The website Cruise Fever asked its readers which cruise ports in the Caribbean and the Bahamas are their favorites and which are least favored. The results on this list are a direct outcome of the responses to this question from hundreds of followers willing to express their opinions. Not all cruise ports are the same. With the popularity of cruising in the Caribbean and the Bahamas, some destinations are more popular than others.
It’s worth noting that this is a highly subjective topic. While some prefer to stay on board when they anchor at Nassau, you might love to explore this port.
Five of the favorite cruise ports:
The most mentioned cruise port in the “favorite” category for Cruise Fever readers is:
Sint Maarten
With one part French and the other Dutch, this 13-square-mile island is one of the busiest cruise ports on this list. The port of Philipsburg, in Sint Maarten, received at least 1.3 million cruise tourists last year, with nearly 500 ships docking in the port.
Cruise tourists love the abundance of culture in the area as well as the natural beauty. The island boasts 37 beaches, and according to some sources, it holds the record for beach density per square kilometer.
Sint Maarten was the most mentioned favorite cruise port, and as more cruise itineraries include this port of call in their programs, more cruise tourists had the opportunity to explore this little piece of paradise.
Aruba
Aruba, one of the favorite stops on the Southern Caribbean cruise itinerary, is the most well-known of the ABC islands. You’ll typically find stops lasting 6 to 12 hours at this port. Since the island is far south in the Caribbean Sea, it requires a longer trip for ships departing from Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Cruise tourists adore Aruba for its white sandy beaches, the Dutch heritage present on the island, and the feeling of safety that can be felt here. Aruba is one of the safest cruise ports. If you add to this the magnificent shopping centers of Oranjestad and a myriad of unique excursions, you’ll understand why Aruba is on this list.
Grand Cayman
With nearly 1.4 million cruise passengers visiting Grand Cayman every year, it is one of the most popular ports in the Caribbean. Cruise tourists often give high praise for Seven Mile Beach or the impressive coral surrounding the port, perfect for snorkeling and diving.
George Town also offers plenty of shopping opportunities. And let’s not forget one of the island’s most popular tourist activities: the Cayman Turtle Centre.
Grand Cayman is one of the three Cayman Islands and is located approximately 160 km west of Jamaica and south of Cuba.
San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico is a favorite cruise port. Old San Juan and its vibrant culture that can be felt in its streets have something special. Cruise tourists love that most of this area can be explored on foot and that the most beautiful beaches, such as Playa del Condado and Playa El Ultimo Trolley, offer plenty of space to relax under the sun.
In San Juan, you can also enjoy fantastic cuisine with a blend of Spanish and Caribbean flavors. This port also has a unique history. El Morro is a six-level fort that dominates the bay of San Juan and was built during the sixteenth century.
Curaçao
Another Dutch Caribbean island, the “C” of the ABC islands, is known for its colorful reefs and stunning beaches. Willemstad, the capital, is also a popular attraction of the port. The vibrant colonial-style buildings provide a beautiful backdrop for wandering and filling up with shops and cafes, as well as being a great place to save a spot in the harbor to drop anchor in the center.
Cruise tourists love the relaxed atmosphere of Curaçao, along with the natural beauty of the island. Excursions through Christoffel National Park are also very popular, but they are quite far from the port.
Highlighte mentions:
St. Thomas, Bonaire, and “any private island.”
The least favorite ones:
The fact that a cruise destination is on this list of the least favorites does not mean that you cannot enjoy an incredible day at the port.
But the Caribbean and its surrounding ports were mentioned as the least favorite ones. Whether you agree or disagree, these ports have room for improvement. Indeed, some have made significant improvements, which should not be dismissed.
They are Nassau, Freeport, Jamaica, Belize, and Tortola. Martinique and Roatan were also mentioned as some of the ports that did not excite cruise tourists, according to Cruise Fever. Cozumel (Mexico) was also mentioned several times as the least favorite, but it also appeared on the list of favorite ports by commentators.
