Cruiseable's editorial team has written the following guides to help travelers prepare for your time on shore during your cruise travels. Use them to prepare for your visit to a foreign city or port. Save bookmarked pages to your My Planner page.
Want to contribute your special knowledge of a place? Please contact us.
Region: Western Caribbean / Ports: Freeport, Nassau
With 700 islands and 2,400 cays sprinkled over a swath of ocean, stretching from the Florida Keys to Haiti, the Bahamas would make up the largest island chain in the Caribbean — if it were in the Caribbean. The coral-based archipelago actually lies ... See more
Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas, is a relaxing destination. The white-sand beaches and friendly locals are only the beginning of this tropical getaway. The island is just 50 miles off the coast of Florida ... See more
Nassau is both the capital and largest city in the Bahamas. Nestled on New Providence Island, Nassau is a tantalizing treat for travelers looking for fun in the sun mixed with local culture and shopping. From the cool ocean breeze beckoning you to go for ... See more
This 22-square-mile, hook-shaped archipelago is often assumed to be in the Caribbean but in fact sits squarely in the mid-Atlantic, 650 miles east of North Carolina. Bermudians voted in 1995 to remain a British Overseas Territory, and their penchant for ... See more
Hamilton is the capital and cultural center of Bermuda, the self-governing British overseas territory located in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean. The city is named after Sir Henry Hamilton, governor from 1786 to 1793. ... See more
Stunning coral reefs, crystal clear waters and rich, varied marine life draw divers of all abilities to a trio of islands 90 miles south of Cuba: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The Cayman Islands are a popular destination in the Caribbean for scuba divers and snorkelers, but they also have much to offer visitors who prefer to stay topside ... See more
Just 90 miles south of Cuba, Grand Cayman remains the largest and main island of the three Cayman Islands. From the moment you arrive you'll be caught up by the idyllic weather, sun-kissed beaches, colorful rhythms, tantalizing cuisine, restless nightlife and a shopping frenzy unlike any other destination. ... See more
For a taste of France mixed with Creole flair, Guadeloupe has become a breathtaking mainstay in the eastern Caribbean. A French colony since 1635 (and still under the French government), it is comprised of two main islands linked by a bridge, Grande Terre and Basse Terre, ... See more
Region: Western Caribbean / Ports: Falmouth, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios
Jamaica is the reggae heartbeat of the Caribbean, and you'll feel it as you walk throughout the island. The air is slightly humid with warm sand beneath your feet. The smell of Jerk chicken and curried goat wafts across your path. An afternoon ... See more
Falmouth is the newest port of call in Jamaica, located in between two popular tourist destinations: Montego Bay and Ochos Rios. Falmouth was founded in 1769 and its waterfront district is a National Heritage Site that contains many Georgian-era buildings dating from the 1760s to 1840s. ... See more
The second largest city in Jamaica, Montego Bay (or MoBay, as the locals call it) is known for its many tourist resorts and famed beaches — and, perhaps less notably, for the Bobby Bloom song "Montego Bay"). The name “Montego Bay” is believed to have ... See more
Out of many, one people is Jamaica’s national motto, reflected in a diverse culture shaped under British rule for more than 300 years and Spanish rule for a century and a half before that. A collection of talented Jamaicans have put the island on the ... See more
Welcome to one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets! A born and bred Californian, fate helped me fall into life in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the small Caribbean island of Anguilla. As guests to the island will attest, Anguilla is a ... See more
There's no dearth of good storytelling when at sea. The British Virgin Islands (BVI), with its host of sometimes misbehaving international millionaires and billionaires, A-list celebrities and their entourages, is a prime source of such yarns. After all, .... See more
Region: Eastern Caribbean / Port in: British Virgin Islands
The most populous of the British Virgin Islands, and its largest island (at a diminutive 21.5 square miles), Tortola is synonymous with its white-sand beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, which allow for a variety of water sports from kayaking to kiteboarding. .... See more
Region: Eastern Caribbean / Port in: British Virgin Islands
Virgin Gorda is the third largest island in the 60-isle British Virgin Islands archipelago. Still, it's not all that big, about eight square miles. That means mega-cruise ships don't call on Virgin Gorda, but small and medium-size ships such as SeaDream I, Azamara Journey and Ocean Princess do. .... See more
The Dominican Republic is a part of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. The old part of its capital, Santo Domingo, is the oldest European city in the Americas and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so there is plenty of history to be discovered here for visitors.. ... See more
Sitting on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is a sun-soaked coastal town consisting almost solely of beaches, resorts and tourist amenities. The ultimate beach getaway, Punta Cana was made for vacationers seeking rest ... See more
Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, is a vibrant urban center. Historic architecture, world-class museums, golf courses and water sports all combine to solidify its position as a top cruise destination. ... See more
Divided between the Netherlands and France, St. Maarten/Saint Martin (English: St. Martin) has a fascinating history. It is the smallest island in the world divided between two countries. The northern, French side, of the island is known as Saint Martin. The southern, Dutch side, of the island is known as Sint Maarten. ... See more
