Caribbean cruises evoke feelings of relaxation. After all, who wouldn’t love to relax on a beautiful cruise ship, overlooking some of the clearest, bluest water in the world? Whether you’ve enjoyed a cruise in the past or are planning your first, there are a number of popular places to enjoy a day off the ship.
However, before you board, check to see if you need a passport. In many cases, a visa is not required, but this may vary depending on your cruise destination. Although being stuck on a luxury boat wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, it’s a good idea to make sure you can get out and enjoy the local culture.
Caribbean Cruises to Aruba
Whether you’re interested in shopping, relaxing on the beach, or participating in outdoor activities like windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or fishing, an Aruba vacation can be something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Aruba’s south coast is a coral reef with more than 20 different dive sites and 11 shipwreck sites, making it perfect for active vacationers.
Aruba also has a number of attractions, making it an ideal location for a day off from a cruise. Natural wonders are everywhere in the Arikok National Park, the rock formations of Casibari and Ayo and the Indian caves. If you prefer historical sites, consider visiting the Bushiribana Gold Mine or the Alto Vista Chapel. If you are traveling with children, they will enjoy visiting the butterfly farm, the donkey sanctuary and the ostrich farm.
Caribbean Cruises to Bahamas
With 700 islands and some of the clearest waters in the world, a Bahamas cruise offers visitors a wide variety of vacation options. If you’re planning a cruise to the Bahamas, you’ll first need to decide which of the many ports you want to sail to. Visitors can choose between Nassau and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, Great Stirrup Cay, Castaway Cay, Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays, and Coco Cay. Each of the different islands offers different amenities and options, but visitors are guaranteed to find miles and miles of white-sand beaches.
Caribbean Cruises to Jamaica
Jamaica is one of the most famous cruise destinations. Visitors can choose from several different ports, but some of the most famous include Falmouth, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio. While each port has its own unique towns and activities, Falmouth was recently named the 2011 Port of the Year. Visitors to Falmouth can explore a local craft market at the Albert George Historical and Commercial Center or visit the rum museum. Falmouth is a fairly new port, but it is steeped in history.
againstCaribbean Cruises to the Cayman Islands
With so many different ports, Cayman Islands cruises are another popular option. The main island, Grand Cayman, offers four different cruise ports. George Town offers many historic sites for visitors, including the Public Library, Elmslie Memorial Church, the National Museum, the Town Clock, and more. Areas on the eastern part of the island are less crowded and visitors can see the more natural parts of the island, such as the Mastic Trail and Reserve, the Ten Sails Shipwreck, and the Blue Iguana Recovery Program.
These are just a few of the places that cruise ships can take visitors to. Many people research cruise destinations for months before boarding one of the ships, so if these destinations aren’t for you, there are plenty of others to choose from.