17 Western Caribbean Cruise Ports You Must Visit

Table Of Content

• Roatan Honduras
• Well-Known Western Caribbean Cruise Ports You Should Visit
• Falmouth, Jamaica
• Mahogany Bay
• Discovery at SEA
• 2024 Caribbean Cruises

Ocho Rios offers some unique opportunities for adventure, including the chance to climb up Dunn’s River Falls, a dramatic cascade that is 180 feet high. At the top of the falls is a Craft Market where cruisers can pick up fragrant Blue Mountain Coffee that is grown on the island. Perched on the northern coast of the Caribbean island of Jamaica, Ocho Rios is Jamaica’s largest cruise port. For those with more time, Panama has some beautiful beaches in the Caribbean with bird watching, diving, and snorkeling. Those who love history should spend a few hours exploring the ruins at Fort San Lorenzo, a 16th-century fort that overlooks the Chagres River.

Roatan Honduras

You can also visit Dolphin Discovery for a unique, up-close encounter with dolphins. If relaxation is your goal, Mayan Chan Beach and Mahahual Beach are two great options. And if you’re into Mayan history, the Chacchoben, Kohunlich, and Dzibanche ruins are a bit of a journey from the port but definitely worth visiting.

Well-Known Western Caribbean Cruise Ports You Should Visit

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Cruise planners don’t have to worry as much about which ports are the best ones to visit. This vacation wonderland is for everyone who loves being in and around the water. Spend an afternoon with the local stingrays, or cool off on a snorkeling adventure. Sip your favorite cocktail at one of our innovative bars, or visit specialty restaurants that bring global cuisines to you. During days at sea, book an indulgent spa treatment, watch an incredible show at the onboard theater, or simply admire the stunning ocean views from your veranda. For guests of The Retreat®, there’s always time to unwind with exclusive access to venues, dining, and amenities.

Falmouth, Jamaica

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But if you just want to take it easy, cruise lines may arrange a day pass at one of the beach resorts in the city, where you can laze in luxury and sip fine cocktails. Costa Maya is a hugely popular Mexican port, as you can tell just by the number of cruise lines scheduling visits. It’s in the Quintana Roo state, close to the border with Belize and so it is often added to itineraries which visit Belize City. Firstly, it has some incredible opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling, with clear waters and a wide variety of wildlife to discover.

Mahogany Bay

From the offseason to the sunniest months to festival season, anytime is the best time to travel to the Caribbean. From radiant sunshine to turquoise waters, enjoy the best Caribbean cruise weather all year round when you sail to these tropical lands with Princess. Enjoy a ship full of activities for the whole family, from Broadway-style shows to Discovery’s Shark Week all summer long, your family will be engaged in the Caribbean.

Caribbean Cruise Destinations: Which Ports Are Where?

From what I’ve heard, it offers a mix of adventurous activities like zip-lining and relaxing beach time. The area is renowned for its natural beauty, with attractions like Dunn’s River Falls being a major draw. Roatan is a great island for a mix of chill beach time and some active adventures. It’s also south of the hurricane belt, so it’s great to visit year-round. Some of the most popular cruise destinations in the Western Caribbean are Mexico, Bahamas, and Honduras.

Discovery at SEA

Diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef attracts many visitors to Cozumel. For beach enthusiasts, there are numerous beautiful beaches close to the cruise port for relaxing, sunbathing, or enjoying water sports. Only a few dozen large ships visit the small Santo Tomás de Castilla cruise port on the Caribbean coast of Guatemala each year.

Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Stretches of soft, white sand casually slope into the clear waters of the Caribbean, and an assortment of American-style shops, pubs and eateries line the wharf. Cartagena is also famous for its Gold Museum, showcasing ancient gold and pottery, and the Palace of the Inquisition, with exhibits from the Spanish Inquisition era. For relaxation, Playa Blanca is a popular beach with white sands and clear waters. Also, don’t miss the Islas del Rosario, a group of beautiful islands known for their clear waters and marine life, great for snorkeling and diving. Due to its shallow waters, cruise ships anchor offshore George town in the harbor and tender passengers to the shore. Once docked, you’ll find yourself in the middle of George Town’s lively scene, with easy access to a wealth of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

2024 Caribbean Cruises

This facility features a mall and stores for cruise visitors to enjoy. Punta Langosta is just a five-minute stroll south of downtown and the Main Square. The other two cruise piers are further south and visitors can use shuttle buses or take a taxi for the 5-minute trip. Originally a dock was planned to be built, to be partially funded by Royal Caribbean and Carnival, but that has been shelved with locals unhappy with plans. So it remains a tender port, which is putting off cruise lines from sending their largest ships. This island off the coast of Honduras is home to beautiful beaches and many exciting adventures, including plenty of excursions aimed at thrillseekers.

