Where Do Caribbean Cruises Depart From
Caribbean cruises depart from ports around the U.S., including San Juan, Puerto Rico. Many of the top Caribbean cruise departure ports are located in Florida: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Orlando.
Elsewhere on the East Coast and Gulf Coast, Caribbean sailings depart from Baltimore, Manhattan, Galveston, New Orleans, Mobile and more. Caribbean islands and itinerary lengths will vary, depending on where you sail from and where you’re sailing to.
Popular Shore Excursions In The Abc Islands
The best shore excursions to experience when you cruise to the ABC islands include ones that showcase the islands exquisite natural beauty and surrounding turquoise waters.
Underwater Adventures
Explore the world beneath the sea on a shore excursion that takes you right into the Caribbean. When you cruise to the ABC islands you can go snorkeling, walk along the ocean floor as you breathe comfortably in a custom helmet, scuba dive whether youre advanced or a beginner, or stay dry in air-conditioned comfort enjoying life below the surface through viewing windows.
Unique Transportation
From caravan-style range rovers and mini-jeeps to UTVs and ATVs to trolleys and the colorful Kukoo Kunuku bus, theres no shortage of fun ways to explore Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Choose a shore excursion that transports you around the islands or one that puts you in the drivers seat!
Natural Wonders
Visit the Hato Caves in Curacao, the Ayo and Casibari rock formations of Aruba, or the mangrove canopies in Bonaire. You can also take shore excursions to one of many gorgeous national parks on the islands for some hiking or scenic drives.
Catamaran Sunset Cruises
Sail around the beautiful ABC islands for a different perspective of the coastline on a catamaran cruise. Time your shore excursion for sunset and enjoy the soothing colors of the sunset over the sea as you sip Champagne and marvel at the beautiful view.
What Cruise Lines Sail To Southern Caribbean
Answer itSouthern Caribbean CruiseCruiseSouthern Caribbean Cruise
In respect to this, what are the southern Caribbean islands?
Saint LuciaAruba
Likewise, what cruise ships go to the ABC islands?
Our Award-Winning ABC Island Cruise Ships
- Celebrity Edge. Explore Edge.
- Celebrity Summit. Celebrity Summit.
What Caribbean island is the most beautiful?
most beautifulCaribbean islands
What cruise ships go to Aruba?
- Carnival Cruises to Aruba.
- Holland America Cruises to Aruba.
- Norwegian Cruises to Aruba.
- Princess Cruises to Aruba.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises to Aruba.
- Seabourn Cruises to Aruba.
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Beaches And Active Pursuits
If you prefer above water sports, Windsurfing at Jibe City, Kayaking, Kite-surfing, Sailing or Fishing are top activities to enjoy in Bonaire. With over 20 beaches in Bonaire, there is a handful of famous spots like the 1000 Steps Beach, No Name Beach in Kein Bonaire, Playa Palu di Mangel, Sorobon Beach or Te Amo Beach. Within walking distance, the Divi Flamingo Resort is a nice spot to enjoy a day on the beach. Not far from the Northern Pier the Spice Beach Club of the Eden Resort is another good option.
Check these websites to find out more about Windsurfing in Jibe City | Kite Boarding, Kite School | Day-Pass to Spice Beach Club | Divi Flamingo Resort | Bon-Sea Semi-submarine | Glass Bottom Tour and last but least the best way to explore Klein Bonaire with the Water Taxi.
Water-Taxi to Klein Bonaire
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit The Southern Caribbean
Peak season for visiting the Southern Caribbean is December through April. The temperature stays pretty moderate all year, so you don’t have to worry about weather unless you plan to avoid hurricane season . The best Southern Caribbean cruise deals are offered in late summer and early fall.
No matter when you choose to travel, CruiseDirect can help you secure the most savings possible. Contact us now to connect with a cruise expert and book your dream voyage!
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See & Sea Island Tour
Have you ever wanted to see the mysteries that lie beneath the ocean’s surface, but don’t care to get wet? Then this tour aboard the Seaworld Explorer, a semi-submarine, is a great choice for you. You can relax in the air-conditioned vessel, see all of the tropical fish and coral, and then continue your tour on land without having to shower or dry off. The second part of this tour will shuttle you all around the island, hitting all the major landmarks and attractions, including the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory, where Curaçao liquors are produced. See & Sea- the best of both worlds!
Helpful Tips Before You Go
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are often lumped together since they lie the farthest to the west within the Caribbean Seas Leeward Antilles. They have further ties as well as all three are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The islands do differ in how they fall under the jurisdiction of the Netherlands, though. Bonaire is directly under the administration of the Netherlands as an autonomous special municipality, while Aruba and Curacao are autonomous territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This background gives the ABC islands a distinct culture that blends both Dutch and Caribbean traditions with influences from nearby Colombia and Venezuela. For travelers wondering what this means once shore-side, the U.S. dollar is a widely accepted form of currency in the region.
