St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is a beautiful and unique Caribbean island that stands out from its neighbors with a cosmopolitan flair and a rich history as a major trading hub. As a U.S. territory, it's a popular destination for cruisers who want to experience the Caribbean's natural beauty with the comfort and convenience of a U.S. port. The island is known for its stunning white-sand beaches, incredible views from its high hillsides, and its capital, Charlotte Amalie, which is a historic and bustling center for duty-free shopping. 

Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, is a vibrant and colorful city with a deep-seated history as a trading hub. The city's downtown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its rows of brightly painted colonial buildings that line the harbor, a nod to its Dutch heritage. Willemstad is a city of two halves—Punda and Otrobanda—connected by the famous Queen Emma floating bridge. This port is a fantastic destination where you can easily explore the city's unique charm, history, and vibrant culture on your own.

Bonaire, a small island in the southern Caribbean, is a nature lover's paradise. As a Dutch Caribbean island, it has a unique culture and is famous for its commitment to marine conservation. The entire coastline of Bonaire is a marine park, making it one of the world's premier destinations for snorkeling and diving. Its capital, Kralendijk, is a charming and relaxed town with colorful buildings and a laid-back atmosphere. For a cruiser, Bonaire is a fantastic destination for those who want to experience the island's incredible underwater world or simply enjoy a quiet day in a peaceful setting. 

Aruba is a captivating island in the southern Caribbean, a place where the sun always shines and the trade winds bring a constant, gentle breeze. Its capital, Oranjestad, is a charming city with a unique blend of Dutch and Caribbean influences, evident in its colorful colonial architecture. Known for its pristine beaches, a diverse culinary scene, and a warm, welcoming culture, Aruba is a perfect destination for cruisers. Its port is conveniently located in the city center, making it incredibly easy to explore on your own. 

Basseterre, St. Kitts is a vibrant and historic port city on the island of St. Kitts. It's a fantastic destination for cruisers, with a port that places you right in the heart of a lively waterfront and a short walk from the capital's historic downtown. St. Kitts is known for its lush, volcanic landscape, pristine beaches, and a rich history shaped by its British and French colonial past.

Roseau, Dominica is a beautiful and unique Caribbean island that stands out from its neighbors with its lush, rugged volcanic landscape and untouched natural beauty. Often called the "Nature Island," Dominica is a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers. As a cruise port, Roseau is a bustling hub that connects you to the island's many natural wonders, including rainforests, waterfalls, and hot springs, all of which are a short trip away from the port. 

St. Lucia, is a beautiful and unique Caribbean island that stands out from its neighbors with its dramatic, volcanic landscape. The capital, Castries, is a bustling port city with a lively market and a rich cultural heritage.1 However, the true beauty of St. Lucia lies in its majestic twin peaks, the Pitons, and its lush rainforests, which are a short trip away from the port.2 For a cruiser, Castries is a gateway to the island's many natural wonders, with a variety of tours and transportation options available to help you explore.

St. John's, Antigua, is a picturesque and historic port in the heart of the Caribbean. As the capital of Antigua and Barbuda, it is a bustling hub with a vibrant waterfront and a rich colonial history. Antigua is famous for having 365 beaches, one for every day of the year, all with stunning white sand and turquoise water. For a cruiser, St. John's is a fantastic destination, offering everything from a relaxing beach day to a deep dive into the island's history and culture. 

Amber Cove, located along the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, is a tropical haven for cruisers seeking adventure, culture, and relaxation. As a private cruise port owned by Carnival Corporation, it is designed as a self-contained resort, but it's also a gateway to the nearby city of Puerto Plata and the stunning Dominican countryside. The port itself offers a perfect blend of high-energy activities and serene escapes, and for those who choose to venture beyond, the authentic Dominican culture awaits. 

Grand Turk is a small island in the Turks and Caicos, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. Unlike many other Caribbean ports, Grand Turk's main draw is its beautiful, world-class cruise center and the stunning beach right at the port. The island is small and laid-back, with a rich history tied to salt production and a surprising connection to space exploration. For a cruiser, Grand Turk is a perfect destination for a relaxing beach day, with the option to explore a charming, historic capital just a short ride away. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico is a vibrant and historic city on the Caribbean Sea, and as a cruise port, it's one of the best in the world. The city's main attraction, Old San Juan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with charming, blue-cobblestone streets, colorful Spanish colonial buildings, and two massive fortresses that have guarded the city for centuries. The port is unique because it places you right in the heart of this historic district, making it incredibly easy to explore on foot.

Bimini, Bahamas, is a hidden gem in the Caribbean, a small island paradise located just 50 nautical miles off the coast of Florida. This laid-back destination is a world away from the bustling crowds of other Bahamian ports. The island is known for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, and a relaxed, authentic vibe. As a cruise port, Bimini is a fantastic place for cruisers who want to spend a day enjoying the sun, sand, and sea.

Puerto Limón, Costa Rica, is a vibrant port city on the Caribbean coast. With a strong Afro-Caribbean culture and a tropical atmosphere, it serves as the gateway to some of Costa Rica's most celebrated ecological wonders. While the city itself is not the main attraction, it is a bustling hub that connects you to stunning national parks, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests. For a cruiser, this port is all about adventure, giving you the chance to experience Costa Rica's famous biodiversity firsthand.

The Panama Canal is one of the world's great engineering marvels, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.¹ As a cruise destination, it's not a single port but an incredible experience that takes you through the heart of Panama. Cruises will typically be one of two types: a full transit, which sails from one ocean to the other, or a partial transit, which sails partway through the canal to Gatun Lake and then turns around.² For both, you will likely have a port of call that allows you to disembark and explore. The two main cruise ports are on either side of the canal: Colón (on the Caribbean side) and Fuerte Amador (on the Pacific side, near Panama City).³

Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, is a vibrant and colorful city with a deep-seated history as a trading hub. The city's downtown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its rows of brightly painted colonial buildings that line the harbor, a nod to its Dutch heritage. Willemstad is a city of two halves—Punda and Otrobanda—connected by the famous Queen Emma floating bridge. This port is a fantastic destination where you can easily explore the city's unique charm, history, and vibrant culture on your own.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, is a private island paradise owned by Carnival Corporation and used exclusively by their cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line. This secluded island, also known as Little San Salvador, is a crescent-shaped oasis of powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. It is an untouched natural wonder, with only a small portion of the island developed for guests, making it the ultimate destination for a relaxing beach day.