By Cynthia J. Drake | Published on February 5, 2024
Planning for your seven-night Caribbean cruise starts with exploring the destinations and cruise itineraries that make the most sense for you. For some people, this means starting with the itineraries available from their preferred embarkation port.
For example, if you prefer to leave from ports such as Galveston, New Orleans, Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale or Orlando, these ports commonly offer seven-night western Caribbean cruise itineraries. Explore the ports of call — maybe there's an island you've never visited before or one you're excited to return to.
Sometimes, friends who haven't cruised before ask, "Won't I get bored on a seven-night cruise?" The answer is a definitive "no." In fact, you'll probably get to the end of your week and wish you could extend the vacation for another seven nights.
Both eastern and western Caribbean cruises offer an enormous amount of excursions and relaxing activities on and off the ship. Each port offers something new in terms of history, culture, food and activity — such as hiking, shopping, exploring historical sites or relaxing on the beach — so spend some time researching each individual port to help you decide on your cruise.
In the eastern Caribbean, my family and I love exploring the history of San Juan's Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a fortress dating back to the 1500s that is now a U.S. National Monument atop Old San Juan. Or, we like to kick back and sip piña coladas while we enjoy mofongo, Puerto Rico's famous plantain dish, and top it off with browsing the local shops. On a recent visit, after inquiring about a figure hanging inside a shop wearing an ornate horned mask, the shopkeeper mentioned "el vejigante," a mysterious and mischievous character from local folklore frequently seen during Carnival.
We were married in St. Thomas (our first stop on a Royal Caribbean seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise!), so the island holds a special place in my heart. For anyone asking, "Is St. Thomas a good place to vacation?" our resounding answer is "yes!" We've returned several times over the years and have found the island to be full of warm, friendly people and delicious food. Take a group tour or a private taxi tour of the island — and if you can swing by Udder Delights Ice Cream Parlor for a shake, try the Choc Bun Bun.
In the western Caribbean, stunning Mayan ruins await you in Mexico as well as snorkeling and scuba diving. Join a snorkeling excursion in Cozumel while on cruise and sip beer with the locals while wading in the water and watching stingrays swim past. The boat crew prepares fresh and delicious ceviche that they float out to travelers via raft. You can snuggle with sloths in Honduras, ride bikes around Key West or zip line through the jungles of Belize. The western Caribbean is a region rich with natural and cultural gems.
The great thing about eight-day cruises is that you don't have to be in a rush to do and see it all in an abbreviated amount of time. That means there will be ample time for you to just relax and do nothing at all, if that appeals to you. A typical itinerary for a weeklong cruise will include at least a few sea days, which are tailor-made for rest and relaxation.
For fans of wellness, you can't beat the option of indulging in a luxurious facial, massage, pedicure or other spa treatment. Spend some time trying new training equipment or a class in the onboard fitness center, or just challenge yourself to take a reflective walk before sunrise (or a romantic stroll at sunset). Adults-only relaxation spaces mean you can carve a bit of time every day just centering yourself, maybe catching up on your reading or taking a nap in the shade.
If you're the just-can't-sit-still type, don't worry — onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise, there's a schedule full of activities to keep you busy. You can find a good trivia game throughout the cruise. Or, if you're traveling with friends or family, join in on one of the scavenger hunts or other friendly competitions that yield funny results and plenty of memories. Others look forward to their chance to hit the jackpot in the onboard casino.
When planning your excursions for your seven-night Caribbean cruise, think about what you're looking to get out of your vacation and plan accordingly. What words describe your typical vacation style? Adventurous? Thought-provoking or educational? Beach? Nature? Food?
Maybe you'd like to mix it up — or maybe you're traveling with others who lean into a different style than you. There are cruise excursions available for each type of vacation personality, and there are plenty of overlapping possibilities as well. For example, sometimes, a city tour will include a variety of stops to sample food, learn about history and do some shopping.
Since you have several days in your itinerary, make sure to create a port strategy that strikes a balance between your shore excursions. If you're traveling with your family or a large group, one option is to let everyone choose a different type of excursion, ensuring that you'll have a good variety. You might also choose to go your own way during the day at port and reconnect back on the ship at dinner time.
You can include a catamaran-style snorkeling excursion on any seven-night Caribbean cruise. On these excursions, you can cruise out on the open ocean and let the wind blow through your hair while you get a peek at local underwater wildlife, which is different in every port and every season. Then, on the ride back, you'll typically sample some alcoholic beverages (tequila-based in Mexico, rum-based in other parts of the Caribbean), sometimes with a few local snacks included.
In addition to snorkeling, you can add on a cultural excursion—or plan to spend some time exploring on your own in one of the ports. It's a great idea to do some advanced research to see which ports are most walkable, or maybe which ones have legendary beaches that you won't want to miss (i.e. Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands).
Some ports, such as Costa Maya, Mexico, are entry points to significant sightseeing far beyond the port. Think ancient Mayan ruins such as Chichén Itzá, a holy city of pyramids and temples. For sites like these, you'll need to book an excursion through the cruise line, not only to ensure that you get connected to a proven, experienced tour company but also because these trips sometimes require hours of traveling, and by booking through Royal Caribbean, you'll arrive before your ship leaves port.
For other ports, such as San Juan, you could easily spend the whole day exploring Old Town on your own. Keep in mind that a booked excursion is not necessary for every port — sometimes it's nice to leave room for spontaneity. Onboard the ship, cruise staff members do a good job of preparing you for the layout of each port, highlighting possible places for good shopping, sightseeing and eating. If you haven't visited the port before, it's a good idea to visit a port lecture in advance and grab a map, so you have a game plan before heading off the ship.
The great news about cruising in the Caribbean is that you're almost guaranteed to enjoy fantastic weather.
With the exception of visiting any religious sites (which may have particular dress codes), ports in both the eastern and western Caribbean islands are fairly casual, with tourists wearing shorts, sundresses, T-shirts and cover-ups in shops and restaurants. Comfortable walking shoes are a must if you plan to do any significant walking or hiking, and water shoes can be a great asset for walking on the beach and in the ocean.
For days at sea, if you're a pool lounger, your primary "outfit" will be your bathing suit and cover-up, so you don't need to over pack, but do bring a fresh change of clothing for your evening meal.
If you're planning on hitting some port beaches, be sure to pack a cover-up and at least one bathing suit — if not a few! It's nice to have a spare so that you can step into a fresh bathing suit while the other one is drying. A cover-up can also be an easy way to transition from the beach to shopping and vice-versa.
Your seven-night cruise will likely have two formal nights in the dining room, so plan on bringing a few of your nicer dresses and suits. If you don't have many to choose from (or you don't have space in your luggage), pack a versatile, basic dress (or basic pant/jacket combo) that you can wear two nights, and accessorize it with different jewelry, tie, scarf, etc.