REASONS TO GET OFF YOUR CRUISE SHIP IN THE CARIBBEAN

Winter is fast approaching and soon the snow will be falling. Lose the winter jacket, put the snow shovel back in the garage, and pack your bags for a Caribbean Cruise! We chose five popular Caribbean Cruise ports and picked out the best shore excursions for you.

St. Martin

Let’s start with beautiful St. Martin, home to magnificent beaches, turquoise waters, secluded coves, and delicious cuisine! St. Martin has tons of great activities, but our favorite highlights are visiting the Butterfly Garden, the Zoo known for its exotic parrots, and the Loterie Farm located on the highest point of St. Martin. The Loterie Farm has multi-level swimming areas connected by cascades and is surrounded by lush tropical plants. Looking for something a little more adventurous? Check out St. Martin’s watersports. Tryout the Flyboard where you will be propelled 45 feet above the water and even go 45 feet below the water. Another favorite of ours is canoeing through the Nature Reserve. Deep-sea fishing is also a must do in St. Martin, because it’s home to “the largest blue marlin on the planet.”

Nassau

Moving on to the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau. Known for its incredible offshore coral reefs, this is a favorite stop on most Caribbean cruises. A beach day at the Blue Lagoon Island is a must! The private island is located 3 miles from Nassau and is known for its pristine white sandy beaches. Spend the day soaking up the sun, swimming with the dolphins, or kayaking. Spend the day at the Atlantis Aquaventure Park at the world renowned Atlantis Paradise Island. This water park is the largest in the Caribbean and features the iconic Mayan Temple water slide, river rides, eleven pools, beaches, and even rock climbing. With so much to do, everyone is sure to have a fantastic time.

St. Thomas

Next up on the list is historic St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, known for its famous watchtower called Blackbeard’s Castle. Also called The Skytsborg Tower, this historical landmark was built in 1679 and formerly used as a lookout spot to identify enemy ships. Here you see amazing views of the harbor, hear the legend of Blackbeard, visit the fourteen foot bronze statue of Blackbeard, and swim in the pool while taking in a breathtaking view of the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. With over a dozen shipwrecks, St. Thomas is a perfect place to go diving. One of the famous diving spots is called Cow & Calf, and it has great wide canyons and large caves that are perfect for exploring. Another local favorite is the Tunnels of Thatch where divers actually swim through the Thatch Cay Island!

Grand Cayman

Next stop is Grand Cayman, the largest of the Cayman Islands. Visiting the famous Seven Mile Beach is a great way to spend the day on the island. It has magnificent coral sands, sparkling clear waters, and is perfect for snorkeling. Relax and soak up the sun, pet stingrays in Stingray City, or go parasailing. This beach is postcard perfect. Grand Cayman is one of the world’s top dive destinations, and one of the most famous diving spots is the Bloody Bay Marine Park. This diving spot has a coral wall that plunges down 6,000 feet! Another great shore excursion is to go caving at Cayman Brac, just a short journey from Grand Cayman. Looking for a romantic evening? Try horseback riding on the beach at sunset.

Cozumel

Last, but certainly not least, is Cozumel. This Mexican Island located in the Caribbean Sea is a wonderful place to go scuba diving and snorkeling. A great attraction in Cozumel is the submarine tour of Chankanaab, a protected marine park with an abundance of sea life. Just a short distance from Cozumel are the historic Mayan ruins in Tulum. Explore the ruins of this famous city and learn the history of this incredible landmark. Other great excursions include swimming with whale sharks, ATV or Jeep off-roading adventures, and glass bottom boat tours. We recommend ending your day with a romantic sailboat or catamaran ride at sunset.

Now that you know what shore excursions to do at each Caribbean port, plan your Caribbean cruise today. Plus, save money with our last minute cruise deals! Or if you are not one for cruising, check out our all-inclusive Caribbean vacation packages.