Chill out with some rum punch after an adventure-filled day with a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean.
Leave your troubles behind and get on island time with a cruise to Eastern Caribbean. Hike through dense jungle and pass by thunderous waterfalls in Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest, or take on the longest zip-line in the world over water in Labadee, Haiti. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of St. Maarten and go for a snorkel or swim with dolphins at Blue Lagoon Island in the Bahamas. Grab your eye patch and set sail on a schooner to Buck Island before dropping anchor at Turtle Bay, where you can learn about the pirate history of St. Thomas. Discover the magic with an Eastern Caribbean cruise.
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FAMILY VACATION
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BE BOLD
Whether your idea of adventure is historical or adrenaline-pumping, the best Eastern Caribbean cruises something that will light up your senses during your vacation. Explore the colonial past of the region's vibrant cities, or take a trek through dense rainforests full of singing tree frogs and exotic parrots.
TIME TELLS ALL
Explore the area in style. Hop on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway and be transported back in time as you visit the old sugar plantation. Wander down the cobblestone streets of San Juan and admire the colonial houses of the old town. Or visit Blackbeard's Castle in St. Thomas and learn all about the pirates who once came there.
REACH FOR THE SKY
The Eastern Caribbean is home to some of the best zip-lining courses in the world, and adrenaline lovers will have more than one chance to soar through the sky. Fly high over the rain forest canopy at Toro Verde Ecological Adventure Park in Puerto Rico, or rise to the challenge of the longest zip-line over water in Labadee, which is one of the main attractions on the island.
HIKES AND HEIGHTS
Cruises to the Caribbean are full of adventure and things to do. Jetboat or parasail over the sea in Labadee. Hike to the steaming rim of Mount Liamuiga volcano in St. Kitts and Nevis, or hike through a former sugar plantation turned eco-reserve at Loterie Farm in St. Maarten.
MUCH TO DO ABOUT NOTHING
Set sail on a Eastern Caribbean cruise to slow down your sense of time and soak in it’s relaxing beaches and vibrant streets. With the warm, coral-filled waters lapping at your feet or lazing in a beachside cabana, you'll be on island time before you know it.
BORN TO BE WILD
Enjoy your Caribbean vacation the way you want to. Dive into the turquoise sea off Nassau in the Bahamas, where you can get up close and personal with vibrant coral reefs and beautiful parrot fish or get in touch with your daring side and hang out with sharks and barracudas. Come face to face with monkeys in El Yunque, or see mongoose, sheep and goats in St. Kitts.
YOU'VE GOT THIS IN THE BAG
Treat yourself to some retail therapy on your Eastern Caribbean cruise. Browse the duty-free shops and markets on Front Street in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Window-shop for traditional Taino arts and crafts like straw hats in Nassau, Bahamas. Visit the Caribbean to peruse upscale fashions at the Port Zante Mall in St. Kitts.
LET YOUR STRESS BE SWEPT AWAY
Kick back, relax and listen to the calming sounds of the ocean while the soothing tones of the steel drum fill the air. Sip on a Bahama-mama or mojito as your toes glide through the white sand of picture-perfect spots like Junkanoo Beach in the Bahamas or Condado Beach in San Juan.
Best Eastern Caribbean Cruises
A cruise to Eastern Caribbean is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Discover the Eastern Caribbean onboard the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.
SHORT AND EASY
Cruises to the Caribbean are perfect for a quick weekend getaway. Soak up the sun for a few days and use the time to relax and recharge. Head to Nassau, Bahamas, to explore 18th-century Fort Fincastle and wade into the turquoise waters with a mojito in hand at Paradise Island.
Mix and Match
The Eastern Caribbean lets you pair the opportunity to jump into adventure head-first with relaxing afternoons when you can tune out the world and relax on the white sand beaches. Adrenaline junkies can hike volcanoes in St. Kitts, dive coral reefs in the Bahamas, horseback ride through the jungle in Puerto Rico, or catch some rays in Labadee before shopping till you drop in St. Thomas.
WHAT TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU GO
Eastern Caribbean Cruises Insider
The sun shines on the Caribbean daily for most of the year, with the best weather December-April. Hop on a cruise during school breaks to go on a family adventure, or choose an off-season cruise August-October for a quieter experience. It's nice to soak in some solitude with waves lapping at your feet.
The sapphire-colored waters of the Eastern Caribbean will draw you into bubbling biodiversity beneath the surface. Come face-to-face with manta rays, sea turtles and dolphins on your journey to the deep. The spring and summer months see the most activity from these majestic sea creatures.
In addition to having lots of cruise options out of Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, there are Eastern Caribbean itineraries from New Jersey’s Cape Liberty. A great option for snowbirds and travelers looking to escape winter for sunshine and warm weather.
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Your Caribbean cruise will take you to some of the lushest forests in the region. Make sure to pack some bug spray.
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In addition to coral-safe sunscreen, pack a few swim shirts or tropical skirts to keep you comfortably covered from the sun.
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Respect the marine life: If you see dolphins and sea turtles out and about during the day, just admire them and leave them be.
LOCAL CUISINE
IN-FUSION-ED WITH FLAVOR
The cuisine of the Eastern Caribbean is shaped by the fresh seafood and shellfish pulled from the region's pristine waters. Blend that with a taste for richness expressed through coconut-based desserts and hearty plantain side dishes, and you've got an approach to food that checks all the boxes for the pleasure-seeking palate.
CRAZY ABOUT CONCH
Whether your taste buds prefer fried food or something fresh, conch is the go-to in the Caribbean. Snack on some conch fritters with a delicious dipping sauce or indulge in conch salad, which is usually prepared with raw conch, bell peppers, onion, tomato and a sweet dressing.
CRIOLLO CLASSICS
Satisfy your craving for something delicious with some mofongo, green plantains that are fried first and then mashed up with meat. Finish off a meal with a freshly made coconut flan in Puerto Rico, and enjoy it as the sweet custard melts in your mouth.
PACK A PUNCH
The Bahama Mama, Painkiller, Rum Runner, Mojito, Mai Tai and Rum Punch all have one thing in common — they're incredibly refreshing on a hot Caribbean day. Oh, and they're made with rum. Sip on a rum cocktail while soaking up the sun on a white sand beach and watch as your troubles melt away.
RELATED PORTS
Fly through the trees on a zipline in Puerto Rico, or go snorkeling among the coral reefs off Labadee, Haiti. If you're looking to relax a bit more, dip your toes into the white sand in St. Maarten before jumping into the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. Even history buffs can get their fill and learn about the past of pirates in Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas. Or go shopping in the Bahamas before grabbing a cocktail to sip by the water when you arrive at your favorite Eastern Caribbean cruise port.
