After working on ships for 4 years I got a pretty good idea of the best Caribbean Cruise Ports for beaches, bars, tours and more. I loved my job in that everyday I woke to a new place. So if you are planning a cruise but not sure which itinerary is best suited for you here is a list of what you can expect with each Island.
Read : Behind the scenes of working on cruise ships
Beaches
Sint Maarten Cruise Port
Sint Maarten is by far my favorite Caribbean Cruise port beach. Perfect long wide white sand beaches with amazing sunset. This beach is a 10 minute walk from the port and is right in front of the boardwalk. The restaurants and bars are right there as well as jet ski and paddle board rentals. If you venture to the other side of the Island be aware that there are nude beaches in that area.
Read : Things to do while visiting Sint Maarten
Mahogany Beach Roatan Cruise Port
Mahogany Beach Roatan Honduras is another beach close to the Caribbean cruise port. You can take a lift (like a ski lift) or enjoy a nice walk. The beach itself is not that big but the water is great, just be aware of jellyfish at times (watch the signs).
Half Moon Cay Cruise Port
Half Moon Cay is only a beach but is one of the most talked about by guests and crew alike. Part of the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay is a small Island with no hotels, no stores, just a bar and beach life. There are chair rentals, hammocks if you walk down far enough. There is a nice path you can walk around or take a journey to the lake in the middle of the Island.
Read : Things to do in the Bahamas
Grand Turk Cruise Port
Grand Turk is another very popular location for taking the day to rest on the Caribbean cruise port beach. Warm waters and soft sand is a perfect mix. Once off the ship it will be to your right or left and if you walk straight you can head to the shops and restaurants.
Snorkeling
Buck Island (St Thomas) is a great places to swim with turtles and a barracuda, yes barracuda, but he is use to the tourists, still though don’t get too close. There is also a shipwreck here for those who dive.
Read : Things to do in St Thomas
Aruba was my first snorkeling experience in the caribbean cruise port and it got me hooked. As I lowered myself into the water I noticed a few fish here and there, nothing to worry about. After about 15 minutes I turned back to the boat and there were what I thought to be thousands. I freaked out and got out of the water. After a short reassurance from the guide they were not man eaters I went back in. I fell in love with the parrotfish, stunning blue(not in this picture).
Nature
Dominica is a stunning Island. Just a 20 minute cab ride into the mountain you can find Trafalgar Falls. Here you can take a refreshing dip or find the hot springs. As we were here we ran into a man that moved here from Northern USA because he found the springs here to heal his arthritis.
Puerto Rico has not only a historical past it is also home to El Yunque National Forest. Just a 40 minute drive from the port you will find yourself surrounded by a lush forest. I would suggest trying to spend at least 4 hours here.
Read: More things to do in Puerto Rica
Shopping
St Thomas is one of the best Caribbean cruise port for shopping. If you were looking for electronics or jewelry this was the place to stop. There is a downside as it is hard for returns unless you plan on taking another cruise so as always buyer beware. I would hear a lot of guests saying the prices here were fantastic.
Read: More adventures in St Thomas
Tours
Mexico has a lot of cruise ports in the Caribbean. If you are going to Progreso, Cancun or Playa del Carmen Rio Secreto is a must visit. This is by far my favorite tour of the dozens I have done. Make your way through a stunning cave system by swimming and walking. Systems like this take thousands of years to form and this journey is so worth the hour.
Read : Exploring the caves of Rio Secreto
Bahamas Atlantis is a great place for everyone, especially for the kids. We started our day making our way through the park exploring the underwater scenes then made our way to the waterpark. Now the prices are about 135 pp but it is worth it.
Read: What to do in Nassau and Half Moon Cay
Jamaica Dunns River Falls is a great tour for those who like cold water and climbing. You will need to be in shape for this tour as I seen many people bail out early. This is a great tour for those who need a little challenge in their lives. Again you better like cold water, it is freezing even in the hot Jamaican sun.
Read: Things to do while visiting Jamaica
Mexico has so many amazing places to explore and Chichen Itza is one of them. Take a step back in time and wander the grounds. The great structures that are here have headings in Spanish and English so you can fully understand what each is. This is another place I will venture back to one day.
Read: Discover the world of Chichen Itza Mexico