The Caribbean Islands are a constellation of thousands of islands, some of the famous ones being the Bahamas, Jamaica, and even St. Kitts. If a tropical getaway is what you are looking for, the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea and the animated islands are a must-visit!
Be it the water sports, zip-lining, or more relaxing activities like drinking a martini while reading your favorite book, you will be surprised to see how fulfilling a trip to the Caribbean islands can be. The Huge number of islands will leave you spoilt for choices, but it is also very likely to leave you confused when it comes to choosing the islands to cover on your cruise. The Royal Caribbean cruise lines tour the choicest of islands, which makes their Royal cruises the best way to explore the Caribbean Islands.
Here are the eight islands that Royal Caribbean ships cruise to which will make you fall in love with them:
A Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
Simply put, you will have to personally witness the Perfect Day at CocoCay to believe in the grandiose of it all! This island paradise will top all your expectations of thrill and chill. Situated in the Bahamas, this private island also houses the tallest water slide in the whole of North America. And that’s not it; why not take a hot air balloon ride or chill at the swim-bar at the Oasis Lagoon? Two of Royal Caribbean’s best ships for short getaways, Navigator and Mariner of the Seas, along with their eight other ships will take you to this island paradise.
Falmouth, Jamaica
Located on the northern coast of Jamaica, Falmouth was once a center for a dramatic social change during the British colonial period. With the 19th-century Georgian architecture remaining, there are plenty of things you can indulge in. Now, Falmouth is all about adventuring in nature, like exploring the beautiful beaches in Negril, and the spectacular river falls in Dunn. You could also enjoy the delectable Jamaican fare, some of which are famous jerk chicken, Ackee fruits, and saltfish.
Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
For those who enjoy adventures to the extreme, Basseterre at St Kitts & Nevis is a must-visit! With a rich history, lush rainforests, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures like having lunch on a volcano, this off-the-beaten-path West Indies isle has much to offer besides the national park that occupies a quarter of the land. You’d have a ball exploring the man-made marvels in St. Kitts, like the 18th-century plantation homes in Basseterre’s capital. Even a day trip to the sister island, Nevis, will introduce you to more colonial-era buildings and also the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton.
Willemstad, Curacao
The largest of the six islands comprising the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao, is extremely famous for its distinctive blue liqueur, but there’s so much more to Curacao than the fancy liqueur.
Taking a night stroll past the colorful Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish influenced homes that line the port city of Willemstad or learning about the maritime history on a fascinating journey to ancient forts is going to be a cruise trip you weren’t expecting. You might also enjoy the mangroves and lagoons on a speedboat tour of the island, making a few stops to snorkel in the crystal waters. You will surely miss Willemstad Island as you board your Royal Caribbean ship to move on to the next destination.
Cozumel, Mexico
There’s always something for everyone in Mexico, and in Cozumel, the Mayan ruins captivate anyone who lays their eyes on them! Once you have explored the island’s incredible ancient sites, including San Gervasio, hidden deep in a lush jungle, you must visit the mainland historic site of Tulum, which stands on a bluff overlooking the sea. You could also go scuba diving! The Mayans must have loved beachfront properties as much as the people do now!
Labadee, Haiti
Is vegging out on a beautiful beach your definition of fun or are you an adrenaline junkie? Either way, this private island owned by the Royal Caribbean cruise line on the northern coast of Haiti is going to be quite an experience! Backed by jungle-covered mountains, Labadee is a gorgeous cove that lets you sink into the white sand and savor the stunning 180-degree ocean views. If this wasn’t amazing enough, you could also fly down the island’s 500-foot-high zip line; the world’s longest and most amazing overwater ride! Check this website for more information.
Bridgetown, Barbados
Bridgetown in Barbados is a destination in the southern Caribbean that boasts of over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year; which means Barbados is a coral island that houses white sand, blueish-green water, and also colorful reefs! These traits make the island of Barbados perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving among tropical fish, turtles, and even shipwrecks!
Did you know that Barbados is also the birthplace of rum? The island is certainly worth experiencing for its history and learning about rum’s age-old connection to pirates! You could get to that at the Mount Gay Distillery, the oldest in the world, by taking a tasting tour.
Roatan, Honduras
One of the most famous jewels of the Western Caribbean, Roatan, is located on the coast of Honduras. Here you will find the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the Caribbean’s largest, which makes for an epic snorkeling and kayaking destination. See colorful corals and an array of marine life, including sea snails, groupers, Gorgonian soft corals, and rare seahorses.
Need an adrenaline rush? Head into the jungle and zipline amongst the treetops and traverse suspension bridges for viewing the iguanas, tropical flowers, and exotic birds up-close.
Apart from these 8 wonderful islands, the Royal Caribbean Cruise has many ships that sail to some of the most amazing Caribbean destinations. Besides, the exceptional service and unparalleled luxury of Royal Caribbean make for an extremely enjoyable cruising experience.
Nina Smith