What wildlife have you seen from a cruise ship? ?

[Amberkin]

I haven't cruised in several years, but when I did, I spent a lot of time on my balcony staring at the ocean and the sky.  I've only cruised in the Pacific from Alaska down the coast through the Panama Canal.  Seeing wildlife was one of the big highlights of my cruises:  whales (and their calves), eagles and other birds, ocras, sea lions, seals (and their pups), otters, and more.

 

Since I'll be on the Legend in February, this will be my first time cruising on the Caribbean.  What might I be lucky enough to see?  It'll also be my first time to Tampa and all of the ports, except for Cozumel.  Any more advice for a first-time Caribbean cruiser?

[FSHLOT]

Flying fish

dolphins

turtles

all kinds of birds

whales

 

I know im missing more but you'll see all different kinds of life. Enjoy the Carribean!!

[capriccio]

Over 80 responses to the same question on a thread from last fall!

 

 

[Amberkin]

1 hour ago, capriccio said:

Over 80 responses to the same question on a thread from last fall!

 

 

So my question disappeared?  My question was only about the Caribbean, not the ocean in general like the question referred to from last Fall.

[capriccio]

1 hour ago, Amberkin said:

So my question disappeared?  My question was only about the Caribbean, not the ocean in general like the question referred to from last Fall.

I don't understand.  Your question is still the original post in this thread.  I just thought you might like to read the responses (which covered all oceans and seas) in an earlier post.  Sorry for trying to be helpful.

[thinfool]

The answers above are great but, sadly, I must add that sitings, in our 17 continuous years of Caribbean trips indicate fewer and fewer critters are around to watch.

In fact, it has been several years since we have seen anything to comment on.  We just returned from 10 days in the eastern Caribbean...we managed to see a few flying fish, but nothing else.  Even the flying fish were scarce from what we saw in the early 2000's.

Please report back...I would dearly love to be wrong on this.

[capriccio]

Flying fish and the occasional dolphin pod is about all we've seen from the cruise ship on multiple Caribbean trips. 

 

I did see some recent pictures here on CC taken from a docked ship at MSC's new island in the Bahamas of a giant ray and small sharks off-shore (they have a shark net off there beach) but when we were there 10 days ago we didn't see anything remarkable.  On excursions in Barbados we swam with sea turtles and in Grand Cayman we've gone to Stingray City.

[cb at sea]

It really depends WHERE you're cruising, as to what "wildlife" there will be!  In open sea, it's nearly impossible to pick out anything that isn't close to the ship...and flying fish tend to hug the hull, so they can be quite visible.  Dolphins seem to enjoy being closer to the shore for their shenanigans!

[LoriPhil]

Only saw dolphins zooming when we were a few hours East of Costa Maya.  Other than that, just some flying fish.  We were spoiled by the lush wildlife viewing in Alaska, but still love sitting on our balcony sailing the Caribbean, scanning the horizon hoping to get lucky with critters.  Great sunsets so there is that... 😎

[Greg4502]

There is a lot to see. It is just being in the right spot, at the right time, when they make an appearance. 

[Alphen]

Antarctica 2015; 

 

 

[John Bull]

Does a whale count?

Even if it turns out to be a submarine?

 

Something that I'll never live down, and which prompted my partner to send me to Specsavers. 

 

JB 

[c-boy]

I have seen budgie's on board

[Warm Breezes]

We saw dolphins sailing into San Juan and in the Gulf of Mexico one morning we saw thousands  of jellyfish as far as we could see.  Out of 20 cruises that is it.  But I keep watching.

[Joebucks]

Only some flying fish and turtles. I could watch the flying fish all day. I can't wait to do an Alaska cruise!

[cruiserking]

Lots of flying fish, love watching those little critters zipping over the waves alongside the ship. Playful dolphins bounding across the waves. A large sea turtle swimming along. Several whales and at least one shark. 

 

Jonathan

[Canuker]

As someone who occasionally looks for birds while out walking or cycling, I can tell you that the more you look, the more you see. In the Caribbean you can expect to see quite a few species of birds both up in the sky, scooting around at wave level and following the ship as she leaves port. If you're interested in getting up close to local wildlife, there are many parks, reserves and refuges to visit.

Whatever you do, bring good binoculars. They make a huge difference in what you can see.

[dreadpirate3]

Dolphins in San Juan, Rays in Coco Cay, and sea turtles near Florida.

 

[marden1970]

A crocodile on the lake bank while going thru the Panama Canal.

[MicCanberra]

We have seen many types of birds, animals and fish from a cruise ship. If you are actually actively looking it isn't hard at all.

[ldubs]

Have never seen flying fish, but would sure like to.  

 

Have seen lots of whales, various water fowl, eagles, and dolphins.  And of course, lots of really grouchy old people.  😁😁

[MicCanberra]

40 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 And of course, lots of really grouchy old people.  😁😁

They are on every cruise.

[SRQbeachgirl]

Pods of dolphin sailing out of Port Canaveral and Tampa.

 

Sea turtles in Roatan.

 

Tons of flying fish, birds, and jellyfish all over the Caribbean. 

 

Sitting on the balcony watching the ocean and looking for wildlife is one of my favorite things to do on a cruise. I can pass on trivia, bingo, Lido games...just give me a balcony and I am happy for hours.

[MicCanberra]

A friend has just posted these from his cruise -

[MicCanberra]

Off the coast of South America.