Sunday, March 31, 2024

Best Puerto Rico Caribbean Cruises for 2024 and 2025

carnival cruise from puerto rico to caribbean

Amazing food, pristine beaches, rich history and culture — there are so many reasons why everyone should add Puerto Rico to their vacation list. That said, ask any savvy traveler and they’ll likely tell you that the best Puerto Rico vacations are cruises. Because you can bundle multiple beautiful island destinations into one unforgettable getaway.

Night Carnival Journeys - Southern CaribbeanDetails

Incredibly attractive introductory rates starting at $149 per Sailor per night, with 9 gorgeous new itineraries to match your mood. In Old San Juan, you’ll find plenty of island fare and criolla cuisine— home cooking flavored by Spanish and African influences. Try some mofongo, mashed fried green plantains often stuffed with meat, or snack on some codfish fritters, called bacalaitos. Strong and beautiful, this fort has helped guard the shore for nearly five centuries while overlooking some of the island’s best scenery. Explore it via spiral staircases between levels, and grab a photo at one of the iconic garita sentry boxes that line the outer walls.

Hurricane Season

This evidence is all around you — you’ll find in the Caribbean air, the sand and the water. And with more than 5,000 islands and cays spread across this amazing region, there’s a lot of paradise to see. Best of all, the mild climate means it doesn’t even matter what time of year you go.

We teamed up with the people who know each destination best: the locals.

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MSC Cruises makes bold moves to take on Carnival, Royal Caribbean.

Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:40:51 GMT [source]

From the moment you arrive, you’ll find that San Juan, Puerto Rico is bursting at the seams with unforgettable cultural discoveries. Every alleyway in Old San Juan offers a glimpse into a vibrant past that stretches back centuries, while monuments like the UNESCO World Heritage site Castillo San Felipe del Morro will make you feel as though you’ve wandered back in time. Dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, the beloved Paseo de La Princesa in the city’s historic center is a great place to experience Puerto Rico’s rich cultural heritage up close. Cruises from San Juan are usually the same price per night as from Florida.

carnival cruise from puerto rico to caribbean

This dazzling southern Caribbean isle is nicknamed “Diver’s Paradise” thanks to its abundance of dive sites (there are 86 at Bonaire Marine Park alone), and its many coral reefs also lure snorkelers from around the world. If you’re more of a land-loving explorer, head to Washington Slagbaii National Park, which encompasses more than a fifth of the island. You’ll find all kinds of landscapes here, from sweeping sepia-toned deserts to thick mangroves and placid lagoons. After a day at sea, the ship returns to San Juan, and guests can continue exploring the city with a walking tour of Old San Juan and a dinner of local cuisine, like mofongo (fried green plantains) or bacalaitos (codfish fritters). Next, the ship heads to Carambola Beach, Saint Kitts and Nevis, home to luxurious beach clubs and restaurants.

San Juan has some beautiful sandy beaches making it a very attractive for combining cruises from San Juan with a beach stay. Hotels right on the beach are very affordable so you don’t need to rent a car to get around. It’s a great way to enjoy a Caribbean beach vacation for just the cost of your hotel and food. San Juan cruise port is the largest and busiest in the Caribbean with two separate terminals. Most cruise ships use the main San Juan Terminal within sight of the Old Town.

In St. George's, Bermuda, the next two days, guests can tour the historic Old Town on foot or by van. All of these islands are top-rated destinations for travelers around the world, but they’re just a sampling of the incredible places you can visit when you choose a cruise for your Puerto Rico vacation. Cruise itineraries sailing from the San Juan cruise port also include stunning isles like Martinique, St. Thomas, Tortola, Curacao, and Aruba, just to name a few. What’s more, you get to start and end your vacation in one of the Caribbean’s most iconic destinations — vibrant San Juan, Puerto Rico, filled with countless wonders to discover. No matter which San Juan cruise you choose, you’re bound to have an unforgettable vacation.

carnival cruise from puerto rico to caribbean

We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Cruises from San Juan require passengers to first fly to Puerto Rico and this cost is not included in the cruise price. You should also allow for extra expenses such as spending a night in a hotel in San Juan before and/or after your cruise.

Basseterre, St. Kitts is the next day’s port, and guests can hike the Mount Liamuiga volcano, see sugarcane in the countryside from a double-decker railcar, or kayak the crystal clear water. Explore it capital, Castries, by catamaran or on foot around the peaks of the Pitons, or relax in the thermal pools of Soufriere. Bridgetown, Barbados, next on the itinerary, is home to colonial buildings, open-air markets, and pink-sand beaches.

All these attractions have modest admittance fees (around $5) and guides speak English as well as Spanish. Many other cruise lines use San Juan as a port of call, particularly for refueling and loading fresh supplies as part of a Transatlantic cruise. Find out the pros and cons on cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico with some reasons you might never have thought of to travel from the Caribbean island. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Here are a few of our top picks for the best cruises to Puerto Rico and other beach destinations.

