Because the Caribbean is famous for its collection of small islands, warm climate, amazing blue waters and sandy beaches, choosing exactly which islands for your ports- of- call will probably be the most difficult item when planning your cruise to the islands.

In the Caribbean there are so many cruise destinations to choose from, they are all similar, in one way or another.

If you are a first time island cruise traveler, or cruising with a group, the choice probably has been made for you.   Lucky you!  Depending on the cruise ship chosen, the island choices vary.

Cruise lines will generally visit the same island locations but will dock or tender passengers at different parts of the islands.  For example, in Jamaica, my cruise port-of-call was Ocho Rios and my sister’s was at Montego Bay, both part of a Western Caribbean Cruise itinerary but different cruise lines.

Some cruise lines have their own private island ports-of-call, some of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches and views I’ve seen.  Disney even has their own!

Checking with major cruise carriers can help to narrow down which islands you will visit.  Obviously, three and four day cruises limit your island destinations versus a longer trip.

Broken down into Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean Cruise destinations, the choices are many.   Some of the most visited islands are below.

Eastern Caribbean Islands are known for white sandy beaches and contrasting mountain terrain.

Strange as it may seem to some, the Eastern Caribbean Islands cruises include the Bahamas.  Other islands are St. Croix, St. John, Saint Maarten, St. Martin, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and The Turks.

The Turks & Caicos Island is located in Atlantic Ocean. Not far south from the Bahamas, these two Caribbean islands are most noted for their beautiful beaches and underwater adventures.

The ocean water near the Turks & Caicos Island, is home to large coral reefs that attract tourists from around the world.  Shells on the end of the island near the pier at Grand Turk are plentiful, so wear your beach shoes.   If your cruise destination visits Grand Turk, you are in for a real treat.

St. John is located in Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.  Many claim that the St. John beaches are the best in all of the Caribbean.  St. John visitors are encouraged to visit Trunk Bay.  Trunk Bay is owned and protected by the United States National Park Service.

Although shopping onboard your cruise ship has some fantastic bargains, St. Thomas is a shopper’s paradise. Shopping is plentiful just steps off the dock.  Not far from the pier also is the cable car lift to Paradise Point.  Fantastic views of the islands  can be seen from the top.

Most Western Caribbean Island cruise packages include Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Mexico.

Jamaica is home to wonderful beaches, including the world famous port at Montego Bay surrounded by mountain views.

While Jamaica has a number of beach resorts that are so beautiful it is often hard to describe, they are most well-known for their music and fun offshore activities.  If your health permits, a “party boat” excursion to climb the world famous Dunns River Falls is a must when cruising to Ocho Rios.

All three islands, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac are home to a number of popular beaches, the most popular Being Seven Mile Beach. Seven Mile Beach is located on the Grand Cayman Island.  It is not uncommon to see at least five ships in port at the same time. One of the most well-known beaches in the Caribbean, it is crowded with tourists. Try a scenic tour in a taxi, it’s definitely an experience!

The Southern Caribbean Island cruise destinations provides ports-of-call where you can explore ancient ruins, beaches, rain forests and many waterfalls in cities like Cozumel, Costa Maya, or Belize, Mexico.

If you have yet to visit the any one of the Caribbean Islands, make it cruise travel. You will get to enjoy more than one of nature’s beauties and pamper yourself getting there.

Pictured is one of the newest ships in the Carnival fleet, “Dream”.  Her home port is located in Port Canaveral, Florida and visits Western Caribbean Ports of Call in Mexico and Honduras such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Isla Roatan, and Belize.

Departing February 20th, my cruise was full capacity with a total of 3,994 passengers.

The weather was unseasonably cold in Florida and the Caribbean.  Mornings were cool enough to wear jackets but mid-day yielded enough sunshine to get a sunburn without sunscreen.

As usual, the food was plentiful and choices many. I can’t put my finger on it, but I was disappointed in the overall food service on this trip.  Improvements were seen as the week progressed and it appeared to me that by weeks end it all came together.

As for anytime dining,  didn’t like it. I was given the option to change it.  The problem with anytime dining is that your waiter and serving staff don’t get the chance to know your likes/dislikes.

Past cruisers know that by your second dining evening, your wait staff know what you drink, how much and what kind of bread you like, etc.   Although you can request your same table and staff for your anytime dining, there are no guarantees.  Formal night seemed less special, we did not meet or see the captain in our anytime dining room during our dinner. 

Early in the trip, only two coffee makers were working for a shipload of coffee drinking morning guests. 

Lines were extremely long and slow during fun days at sea. The passengers were at fault too, in my opinion due to lack of communication as to where to get what in the lines.

 The yogurt/ice cream stations were in the path of main traffic and many spilled trays happened there.

My kudos to  the staff,  can’t blame them for rude passengers. Tempers seemed shorter than normal, maybe it was the cold weather. While in the gift shop a short time, I couldn’t believe the abuse the staff received just because the ship store did not have certain products passengers wanted. 

My cabin Steward, Josep, was absolutely wonderful.  Seemed like everytime we made a mess in the cabin, he knew it and cleaned up immediately when we left. I still think his cabin was across from ours and every time we left he could hear us.  He was the highlight of our stay and I cannot say enough about his attention to detail.

The seas were not friendly during the night, most of shows experienced a rocking ship. One night, we had 60 knot winds over the bow accompanied with rain. I could not open my balcony door the rain and winds were so strong.  Most evenings it was a light on/off rain. 

Our days were beautiful and dry. 

Will I go again? Not necessarily on the newest ship, largest ship, to Mexican ports of call, or during February..but I  will be cruising the caribbean again for sure. 

 I still have lots of stories to tell about this one.

Snorkeling can be one of the best ways to see a tropical vacation spot and gain an appreciation of its wild side — the kind that doesn’t do karaoke at the hotel bar until all hours of the night.

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