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It’s fully loaded with waterslides and top deck attractions, but it’s not one of Royal Caribbean’s biggest, which tends to make it more affordable than the biggest, newest ships. Let’s look at why it’s ranked as one of the best cruise ships in the Caribbean. Many cruises focus on a region, like the Southern, Eastern, or Western Caribbean, and itineraries, regardless of destination, often feature stops at cruise line operated private islands in the Bahamas.
Why cruise to the Caribbean?
You'll now find these zones on Caribbean-focused vessels like Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Prima. Each of these solo cruiser zones, which are unrepeated in the industry for now, includes dozens of cabins for solo travelers, all clustered around each other. There is also a private lounge with a bar and television where solos can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings. When it comes to catering to solo cruisers, the king of the hill in the Caribbean is Norwegian Cruise Line — at least among the big-ship lines. The Miami-based cruise operator in 2010 began adding entire zones for solo travelers to the center of every new ship it deployed to the region. Visit the best Caribbean cruise destinations with Princess and relax on white-sand beaches or embark on adventure that will leave a lasting impression.
I took my first Celebrity Cruise on a new ship. We had a great time, but I missed Royal Caribbean's entertainment - Royal Caribbean Blog
I took my first Celebrity Cruise on a new ship. We had a great time, but I missed Royal Caribbean's entertainment.
Posted: Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Bringing local life aboard
The cruise costs $1189 per person for accommodation with a balcony (and it’s worth every penny – the views are spectacular). The ship embarks from Fort Lauderdale in Florida and slowly travels along the Caribbean Islands. Seabourn provides a complementary list of optional excursions that cater to general and special interests at the ports of call on your cruise. One of the most budget-friendly cruises is the 7-Day Eastern Caribbean with St. Kitts cruise with the Princess Cruise Line. The cruise costs around $399 per person and goes from Florida to the Bahamas and St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands.
Best Caribbean cruise for solo travelers: Norwegian Cruise Line
The cushy Nautilus Club is equipped with foosball and the latest generations of video games and VR consoles, with activities such as technology tournaments, plus discussions on ocean conservation. Southern Caribbean cruises tend to attract luxury travelers and repeat cruisers. That's because these islands are farther from U.S. shores, meaning you'll need to fly to an island to catch your cruise ship or need more than a week's vacation to get from Florida all the way south to ports in Aruba or St. Lucia and back. The islands themselves tend to be more exclusive, with fewer ships visiting on any given day. Experience ultimate relaxation in the Caribbean, an idyllic destination that offers something for everyone.
For a true taste of the Caribbean, tour rum distilleries and cocoa and coffee farms. With perfect timing for sun-starved Brits, the dry season runs from mid-December to mid-April and temperatures average 22C to 31C. The islands are quieter, and prices are cheaper, during the June to August wet season. The hurricane season runs from June until November, peaking in July and August when there are bargains to be had.
Local culture and colonial past
Cabins sport a minimalist look with futuristic touches, and suites exude a rock 'n' roll vibe with in-room turntables and peekaboo showers. The line added Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The debut of the line's fourth ship in the fleet, Brilliant Lady, has been delayed but could take place in 2024.
Windstar Cruises specializes in small ships carrying between 148 and 342 passengers each. The line calls them yachts, but the ships are structured more like tiny cruise ships with indoor lounges and communal dining rooms. Also, you'll usually only see luxury sailings in the Caribbean during the winter months — from December through March. For luxury cruises in the Caribbean, the period between April and October is pretty much a dead zone. The line's 10-day Eastern Caribbean sailing from New York City on Carnival Venezia is a solid choice for budget-minded travelers seeking an affordable Caribbean escape.
Cozumel, Mexico
From radiant sunshine to turquoise waters, enjoy the best Caribbean cruise weather all year round when you sail to these tropical lands with Princess. Enjoy a ship full of activities for the whole family, from Broadway-style shows to Discovery’s Shark Week all summer long, your family will be engaged in the Caribbean. Go Stargazing under the stunning expanse of the night sky with Discovery at SEA, compete in a family game night, and savor the flavors of the islands together.
Kids receive the royal treatment with high-quality kids clubs and onboard attractions like the 765-foot-long AquaDuck water coaster. Plus, they have plenty of opportunities for photo ops with their favorite Disney characters. When picking the best cruise in the Caribbean, as with choosing the best cruise anywhere, a lot comes down to tastes and preferences.
Passengers can swim with graceful stingrays in Gibbs Cay or tour historic Cockburn Town during a port call in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. In Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, you can take an exciting ATV tour through the lush backcountry. Carnival ships are packed with fun-focused attractions, including multiple pool areas, water parks with waterslides, basketball courts, miniature golf courses and even roller coasters on select ships. As you might expect, the line caters heavily to families in every aspect of the cruise experience — from onboard attractions to family-friendly cabin configurations.
The cruise line has ensured that they cater to adults, while your children have the time of their lives. 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.
Sometimes you can do these things right from whatever beach is your destination for the day. Or, book a leisurely sunset sail or high-octane party cruise to get on the water, not necessarily in it. For something a little different, try SeaDream Yacht Club for a super-small ship that feels like a private yacht, complete with an emphasis on alfresco recreation and dining. Star Clippers appeals to sailing enthusiasts with its masted ships, simple entertainment and emphasis on water sports. They're close to the U.S. and cruise lines use these ports to break up the multiple days at sea needed to sail farther south into the Caribbean proper. Caribbean cruises sail year-round, so you can plan your trip for the winter holidays, spring break or summer vacation.
Zipline above the lush jungle, snorkel through a coral reef teeming with life, take an off-road vehicle deep into the rainforest or sail a catamaran out to explore a shipwreck. Walk the docks that once harbored the greatest fleet in the world at Nelson's Dockyard, taste and hear the deep West African influences in everyday Caribbean life, and experience the uniqueness of each island. Over the next two years, for instance, Rhapsody of the Seas is sailing out of such less-common home ports as Colon, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dating to 1997, Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's oldest and smallest vessels, and it lacks nearly all the gee-whiz attractions for families found on newer Royal Caribbean ships. You won't find big water parks, kiddie splash zones, zip lines or bumper car pavilions on this ship.
