Sunday, April 21, 2024

10 Well-Known Western Caribbean Cruise Ports You Should Visit

western caribbean cruise ships

However, the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is filled with exotic wildlife (like sloths) and the main port of call is at Puerto Limon. Puerto Costa Maya in Mexico is home to Mayan art and architecture (as its name implies), but you can also find the Spanish fort Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar. Spend your day exploring this historic site, just over an hour from the port – there's also a cenote cavern nearby if you're up for some diving. The Yucatan peninsula is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Mayan history during your holiday. – including impressive pyramids – can be found in Mexico's Cozumel, Costa Maya, Tulum and Chichen Itza. Near the port, there are a few beaches you can check out, but most of the action is about an hour’s drive away.

Western Caribbean Cruises

The big draws here are the Chacchoben ruins and Bacalar lake, which are both worth your time. It’s not really a place people go to for a standalone vacation, as it’s mainly geared towards cruise passengers. It’s a dynamic destination featuring Thrill Waterpark with its towering water slides, calm Oasis Lagoon, and the luxurious Coco Beach Club. Cozumel, a favorite on Western Caribbean cruise routes, is a small island just off Cancun’s coast. The second time, I got to hold a monkey at an animal sanctuary (which was fun even in the pouring rain) and relax at a beach club. It’s a small island in Honduras, but it’s packed with fun stuff to do, like awesome beaches, ATV tours, and even a chocolate factory.

western caribbean cruise ships

Celebrity Cruises' 5-night Bahamas and Mexico

Other popular activities focus on the fascinating, diverse culture of Belize, visiting ancient Mayan sites, hiking in the jungle, canoeing, kayaking, or visiting a museum or wildlife sanctuary. Although cruise ships have to tender passengers ashore at Grand Cayman Island, it's still one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman has many features that cruise travelers love — great shopping, spectacular beaches, and fun bars. The flat island also has unique places to visit like Stingray City, the turtle farm, and Hell. From white-sand beaches and azure waters to snorkeling through an immense coral reef and exploring ancient Mayan ruins, Cozumel is one of the most dynamic Caribbean cruise ports. Many cruise guests whose ships stopover at Harvest Caye will spend their time enjoying the resort's activities.

Caribbean Cruise Onboard Experience & Featured Program

Snorkeling here is fantastic since it’s on the Mesoamerican reef, just like Roatan. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Add a resort package to your Western Caribbean cruise and indulge in an unforgettable overnight before or after your cruise.

The island of Roatan is a beautiful Caribbean destination and relatively undeveloped compared to the port stops in the eastern Caribbean. Mystic Mountain provides an excellent port day activity for adventure seekers. Here, you can zip line and ride a bobsled as if you are part of the Jamaican Olympic team.

Deep Blue Diving

The sunsets at Mallory Square are often magnificent, but those on cruise ships are treated to great sunsets almost every evening. Although the Panama Canal is a destination in itself, Panama has ports of call on both the Western Caribbean and the Pacific Oceans. Many Western Caribbean cruises have partial transits of the Panama Canal that include the Gatun Lock which links Lake Gatun with the Caribbean Sea. Mystic Mountain is also near Ocho Rios and offers many activities (for a fee) like zip lines, bobsledding, or a chairlift canopy tour over the rainforest. Montego Bay has some fascinating historic plantation homes, called Great Houses, that are open to tourists.

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. Take your best Caribbean vacation with access to the top secret vacation spots to visit when traveling in the islands. Start your engines and coast down a Haitian mountainside at 30 miles per hour while experiencing some of the best views that Labadee has to offer. The Dragon's Tail Coaster is the perfect roller coaster ride for thrill seekers and adventure lovers.

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. From the offseason to the sunniest months to festival season, anytime is the best time to travel to the Caribbean. From relaxing on the shores of Seven Mile Beach to feeding majestic sea creatures at Stingray City, discover the top things to do in Grand Cayman with Princess.

Royal Caribbean will move Wonder of the Seas to offer short cruises and add a second ship to Los Angeles in 2025-2026 - Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean will move Wonder of the Seas to offer short cruises and add a second ship to Los Angeles in 2025-2026.

Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Doing this will ensure that other people can enjoy them in the future. Go back in time and discover the beauty, the mystery and the culture of the venerated Mayan people. Indulge in the best private island vacations in Labadee and discover all that this island has to offer for thrill-seekers and chill-seekers alike. The combination of historical attractions and mellow activities makes Falmouth Cruise Port a versatile destination. With easy access to Ocho Rios, you can also opt for more adventurous excursions nearby.

People come to buy postcards and t-shirts and have their photo taken by the "Hell" sign. Other shore excursion activities include cave snorkeling, golfing, hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, riding in a beach buggy, or exploring a cave. Since the town of Merida is nearby, visitors can easily learn more about the history and culture of the region. The peaceful blue water and golden sands of Sosua Beach are picture perfect, but the real star of this beach is the atmosphere. The entire beach vibrates with excitement, fun and the sounds of locals and travelers reveling in a true Caribbean atmosphere.

Drone hobbyists should leave their drones at home when visiting to Chichen Itza or Tulum. Flights are forbidden in these areas because of their historical significance. The best kid-friendly places in Mexico include museums, leafy plazas and ancient ruins that kids of all ages will love. A culture trip allows you to explore the vibrant traditions, flavors and rhythms of the Caribbean islands. Combine the new Icon of the Seas with these top destinations for the most memorable, kid-friendly, Western Caribbean family vacation.

It remains a pretty fishing port as well as a busy cruise terminal that is growing in popularity as a port of call. There’s also the Cozen Hole cruise ship dock, which is used by other non-Carnival cruise lines and opened in 2008. This facility features a mall and stores for cruise visitors to enjoy. Relax and enjoy swimming and watersports on idyllic Seven Mile Beach, or visit Hell, a rocky area of jagged black limestone, and send a postcard from Hell to your family and friends. Located in the Western Caribbean, midway between Cuba and Jamaica, Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands making up the Cayman Islands.

After a couple of visits, you might feel like you’ve seen all it has to offer. It used to be a prison and now it’s full of cool stories about Belize’s past. It’s a must-visit, especially for those who love combining a bit of adventure with some tasty local eats. Falmouth, Jamaica, might have a bit of a reputation for being unsafe, but don’t let that stop you from visiting – with a few smart precautions, you’re set for an amazing time.

When you're ready to come up for air, take flight on a massive zipline over Labadee's shimmering coastlines in Haiti. Located on the northern coast of Haiti, Labadee is an action-packed destination. It boasts the world’s longest over-water zip line, an alpine coaster, and several beaches offering a range of experiences from lively to tranquil. Georgetown in Grand Cayman turned out to be a bit of a letdown on my recent Western Caribbean cruise.

Discovery at SEA brings the expertise and excitement of the Discovery Channel™ on board your Caribbean cruise! The Western Caribbean offers the perfect mix of spicy dishes and refreshing drinks. Have your fill of fresh seafood and zesty tacos, then relax with the tropical cocktail of your choice. Thousands of people visit the ruins in Mexico each day, so make sure to follow the rules of your guides.

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