Worldwide Destinations: The Bahamas and The Caribbean
It's easy to find reasons why more people take cruises to the Bahamas
and the Caribbean than anywhere else in the world. A warm climate; an
astounding array of ports of call, each with its own distinctive
character and appeal; thousands of beaches, including some of the
world's best; great shopping at duty free prices; and incredibly
clear seas teeming with marine life make this part of the world a
perfect cruise vacation destination.
There's much more to this region stretching from south Florida to
South America than sun, sand and surf. No other destination presents
so many choices of cruise itineraries and lengths, with anything from
a two-night getaway to an extended voyage sailing from ports from New
York to Central America. In fact, it is so vast and diverse that it
really constitutes three separate areas, traditionally defined as
Eastern Caribbean/The Bahamas, Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean.
A typical weeklong cruise allows vacationers to sample these varied
cultures, history and peoples at four or five different ports. Each
port call opens the door to a new slice of paradise, where you might
discover traces of France or Britain or the Netherlands or Spain
woven into the distinctive pace and style of the regions many
individual nations.
Although a year-round cruise destination the strong appeal of the
Caribbean and The Bahamas for family cruise vacations make school
holiday periods among the busiest times of year. Those looking for
the best values in a cruise to the Caribbean and The Bahamas should
check sailing dates in January, late spring or September through
early December.
Eastern Caribbean/The Bahamas
The most popular cruising grounds in the world lie from the Bahamas
just off the South Florida coast and the islands defining the border
between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Legendary
playgrounds of royalty and celebrities; places rich in historic
importance and cultural traditions; world-class shops, entertainment
and recreational opportunities; and exotic natural wonderlands make
Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas cruises appealing to vacationers of
virtually every age and interest.
Ships ranging from yacht-like luxury vessels to the largest floating
resorts sail to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean year-round from the
popular Florida ports of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral,
as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and seasonally from eastern U.S.
ports as far north as New York.
Ports of Call
The region provides an almost endless variety of ports for cruise
ships to visit, including exclusive private islands in some cases,
but among the most popular ports of call are:
Nassau, The Bahamas - Nassau and Freeport are the
primary ports of call in The Bahamas, but several cruise lines also
visit their own private islands in this chain. Popular shore
attractions in the Bahamas include:
Shopping - Nassau, in particular, is famous as a shopper's
paradise offering everything from designer fashions and jewelry at
duty-free prices to locally produced arts and crafts.
Beaches and Water Sports - Incredibly clear waters and soft
sand make The Bahamas a great place to spend a day at the beach or
take a snorkeling or diving excursion.
Golfing - Some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean
region are featured in golf excursions available on cruises calling
at Nassau.
Nightlife and Casinos - Cruisers can enjoy nightlife running
the gamut from party boats to spectacular live shows and world-class
casinos during their Bahamas port calls.
San Juan, Puerto Rico - Cruise ships dock within
easy walking distance of the heart of San Juan. From there, cruise
vacationers can enjoy a wide range of shore activities, including:
Natural Wonders - From tropical rain forests and rugged
mountains to spectacular beaches, the island of Puerto Rico provides
a rich variety of places to see and visit.
Sporting Fun - Shore excursions available to cruise travelers
include golf at one of the island's many outstanding courses,
mountain biking or hiking, deep-sea fishing, river kayaking and
nearly every kind of water sports activity imaginable.
History and Culture - A tour of San Juan, the second oldest
European settlement in the Western Hemisphere, will satisfy history
lovers with visits to historic sites and museums throughout the city.
Those with a taste for the arts and music will want to be sure to
visit San Juan's art galleries and many entertainment venues.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- With one of the most scenic harbors in the Caribbean, Charlotte
Amalie is a perennial favorite among cruise vacationers. Here and on
the nearby islands of St. John and St. Croix, travelers can enjoy a
selection of shore experiences that includes:
Shopping - Charlotte Amalie is a "must visit" port
for shoppers, with one of the biggest selections of duty-free stores
in the Caribbean, even including a shopping mall adjacent to the
cruise ship pier.
Nature Adventures - Most of the island of St. John comprises a
vast national forest, making it an ideal environment for hiking,
kayaking or touring by land or water. There's plenty to see and do
underwater, too, on snorkeling and Scuba diving expeditions.
Day at the Beach - St. Thomas is home to the world-renowned
beach at Magen's Bay, widely touted as one of the most beautiful
stretches of white sand in the world.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten - This island has two
identities and two distinct personalities. The half of the island
where most cruise ships call at Philipsburg is Dutch and goes by the
name St. Maarten; the other half, only by a short cab ride away, is
decidedly French and carries the name St. Martin. Among the shore
excursions available for cruise visitors are:
Sailing - Some of the most popular shore excursions here
aren't on shore; they're on sailboats. Cruise visitors can take a
leisurely sightseeing/beach trip around the island on a catamaran or,
for more thrills, take a ride on a genuine America's Cup racing yacht.
Caribbean Riviera - Tours of the island include the town of
Marigot on the French (St. Martin) side of the island. The cafes and
shops along the beach and streets of this very French town give it
the ambiance of the French Riviera.
Underwater Delights - The clear waters and shallow water reefs
around the island and nearby deserted islets make snorkeling and
scuba diving excursions a popular choice for cruise vacationers
visiting St. Maarten.
Western Caribbean
Combining some of the Caribbean's most vibrant cultures, natural
wonders on land and in the sea, the rich historical treasures of the
Mayan Empire, and legendary resort areas, the Western Caribbean ranks
as one of the world's great vacation spots and offers extraordinary
variety as a cruise destination.
Cruise ships depart for Western Caribbean sailings year-round from
all the major Florida ports, including Tampa, as well as New Orleans,
Mobile, Houston and Galveston on America's Gulf Coast, and Cancun, Mexico.
