3 July 2021
Shore excursions provide amazing memories of your cruise adventure, from the richculture, vibrant music and contrasting landscapes to the languages and foods of the islands,to take you to the Caribbean’sheart.
Booking a tour though the cruise liner isn’t the cheapest way to do but it has a number of benefits. Firstly,the guaranteethat you are return to the ship, so that you are back onboard before the it is due to sail-away - and even if the tour is in some way delayed, the ship will wait until all passengers are safely back onboard before it weighs anchor.
Cruise liners are experts in world voyages, and each of the tours and excursions they offer has been tried and tested, and hand-crafted to maximise time ashore. Bookings are also backed for complete peace of mind, meaning that if the weather prevents the ship from docking, or operating shore experiences, the full price of the tour experience is refunded, provided it didn’t actually start. Cruise ships have a dedicated team on board, to book, discuss or answer questions about excursions. Local guides are chosen so that the experience is delivered by someone who genuinely has a meaningful connection to the excursion, making it rewarding and inspiring. Caribbean cruise tours shore excursions are designed to provide amazing memories, to ensure that you get a chance to explore and experience the culture, music, landscaper, languages and foods of the islandsand get a feel for what the true Caribbean is all about. As one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, the Caribbean has plenty of excursion options to offer from hitting the beach, shopping till you drop, delve into the rainforest, mountains and woodlands in the interior of the island or go snorkelling in beautiful coral gardens.
Antigua
While the Caribbean is most well-known for sun and sand, there's lots of history on offer as well. In St. John's, Antigua, the historical highlights are Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights, both of which are remnants of the island's British military past. The two sites can usually be visited on a half-day excursion, and both are typically included in any full-day bus tour of the island, which oftentimes is combined with a beach stop and lunch.
Aruba
One of the best ways to see Aruba is with a tour that hits island highlights and offers some beach time. Along the way, you'll visit rock formations and lighthouses, and pass by some of the desert island landscapes and less touristy towns.
Barbados
If you need a break from beach-bumming, a popular alternative in Barbados is a tour of Harrison's Cave. This crystallised limestone cavern comes teeming with streams and pools, stalactites and stalagmites. Explore the cave system on an electric tram tour, with commentary provided by an informative tour guide. Note that some full-day island highlights tours also factor in a visit to the cave as part of its circuit.
Belize City
For high-flying views of Belize's rainforest, zipwiring is a must, and for those who enjoy swimming in ancient, darkened caverns, cave-tubing will be right up your alley. If you're feeling extra adventurous, book a tour that combines the two for an active day in port.
Bonaire
You're likely to catch a glimpse of sea turtles, rays and all sorts of tropical fish and coral if you head out to Bonaire’s pristine waters for snorkelling or scuba diving. Get out on the water by boat, then dive in; it's tough to beat the variety of marine life that surrounds this Southern Caribbean island.
Curacao
With so much located near the port of Curacao, you can squeeze a number of activities into a single day with a combination excursion. Take a scenic island tour to visit highlights like the Hato Caves with their underground limestone formations and pools, and a distillery where the island's namesake Curacao liqueur is distilled, the world’s most famous blue drink.
Dominica
The Southern Caribbean island of Dominica is a nature-fanatic's paradise -- it's home to more than 170 types of birds, numerous waterfalls and mountains that rise to 5,000 feet -- and the best way to explore it is to embark on an active excursion. Try one that combines a short hike through the rainforest to the twin Trafalgar Falls with a relaxing dip at the Emerald Pool (a waterfall grotto), all paired with a glass or two of rum punch.
Freeport
This Bahamian port lends well to the Caribbean classics: beach time and snorkelling. Set out to explore Freeport's stunning coral reefs, tropical fish, rays, dolphins, sea turtles and more on a guided snorkelling excursion; some outings are led by boat, while others let you simply swim in with your snorkel gear right from shore.
Grand Cayman
The undeniable top attraction in Grand Cayman is Stingray City, a legendary sandbar where rays once came to eat leftover bits jettisoned by fishermen, and now wait to slurp squid from the hands of bikini-clad tourists. Visitors have the unusual opportunity to hop in the shallow water with the habituated creatures, feel their velvety skin and pose for photos. Guides accompany you. Many excursions pair the stingray experience with a beach stop.
Grand Turk
Cool off in Grand Turk's turquoise waters on a snorkelling tour; many of them are run aboard scenic catamaran sailings. For a unique twist, seek out a "power snorkeling" excursion instead, which incorporates a high-tech twist via special handheld power units that utilise propellers to guide snorkellers along on their underwater adventure.
Grenada
If you're visiting the "Spice Island," you'll likely want to see a spice plantation. Grenada is also known for its beautiful Grand Etang National Park, based around the crater lake of an extinct volcano. An island combo tour will typically take you to both, as well as to Fort Frederick and Annandale Falls. If you're feeling more adventurous, head to Grand Etang for the Seven Sisters Waterfalls hike; the tour is often combined with a visit to spice or rum factories.
Havana
Oozing flavour, culture and history, a Havana city highlights tour is the way to go for visitors looking to maximise their time on the ground in this fast-emerging Cuban port. Bus tours whisk visitors around for stops at the Malecon seafront esplanade and the historic sites of Old Havana, with its bustling Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de Armas. A Cuban lunch is typically included in the outing, too.
