I love cruising, and the Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations. There are so many different ports you may visit on a Caribbean cruise, with itineraries often divided into Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. Shorter cruises may also include stops in the Bahamas.
After visiting many of these destinations on family cruises, I’ve definitely developed some favorites. From beautiful beaches and turquoise water to sightseeing, excursions, and ports with plenty to do right off the ship, these are our favorite Caribbean cruise destinations.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. We've visited a few of these destinations at no cost, but all opinions are my own.
Note: Please check all State Department warnings before traveling and know that situations can always change. Staying on the ship is always an option if you don't feel safe exploring the local area.
The Best Cruise Destinations in the Caribbean
Quick Guide to Our Favorite Caribbean Cruise Destinations
| Destination | Highlights | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Bimini, Bahamas | Beach Club, beautiful blue water | Small port accommodating one ship |
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | Old San Juan, shopping, dining | US currency and cell service |
| Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | Taino Bay, food tours, photo spots | Plenty to do within the port |
| Cozumel, Mexico | Beach clubs, snorkeling, excursions | Multiple cruise docks |
| Grand Cayman | Stingray City, snorkeling, beaches | Tender port; allow extra time |
| Grand Turk | Turquoise water, water activities | Snorkeling, kayaking and more |
| St. Thomas, USVI | Magens Bay Beach | US destination |
| Key West, Florida | Golf carts, Conch Tour Train | Included on some Caribbean cruises |
| Costa Maya, Mexico | Shops, restaurants, aviary | Plenty to do without leaving port |
| Nassau, Bahamas | Baha Mar, Atlantis | Busy cruise port |
| Private island destinations | Beaches and activities | Some activities can be booked in advance |
Bimini, Bahamas
Bimini is a small island in the Bahamas, located about 50 miles off the coast of Miami. It has a very small cruise port that accommodates only one ship at a time. The main resort on the island is Resorts World Bimini.
I spend my day at the Beach Club at Bimini when I visit Bimini. If you are sailing on Virgin Voyages, your admission (and food) at the Beach Club at Bimini is complimentary. You'll board a tram right at the port, and it will take you directly to the Beach Club.
If you are sailing on another cruise line to Bimini, you may be able to purchase admission to the Beach Club. When I sailed on the Celebrity Summit, we purchased a day pass to the Beach Club and added lunch.
The water in Bimini is a beautiful blue, and it's a great place to visit. Other excursions are offered on the island, including some through Resorts World Bimini. You can also visit the resort's casino.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a fun cruise stop. It's part of the United States, so you can use your US currency and your US cell phone. While you can book many excursions, including tours, we just enjoyed walking around Old San Juan during our visit.
If you choose that option, you can shop, dine at a local restaurant, and check out the local sites on foot. We enjoyed lunch at Barrachina, a popular restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. Their vast menu includes many local favorites, such as Mofongo. Don't forget to order their specialty, a pina colada.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Last year, I visited Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Our ship, the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady, stopped at the Taino Bay Port.
Because I wasn't familiar with this cruise port or the Dominican Republic, I booked a food tour in the town. It also included stops at some of the town's top tourist attractions.
If you are visiting the Taino Bay Port, there's much to do. Activities and amenities in the Taino Bay Port include a lazy river, six aviaries, Monkey Island, shops, and restaurants. While we didn't stay in the port, I enjoyed walking through it after our planned excursion.
While in Puerto Plata, consider visiting Paseo Dona Blanca (Pink Street) and Umbrella Street. They are both beautiful and great places to take photos. Read this Puerto Plata post to learn more about the cruise port and what you can do there.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is an island off the Yucatan Peninsula in the Quintana Roo state of Mexico. Cozumel is a popular cruise ship stop offering all the amenities you'd expect. Cozumel has several cruise ship docks and ports that can accommodate multiple ships simultaneously.
The port area offers shops and restaurants, but you can also venture beyond the port for more activities. One of the most popular things to do in Cozumel is visit a private beach club.
We booked a day at Nachi Cocom Beach Club and Water Sports Center during one of our winter Royal Caribbean cruises. It's about a 15-minute ride from the port via cab. Book the beach club in advance because they accept only a set number of guests daily. Food is included, and there are beach chairs and a large pool.
In addition to this, there are many other excursions and activities in Cozumel. These include Chankanaab Adventure Park, ATV rides, the Mayan ruins and archaeological sites (San Gervasio and El Cedral), and snorkeling.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman is one of my favorite places, and I always love being on a cruise ship with a stop there. However, it's important to note that this is a tender port. You'll need to take a smaller boat to the shore - there's no way to walk from the ship to the shore.
Because it's a tender port, build in extra time when you arrive and when it's time to leave. You'll sometimes have to wait for a boat.
Grand Cayman offers many excursion options. These include Rum Point, Stingray City, the Cayman Turtle Centre, snorkeling, and beach escapes. All of these activities are lots of fun, so it's best to choose based on your interests.
Because it's a tender port, I recommend booking your excursion through the ship. That way, you won't have to worry about timing.
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is the place to go if you want to see the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Cruises stop at Grand Turk, a completely different island from Providenciales (where you'll find Beaches Turks and Caicos).
Excursion options include snorkeling, golf cart tours, kayaking, parasailing, and ATVs. I'd recommend something on the water because of the beautiful views.
St. Thomas, USVI
St. Thomas, in the United States Virgin Islands, is another popular cruise destination in the Eastern Caribbean. As a US destination, you'll probably be able to take your cell phone out of airplane mode for the day (but check with your provider first).
During our St. Thomas day, we booked a cruise excursion to Magens Bay Beach. This beach is often considered among the best in the world.
The excursion included transportation to the beach, beach chairs, and an umbrella. We chose the half-day option, so lunch wasn't included.
This is an excellent option if you want to visit a beach during your day in St. Thomas. It is a beautiful beach.
Key West, FL
You may not think of Key West as a traditional Caribbean destination. However, it is an option on some Caribbean cruises, including some that stop in the Bahamas. It is not, however, an island. As a U.S. destination, you can use your U.S. cell phone and U.S. currency.
Key West offers many activities for families. Many guests rent a golf cart for the day to explore the island. Another option is the Conch Tour Train, which stops at many popular tourist destinations. Don't miss a photo opportunity at the Southernmost Point Marker.
You can see more information about visiting Key West on a cruise ship here.
Costa Maya, Mexico
During a Western Caribbean sailing, our ship's itinerary had changed from Jamaica to Costa Maya, Mexico. I wasn't familiar with this port, but it became one of our favorites.
The port of Costa Maya is located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula. It’s bordered by the Caribbean Sea and is in the Western Caribbean. Unlike Cozumel, it isn't an island - it's part of the mainland.
The Costa Maya port is very new and has lots of amenities. You don't even have to leave the port area if you don't want to. There's an on-site aviary with tropical birds, a Kakaw Chocolate Factory, a tequila museum, shops, and restaurants.
Nassau, Bahamas
It isn't one of my favorites because so many cruise ships dock in Nassau. We've been there so often that I often stay on the ship during stops.
If you haven't been recently, the port has been transformed with many new shops. Many guests take a day trip to Baha Mar or Atlantis Bahamas Resort. If you book an excursion with your cruise line, it will include transportation to these resorts.
Private Island Destinations
Many cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, MSC, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, offer private island destinations exclusive to cruise line guests. These are often my favorite days of cruises because these islands offer beautiful locations and fun activities.
When booking your cruise, check the itinerary to see if a stop at one of these destinations is included. If it is, you may be able to book activities and excursions in advance or may prefer to visit the beach.
What is your favorite Caribbean cruise destination?
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