The best caribbean cruise ports to explore with Princess

Roatán is a small island off the coast of Honduras, and is an ideal cruise destination for culture seekers, reef divers and adventure travelers. The indigenous Garifuna people provide rich cultural experiences featuring music, dance and language, which you can enjoy in a cultural show, scenic drive & shopping excursion. Or book a snorkeling excursion to see shipwrecks, starfish and local coral reefs, which are typically less busy than Cozumel. Zip-lining through jungle canopy is sure to satisfy any thrill-seekers, or check out the dozens of other excursions.

Any visit to Jamaica is enriched by its Rastafarian and reggae culture, music and food, and cruise visitors looking for deeper, more active experiences (as well as repeat Caribbean cruisers) will love this port and the available excursions. These aren’t always close to the pier, with some reached by scenic drives from the port (between 30 minutes up to 1.5 hours away, so be sure to read up before booking). Consider visiting Reggae Hill, participate in drum circles, jewelry making or tasting “ital” cuisine or visit Dunn’s River Falls or the Rose Hall Great House near Montego Bay.

The Southern Caribbean ports sometimes take a bit more time to reach, but visitors are rewarded with deep island culture, more predictable weather, and some of the best beaches and marine life in the world.

“Bon bini” means “welcome” in Bonaire’s native language of Papiamentu, a mix of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and Afrikaans. This warm, welcoming culture sets this destination apart, and the history and diverse marine life around the island makes it ideal for snorkelers, divers and eco-travelers. The Bonaire National Marine Park is one of the oldest marine reserve in the world, and you can experience it on a glass-bottom boat eco-cruise led by a naturalist. Bonaire is widely regarded as one of the Caribbean’s premier sail-and-snorkel locations, featuring frequent sightings of sea turtles, rare coral and colorful fish. Or learn more about the island’s heritage in an excursion to Mangazina di Rei Cultural Park and museum.

Curaçao’s capital city of Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage city, with iconic, pastel-colored waterfront buildings and one-of-a-kind Dutch-Caribbean architecture. This port is perfect for photographers, history buffs and anyone who enjoys learning about other cultures. Consider booking a Best of Curaçao excursion including the Hato Caves, highlights of Willemstad and the Curaçao Museum, or try a historic tour of Willemstad aboard a trolley train. The island also features a centuries-old healing tradition based in its aloe vera plantations, which you can visit on a scenic drive. Or choose from more than two dozen other Curaçao excursions.

The island nation of Barbados has a deep history, rich in culture, rum and food to complement its famous clear-water beaches. Learn about sugar history and the Foursquare rum distillery on a scenic drive, or explore a 350-year-old plantation estate and a 1914 steam locomotive at St. Nicholas Abbey Great House. If your idea of a tropical paradise is more along the lines of relaxing on beautiful beaches with calm, clear water, try the Carlisle Bay beach & swim excursion. You can also ride on a submarine, swim with sea turtles, zipline through the treetops or make local crafts in one of our other Princess excursions.

The well-loved “One Happy Island,” Aruba deserves its official slogan, due to its friendly culture, consistent sunshine (located outside the main hurricane belt), flavorful food and opportunities for island adventure. Cruise visitors love to book a cultural walking tour through Oranjestad and visit Fort Zoutman, partake of “Pastechi,” the local traditional fried-dough street food or get a hands-on way to experience local flavors with the Aruban cooking and cocktail making class.

If you want to get out into the country a bit more, consider reserving an adventure excursion featuring a natural Pool and Arikok National Park on 4x4 swim & snorkel safari. Aruba is perfect for sun seekers, foodies, adventure travelers and first-time cruisers.

If your idea of the perfect Caribbean destination involves family involvement and activities, consider one or more of these favorites:

• Cozumel: The local Mayan ruins are not only fun to explore, but serve as a memorable, hands-on history lesson for teens.
• Princess Cays: This exclusive resort-style destination is less-visited, safe and fully contained, making it ideal for families with young kids.
• Belize: Family members of all ages will love snorkeling the barrier reef or learning about the local wildlife on one of the many Princess excursions here.
• St. Thomas: No passports are needed for U.S. visitors to this island, and there are easily accessible family activities for all ages.

If food and culture are how you prefer to connect and relax during your getaways, be sure to check out these favorites:

• Cozumel & Costa Maya: Here you can enjoy your fill of authentic Mexican cuisine at any of the favorite local restaurants.
• Falmouth: Bask in the local Jamaican/Rastafarian food culture or connect with the spiritual by participating in a drum circle.
• Curaçao: This destination has a seriously unique Dutch-Caribbean fusion food scene that would be a shame to miss if you’re a hardcore foodie. The cuisine features Dutch, African, Caribbean, and Latin American flavors. The unofficial national dish is Keshi Yena, consisting of a large, hollowed-out wheel of Gouda or Edam cheese stuffed with spiced meat (typically chicken or beef), olives, raisins, and vegetables, then baked until melty and deliciously gooey.
• Barbados: This island is steeped in deep rum culture, plantation history and world-renowned cuisine including flying fish dishes. Barbados’ food (Bajan cuisine) is a flavorful fusion of African, British, Indian, and Indigenous Caribbean influences, relying heavily on fresh seafood, intensely seasoned meats and savory starches, often finished with a kick of fiery Bajan pepper sauce.

Pro tip: While you can find great food close to the pier, you’ll usually find the best local food and cultural experiences require a short walk or taxi ride.

Hopefully this guide has helped you narrow down your choices for the potential “best” Caribbean ports to visit. Princess Cruises sails to all of the ports covered in this article, so as you consider the various itineraries among the Eastern, Western and Southern regions, you’re sure to find one Caribbean cruise that’s perfect for you. If you can’t pick just one and have some vacation days saved up, have a look at the Caribbean Explorer cruise options, which are 20-day itineraries allowing you to visit up to 12 separate port destinations along your journey. And don’t forget to check out our new cruise destination: Celebration Key.