Take in views of the Riviera village, browse shops stocked in Gallic goods, and take the opportunity to ride aboard a sailing yacht. This seven-day cruise aboard Norwegian Viva embarks from San Juan, where guests can explore Puerto Rico before or after their sailing. Built in 2023, the Norwegian Viva offers guests onboard activities like 10-story slides, a three-level go-kart race track, and an immersive art gallery.

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #stmaarten — you may see them right here. Puerto Rico is generally considered to be a safe, politically stable country. However, in extreme circumstances there has been some unrest and protests. These were triggered when the islanders felt that the government and the USA were failing to provide essential disaster relief following devastating natural disasters.

World's Largest Cruise Ship Arrives in the Caribbean for the First Time - Cruise Hive

World's Largest Cruise Ship Arrives in the Caribbean for the First Time.

Posted: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Lounge by the beach, swim under a waterfall or canoe through mangroves. Venture out and get lost in a world of rainforests and mist-covered mountain tops with the best Puerto Rico cruises. If you are only visiting San Juan for a short time before your cruise, the free Trolley is a good way to get around and see the sights quickly and easily.

If you’re a foodie make sure you try a dish of codfish with potatoes — you can order it the English way, with a hard-boiled egg, or the Portuguese way, prepped in tomato-onion sauce. Iles des Saintes, off the coast of Guadeloupe, is the next port and offers a glimpse of the Caribbean of the past. Next, enjoy the beaches, rainforest, and French atmosphere of the Caribbean island of Martinique before heading to Bridgetown, Barbados, where you’ll find historic buildings, delicious cuisine, and rum distilleries.

There's a variety of dining spots, lounges, a whiskey bar, a cigar lounge, a spa, and a Starbucks. The boho-chic neighborhood of Santurce is your go-to for shops selling some of Puerto Rico’s leading local designers. If international designers and high-end boutiques are more your style, you can spend hours browsing the storefronts in glitzy El Condado. San Juan cruise port is very popular for Southern Caribbean cruises. The trolley stop outside the port is always busy when cruise ships are in port.

In Saint Lucia, visit the Pitons or snorkel one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite dive spots. And then, in St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda, guests can snorkel, kayak, zip line, or relax on a sunset catamaran cruise. The first stop is Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for snorkeling with sea turtles, surfing, and touring rum and cigar factories. The ship then arrives at Oranjestad, Aruba, for a tour of Dutch colonial buildings, a submarine ride, a Land Rover safari, or a trip to an aloe farm. The next port is Willemstad, Curacao, where guests can tour the island's candy-colored architecture, swim with dolphins, or visit the limestone Hato Caves. Cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico offer a magical blend of natural island charm and man-made wonders.

San Juan, Puerto Rico Cruises to the Caribbean's

carnival cruise from puerto rico to caribbean

Cruise the Eastern Caribbean and feel the ocean spray as you discover every corner of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro and the Castillo San Cristóbal, before you snorkel coral reefs in Labadee, Haiti, and trek through sugar plantations in St. Maarten. A cruise to Puerto Rico is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Discover Puerto Rico onboard the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.

Caribbean Cruise Departure Ports

National Forest System and just a short one-hour drive from San Juan, El Yunque rainforest is replete with waterfalls and hiking trails. Take the approachable 25-minute trek up Mount Britton, and keep an eye out for tiny coqui tree frogs. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #sanjuan — you may see them right here.

carnival cruise from puerto rico to caribbean

Old San Juan Attractions

One staple of Puerto Rican cuisine is rice and beans, made separately or together depending on preference. Many like the beans cooked on their own as a thick, savory sauce to pour over steaming white rice. Pay a visit to Calle Loiza, where local restaurateurs are cooking up a storm of Puerto Rican flavors.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

A Carnival Caribbean cruise takes you to some of the coolest little hotspots… stretching across the world’s designated hotspot. In Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, guests can snorkel or grab a signature Painkiller cocktail in White Bay. After two days at sea enjoying Seabourn Sojourn's salon, restaurants, bars, and small-ship amenities, the ship returns to Miami. The cruise begins in Miami where guests board the Seabourn Sojourn for two days at sea before arriving in San Juan, where they can tour the city, the beaches, and El Yunque Rainforest. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines.

Puerto Rican Food and Drink

Puerto Rico's cuisine is a blend of Taino, African and Spanish influences, with a dose of contemporary inventions, too. Add to this diverse combination of flavors, a strong and fragrant cup of coffee and a shot of island rum, and you have the essence of what Puerto Rican food is all about. Puerto Rico's currency is the U.S. dollar, and U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit. But brush up on your Spanish to make conversing with the locals easier. Simply get on the free Old San Juan trolley, grab a cab or hop on a guagua publica (AMA Metrobus) to get to your next island destination. Take in the tropical flavour and lively energy with a cruise to Puerto Rico.