Brimstone Hill is one of the only remaining forts in the Caribbean and has been largely restored so visitors can get a real sense of what life was like in the 1700s. If you want a relaxing day, you can spend the day at Magens Bay Beach. There’s a bar behind the beach, so you can have a drink while listening to the gentle sound of the Caribbean waves. Other fun options nearby are visiting the Ocean World Adventure Park, the Monkeyland, or going on an airy zip line adventure! La Coca Falls, Juan Diego Falls, and La Mina Falls are only some of this park’s natural wonders that beneath the Sierra de Luquillo Mountains. If you love nature and adventure, El Yunque Rainforest is a great place for an unforgettable day trip.

Trek along Grand Cayman’s Mastic Trail through an expansive preserve of native flora and fauna. Admire the ancient stalagmites nestled inside the Cayman Crystal Caves. In Key West, explore the lush clusters of mangroves on a stand-up paddleboard. Explore Bonaire Marine Park, home to the most diverse fish population in the Caribbean, and see for yourself why this is one of the world’s top snorkeling and diving destinations. Swim alongside colorful marine life and enjoy drinks on board afterward. Go back in time and discover the beauty, the mystery and the culture of the venerated Mayan people.

The dock is currently too small for large cruise ships, but there are plans to build a larger cruise port in the city. Roatán is an island off the coast of Honduras in the Western Caribbean. The island has two cruise ports, one in Coxen Hole and the other in Mahogany Bay. Roatán island has plenty of things to do, making it a favored destination for those who love beaches, thrilling excursions, shopping, adventure, and snorkeling. Puerto Limón, located on the eastern coast of Costa Rica, is a popular Western Caribbean cruise port that welcomes thousands of passengers every year.

Cruise to Western Caribbean Caribbean Vacations

Table Of Content

• What is the best time to cruise to the Western Caribbean?
• Discovery at SEA
• Western Caribbean Tours and Excursions
• Roatán, Honduras
• Freedom & Flexibility on YourWESTERN CARIBBEAN VACATION
• Epic New Orleans Girl’s Trip Guide & Itinerary for Visitors

If you’re cruising from a Florida cruise terminal, your itinerary could include the Bahamas, Key West, or a day on one of the cruise lines’ private islands. Among them, Miami stands out as the primary embarkation port for Western Caribbean cruises, attracting the most significant volume of cruise ships. Several islands in the Western Caribbean boast bustling cruise ports, making them a gateway to thrilling adventures. So, in this article, learn about the top cruise ports when selecting a western Caribbean cruise itinerary. If you’re contemplating a cruise to the Caribbean, in this article, you’ll discover the top Western Caribbean cruise ports and what they have to offer.

What is the best time to cruise to the Western Caribbean?

Since it takes a short time to reach some eastern Caribbean cruise ports, you can opt for a sailing of under 7 days. The best cruise ports in Caribbean come down to your interests and what you prefer to do on your port day. Still, the higher risk of rain doesn’t stop cruise ships from visiting the western Caribbean during the rainy season.

Discovery at SEA

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The combination of historical attractions and mellow activities makes Falmouth Cruise Port a versatile destination. With easy access to Ocho Rios, you can also opt for more adventurous excursions nearby. The island of Roatan is a beautiful Caribbean destination and relatively undeveloped compared to the port stops in the eastern Caribbean. By taking a cruise of the western Caribbean, you can enjoy three to four port days on a seven-day itinerary. Flying into Florida, Texas, or New Orleans, Louisiana, your embarkation port, comes at a lower cost.

