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It should come as no surprise to learn that the Caribbean Islands are one of the most visited cruise destinations each year. After all, the Caribbean Sea boasts dozens of island nations that offer incredible beaches, opportunity for recreation, water sports, a warm climate and breath-taking scenery.
The Caribbean is also an ideal cruise destination because travel between islands takes very little time, allowing passengers to spend more time onshore during their holidays. Although there are hundreds of potential destinations in the Caribbean to include on an upcoming cruise itinerary, these six locations are consistently the top choices:
1. Antigua: There is a clear colonial British heritage evident as soon as you arrive on the shores of Antigua. Walk through the cobblestone streets and admire the colonial architecture, enjoy high tea or just shop in the charming souvenir shops that line the beaches. Antigua is known for being home to hundreds of smaller beaches that allows groups to find private shorelines to enjoy.
2. Curaçao: This Caribbean island is particularly interesting thanks to the unique blend of culture and language. Curaçao is just a short distance from the coast of Venezuela in South America, yet the residents speak English, Dutch, Spanish and even a local dialect called Papiamentu. Expect to find breath-taking beaches, small communities with welcoming residents and some of the warmest average temperatures in the Caribbean Sea.
3. Barbados: With a nickname like the Britain of the Caribbean, it should come as no surprise that Barbados has a strong history as an English colony. This means cruises from Barbados are an excellent holiday choice. The island is known for exclusive resorts, long sandy shorelines and a large number of incredible golf courses. Shopping and dining opportunities abound in the destination as well thanks to the large duty free department stores found around the island.
4. Aruba: This Caribbean destination still has a hint of Dutch culture as evidenced by the language, cuisine and local architecture. The beaches in Aruba are among the best in the Caribbean and provide an opportunity for snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and more.
5. Montego Bay: This Jamaican destination is less crowded than nearby Ocho Rios but still provides passengers with all the best of the island. Hike inland to see waterfalls and dense rainforests or just relax on the long sandy beaches. Horseback riding on the beach and dining on traditional barbecue are two things you shouldn’t miss while in Montego Bay.
6. Grand Cayman: This is the most popular destination in the Cayman Islands and perhaps the best place to visit for those cruise passengers who want to explore the sea as much as the land. Scuba diving, snorkelling and boat tours are the main pastimes in Grand Cayman. Head to the shores of the famous Seven Mile Beach or even swim alongside stingrays in the amazing underwater Stingray City just off the coast.
