Along with the Mediterranean, the Caribbean continues to be the world’s most popular and enduring cruise destination and once you’ve experienced it for yourself, you’ll soon understand why.  As well as year-round sunshine and some of the world’s most idyllic beaches, this archipelago of over 700 islands is where you’ll find an abundance of lush inland jungle, colonial history and exhilarating water sports activities. Depending on where and with which cruise line you travel, there’s also the chance to experience something else which the region is famous for – its food – at a fun-filled Caribbean beach party.

 

Owing to the vast area that they cover and the sheer number of ports that you can explore, most Caribbean itineraries typically take place in either the Eastern or Western Caribbean, with some longer voyages calling at ports in both the east and the west. Some itineraries, particularly those which set sail from the shores of America also include stops in the Bahamas, which lie just north of the Caribbean archipelago.

Some of the most popular ports in the Eastern Caribbean are also some of the islands’ most diverse and culturally rewarding.  St Maarten is one of the most popular Eastern Caribbean destinations and with good reason. As well as being home to a wealth of beautiful beaches and sandy escapes, it has a dual French and Dutch colonial heritage which makes it a fascinating and unique island to explore. In the capital Philipsburg, you can stroll along the boardwalk and take a trip to one of the islands’ most celebrated duty-free shopping meccas, Frontstreet.

 

One of the US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas is another port much loved by cruisers, and is home to such key historic attractions as Blackbeard’s Castle and the 99 Steps. It’s also where you’ll find one of the US Virgin Islands’ best-loved attractions, the Coral World Ocean Park, which is an immersive showcase of the Caribbean’s flora and fauna.

 

In contrast, St Kitts is a wonderful place from which to escape the tourist throng. The larger Caribbean islands might be blessed with more visitors, but isles like St Kitts are few and far between. Bringing together soft sands and former plantation buildings, the rich history of the island is plain to see. Surrounded by a glorious array of palm trees and rolling sugar cane fields, St Kitts has an astounding natural beauty which is commonplace across the destinations of the Eastern Caribbean.

 

Antigua is another island which offers a little more seclusion than others but boasts more than its fair share of perfect beach escapes. St John’s is its key port and the star man-made attraction here is surely the dramatic Fort Barrington, which looms on the shore as a constant reminder of past British colonisation.

If the Eastern Caribbean is all about diverse islands, then the western side of this captivating region is defined by grand coastlines.  Jamaica is the world’s best-known Western Caribbean destination and boasts a number of cruise ports, all of which are Caribbean itinerary mainstays. Montego Bay is a diverse and vibrant city, offering visitors a little of everything that the Caribbean is famous for.

 

Known for its nightlife, it’s also great for snorkelling and yachting adventures, golfing opportunities and tranquil colonial houses and gardens. Ocha Rios is all about immersing yourself in that oft dreamt-of Caribbean sun-kissed paradise and is the perfect island on which to de-stress and simply get away from it all.

 

Reggae Beach is the ideal place to do this and one of the island’s most popular sandy escapes for a reason. Falmouth is Jamaica’s newest port and conveniently placed to offer visitors a fast-track to the island’s colonial epicentre of the same name, where you can witness Georgian homes of days gone by and immerse yourself in the island’s rich history.

 

The Cayman Islands are another destination often visited in the Western Caribbean and comprise Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. You’ll most likely find yourself on Grand Cayman, as this is where you’ll find the famous Stingray City, where thousands of visitors each year get up close and personal with those famous denizens of the deep. With bountiful beaches, botanical parks and a choice of historical sites, it’s an island with plenty to offer.

 

Belize City on the island of the same name is a popular Western Caribbean cruise port of call. Its impressive zoo is possibly its biggest attraction but it’s also another colonial gem, and home to Central America’s oldest Anglican cathedral and the world’s only manually operated swing bridge. There are a number of museums to discover too, but Belize City also serves as a gateway to the nature-based adventures the island offers, such as jungle treks and cave tubing experiences.

 

The Bahamas lie north of the Caribbean archipelago but feature on a number of itineraries which include US port calls and a number of cruise lines own private beaches there.  The glittering waters of the Bahamas’ capital Nassau, on the Island of New Providence, provide the perfect backdrop for its exciting waterfronts. Along with the striking scenery, cruisers can look forward to a vibrant township which is entertaining to the core.

 

While exploring, you’ll find pastel-coloured townhouses clustered alongside impressive government buildings which stand as a lasting testament to the region’s colonial past. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to world-beating beaches too and you’ll also have the chance to tick off that bucket list dream of many – to swim with dolphins.

 

Lying closest to the popular American departure port of Miami, from where many Caribbean and Bahaman voyages set sail, Freeport, the capital of Grand Bahama Island, is another well-frequented port. As well as offering a good choice of beaches, it’s also a great place to shop, with Port Lucaya Marketplace being the key commercial hub and a great place to haggle for those souvenir bargains. If you’ve a desire to explore the deep, Freeport is also a great place to book a snorkel excursion to experience the island’s beautiful coral reefs.