Ports of Call
Key West - The southernmost point of land in the
United States, the "Conch Republic" of Key West also has a
stellar history as the favorite haunt of artists, celebrities,
presidents and literary giants such as Ernest Hemingway. It's easy to
spend a day in Key West just soaking in the ambiance, but there are
lots of other things to enjoy, including:
Famous Places - Cruise visitors can easily spend a day touring
the island's famous places, including the homes of Ernest Hemingway
and Tennessee Williams, Harry Truman's "Little White House"
and the legendary Sloppy Joe's Tavern.
Shopping - Shoppers can find anything from funky crafts to
fine arts, along with specialties like Key Lime treats along Duval
Street and its tributaries.
Fishing - Its location makes Key West a perfect starting point
for a day of fishing in the Gulf Stream, where anglers have an
opportunity to hook a really big catch.
Ocho Rios, Jamaica - The most popular of the
cruise ports on the Caribbean's second largest island serves as an
entry point to many of Jamaica's most famous and appealing
attractions. Favorite shore excursions for cruise vacationers calling
here include:
Natural Wonders - Most visitors to Ocho Rios includes
spectacular Dunn's River Falls, and a chance to climb up the
waterfall, in their itinerary. Natural wonders abound in Jamaica, and
a cruise visit offers ample opportunities to sample them.
Arts and Artists - From reggae music to fine art, the cultural
heritage and life of Jamaica ranks among the richest anywhere. Many
cruises offer shore excursions that focus on the arts, usually
including visits to museums, galleries such as Harmony Hall and tours
of Noel Coward's beautiful retreat, Firefly.
Sport and Adventure - Active vacationers can go river rafting,
mountain biking, horseback riding, golfing or any from an almost
endless selection of active pursuits during a day at Ocho Rios.
George Town, Grand Cayman - Long famous among
divers and once a favorite haunt of pirates, the Cayman Islands have
become one of the most popular ports of call on Western Caribbean
itineraries. Among the reasons are the many distinctive experiences
available here, including:
Swimming with Stingrays - Few cruise visitors miss the chance
to visit the famous Stingray City and swim and snorkel among these
strange and fierce looking creatures, who are actually quite docile
and even friendly.
Diving Adventures - Scuba divers rate the spectacular coral
reefs and clear waters teeming with marine life in the Cayman Islands
among the world's best spots, and most cruises that call here offer
excursions for certified divers.
Turtles and Tours - For those who don't want to go in the
water, Grand Cayman Island is home to the world's first sea turtle
farm, the spectacular limestone and coral formations known as Hell
and the popular Seven Mile Beach. There's also golf, bicycling and
horseback riding.
Southern Caribbean
Vacationers seeking a unique experience apart from the crowds will
find their dream vacation on a cruise in the Southern Caribbean.
Defined by a string of lovely small islands from Antigua south to
Trinidad and the northeastern coast of South America, this region
also enjoys the Caribbean's sunniest climate.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, ranks as the most popular departure point for
Southern Caribbean itineraries, but some ships sail from other
islands, such as Barbados. Most cruises from San Juan include stops
at Eastern Caribbean islands, such as St. Thomas, before sailing down
to the Southern Caribbean.
Ports of Call
Ports of call in the lower reaches of the Caribbean Sea also include:
Castries, St. Lucia - Recognizable for the twin
peaks of the Pitons rising from its shoreline, this island offers
visitors a scenic wonderland and a sportsman's paradise. Among the
favorite things for cruise vacationers who call here to do are:
Scenic Tours - Island tours take visitors to mountainous
areas, lush rain forests, banana plantations, volcanic craters, fine
beaches and beautiful waterfalls on this remarkably diverse tropical island.
Active Adventures - A port call at St. Lucia can include a day
of horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking or other active
adventures in the island's spectacularly rugged terrain.
Golf - Golfers will find several outstanding courses on St.
Lucia available to them through programs offered on a cruise.
Georgetown, Barbados - Very British Barbados lies
at the eastern edge of the Caribbean. The quiet civility of the
people matches the softly rolling landscape of this historic island.
Among the most popular Barbados excursions for cruise passengers are:
Rum Factory Tours - Barbados is widely known for its rum, and
tours of the local factories that produce this popular liquor and
essential ingredient for Pina Coladas are a notable attraction for
many visitors.
Exploring - Whether by 4X4, bicycle, horse or kayak, visitors
can explore the countryside of Barbados off the beaten path on
excursions offered by most cruise ships visiting the island.
Flowers Galore - The combination of tropical climate and
British tradition make Barbados a garden spot. Among the top
attractions for flower lovers are The Flower Forest with its varied
gardens on 50 acres of land and Orchid World, which features dozens
of exotic varieties of this tropical beauty.
Willemstad, Curacao - The primary island of the
Netherlands Antilles, Curacao has an unmistakable Dutch heritage. In
fact, the first impression cruise vacationers visiting the island's
capital of Willemstad have is the Dutch style architecture of this
picturesque city. During a port call at Curacao, cruisers can enjoy a
variety of shore experiences, such as:
City Tour - The compact size and appealing ambiance of the Old
City make it well-suited to a leisurely walk to see its architectural
highlights, historical sites and, of course, shops and markets. For
those who want to rest their feet, trolley train tours provide an
easy alternative.
Sea Life - A visit to Curacao's vast underwater park provides
opportunities for snorkeling and diving and up-close encounters with
the sea life there. The park also features an excellent Seaquarium
housing hundreds of varieties of marine species found in the waters
around the island.
Ostrich Farm - Those looking for something completely
different can take a tour to Curacao's Ostrich Farm to see and learn
more about these unusual flightless birds. Most tours also include
the nearby Curacao Herb Gardens.
Source: cruising.org |
