The Caribbean has a myriad of gifts to offer you: white-sand beaches, rainforests teeming with life, and azure seas. Walk through the streets and shop in eclectic markets and eat in world-class restaurants. There are many colonial and pre-colonial sights, as well as countless chances for adventure. The Caribbean is unlike most other places in the world because it is an mixture of so many different cultures: African, French, Spanish, Carib Indian, Dutch, and more.
One way to experience the Caribbean is to travel to one destination and soak up as much of it as possible. Still, there are dozens upon dozens of ports of call that welcome cruise ships, giving you a chance to explore several islands. The Southern, Eastern, and Western Caribbean do not have very well-defined borders, so there are many ports of call that could be found on any or all Caribbean itineraries.
Bridgetown, Barbados, a town where you can snorkel on reefs teeming with tropical fish, tan in the sun (remember to put on lotion!), or simply walk down the beach and through the tide. Bridgetown is also often referred to as the duty-free center of the Eastern Caribbean, with unbelievable deals on all sorts of first-class jewelry. An adventure in the sea of South Caribbean could take you to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas—an area known for its wonderful and eclectic shops and walkways. Plainly put, it’s a great port of call in the Southern Caribbean. One visit here and its no wonder why it is called the “duty free shopping capital of the world.” Yet there’s much more to do than browse the shops: sailing, snorkeling, sightseeing, and sunbathing!
St. Maarten (or St. Martin, depending what side of the island you’re on) is an island of which half is owned by the Netherlands and half by France. It lies at the crossroads of many different cultures and lifestyles; a nexus of attitudes and languages. Phillipsburg, St. Maarten is where cruise ships most often pull into port. Displaying its Dutch heritage through its architecture and landscaping, Phillipsburg once used to be an important Dutch trading center. And while the beautiful Marigot is the French capital, the tiny Grand Case is known as the gastronomic capital; it is home to over 30 restaurants, cafés, and bistros. The island itself offers endless stretches of beach, beautiful landscapes, great shopping, as well as vibrant, festive spirit.
In the Southern Caribbean’s Trinidad, the sun beats hot and the calypso drummers beat with just as much intensity. Trinidad is where steel drum and calypso music was born, a reflection of the sultry climate and exotic locale. This is a festive place, indeed, and if you’re looking for a party, you won’t find anything better than Trinidad’s Carnival! But in Trinidad, there’s music in the air as well as the streets—literally; turn your ears skyward to see if you can pick up the song of any of the island’s 430 bird species flying overhead.
Tobago is Trinidad’s serene sister. Visitors to this island get to experience a quieter, but nonetheless adventurous, type of vacation. This smaller island is home to the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. This strip of elongated land, approximately 25 by 9 square miles, abounds with natural wonders—rain forests flush with life, unspoiled coral reefs, and palm-tree laden beaches. Ocho Rios, Jamaica, lets you do as much or as little as you like. The city itself is a thriving resort, perfect for beach-going families and free-spirited couples. Finding a great place to shop, eat, dance, or people watch is as easy as getting sandy feet on the beach. Perhaps the most famous of Ocho Rios’s attractions is Dunn River Falls, which is located right outside the city proper. Ocho Rios used to be called Las Chorreras, meaning “waterfalls and springs,” and when you see this place you’ll understand why. Dunn River Falls is series of waterfalls and springs—a natural water park set amidst a beautiful jungle. This is without a doubt a favorite among vacationers.
You’ll know why the Cayman Islands are so popular when you see their beautiful beaches and stunning natural vistas are combined with all the attractions you would find at an island resort. At Grand Cayman, the largest of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands (Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are the others), you’ll find that you can spend your day having adventure after adventure or simply lounging on the beach. There are many, many more ports of call in the Caribbean; whether you’re looking for a shady spot in a hammock, an invigorating adventure in the sun, a moonlit beach stroll, or a dazzling nightlife scene, the perfect Caribbean vacation is waiting just for you.