The Best Caribbean Cruises 2023 With Stops at Rugged Volcanic Islands, Tropical Forests, and Serene Beaches
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I sailed solo in one of the cabins on Norwegian Epic, and I was smitten. I particularly loved its futuristic "Jetsons"-like design and the multicolored mood lighting. Parents will find opportunities to unwind at adults-only sun decks and pool areas that are closed to kids; there are also bars and clubs that are off-limits to anyone younger than 18. The bottom line is that the best Caribbean cruise for you depends a lot on your travel style. Below, we'll help you narrow down the choices by looking at Caribbean cruises by broad category type. The good news is that in the Caribbean, at least, there really is something for everyone.
Silversea Cruises
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). On a Royal Caribbean Caribbean cruise, you can see towering mountains like Petit Piton in St. Lucia, explore Belize’s lush rainforests, and admire Jamaican waterfalls and the coral reefs of Bonaire. You can also soak up some sun on Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, CocoCay. Its ports of call break the mold of what a mega ship is supposed to do in the Caribbean. Imagine yourself exploring the tiny islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines or learning about chocolate making in Grenada. A stunning ship design and itineraries way off the beaten track are what puts Seaside on this 10 best list.
The perfect place to celebrate
Travelers don't tend to spend much time in Belize City itself, but it's a great jumping-off point for all Belize has to offer. Visit the Altun Ha Mayan ruins, go river tubing and spelunking in caves, zip line through the jungle or go snorkeling or diving along Belize's famous barrier reef (the northern hemisphere's largest). Check out ancient forts, museums, old churchyards, and UNESCO World Heritage sites in ports of call like St. Kitt’s and Nevis, Curacao, Barbados, and Puerto Rico. Discover Bonaire’s salt flats and flamingoes, climb up waterfalls and down into caves, tee off on a lush green golf course, and shop for everything from Mexican silver to Cuban cigars. The 4,000-passenger ship wows little ones with character meet-and-greets and Disney theme park style entertainment and attractions.
Disney Cruise Line's 6-night Western Caribbean Cruise From New Orleans
Ponant's luxurious small ships sail to remote destinations like Antarctica, incorporating once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as eclipse spotting from the edge of the earth. The company also partners with Smithsonian and Disney on certain sailings. The only cruise line on this list with vessels that accommodate more than 1,000 passengers, Virgin Voyage’s 2,770-passenger ships are restricted to adults ages 18 and up and operate with more cheekiness than formality. Adults on a Virgin Voyages’ Caribbean cruise can expect an anything goes attitude, where you can dance outdoors under the stars alongside mermaids and mermen during a themed party, when not attending beach bashes on shore.
Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Its short sailings and low pricing mean you're not out a lot in time or money if you don't have the time of your life. It caters heavily to first-time cruisers as well as Florida locals who can book on short notice and drive into the port for a quick escape. Some Royal Caribbean ships — such as the line's Oasis-class vessels and recently launched Icon of the Seas — are built with far more family-focused activities than others.
This cruise has something for every family member, so set sail on the Explorer of the Seas and get ready for the holiday of a lifetime. For a Pirates of the Caribbean experience, albeit without real buccaneers, Star Clippers recreates the golden age of sailing with its tall ships, propelled by wind power wherever possible. Set sail on the 227-passenger five-masted flagship Royal Clipper — the 42 creamy sails billowing in the breeze are a sight to behold. Traditional shining brass and wood interiors incorporate modern comforts and amenities including swimming pools. Ports of call include St Lucia, with the chance to explore the Pitons, the landmark pair of volcanic cones that rise up from the sea.
With the expertly designed Princess Luxury Bed, luxurious 100% Jacquard-woven cotton linens and specially created SLEEP program by a board-certified sleep expert, you might just get the best sleep of your life. We offer staterooms ranging from interior cabins to full suites, and we even offer connected rooms for families with more than four members traveling together. It’s almost completely all-inclusive (except for alcoholic drinks, which are reasonably priced), has incredible service, and features more than 20 cool dining options that serve amazingly good food.
Cozumel
Another aspect of Princess that many cruisers like is the “Dine My Way” program, which lets you choose when and where you want to eat—you can even have food delivered to you. They also offer unique “virtual balconies” in their inside staterooms, which give you the feeling of a window by providing real-time exterior views. Royal Caribbean has a variety of itineraries in the eastern and western Caribbean; many include stops at a private island in The Bahamas. Onboard, you’ll find a range of interesting activities like art classes, cooking demonstrations, educational presentations, and wine tastings, as well as nighttime entertainment.