Things To Do in San Juan

You may also need to pay for taxi transfers between the airport and the cruise terminal before and after the cruise. Post-cruise hotel stays also allow you to extend your cruise vacation with a relaxing break to visit beaches, the rainforest and Old Town attractions. San Juan has several luxury hotels overlooking the cruise port and just a short walk from the cruise terminal. If you are flying into Puerto Rico to join a cruise, it makes sense to arrive a day or two earlier to ensure that any flight problems do not cause you to miss your cruise. If you love snorkeling and diving, you should definitely make sure you pick a San Juan cruise that has Bonaire on the itinerary.

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Severe Weather Impacting Multiple Cruise Ships.

Posted: Sun, 17 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruises From San Juan: The Pros and Cons

The main cruise lines that normally use San Juan as a home port are Carnival Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Silversea, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. You will find a good choice of itineraries departing from San Juan on these cruise lines. The island of Puerto Rico is approximately 1000 miles southeast of Miami. This means that cruises to the attractive islands in the Southern Caribbean can be reached in a matter of hours rather than days. The next port is Marigot, St. Martin, where guests can enjoy the capital of this Dutch-French island.

The all-suite Star Pride, completely renovated in 2021, carries 312 guests and offers new public areas, a spa, an infinity pool, a fitness area, and dining venues. Departing from Boston, the ship spends two days at sea as it cruises south to Hamilton, Bermuda. There, experiences include a guided driving tour and an opportunity to snorkel among one of Bermuda's famous shipwrecks.

Beyond the sandy beaches and lush jungles lie other natural wonders. Keep in mind both are 2 hours from San Juan where your ship will dock. Like many other Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico is affected by earthquakes. Although most of these are minor tremors, it has had a spate of earthquakes in recent times.

There are plenty of incredible coral reefs located just offshore that are perfect for snorkeling and kayaking. And if you’re looking for a beach day that feels a world away from reality, hop on a thirty-minute ferry ride to St. Kitts’s sister island, Nevis, home to secluded golden-sand beaches and crystal-clear aquamarine waters. Take it from us — a stop in St. Kitts makes an unforgettable addition to your cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The next port is Virgin Gorda for excursions that include a snorkel adventure and a safari bus trip to The Baths and the white sands of Devil's Bay. The last port is San Juan, and guests can tour the Ron del Barrilito rum factory or tour historic Old San Juan. Start your cruise right from the heart of the Caribbean – San Juan, Puerto Rico!

Historic San Juan, once nothing more than cobblestone streets and the distinctive architecture of the Spanish who founded it, is now a modern world capital. And, as you’ll see on Carnival’s cruises from Puerto Rico, it’s kept these classical features! San Juan, Puerto Rico is where the old world meets the new — and you can enjoy them both when you choose one of our cruises from San Juan. There are so many things to see and do in San Juan, Puerto Rico, you’d never guess it had to bounce back from a hurricane. Not only is it a must-visit destination all on its own, its central location also makes it the best jumping off point for you to explore the exotic shores of the Southern Caribbean. From Aruba’s pastel colonial promenades and Curaçao’s ancient rugged caves, to Antigua’s colorful reefs and Barbados’s golden-sand beaches — Cruises from San Juan unlock the most beautiful shores on the south side.

Here are our top picks for the best cruises to Puerto Rico and other beach destinations in 2023 and 2024. Bring the island home with keepsakes like woven hammocks, percussion instruments, artesanias (artisan crafts), island photography books or local coffee and rum. The best souvenir shopping can be found in Old San Juan, but also during town festivals around the island.

Multiple cruise lines see the necessity of beginning trips in San Juan. Rather than have travelers spend a few days sailing from the United States, the Lesser and Greater Antilles are both short rides away. Thus, no matter which cruise line and itinerary you select, you'll get more time to explore each island individually.

The national drink is pina colada, made from local rum, pineapple and coconut milk. Locals often celebrate with pitorro, a potent moonshine sometimes mellowed with coffee or fruit juice. If the free trolley bus is overcrowded, wave down one of the “garitas” that operate in Old San Juan. These golf cart vehicles are free to ride and they will take you to any local destination very easily. This short route is operated by air-conditioned trolley which covers a shorter route around the main shopping district of Old San Juan, La Casita and the port. If you are staying in a hotel before your cruise from San Juan, several hotels offer complimentary transfers to and from the airport.

Upcoming Tropical Storm Lee Expected to Impact Cruise Destinations - Cruise Hive

Upcoming Tropical Storm Lee Expected to Impact Cruise Destinations.

Posted: Tue, 05 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Puerto Rico has been damaged by hurricanes several times in recent years. These include Category 5 Hurricane Maria in September 2017 and Hurricane Dorian in August 2019. The trolleys run daily from 7am to 6pm (9am to 7pm on weekends) and they offer a hop-on, hop-off service. Check the destination of the trolley before boarding to make sure it is going to your required destination. During your San Juan cruise, head to the blue-hued cobblestone streets of Old San Juan for your pick of boutiques offering handmade lace and hand-rolled cigars, plus duty-free luxury items like diamonds, gemstones and watches.

From December 2019 through January 2020, the island had 11 earthquakes greater than magnitude 5. They can cause loss of power which may affect your cruise departure or flight arrival. When booking cruises from San Juan, you should check the price carefully.

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