white sands and pink flamingos roaming the shores. Every Caribbean island is great for a beach day, but where else can you share that beach day (and take selfies with) flamingos?

Which side of a cruise ship is best for the Caribbean?

Remember: the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. With that said, if you’re sailing north or west and want to see sunsets, choose a port side cabin. If you’d rather see the sunrise while sailing south or east, staying on the port side is your ideal choice as well.

Choose the starboard side for the opposite situation: sunsets are visible on southbound and eastbound sailings while sunrises are visible on northbound and westbound cruises.

However, you can expect the rooms that face the scenic coastlines to cost more on these types of sailings.

Ultimately, the most important cabin choices are which deck you’re on, whether you’re in the middle or toward one end of the ship (for seasickness reasons), and which size and category of room you select. Be sure to check out our article about what you need to consider when choosing your cabin.

What months should I avoid for cruising the Caribbean?

When is hurricane season for cruises? Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 to November 30. The peak of hurricane season occurs between mid-August and early November.

If you think it’s best to avoid booking a cruise vacation during hurricane season, there are certain factors to consider that may change your mind. In fact, cruising during hurricane season may actually be an advantageous time to cruise.

Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 to November 30. The peak of hurricane season occurs between mid-August and early November.

The Eastern Caribbean tends to see more hurricanes toward the beginning of the peak season, while peak season in the Western Caribbean islands stretches throughout the entire period. Some East Coast cruises might be affected by a hurricane in the Northern Atlantic.

How rough are Caribbean cruises?

Expect Rougher Caribbean Seas in the North and East Rough Waters: When one body of water runs into another, waves tend to be higher and rougher. Although the Caribbean is generally known for smooth sailing, it can get choppy in areas where it meets up with the Atlantic Ocean.

Which area of a cruise ship is best?

The big allure of a midship cabin is its stability. You won’t feel the rocking of the sea in a midship cabin nearly as much as you will in a cabin toward the front or back of a vessel. This is because ships are like teeter-totters. They pitch forward and back around a central axis that barely moves.

If you are in the center of a ship, you are at the equivalent of the center of a teeter-totter. Even in very rough seas, you’re not going to move nearly as much when the ship goes up and down in the waves as someone located at either of the far ends of the ship.

Note that it also helps to be low to the water if you’re worried about seasickness.

Which side of the Caribbean is better?

The eastern Caribbean islands are rich with history, culture and beautiful beaches fit for watersports, while the western Caribbean islands are renowned for lush jungles and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling.

The terms “eastern Caribbean” and “western Caribbean” were coined by the cruise industry to indicate the general areas ships would cover during any given Caribbean cruise itinerary. Western Caribbean cruises typically included destinations closer to the mainland U.S. and Mexico, like Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Belize. Eastern Caribbean cruises tend to stop at isles closer to the open Atlantic, like the British Virgin Islands, the Leeward Islands, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico.

Beyond physical location, there are a few factors to keep in mind when deciding between eastern Caribbean vs. western Caribbean cruises. Luckily, if you’re looking for laid-back island culture and beautiful beaches, you really can’t go wrong either way. Isles on both sides offer miles of pristine shoreline kissed by calm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Some have been rated among the most beautiful shores in the world by news outlets and travel magazines. To the west, there’s Jamaica’s iconic Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman’s legendary powder-white shores and Belize’s secluded coves. In the east, St. Thomas beckons with world-renowned spots like Magens Bay. St. Maarten’s Dawn Beach stuns with world-class snorkeling, and Puerto Rico’s Condado and Isla Verde beaches bustle with water sports.

While every isle in the west will satisfy the sun-seeker in you, there are some general differences between the Caribbean islands. When considering the eastern Caribbean vs. western Caribbean itineraries with an emphasis on water-based activities, go with the western isles. The waters that surround Cozumel, for example, are considered among the clearest in the world, making them ideal for snorkeling, fishing, and swimming with dolphins and gentle whale sharks.

Which location is best on a cruise ship?

The big allure of a midship cabin is its stability. You won’t feel the rocking of the sea in a midship cabin nearly as much as you will in a cabin toward the front or back of a vessel. This is because ships are like teeter-totters. They pitch forward and back around a central axis that barely moves.

If you are in the center of a ship, you are at the equivalent of the center of a teeter-totter. Even in very rough seas, you’re not going to move nearly as much when the ship goes up and down in the waves as someone located at either of the far ends of the ship.