+ Kids sail free*
On the Southern Caribbean Seafarer cruise, couples can visit Curacao, Aruba and Half Moon Cay, the line's private island in the Bahamas. An overnight stay in Curacao allows cruisers to dive deeper into the island's history, culture and natural lures. Aruba offers diversions below and above the water, from submarine tours and snorkeling to hikes and four-wheeling adventures. The stop at pristine Half Moon Cay provides an easy and relaxing beach day. It's difficult to imagine something more romantic than sailing through the warm waters of the Caribbean, hopping between tropical islands and white-sand beaches from the comfortable luxury of your ship.
Catering for every type of cruiser, including families, couples and solo travellers, Princess has its own private island. Princess has a wide range of sailings covering the whole of the Caribbean, from short three-night breaks that can be added to a land-stay holiday to 20-night itineraries taking in 12 islands and Princess Cays. Caribbean cruises have long been a favorite with travelers for their picture-postcard attributes. But these tropical itineraries have something for every type of traveler.
If the Music Hall is too noisy for chatting up other solos, head to the sometimes quieter Schooner Bar. Visit the best Caribbean cruise destinations with Princess and relax on white-sand beaches or embark on adventure that will leave a lasting impression. Discover the history of local distilleries while sampling some of the region’s best rums, meet the parrots and macaws that call the Caribbean home in the ship's Piazza, or become a part of the rhythm with steel pan drum lessons. Our onboard activities give you the chance to gain a deeper connection and understanding of the gorgeous islands you'll visit on your voyage.
The 8 Best Cruises For Teens 2024 - Forbes
The 8 Best Cruises For Teens 2024.
Posted: Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Passengers also love the wellness-focused amenities like workout areas, group fitness classes, and a luxe spa. There’s plenty of entertainment, including nightclubs, music venues, live shows, and a casino (as well as a tattoo parlor!). Another luxurious cruise line to try is the Holland America Cruise Line. The cruise line offers posh onboard amenities and activities carefully designed to keep holidaymakers entertained and happy. This cruise line is renowned for being one of the best Caribbean cruises, with excellent entertainment and a fantastic dining experience.
Discovery at SEA brings the expertise and excitement of the Discovery Channel™ on board your Caribbean cruise! Throughout your cruise to the Caribbean there will be events that excite, enrich and challenge you to fully experience the islands. Your stateroom is your home away from home on your voyage where you rest up and recharge between adventures.
Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Galveston to suit your vacation desires. This cruise line offers some of the best Caribbean cruise ships for couples who want a more intimate experience, since they hold fewer passengers than the mega-ships other cruise lines have. Staterooms are larger than on many other cruise ships, and swanky restaurants serve gourmet cuisine. Even the Disney private island features family and adult-only sections. Choose from a range of itineraries throughout the Caribbean, including special themed trips during the holidays, with cruises lasting between 4 and 10 nights. Widely considered to be top of the list of the best Caribbean cruise lines for families, Disney can also be a fun choice for adults.
If you're cruising round-trip from a U.S. port, a passport is not required by law — but it's a good idea to pack one in case of an unexpected medical emergency or mechanical problem that forces you to debark the ship in a foreign country. Western Caribbean itineraries are typically a week, but can be as short as four days (with just one stop in Mexico) or as long as 12 days (though these might include stops in the Bahamas, too). Carnival Mardi Gras (and sister ship Celebration) premiered the line’s newest Excel class. Mardi Gras shows off loads of new design features exclusive to the class, including a side atrium, fun-themed “neighborhoods” and a top-deck roller coaster on a ship that’s 35 percent larger than previous Carnival ship classes. Caribbean-craving couples will be sated with the nine-day Southern Caribbean Seafarer cruise sailing out of Fort Lauderdale aboard Rotterdam. The 2,650-passenger ship, which debuted in 2021, is Holland America's newest.
Royal Caribbean explores every corner of the region, with eastern, western and southern Caribbean itineraries on its fun-loving ships. Its fleet will soon include the 5,610-passenger Icon of the Seas, which will pip Wonder of the Seas as the world’s largest cruise ship when it starts exploring Caribbean shores on sailings from Miami. This is Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian island, where you’ll find Thrill Waterpark, with the region’s biggest wave pool and tallest slide in North America. Sun, sand and sea are what most travelers want when they book a cruise to the Caribbean. If you want to trade chilly weather at home for warm, sunny days spent relaxing on a beach or swimming in clear blue waters, a Caribbean cruise is an ideal vacation.
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