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From the offseason to the sunniest months to festival season, anytime is the best time to travel to the Caribbean. Whether you’re a history-lover, adventure-seeker or laid-back traveler, discover the best Caribbean cruise destinations for any guest with Princess. Throughout your cruise to the Caribbean there will be events that excite, enrich and challenge you to fully experience the islands. Embrace the spirit of the islands the moment you step on your ship with our Rhythm of the Caribbean program. Savor island cuisine, sip signature cocktails and engage in authentic regional experiences. Dance beneath the stars to vibrant island rhythms at exclusive parties, and immerse yourself in one-of-a-kind cultural activities — from concerts and crafts to talks from shark experts and treasure hunters.
Disney Cruise Lines
With two sea days, the sailing offers a good mix of onboard shenanigans and port-of-call exploration. Party by the pool or swim with stingrays during your day at Virgin Voyages' Bimini Beach Club. Chill out on a powder-white beach or go waterfall hunting in the jungle in the Dominican Republic.
Plan your best Caribbean cruise vacation
It’s a ship with glamorous décor and panoramic views, yet passengers can still enjoy fun favorites like Movies Under the Stars and a bar-lined, high-energy atrium that hosts activities, music and dancing. There's also the occasional pool game; just don't expect any belly flop contests. Ships are filled with stylish, adult-oriented bars promising a hopping scene late into the night as well as hipster venues like a colorful karaoke lounge. Onboard entertainment is inventive and often edgier than what you might see on traditional-style cruises. The brainchild of unconventional business mogul Richard Branson, Virgin Voyages appeals to vacationers averse to the traditional cruising experience who crave a hip, party atmosphere. Ships are blissfully void of children — cruisers must be over 18 — making it a prime choice for an adults-only cruise.
Southern Caribbean Cruises
The hurricane season runs from June until November, peaking in July and August when there are bargains to be had. Choose the Caribbean cruise that’s just right for you with Celebrity’s wide-ranging programme of sailings that range from three and four-night escapes to 12-night island-hopping itineraries. A standout Celebrity venue is the “magic carpet”, a cantilevered bar and restaurant that moves up and down the outside of the vessel and can be found on the newest ship, Celebrity Beyond, in the Caribbean. 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.
As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. Generally, the beginning and end of the November-to-March season can be affordable—any time when North American schools are widely in session are also good times to cruise for lower fares. All-inclusive rates start from $2,622 and include Wi-Fi, gratuities and unlimited beer, wine and cocktails. Cruise-only rates start from $1,999 (and exclude taxes, fees and port expenses).
Best Caribbean Cruises
Small and medium-size ships get you to both known ports and off-the-beaten path places for more intimate beach and island experiences. Cruise to Caribbean and discover the cliff-diving, breeze-swaying, sand-between-your-toes, no-worries pace of island life. Hundreds of years of history have left jungle ruins from ancient times and vibrant colonial towns with brightly painted buildings reflecting a fascinating history. See towering mountains like Petit Piton in St. Lucia, explore the lush rainforests of Belize, or boost your adrenaline as you zip-line through the treetops of Labadee or Honduras. If calm, contemplative nature is more your thing, spend the day admiring cascading waterfalls in Jamaica and the vivid coral reefs of Bonaire, home to manta rays and parrot fish. Holland America’s Caribbean cruises last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks with ports of call in the Cayman Islands, Key West, Cozumel, Aruba, and more.
Discovery at SEA
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. Some people demand (and are willing to pay for) the highest levels of luxury. The best cruise for a family with kids isn't necessarily the same as the best cruise for a couple looking for romance. If you're a U.S. citizen and your cruise starts and ends in the same U.S. port, a passport is not formally required. Some islands, depending on the itinerary, might require a passport so it's always prudent to bring one just in case.
The best Caribbean cruises for a 2024/2025 holiday on the water - The Independent
The best Caribbean cruises for a 2024/2025 holiday on the water.
