Caribbean Islands Travel Guide

Caribbean Cruise routes

The most popular destination in the world for pleasure cruises is the Caribbean sea, it is called by many "heaven on earth". Over 2 million people each year sail to that area.
A typical cruise to the Caribbean lasts around a week and includes 3-5 ports, each one in a different island and 1-3 sea days. But there are routes in any possible length, starting from 3 night and up to 2 weeks according to every will and budget. Every cruise line has many routes in the Caribbean and that’s why you can choose from a cruise in a small and fancy yacht to a cruise in huge ships which contains over 3500 passengers each.

Antigua

Antigua is the largest island in the Leeward Island chain in the Eastern Caribbean. It is about 22 km long and 18 km wide. Its area is about 280 sq km. It is located in the middle of the Leeward Island chain and is nicknamed "The Heart of the Caribbean" due to its strategic location. To the west of Antigua are the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, to the southwest is the island of Montserrat, and to the south is the island of Guadeloupe.

Aruba

Aruba is a small but diverse island. It is easy and convenient to navigate the island and visit it. It is also very easy to fall in love with it. It is considered the island with the highest number of repeat visitors in the Caribbean. Aruba is considered one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean. No wonder it has become one of the "hot" destinations in the Caribbean among Americans. It is considered a particularly friendly destination for families and abounds in family attractions such as a water park, mini-golf, animal farms, etc.

Bahamas

The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands and in addition more than a thousand cays and reefs that protrude above sea level.These are the islands closest to the US.The two main destinations for cruise ships in the Bahamas are Nassau and Freeport. Additionally, cruise companies have private islands in the Bahamas with beautiful beaches that the ships visit.

Belize

Belize is a tiny country in Central America bordering Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west. It combines Caribbean culture with the culture of Central American countries. In Belize, you can choose whether to spend time at man-made or natural sites.
This country is known for its long reef, the second longest in the entire world, a 333 km coral wall surrounded by hundreds of tiny islands and three coral reef atolls. The reef was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The site is considered one of the most recommended diving destinations in the entire world.

Bermuda

In Bemuda you can find pristine beaches with stunning turquoise water and pink sand, impressive landscapes, beachfront hotels, and plenty of shops.

Bermuda is located in the western Atlantic Ocean, about 600 nautical miles from the coast of North Carolina. You can reach Bermuda, by cruise ship or by flight.

Bonaire

Bonaire - a small island located only about 80 km from the coast of Venezuela (it is the letter B in the ABC islands) in the southern Caribbean. A wonderful island for eco-tourism enthusiasts, known for its flamingo sanctuary at Goto Lake, but primarily considered a paradise for divers and snorkelers and one of the best places in the world for diving.

Curacao

Curacao is the largest and most populous of the Dutch Caribbean islands. It is located only 56 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 68 km east of Aruba. The island is sunny year-round, but thanks to the constant trade winds blowing through it, the heat load is not heavy and is certainly tolerable.

Dominica

Dominica is a green, mountainous island abundant with water and vegetation in the southeastern part of the Caribbean islands and is known as the "Nature Island." On the island, which is 29 miles long and 16 miles wide. The official language on the island is English, although many residents speak a Creole language based on French. Most residents on the island are Christians..

Grand Cayman

The Cayman Islands are a group of islands located in the middle of the Caribbean, 772 km southwest of Miami. The group consists of three islands that together form a British Overseas Territory, with each island having a different character. The largest of them all, Grand Cayman, is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean and is also home to the capital of the Cayman Islands, Georgetown. The Cayman Islands are considered the diving capital of the Caribbean and one of the best diving destinations in the entire world, thanks to the strict marine life conservation policies practiced on the islands.

Grenada

The island of Grenada in the Caribbean is known as the "Spice Isle" because it grows more spices per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Grenada is one of the world's largest producers of nutmeg. The island is also known for its cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and many other spices grown and produced there. Grenada is the southernmost island in the Windward Islands, located about 160 km north of the South American coast.

