Caribbean ports

[sjde]

 



We're looking at cruise itineraries in the Caribbean . I always like to include a new port or two. We've been to a lot but there are still quite a few ports we haven't been to before: Bonaire, Curacao, Grand Turk, Puerto Rico ,BVI , Dominica, St Croix, Dominican Republic and Grand Cayman. Are there any on that list that you absolutely loved? Looking mostly for natural beauty, interesting architecture and photography, though shopping and food is good too! Not interested in adventure sports. A nice beach maybe for an excursion.

[capriccio]

The Southern Caribbean cruises that include Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba (or any combination thereof but especially the first two) are our favorites.  Bonaire has the beach and amazing snorkeling at Klein Bonaire or you can rent a golf cart and drive around the island.  Willemstad on Curacao is a lovely walkable town reflecting its Dutch beginnings plus we've visited above sea level caves on another part of the island.

 

Take a look at the Caribbean Ports of Call Boards for more information on all these ports.https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/456-caribbean/

[John Bull]

About 8 - 10 years ago.....

Bonaire - quite small, not much happening there. One time we took an escorted quad-bike tour, quite good fun, Another time snorkelling on Klein Bonaire, a small island opposite the cruise piers, just a short boat ride -  best snorkelling we've done in the Caribbean.

Willemstad, Curacao. Loved it. The town is very Dutch. We were berthed right in town on the channel which links the lake to the sea, & alongside the floating pedestrian  bridge which is pulled open & closed by a tug - when closed to allow a ship to pass there's a free ferry launch. But larger ships berth at the cruise terminal at the end of town, a10-minute walk then cross that bridge to the town centre. Quite expensive compared to other islands. We didn't leave the town.

Grand Turk. It's a Carnival-brands port. Not our sort of place - nothing local just a beach & Carnival -owned or leased shops & bars (you can use your sea-pass). Make it a beach day, don't bother with snorkelling gear.

Grand Caymen. Tendered. You can fix up a boat-trip to "Stingray City", a sandbar about ? 1/2 mile / One mile? out to sea. Water is only about waist-high on the sandbar and it's teeming with wild stingrays. Harmless, they'll swim between your legs etc. Worth taking snorkelling gear but don't bother with the fins. A great experience, likely to be busy (over-busy?) these days

 

In the past year or two ..........

B.V.I. (Road Town, Tortola?). Two main choices

- boat excursion to "the Baths of Virgin Gorda", a water-side boulder formation on the island of Virgin Gorda. There's a cheap ferry service, but being an island off Tortola there's no Plan B if the ferry has a problem. Ship's excursion of course costs a lot more, but the security that a boat problem is your ship's worry & not yours, cos it's a long swim to your next port 😏. So your choice will depend how lucky you feel.

- Local buses & vans from the cruise pier to Cane Garden Bay. Pleasant ride with good panoramic views, to the best beach on the island.

Dominica, Was very backward. now more switched-on. Vans at the pier to go up into the rain-forest or river-tubing. Very worthwhile.

Dom. Rep. (Romana) Not very attractive, better in the countryside. We took a ship's excursion to Cueva-de-las-Maravillas (quite a lot of steps) and a area of iguanas, followed by a river trip (lots of rum punch) - pleasant, but not overly-exciting.

 

JB 🙂

[navybankerteacher]

13 hours ago, sjde said:

 



We're looking at cruise itineraries in the Caribbean . I always like to include a new port or two. We've been to a lot but there are still quite a few ports we haven't been to before: Bonaire, Curacao, Grand Turk, Puerto Rico ,BVI , Dominica, St Croix, Dominican Republic and Grand Cayman. Are there any on that list that you absolutely loved? Looking mostly for natural beauty, interesting architecture and photography, though shopping and food is good too! Not interested in adventure sports. A nice beach maybe for an excursion.

Why not consider a southern Caribbean itinerary sailing from San Juan (architecture, shopping and food) spending a couple of days in that amazing old Spanish colonial city before  boarding a sailing to Bonaire and Curaçao  (beaches) and possible other ports on your bucket list?

[lenquixote66]

On 4/11/2024 at 12:47 AM, sjde said:

 



We're looking at cruise itineraries in the Caribbean . I always like to include a new port or two. We've been to a lot but there are still quite a few ports we haven't been to before: Bonaire, Curacao, Grand Turk, Puerto Rico ,BVI , Dominica, St Croix, Dominican Republic and Grand Cayman. Are there any on that list that you absolutely loved? Looking mostly for natural beauty, interesting architecture and photography, though shopping and food is good too! Not interested in adventure sports. A nice beach maybe for an excursion.

We were only to Bonaire once but it is a beautiful island.We have been to Curaçao many times and it is one of our favorites.Puerto Rico ,Dominica and St.Croix we have been to about 10 times each .

All are beautiful.As far as natural beauty our favorite on your list is Dominica.

[Honolulu Blue]

On 4/11/2024 at 12:47 AM, sjde said:

 



We're looking at cruise itineraries in the Caribbean . I always like to include a new port or two. We've been to a lot but there are still quite a few ports we haven't been to before: Bonaire, Curacao, Grand Turk, Puerto Rico ,BVI , Dominica, St Croix, Dominican Republic and Grand Cayman. Are there any on that list that you absolutely loved? Looking mostly for natural beauty, interesting architecture and photography, though shopping and food is good too! Not interested in adventure sports. A nice beach maybe for an excursion.

I've been to all the ports you mentioned. They each have their charms and places to see and do.

 

To make a long story short, I'll mostly second what @John Bull said earlier. In addition, I've been to Carnival's stop in the DR Amber Cove (near PuertoPlata). I liked it. The jungle is nearby, and the port area is interesting enough to while away a few hours. I assume there are beaches nearby.

[sjde]

We also haven’t been to Grenada. 

[John Bull]

1 hour ago, sjde said:

We also haven’t been to Grenada. 

 

The "Spice Island" - one of my favourites 🙂

 

Take your beach gear with you and check out the vans available at the pier - you want one that'll take you up into the Rainforest. Stops for spice stalls & demos and a waterfall, back past Fort George would be a bonus, and ask your driver to drop you at Grand Anse beach & not too far from the ferry pier. Food & drink outlets or order from your (payable) beachfront sunbed & shade.

Return to the ship on the frequent little open ferries ("!ferries" sounds a bit grand for them 😀) at about $5 one-way.

 

If you just want a beach day, take those little ferries both ways.

 

Or try the Rum Runner. Join the Rum-Runner boat from close to the ship, for a party atmosphere. 

BUT BEWARE  - Lots of boat excursions include plenty of rum punch - they're a freebie so understandably pretty weak, & we drink them down like beer. Presuming the Rum Runner's cocktails to be the same, we quaffed  the first two or three. Bad move - the Rum Runner doesn't mess, they go heavy on the rum, and we were well away.

We don't remember much of the trip, apparently other passengers carried us back aboard our ship & dumped us on our bed - we woke up at sea.😂 

 

JB 🙂