Western Caribbean Tours and Excursions

To escape the crowds, visitors can head to the island’s lighthouse, built in 1852, or visit the Turks and Caicos National Museum in Cockburn Town for a dose of history. The best white sand beaches are down the southeast peninsula, where you can also stop for spectacular views at Timothy Hill viewpoint. When you dock at Taino Cruise port, you are within walking distance of the cruise center in Puerto Plata. You can walk to the historic center with numerous museums and historical sites to explore, as well as lots of nice restaurants, bars, and shopping options. Located just minutes from the city center of Phillipsburg, the cruise terminal is near boutique shopping, local restaurants, a tourist information center, and numerous hotels. Luckily, there are plenty of options depending on the duration and starting point of your voyage.

Roatán, Honduras

Take a tour of the famous Miraflores Locks to see how the system works, cross the continental divide, and explore the country’s capital, Panama City. Visit an Emberá Indian village to see what life was like when the first Europeans arrived. Satisfy your every craving with our exquisite on-board dining experiences. Embark on a mouthwatering journey of fine dining, award-winning cocktails, and local flavors. Read insider travel tips and recommendations for planning your dream trip to paradise. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to prepare a mouthwatering three-course Mexican meal.

Although cruise ships have to tender passengers ashore at Grand Cayman Island, it's still one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman has many features that cruise travelers love — great shopping, spectacular beaches, and fun bars. The flat island also has unique places to visit like Stingray City, the turtle farm, and Hell. Just hearing the word “Caribbean” evokes the sights and sounds of the islands – white sandy beaches, blue waters, cheerful music, and glasses clinking.

If you don’t want to sit on a beach, shop till you drop in Oranjestad. Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard, Main Street, and the Renaissance Marketplace are the main shopping precincts. He will take you to where Rhianna grew up, the Animal Flower Caves on the north coast, or Harrison’s cave in the central region.

Hell is a small village that sits in the middle of a rocky outcropping that looks almost burned (like Hell). People come to buy postcards and t-shirts and have their photo taken by the "Hell" sign. Most cruise lines will have Costa Maya shore excursions similar to those of Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. Progreso is on the northern side of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, only about 30 miles from Merida.

However, June-November is hurricane season, so it may be wetter during those months. The most pleasant time to visit Puerto Plata is between December and March, during the dry season when the temperature is in the 70s or low 80s. Puerto Plata’s most famous historic sites include the Cathedral San Felipe and the 16th-century Fortress of San Felipe, with fantastic city and bay views. Plata Dorada, the golden beach, is the most famous and a short taxi drive from the port. Surrounded by the fierce sea, mountains, and valleys overflowing with lush greenery, Puerto Plata is one of the most popular destinations on the island. With a rich history, Puerto Plata was founded in 1503 by Christopher Columbus himself.

Many Western Caribbean cruises have partial transits of the Panama Canal that include the Gatun Lock which links Lake Gatun with the Caribbean Sea. The Costa Maya area also features many different types of birds, monkeys, and even jaguars in its jungle setting. Those who enjoy more active fun will enjoy water sports, biking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. Playa del Carmen is one of the smallest Caribbean cruise destinations – a very small port city that only welcomed a handful of cruises with American Queen Voyages. Again, now that American Queen Voyages has ceased trading, there are currently not port calls scheduled.

Grand Anse Beach, which visitors love for its blue turquoise waters and a two miles stretch of white sand, is only 15 minutes away by car. Public transportation is available for only USD 1, and access to all beaches on the island is free. North of Guatemala, Belize City is a popular destination for cruise ships, and for good reason. The city boasts a perfect climate year-round, the stunning Belize Rainforest, and the second-largest reef system in the world. Some of the highlights of this region include hanging out with marine life, enjoying the sand and surf, touring rum distilleries, and exploring the charm of historic old towns. With a huge variety of excursions for every age and sense of adventure, it’s easy to plan your perfect vacation.

On Roatan, you can snorkel and scuba dive on one of the largest reef systems in the world, visiting caves and shipwrecks while spotting sharks, eels, and colorful marine life. And where else can you visit a Sloth Farm or an Iguana Park that protects toucans, parrots, monkeys and reptiles? Other attractions to see from a water taxi tour include the multicolored stilted houses of fishermen in Oakridge and 17th-century pirate fortifications at Coxen Hole.