The languages widely spoken on the ABC islands are Dutch and Papiamento, the latter of which is a Creole language that draws from Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch. Along with Dutch, Papiamento is even an official language of Aruba and Curacao. English is also spoken by many of the locals.
Pack for hot, sunny weather when heading off on an ABC islands cruise, and dont give much thought to rain. The climate on the ABC islands is generally much more arid compared to the rest of the Caribbean and it is extremely rare for the islands to be in the path of hurricanes, meaning less rain and more fun!
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What Are Popular Regions Of The Caribbean
Choose from Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean itineraries. Youll primarily find the U.S. Virgin Islands — St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John — on Eastern Caribbean sailings, as well as St. Maarten/Martin and the Dominican Republic. The ABC Islands are featured on Southern Caribbean cruises. Western Caribbean cruises often include ports in Mexico and Jamaica, along with Belize and Grand Turk.
Lengths also vary — Western Caribbean itineraries can be limited to just a few days for those who want a quick getaway or don’t have time for longer sailings. Southern Caribbean sailings tend to last at least 10 nights, and these often depart from San Juan. Eastern Caribbean sailings are typically a week long.
The Caribbean Is Open For Business: Experience These Dynamic Ports
Many would-be cruisers, aware of the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Eastern Caribbean this past fall, are hesitant to book a Caribbean cruise. Not Georgina Cruz and her husband Humberto!
They called Cruise Specialists agent, Bridgett Quinn, and booked a 10-day Southern Caribbean Seafarer voyage on Holland Americas Koningsdam. The Caribbean was their first destination in 1976 and it holds a special place in their hearts. Here Georgina recaps much of what they saw an experienced, to help you better know what to expect.
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What Are Tips To Find Cruise Deals To The Caribbean
Here are our best tips for finding a cheap cruise or cruise deal to the Caribbean. If you book a guaranteed cabin , a cabin on a lower deck or sail on an older ship from a brand you like, then you can get the best price for a specific cruise to the Caribbean. Last minute cruises deals to the Caribbean appear as you get closer to the sail date, usually 1-2 weeks in advance. Taking a cruise to the Caribbean in the shoulder season can also be a great way to find a cruise deal.
Island Hopping By Boat/ferry/cruise Ships
We arrive to Curacao end April and have just 7 days to visit a few islands .
My two favourite activities don’t go very well together as the only viable option to visit ABC islands seems to be taking a few planes.
I know Netherland Antilles are largely void of ferries , but is there any other option to visit 3-4 islands in a week ? Cruise ships maybe?
Thanks!
Plane is your only option. 4 Islands in a week this sounds like a cruise. Close to curacao is Aruba or Bonaire that are frequently done for a one day visit. You have more than one flight a day so you can hop over on the first flight and come back at night. Al other Islands are at least 1hr 15 min away by plane and most of them have only a couple of flights a week. Only st martin has daily flights.
There are a couple of irregular connection between the ABC islands especially from Cur to Bon by boat. But these you need to know about most of the time on smaller vessels and in april with the winds we have in that period it will be a bumpy ride.
Plane is your option
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Royal Caribbean Adds Longer Cruises To The Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has added longer cruises to the Caribbean in 2022-2023 that range from six to eleven nights on five cruise ships.
The six night sailings will visit the Western Caribbean while the eight to 11 night cruises will stop in ports in the Southern Caribbean.
The following new cruises from Royal Caribbean in 2022-2023 are now open for bookings.
Royal Caribbeans all-new Odyssey of the Seas will say ciao to Rome, Italy and set off on a 13-night transatlantic to her winter homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Once stateside, the cruise ship will sail eight night Southern Caribbean itineraries that visit destinations such as Labadee, Haiti a Royal Caribbean private destination Oranjestad, Aruba Willemstad, Curacao and La Romana, Dominican Republic.
The Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship will alternate eight night Southern Caribbean cruises with six night Western Caribbean sailings that visit island gems Falmouth, Jamaica George Town, Grand Cayman and Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas on every cruise.
Vision of the Seas will join Odyssey of the Seas in the Venice of America to sail 10 and 11 night Southern Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, beginning November 2022.
These wanderlust-worthy sailings are perfect for adventure seekers who have been saving their vacation days to experience an epic mix of the Caribbeans most picturesque beaches and pulsing ports.
Royal Caribbean Dispatches Cruise Ships To Help With Hurricane Relief
The cruise line will also have ships standing by to assist cities in Florida.
Harrowing stories of surviving Hurricane Irma in ravaged Caribbean
— Royal Caribbean is sending cruise ships to the Caribbean to help with Hurricane Irma relief efforts and to transport people affected by the storm to safety, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley, said on Good Morning America today.
Ships from Royal Caribbean’s fleet are being mobilized and filled with supplies to help out with the efforts as best as we can, said Bayley.
On Sunday, the ship Adventure of the Seas made a humanitarian stop in St. Martin, escorted by the Dutch navy.
