Our Top 3 Caribbean Cruise Destinations for this Year
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f you’re planning a Caribbean cruise in 2016 you’re in for a real treat! It’s no wonder the Caribbean is such a popular cruise destination; white sandy beaches, amazing culture, historical monuments, and let’s not forget, some of the most delicious food! The only hard part about cruising to the Caribbean is picking the perfect port destinations. There are several islands to choose from and most of us only have a limited amount of time we can get away for a vacation. Not to worry, we’ve got a list narrowed down of our top 3 favorite ports for your Caribbean cruise!
#1 Jamaica: I feel in love with Jamaica long ago. It’s by far one of the prettier islands in the Caribbean and being that it is the third largest island in the Caribbean, there is plenty to explore!
The natural beauty of the island makes Jamaica a perfect destination spot. As a mountain girl, growing up only miles from the Sierra Nevada’s, I was fascinated with the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. This dazzling mountain range received its name because the mountains appear to be blue. This blue aura actually comes from the eucalypts trees that cover these mountains. These trees emit a mist of oil which makes the mountains appear blue. It’s an amazing site to see! The natural beauty of Jamaica doesn’t end with the mountains, there are amazing waterfalls, beautiful white sandy beaches, and wild orchids everywhere! Speaking of natural beauty, if you are visiting Jamaica you can’t leave without seeing a Giant Swallow Tail butterfly. The Giant Swallow Tail is the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere with a wing span up to 6 inches! Keep an eye out for Tody bird too, they make their nest on the ground rather than the trees, so watch your step! Lastly, make sure to book a scuba diving shore excursion if you are visiting Jamaica, some of the coral you will find can only be found in Jamaica.
Although, I could go on forever about the natural beauty that surrounds Jamaica, I can’t talk about a Jamaica cruise without mentioning the local cuisine. First, you have to try the coffee! There locally grown coffee is extraordinary and will make you want to kiss Starbucks goodbye! Secondly, get a fresh Mango, Mango is a major crop for Jamaica and the fresher the mango the better. Lastly, you can’t leave the island without trying the national dish, Ackee and Saltfish.
#2 Aruba: If you are looking for fun in the sun and plenty of beach time, Aruba is your spot! In fact, Aruba boasts of having the least rainfall in the Caribbean. However, just because Aruba has limited rainfall doesn’t mean they don’t have the yummiest drinking water! Yeah, I know it sounds crazy but if a local offers you a Balashi Cocktail while in Aruba, drink it, it’s just purified saltwater. You may notice while in Aruba that the water is a bit softer and bubblier, that is because Aruba has one of the largest desalination plants in the world. Pretty cool, right? Well I thought so, but there is certainly more to Aruba than just drink the water, you can play in it too!
History runs deep in Aruba, which means super interesting shore excursions while in port! There is seriously so much to do it’s hard to decide, but I think scuba diving to a few ship wreck sites from WWII is a history lover’s dream! Not only will you get the opportunity to see some amazing sea creatures and gorgeous coral along the way but have a chance to get up-close and personal with the SS Antilla and SS Pedernales. Want some ancient history instead? Aruba has over 300 paintings from the Caiquetio shamans who lived on the island over a thousand years ago.
Lastly, Aruba is another spot in the Caribbean for amazing some cuisine. Believe it or not, Indonesian and Dutch cuisine are some of Aruba’s finest. My personal favorite is the loempia, it’s similar to a spring roll but much larger and the taste is pretty amazing! If you find yourself in Aruba you must also try bitterballen, which is a meat based snack that is absolutely scrumptious.
#3 Belize City: A cruise to the Caribbean is not complete without a visit to Belize City. Ever wonder why Belize is such a popular cruise port? Well, it’s simple, Belize has a little bit of everything! You can go scuba diving, snorkeling, zip lining, horseback riding on the beach, I am not kidding when I say they have a little something for everyone. But, Belize also has a few really cool adventures that really make for a great Caribbean cruise.
I have to start with my personal favorite, the Mayan sites. Belize has approximately 900 Mayan sites in total, so if you are up for an adventure through some ruins Belize is the place. Altun Ha ruins are close to the city and offer an easy walk through some of the world’s most ancient spots. Regardless of which of the Mayan sites you decide to visit you will most likely be fascinated. Oh, and if you here some crazy sounds during your trip to the Mayan ruins don’t be alarmed. Belize is home to the Black Howler monkey, which is one of the world’s loudest creatures!
Speaking of Belize City and its creatures, if you get a chance to go to Belize try to make a trip to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary. This is the first Jaguar reserve in the entire world and features hundreds of animals and plants. Not to mention beautiful scenery; with picturesque waterfalls, and a stunning landscapes.
Have you been to the Caribbean? We would love to hear about your favorite locations! Are you looking for the perfect Caribbean spot but want to learn more? Let us know here at CruiseExperts.com! We would love to research the ports you are interested in cruising to and write a feature piece just for you! Visit our website at www. CruiseExperts.com for Caribbean cruise deals or call us at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784). Our goal is to make sure you have the best cruise vacation possible!
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