Note that it also helps to be low to the water if you’re worried about seasickness.

What is the number one cruise destination in the world?

The Caribbean is the world’s most popular cruise destination, and little wonder. Vibrant cultures, music, gorgeous beaches, watersports galore and tropical sunshine are the ingredients for a dream cruise for many. Because there’s so much to do, the Caribbean suits anyone; families, honeymooners and groups of friends.

You’ll need to choose either a big ship or a small ship – both offer a slightly take.

Where is the most beautiful place to cruise to?

World’s Most Scenic Cruise ItinerariesFrommers.com Community. … RBradburn. French Polynesia. … Frommers.com Community. Antarctica. … Frommers.com Community. New Zealand. … Frommers.com Community. Panama Canal. … Frommers.com Community. Norwegian Fjords. … Frommers.com Community. The Hebrides Islands, Scotland. … rwowan. Chilean Fjords.

From icebergs to lava-spewing volcanoes, the world’s 10 most scenic cruise itineraries offer amazing views and unique shore excursions.

Sit back and enjoy the view. You may want to splurge on an oceanview cabin or balcony stateroom for some of these trips.

Photo Caption: View of Geirangerfjord and ships below.

Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise ship?

Even on smaller, more luxurious ships that don’t feel crowded, a balcony is desirable; if the weather is such that you can spend a lot of time on your balcony, it’s like having an additional room.

What to Expect: The hottest new trend in expedition cruising—itineraries to the most remote destinations on earth—is vessels that have all the comforts of small luxury ships, including private balconies. Expedition vessels built since 2014 increasingly have more spacious accommodations that include verandas. Cruise lines whose newest expedition ships have private balconies include Ponant, Scenic, Seabourn, and Silversea. In other cases, lines such as Lindblad offer balconies only in top suite categories.

On Silversea’s Galapagos-based Silver Origin, a temperate climate offers lots of opportunities for enjoying your balcony; this one’s part of the Royal Suite. Photo: Silversea.

When not to go to the Caribbean?

When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?. Hurricanes occur during the low season, specifically from June 1 to November 30. The risk peaks in August and September and occasionally extends into October and even November. Travel companies generally advise against going to the Caribbean during these months. It’s important to be informed if you plan to visit the Caribbean during hurricane season, damage can be surprisingly localised, so you won’t necessarily want to cancel a trip to the southern Caribbean when the northeastern Caribbean (500 miles away) or Florida gets hit. There also tend to be fewer storms in the southern Caribbean, which includes Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and Barbados.

When is the rainy season in the Caribbean?. The rainy season runs parallel to hurricane season, from June 1 – November 30. Rainy season doesn’t mean consistent rainfall but rather showers and/or short tropical storms. Be sure to check the rainfall of the island you want to visit. Certain islands like St Lucia (more mountainous) see a heavier rainy season in comparison to an island such as Aruba.

When is the shoulder season?. The shoulder season includes early December, when the weather is cool and lovely, following November’s rainy season. May and June are dry but not too hot, making for a great holiday. You can usually catch a deal in addition to more affordable flights.

What is the prettiest Caribbean island to go to?

18 of the Most Beautiful Caribbean IslandsBest tourist destination: St. Barts.Underrated hidden gem: Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.Best for families: U.S. Virgin Islands.Best for couples: St. Lucia.Best for solo travelers: Puerto Rico.

The islands of the Caribbean region are known for their stunning beaches, brilliantly blue waters, and near-perfect weather. While there are many similarities between them, each has its own topography, history, and culture. The most beautiful Caribbean islands have distinctive natural features, like St. Lucia’s haunting coastal twin peaks, Dominica’s untouched rain forest, and the pink sands of the Bahamas. On some islands, well-preserved historical architecture enhances the idyllic setting.

There are direct flights to many popular Caribbean destinations, but more remote islands, such as Canouan, require an inter-island flight or ferry —or even a private charter. We think you’ll find the secluded beaches and pristine landscapes worth the extra effort. Here are 18 of the most beautiful Caribbean islands to inspire your travels.

• Best tourist destination: St. Barts
• Underrated hidden gem: Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Best for families: U.S. Virgin Islands
• Best for couples: St. Lucia
• Best for solo travelers: Puerto Rico