We love the Caribbean islands and cruises are a really great way to see a lot of them and find ones to return to for a longer stay.
Aruba – Oranjestad (1999, 2024)
We spent a week here and had a great time exploring the island, which includes the beach and the desert. I remember iguanas lounging all around our pool area. I’ve still never seen that many at one time. I played my only round of golf ever in Aruba. We returned in 2024, rented a UTV (a jeep without a windshield y’all), and visited popular sights like Baby Beach, street art in San Nicolas, the Casibari Rock Formations, the remnants of the Natural Bridge in Arikok National Park (which collapsed in 2005), Minas de Oro gold mines, the historical church Our Lady of Alto Vista, and the fun beach area near the Hyatt.
Bahamas – Eleuthera (1999), Nassau (2010, 2015), Bimini (2023), Castaway Cay (2002, 2016)
Barbados – Bridgetown (1996)
Cayman Islands – George Town, Grand Cayman (1999, 2004, 2018)
Curaçao – Willemstad (2024)
On Curaçao, we did a half-day tour that included a visit to Hato Caves and a stop at Mamba Beach. In the afternoon, we were able to explore Willemstad’s cute and colorful old town area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the cruise berth, you can walk across the Queen Emma Bridge to get to this area, plus shops and restaurants.
British Virgin Islands – Road Town (1996), Tortola (1996, 2016), Virgin Gorda (1996)
Dominica – Roseau (2014)
Wild and lush, Dominica is a great island for outdoor exploration and adventure.
Dominican Republic (2013, 2024)
We spent a week here back in 2013 and had a great time. We stayed at Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort in Punta Cana and they took excellent care of us. My daughter and I did a very memorable horseback riding excursion where we got to gallop our horses on the beach. LOVED it! We returned to the Dominican Republic in 2024 and had a somewhat different experience. We stayed at Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Cap Cana and just didn’t feel very welcome. The food was okay, the service indifferent. The property itself is gorgeous and the rooms beautiful, but the rest of our experience was such that we only stayed a few nights of our week, then left – a rarity for us.
Guadeloupe – Les Saintes (2014)
This lovely island, along with sister Martinique, is part of France and the EU.
Haiti – Labadee (2004, 2012)
I know, I can barely call Labadee ‘Haiti’ as it’s a private resort leased by Royal Caribbean as a cruise port, worlds away from the rest of Haiti, but technically it is in Haiti.
Jamaica – Ocho Rios (1999, 2004), Falmouth (2012, 2018)
Martinique – Fort-de-France (2024)
This beautiful island, along with sister Guadeloupe, is part of France and the EU. Lush and green with a fantastic, brightly-painted boardwalk
Puerto Rico – San Juan (1996, 2024), Fajardo (1997)
St Barts – Gustavia (1996)
St Kitts & Nevis – Basseterre (2014, 2024)
In 2014 we did a catamaran tour to Nevis as well as a private tour of St Kitts.
St Lucia – Castries (1996), Pigeon Island (2014)
St Maarten – Phillipsburg (1997, 2010, 2014, 2015)
Turks & Caicos (2008)
We spent a week on this beautiful island with some family, and had a wonderful time. Our hotel (Villa Renaissance, Grace Bay) was right on the ocean and we could walk out our back door and be right on the beach, probably the closest to the water we’ve ever stayed, anywhere.
US Virgin Islands – Charlotte Amalie (1996), St. Thomas* (1996, 1997, 2010, 2015, 2016) and Cruz Bay, St. John (1996)
