Eastern, Western, or Southern Caribbean, Which itinerary is best for you?

The most popular region in the world for cruising is the Caribbean. Every year millions of people board cruise ships and take to these turquoise waters for shopping, adventure, culture, and fun in the sun. The Caribbean is often experienced by sub-region. Most popular cruise lines offer 7-night cruises to the Western, Eastern, and Southern Caribbean. This poses the question to many guests– “which itinerary is best?”  The answer depends on the type of experience the guest is looking for.

The Eastern Caribbean

The Eastern Caribbean consists mainly of the Islands located East of Cuba. Popular destinations on these itineraries include

• St. Thomas, USVI- Home to Magen’s Bay which was voted one of the World’s greatest beaches. 

• Tortola,  BVI- Guests can visit the Virgin Gordo Baths, massive stone batholiths that sit in shallow turquoise pools creating an otherworldly atmosphere. 

• Nassau, Bahamas- Once the home of a pirate kingdom, Nassau now invites guests from all over the world for fun in the sun on white sand beaches. 

These are just a few of the ports in the Eastern Caribbean but the theme is already becoming clear. This is a beach heavy region. Guests looking for world-class sandy shores will not be disappointed. 

The Western Caribbean

Just like before, the Western Caribbean relates to ports from Cuba west. These ports would include

• Cozumel, Mexico- Welcome to the Mexican Riviera. One of the most popular destinations in the Western Caribbean. Local scenery includes mangrove jungles, coral reefs, and lagoons. One of the most popular excursions is a visit to the eco-archaeological site, Xcaret.

• Costa Maya, Mexico- the gateway to several active archaeological sites. Guests can tour Mayan Ruins, take an ATV ride, go kayaking, and more. This is an active destination for guests who love adventure.

• Key West, Florida, U.S.A.- This legendary island community is packed with history, From civil War Forts to Truman’s “Little Whitehouse” Key West has played a pivotal role in American History. The Island has been home to pirates, freedom fighters, wanderers, hippies, artists, authors, and poets. Key West is a wonderful cultural destination. 

The Waters surrounding Key West, shelter coral heads and a diverse array of Marine Life. Nearby attractions like Dry Tortugas National Park bring excellent opportunities for Snorkelling and Diving

Again the Western Caribbean is not limited to these three ports. The beaches are excellent but for most guests visiting this is an adventure tourism destination. The opportunities to hike waterfalls, snorkel in hidden lagoons, visit ruins of lost civilizations, or just get completely “sauced” on Duvall Street tend to be the draw.

The Southern Caribbean

To get to the Southern Caribbean from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale by ship, will take a 10-day itinerary at the minimum. However, 7-night options are leaving from Puerto Rico. The Southern Caribbean refers to the Southernmost Islands in the region and even the occasional stop in Colombia. Popular ports on these itineraries include

• Oranjestad, Aruba- One of the most popular beach destinations in the Caribbean. Guests can enjoy local cocktails at fun little watering holes along the beach. As part of the Dutch Caribbean Aruba provides another unique opportunity to explore Dutch Colonial History.

• Bridgetown, Barbados- The largest Island in the Lesser Antilles, Island chain, this former British Colony provides an excellent opportunity to explore local wildlife on land and sea. Guests can dive on a sunken ship, swim with sea turtles, and snorkel on coral reefs.

•  Willemstad, Curacao- This colorful port’s Old Town and Harbor are both  UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The port is famous for beautiful waters and excellent beaches. Guests can tour local museums, or savor the Dutch and Afro-Caribbean cruise. 

The Southern Caribbean is a great mix of history, culture, watersports, and nightlife. The option for a longer itinerary and the distance traveled, make the Southern Caribbean a more exotic destination in the minds of cruisers. 

So which one is THE BEST? The answer is not so simple as this one or that one. The Caribbean is a beautiful and culturally diverse destination that can never be fully appreciated in 7-days, and the cruise lines know it.

The easy access from North America makes the Caribbean one of the most repeated destinations in cruising and for good reason. Every next beach or Island holds something new. The best itinerary is in the eye of the beholder. Depending on what you are looking for our rankings are as follows:

Adventure Tourism:

1. Western

2. Southern

3. Eastern

Beaches:

1. Eastern

2. Southern

3. Western

Exotic Ports (or remoteness):

1. Southern 

2. Eastern

3. Western

This is a good way to get started while planning your first visit to the Caribbean. There are a lot of different ways to enjoy these islands and ports. Whether you choose the massive amusement park at sea atmosphere of a contemporary cruise line, or the intimate luxury of a small all-inclusive yacht, the best way to find the best itinerary is to consult an expert. Take advantage of over 30 years of experience in finding the perfect itineraries for your needs.