6 Caribbean Cruise Excursions You’ll Love
The turquoise waters, balmy temps and tropical ports of the Caribbean Sea beckon millions of cruise passengers each year—more than any other cruise destination. Go island-hopping with these amazing onshore excursions.
Discover a former pirate den.
The Caribbean, legendary for its Golden Age of Piracy in the 1600s and 1700s, is alive with tales of Blackbeard, shipwrecks and lost treasure. A perfect place to channel the buccaneers of yore is Norman Island, across Sir Francis Drake Channel from Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Visitors take private boats to this former pirate den (said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island) to explore caves, snorkel and do their best pirate impersonations.
Mingle with exotic wildlife.
Curious creatures are the stars of the show in and around Belize City, Belize. On a boat ride along the Belize River, lush jungles reveal crocodiles, iguanas and howler monkeys—while up-close animal sightings are aplenty at the Belize Zoo, a sanctuary for creatures that are native to Belize. Housing mostly orphaned and rescued animals, the zoo showcases several kinds of wild cats, including jaguars (pictured), pumas, ocelots and margays.
Soar like a bird.
Sink your toes in the white coral sand of Seven Mile Beach—or parasail 400 feet above it! In George Town, Grand Cayman, those new to the sport can soar in tandem with a certified crew member, leaving them free to take photos and fully enjoy the exhilaration of the ride and the view of the turquoise waters, while thrill-seekers fly on their own and choose a refreshing wet landing.
Thrill to a yacht race.
After cruising on ship at a sedate 19 knots, crewing an America’s Cup racing yacht in a competition with fellow travelers is a wild ride. From Philipsburg, St. Maarten (the Dutch side of the island, whose French side is called St. Martin), the short race on an official course leaves participants wet, adrenaline-filled and ready to celebrate with riveting race stories.
Explore an island on horseback.
An unexpected way to enjoy Aruba is on horseback. From the capital, Oranjestad, a high-spirited ride on a beautiful steed along the beaches of the north coast is accompanied by a hair-ruffling ocean breeze. Riders also explore the rugged Arikok National Park, and those who look closely may glimpse native snakes and burrowing owls.
Drive through a volcano.
Sulfur Springs, the world’s only drive-through volcano, announces its presence by its sulfuric scent well before visitors arrive there from lush Castries, St. Lucia. The road runs through the crater of the dormant volcano, past pools bubbling and belching with sulphuric steam. Nearby are hot springs for a relaxing dip and a colorful botanical garden, complete with a waterfall.
With more than 7,000 islands, atolls and cays dotting its turquoise surface, the Caribbean Sea is a tropical paradise full of swaying palm trees and sugar-sand beaches. Nearly 30 Caribbean countries offer prime playgrounds for diving, snorkeling, fishing and simply relaxing. The climate offers warm water, sunny skies and steady breezes, making the Caribbean a year-round cruise destination (December through April is the peak season). Each island port beckons visitors with its own personality: from the natural beauty of Belize, with its rainforest-draped mountains, to the hundreds of duty-free shops that make the Caribbean a shopper’s heaven.
Cruise lines offer a bevy of onshore adventures, or excursions, that let cruise passengers get off the ship and explore on land. AAA Travel Advisors can help you choose the excursions that are right for you, helping to craft a cruise vacation that fulfills all your travel dreams.