Posted: Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Some itineraries also include a "Pixar Day at Sea," which features a day of playing, dancing, swimming and dining with your favorite Pixar characters. Prices start from $2,959, double occupancy, and include taxes, fees and port expenses. However, some ships sail a Western Caribbean itinerary that's more focused on Central America, with stops in Mexico, Belize and Honduras. These itineraries are great for travelers who are interested in Mayan or Mexican culture in addition to beaches and water sports.
The 7 Best Caribbean Cruises to Book in 2024 - AFAR - AFAR Media
The 7 Best Caribbean Cruises to Book in 2024 - AFAR.
Posted: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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. Calm, clear waters make the Caribbean a top spot for diving, with lines offering beginners’ lessons and sessions for experienced divers, and you can snorkel off the beach for close-up views of the underwater wonderland. Get an authentic taste of the islands by visiting a chocolate factory, rum distillery or sugar plantation and check out colourful markets for crafts, spices and handmade souvenirs. Then simply sit back on deck with your favourite cocktail and watch some of the most spectacular sunsets at sea. 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.
Another mid-market cruise line that offers a spectacular cruise around the Caribbean is the Celebrity Cruise Line. You can choose between a smaller cruise ship that accommodates 48 passengers only or the newly refurbished Celebrity Equinox that can house 2,850 passengers. The cruise line lists shore excursions that cater to everyone’s tastes. The activities range from guided island tours to racing through the waves on a two-person jet ski. This cruise line is renowned for being one of the best Caribbean cruises, with excellent entertainment and a fantastic dining experience.
The Eastern Caribbean -- encompassing islands like Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic -- is arguably the most common region offered by mainstream cruise lines. You'll have plenty of choices including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Disney, Celebrity and more. 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.
For an under-the-billowing-sails experience, it’s hard to top the 342-passenger Wind Surf, the largest sailing ship in the world, with sails that unfurl with the push of a computerized button (or two). There are kayaks and other water sports toys to borrow from the marina and the opportunity to walk barefoot in the sand at laid-back ports. Some of the main perks include a pampering crew and a convivial yacht club atmosphere, with live music and dancing out on deck, which are just icing on the cake. Island Windjammers is the kind of under-the-radar experience you want to keep a secret. Fans love this tiny cruise line that keeps alive the long tradition of casual windjammer cruising in the Caribbean—with a 26-passenger classic clipper ship, Vela, and a 10-passenger schooner, Diamant.
The cruise line's relatively new Go Local shore excursions for small groups bring travelers to under-the-radar destinations, T+L contributing editor and long-time cruiser Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon reported recently. Her 2022 cruise on Riviera included 70 excursions "from canoeing Croatia’s Cetina River to cooking classes in Athens." Lazy beach days, water sports and duty-free shopping (think St. Thomas) will always be Eastern Caribbean mainstays, but there are plenty of other options, as well. You can visit historic forts and ruins in St. Kitts, tour a rum distillery in San Juan, go fishing or sailing in Grand Turk or take a food tour on St. Croix. Relax on gorgeous white sand beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters, discover the ancient treasures of the Mayans, or let your cares melt away while relaxing to steel drum melodies. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Galveston to suit your vacation desires.
Your stateroom is your home away from home on your voyage where you rest up and recharge between adventures. 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. Experience the authentic Caribbean with award-winning shore excursions. In a region so full of new experiences, unique culinary delights and deep history, why trust anyone but the experts?
Regent Seven Seas has an extensive Caribbean programme which covers less visited islands such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, along with sailings featuring Panama Canal transits. Entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson turned traditional cruising on its head when he launched the head-turning Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, which will be joined in May 2023 by the identical Resilient Lady. The adult-only ships have Insta-friendly backdrops, hammocks on the balcony, sexy shows, a tattoo parlour, and new takes on dining including the lab-like Test Kitchen and veggie-friendly Razzle Dazzle.
I particularly loved its futuristic "Jetsons"-like design and the multicolored mood lighting. It's important to think that through before narrowing down your choices. In addition to your lightweight clothes, pack sun protection while visiting the Caribbean -- and consider reef-safe sunscreen and bug spray.