We were able to tie up, and we landed much needed provisions: water, ice, garbage bags, clothing, canned food, he said on GMA. We were able to evacuate around 320 tourists and local people who needed help and needed to get out of St. Martin. They all boarded the ship yesterday evening and are comfortable, and were taking them on to the ABC islands , where theyll probably disembark.
Bayley said one of the companys other ships, Majesty of the Seas, is fully provisioned fully fueled and is being sent to the Virgin Islands.
A third ship, Empress of the Seas, which Bayley said is in the Gulf, will go to Key West as soon as its safe so it can land water, ice and really help out with the efforts as best as we can.
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When Is A Good Time To Cruise To The Caribbean
Winter and spring are great seasons to travel to the Caribbean due to a slight reduction in crowds and moderate temperatures, though the warm weather holds year-round here.
Atlantic hurricane season, from June through October, means a higher chance of rain and possible storms, though summer is still one of the most popular times to visit the Caribbean. If you book a summer sailing in a Caribbean region within the hurricane zone, there’s a chance nothing will happen — but buying insurance and keeping a flexible schedule helps manage expectations.
B Is For Beach Life In Beautiful Bonaire
Bonaire is the most serene of the Caribbean ABCs, and the best preserved. National Park Foundation STINAPA, founded in 1962, is dedicated to the conservation of Bonaires natural and historical heritage through the sustainable use of its resources. The efforts have paid off. Today, Bonaire is a pioneer of ecotourism with world-renowned diving and snorkelling opportunities. A short boat trip to the small offshore island of Klein Bonaire opens up an underwater paradise with impressive coral formations and all the aquatic life the Caribbean islands are famous for. Klein Bonaire is uninhabited, so you can really experience what life on a deserted island feels like. Another lovely hangout is Pink Beach, so called because of its soft pink shoreline, created by the crushed shells of tiny marine creatures called foraminifera. A storm in 1999 washed away a great part of the coloured sand but the beach remains a popular swimming spot for locals. Bonaires Lac Bay boasts one of the best-preserved mangrove forests in the Caribbean and an up-close tour is a must. Kayaks and solar-powered boats offer easy access, and local naturalist guides will explain the ins and outs of this crucial nursery for many species of tropical fish.A secluded beach with shallow waters sits at the northern end of Lac Bay, while at Lac Cai beach there is live music at weekends and the beach shack serves delicious fresh seafood and ice-cold beverages.
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Car Scooter And Bicycle Rental
The cruise traveler contemplating the idea of exploring the island at leisure may look into renting a car, a scooter or a bicycle. Any of these can be fun and allow great independence. Car rentals, scooters, and bicycles are available within walking distance of both piers. Keep in mind that driving is on the right and that the island does NOT have stoplights. Maximum speed in towns is 25 mph and 35 mph outside the urban areas.
Cruising The Abc Islands: Curacao
If youre cruising to The Caribbean, the ABC islands, comprised of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, should be a top choice for your vacation. Recently on Chasing the Sun, we featured A Guide to Aruba and A Guide to Bonaire as part of a 3-part blog series on Exploring the ABC Islands of the Dutch Caribbean. As we wrap up this series, we will focus on the last of the ABC Islands: Curacao!
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C Is For The Colours Of Cultural Curaao
Sailing into Willemstad is like arriving in the beating heart of Curaçao. The natural harbour of its port, Schottegat, welcomes you with a parade of brightly coloured buildings, floating markets, seaside stalls, shops and malls. Dig a little deeper to discover the islands multi-ethnic roots and Dutch colonial past at the nearby Maritime Museum. The capital city of Willemstad is divided into four historic quarters. Downtowns Punda and Otrobanda are accessed by the slender Queen Emma Bridge. In shopping paradise Punda, modern life meets tradition. Look beyond the luxury goods to find local treasures and delicacies, such as artisan pralines and fudge made with coconut, cashew and peanut, or sip a cooling cocktail blended with the famous Blue Curaçao liqueur. Right across the St Anna Bay is the historical UNESCO-protected Otrobanda. Join a walking tour to learn more about Otrobandas oldest buildings and Dutch colonial architecture. What makes Curaçao stand out is the pride locals take in preserving their traditions and cultural inheritance. The Kura Hulanda Museum exhibits a unique collection to showcase Curaçaos identity and background, including the African slave trade, pre-Colombian gold and Dutch Caribbean art. To get a glimpse into the islands past, visit the Tula Museum at Landhuis Knip country house. As you drive back to the port, youll pass the dazzling pink of flocks of flamingos on the Jan Kok salt flats.
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Amazing Southern Caribbean Cruise Destinations
- Caribbean
The part of the Caribbean located furthest from popular cruise ports in Florida, such as Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Miami, the Southern Caribbean is less-visited than the Western and Eastern Caribbean. Thats not to say its also less beautiful, though. Rather the contrary, in fact, it boasts gorgeous tropical islands, fascinating cultural heritage, and that laid-back vibe that makes the Caribbean such a popular cruise destination. Lets check out some of the best destinations to visit on Southern Caribbean cruises.
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