Puerto Rico (Spanish for "rich port") is an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands, the largest of which are Vieques, Culebra and Mona. Puerto Ricans often call the island Borinquen, from Borikén, its .... See more
San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital city, has plenty of insight into the island's rich history. Old San Juan has buildings still standing from the days of the early Spanish explorers. They stand alongside gigantic hotel and casino complexes, and live ... See more
Grand Turk is one of 40 islands that form the Turks and Caicos archipelago, a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. This small island — 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide — is bursting with turn-of-the-century Caribbean charm and a sunny vibe: In an average year, ... See more
The Turks & Caicos Islands are two islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Bahamas. The islands were part of the United Kingdom’s Jamaican colony until 1959, when they assumed the title of a separate crown colony. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands are now a British overseas ... See more
Region: Eastern Caribbean / Port in: U.S. Virgin Islands
Formed out from an ancient coral reef and volcanic activity, St. Croix boasts lush rainforests, striking mountains, gorgeous beaches and historic towns. The center of the island is home to dangling lianas, mango groves, mahogany trees, and exotic ferns. Rolling hills and pastures .... See more
Region: Eastern Caribbean / Port in: U.S. Virgin Islands
St. John is the smallest, least populous and, many argue, the prettiest of the U.S. Virgin Islands because of its world-class beaches. Two-thirds of St. John consists of Virgin Islands National Park. The quiet nature of the island gives it an unparalleled tranquility, making a trip to this island feel like a true getaway .... See more
Region: Eastern Caribbean / Port in: U.S. Virgin Islands
Be prepared for some hustle-bustle when you visit this busiest of the U.S. Virgin Islands (it's the largest by population, second largest by area). More cruise ships call at the pretty Charlotte Amalie than at any other Caribbean port. .... See more
When Admiral Horatio Nelson was looking for the perfect place to hide a fleet in the Caribbean in 1784, he settled on Antigua. Its warm, steady winds, safe harbors and ring of coral reef made it just about perfect. While few of us need to hide a fleet these days, Antigua (pronounced An-TEE-ga) is still just about perfect ... See more
The smallest of the Dutch Caribbean islands, Aruba is a tropical oasis 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela that welcomes 1.5 million visitors a year. It's hard to think of a place with more idyllic weather than Aruba, which enjoys nearly perpetual ... See more
Barbados is a gorgeous tropical paradise set far away from most other Caribbean islands. Ruled by the British until 1966, it is nearly 1,000 miles east of the Netherlands Antilles chain and fuses African and British culture to create a charming, friendly world where travelers often have a memorable experience. ... See more
Bonaire is a charming Dutch Caribbean Island set in the Netherlands Antilles. The island is part of the ABC Islands in the region, alongside Aruba and Curaçao. From the hands of the Spanish to eventually the Dutch, Bonaire’s history was first awakened by ... See more
Dubbed the "Jerusalem of the Caribbean" for its cosmopolitan, multicultural influences, Curaçao has a fascinating colonial-Caribbean vibe thanks to 100-plus nationalities and three official languages: Dutch, Papiamentu and English. Part of the former ... See more
With few sandy beaches, and no major international airport, Dominica’s 290 square miles are sparsely populated. But you don't come to Dominica to lounge at a flashy resort. You come for some of the best hiking and diving in the region. The country is an ecological wonder. ... See more
Peppered with fragrant spice trees and centuries-old spice estates, Grenada has a mystical presence. Today, this Caribbean island known as "spice isle" grows nutmeg, allspice, clove, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, bay leaves and tumeric on its volcanic soil. ... See more
For a taste of France mixed with Creole flair, Guadeloupe has become a breathtaking mainstay in the eastern Caribbean. A French colony since 1635 (and still under the French government), it is comprised of two main islands linked by a bridge, Grande Terre and Basse Terre, ... See more
Montserrat is nicknamed “the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean,” both for its resemblance to coastal Ireland and for the Irish descent of many of its inhabitants. Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles. ... See more
Whether you call it St. Barts, St. Bart's, St. Barths or St. Barthelemy, there is no disputing that this tiny island in the French Antilles is one of the ritziest and most luxurious cruise destinations in all the world. You won't find a land rich in ... See more
As if it were the custom in the Caribbean, St. Kitts & Nevis changed hands many times between English and French, which has left it a heritage of cities with names from both countries. On the contrary, the architecture in these Leeward Islands in the ... See more
St. Lucia, and its capital city of Castries, has become one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean for cruisers. The majority of travelers settle between Castries and the northern end of the island. The entire north side of the island is ... See more
Culturally intact Caribbean islands that aren't owned by billionaires are hard to come by, but the low-key island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is exceptionally calm, pristine exception. So get there by hook or crook — or by cruise ship, if ... See more
Lying nine miles off the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad is a Caribbean paradise and the southernmost link in the Antillean chain of islands. Trinidad is part of the two-island nation known as Trinidad & Tobago. While these two islands are linked in their government and geographical proximity, they have distinct personalities. ... See more