Jamaica

Jamaica is famous for its impressive nature. Green mountains rich in tropical vegetation drop steeply almost to the shoreline, cultivated fields, wonderful beaches with soft white sand, numerous caves, and wide rivers abundant with water. Jamaica is also known for its reggae music, marijuana, and rum. The local culture is an interesting and vibrant blend of African heritage with European influences.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, known as "The Enchanted Island," is a vibrant, modern country with a rich and diverse culture that is a blend of Spanish, African, Indian, and American influences. Puerto Rico is the island with the richest Spanish tradition in the Caribbean. It features forts, walled cities, historical buildings, narrow and winding streets, churches, and plenty of carnivals that contribute to the atmosphere.

Punta Cana

Among the top ten all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean, seven of them are located in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean. Most of the more modern all-inclusive hotels are located on the eastern edge of the country in a place called Punta Cana.

Punta Cana offers a variety of activities and tours from water activities such as paragliding, jet skiing, surfboarding, sailboats, sailing, snorkelling etc. to many tours on land.

Roatan

Roatan is the largest and most populated of the three Honduran islands known as the "Bay Islands" (Islas de la Bahía). It is located about 80 km from the northern coast of Honduras.The island is famous for its wonderful beaches, with crystal-clear water and white sand lined with palm trees. Thanks to its proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Roatan is considered an especially recommended destination for diving.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis are two small islands in the northeast Caribbean. The islands are only about 3 km apart. Together, they constitute the smallest country in both land area and population in the Americas. Most tourists arrive at the large island of Saint Kitts, which also has more tourist attractions, but the better beaches are actually found on the small island of Nevis. Many catamaran sailing trips depart from Saint Kitts to the beautiful beaches of Nevis. Both islands have luxurious hotels and resorts.

St. Thomas - US Virgin Island

St. Thomas is one of the busiest and most active cruise ship ports in the entire world. It is included as a must-visit destination in all Eastern Caribbean cruise itineraries and many Southern Caribbean routes as well. During the peak winter season, up to eight large cruise ships can dock there simultaneously! Sometimes you will encounter more cruise passengers than locals... The island is known as a "Mecca" for shopping enthusiasts. It is a duty-free island.

St. John - US Virgin Islands

St. John is the smallest of the US Virgin Islands and is located just a half-hour boat ride from St. Thomas.

This island was purchased by the USA from the Danish government during World War I, in 1917, with the aim of establishing a naval base there. Two-thirds of the island is designated as a National Park.

The island is known for its excellent beaches with clear, calm waters. The island's economy is primarily based on tourism.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia (pronounced: Loo-Sha) is a lush, wild tropical island considered one of the most picturesque in the Caribbean. The landscapes on the island change dramatically from white sandy beaches to dense rainforests, from towering mountains and a dormant volcano to plantations, farms, and tiny fishing villages.
The island is a paradise for nature lovers, offering plenty of hiking opportunities at all difficulty levels. Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts will also find reefs and coral gardens teeming with colorful fish.

Tortola

A British Virgin Island that has become one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Caribbean cruises in recent years. A perfect combination of pristine beaches, luxury yachts, and an authentic Caribbean atmosphere. .

St. Maarten

St. Martin is a tiny island that offers visitors "two for the price of one": the island is divided between France and the Netherlands, and although the border between its two parts is quite virtual, the differences in style and atmosphere are well felt. The Dutch side is much more developed and busy, suitable for people looking for many entertainment and activity options.

Turks and Caicos

The popular website Trip Advisor and the prestigious tourist magazine Conde’ Nast and CNN chose in 2015 a beach called Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos as the most beautiful beach in the world. I have decided to check out the place from close and I was captivated by the magic of this tiny and charming Caribbean country who has long beaches with gentle and soft sand, decorated with palm trees and mainly calm, pure and clear water in an amazing turquoise color.