Martinique
Possibly the best things to do in the French isle of Martinique are shop for French luxury goods and hit the beach, but you don't need an excursion to do that. For a little shore tour adventure, try a half-day tour of Balata Gardens, an impressively maintained botanical collection of tropical vegetation.
Montego Bay
Montego Bay offers the same water sports, beach breaks and dolphin encounters as does Ocho Rios. For something a little more Jamaican, take a plantation tour, such as the one to Croydon Plantation. You'll visit a historic plantation house and taste pineapples, bananas or sugarcane, straight from the source.
Nassau
Nassau's star attraction is the Atlantis Resort, and, happily, you don't have to be an overnight resort guest to partake in some of its world-class facilities. Book an outing to the Atlantis Aquaventure "waterscape," a sophisticated 141-acre water park that comes jam-packed with water slides, rolling rapids, swimming areas and more. It's guaranteed fun for kids of all ages.
Ocho Rios
One of the biggest highlights of visiting Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is climbing up Dunn's River Falls, a 600-foot-long waterfall that flows into a pool by the beach. You can combine a climb up the falls with a number of other activities, including a dolphin swim, beach time or snorkelling.
Playa del Carmen (Calica)
Shore excursions to Tulum are popular from Playa del Carmen, but you can get there from Cozumel as well. Your best bet here is to take in some of the area's diverse marine wildlife. Our favourite option is a snorkel and swim with sea turtles in the protected waters of Akumal Bay.
San Juan
The charms of a stroll through Old Town are not to be missed, but for nature lovers, one of San Juan's most stunning nearby natural attractions is the nearly 29,000-acre El Yunque National Forest, with its myriad waterfalls, scenic views and hiking trails. Excursions to El Yunque, a tropical rainforest, typically include bus stops at or short treks to one of the park's waterfalls.
St. Barts
St. Barts is arguably the best place in the Caribbean for duty-free designer goods and haute couture straight from France, and you can easily visit the stores strung out all along the harbor. When your credit card is maxed out, opt for a sailing tour to further feel like a celebrity or socialite. A catamaran or sailboat will whisk you away, typically including stops for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. Just give a nod to the other yachts you pass and act like you own the place.
St. Croix
Buck Island Reef is officially a national monument, and the 19,015 acres of land and sea lie just off the north shore of St. Croix. A typical shore excursion features a 45-minute bus ride across the island, followed by a 40-minute scenic powerboat cruise out to the reef. You can snorkel among the coral and sea life for about an hour (a snorkelling lesson may be included, too), or just enjoy the views (and the rum punch included on the way back).
St. Kitts
An island tour is a popular option if you want to see St. Kitts, but for an escape from the crowds, cruisers can hop a "sea taxi" to the less-travelled island of Nevis. While on Nevis, you'll typically visit some historical sites, lunch at a beachside restaurant and have some time to swim in the Caribbean waters.
St. Lucia
On any cruise heading to St. Lucia you'll hear talk of the famous Pitons. The island's two volcanic spires are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many would say a visit here is not complete without at least catching a glimpse for them. One of the best ways to see the Pitons is from the water on a scenic cruise, which might also include a stop for swimming and snorkelling.
St. Maarten
Independent-minded travellers will probably head for St. Maarten's famous shopping areas and casinos. But for something a little different, sign up for the America's Cup Regatta. On this excursion, you'll actually race onboard a 12-meter racing boat and serve as part of the crew. The boat ride (typically lasting about two hours) features refreshments and perhaps even a rum punch party to celebrate. Although you don't need any sailing experience, this can be a strenuous activity and is not simply a relaxing sailboat ride.
St. Martin
As the fashionable French sister on the conjoined island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Martin draws cruise tourists with its shopping opportunities. Head to Marigot, where visitors flock to chic boutiques touting upscale French fashion imports and duty-free perfume, jewelry and more. And don't miss the stunning architecture and interior design of Le West Indies Shopping Mall. It features bars, restaurants, a spa and some 20 luxury designer shops in a three-level masterpiece. Check out, too, Marigot's open-air Waterfront Market, encompassing a craft market and a Caribbean food fair selling spices and fresh-off-the-boat fish.
St. Thomas
St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands is equally famous for its beaches and shopping. Luckily, you can manage to combine both in the same tour. Head out to Magens Bay for a couple of hours of fun in the sun; afterward, you'll be transferred to Charlotte Amalie for some duty-free shopping.
Tortola
One of Tortola's premier snorkelling spots is in the waters off Norman Island, a legendary pirate haunt that's said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island." Join a snorkel guide to explore the Caves and view colourful coral formations, exotic fish and abundant marine life.
Tour prices vary depending on several factors, such as the duration of the excursion and whether it includes lunch or refreshments. Most tours are offered as a brief introductory tour (90 minutes), a half-day highlight (3-4 hours) or full-day in-depth exploration (8-10 hours). Bookings can be made 12 months prior to the cruise departure with full payment taken. Demand for each tour is high, so to ensure you get your pick, be sure to book up well in advance.
