Set sail for a sun-soaked, wind-swept, salty and sandy adventure with a cruise to Southern Caribbean.
Cruise to Southern Caribbean and ease into island time. Surround by warm, green-blue waters and sugar-soft sand, grab a lounger at Simpson Bay in Philipsburg, St Maarten and watch the yachts pass by. When you're feeling ready to turn up the thrill, lace up your running shoes and scale Mount Liamuiga in St Kitts and Nevis – at the summit, soak in the view of the dense jungle and volcanic black rocks on the shoreline below. Visit the sugar plantations in Antigua before hopping on a sailing boat at Nelson's Dockyard. Or explore the rainforest in style in St Lucia on an open-air gondola ride. Discover the magic with a Southern Caribbean cruise.
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SUN-SEEKING FUN
The best Southern Caribbean cruises will take you to splash in the crystalline Caribbean Sea or rove through rainforests.
VIVA LA VILLAGE LIFE
Grab a bicycle and ride on one of the eight trails of Christoffel National Park in Curacao. The 4,450-acre wildlife preserve is home to animals like white-tailed deer and blue iguanas. See how many you can spot during your holiday.
SUBMARINE SIGHTSEEING
Explore the sea floor in style aboard a high-tech submarine in Aruba. Get up close and personal with colourful coral reefs, shipwrecks and schools of fish as you descend 45 metres below sea level for adventure-filled fun.
THE THRILL OF THE CLIMB
Suit up and explore 86 stunning dive sites at Bonaire Marine Park, a quick boat ride from Curacao on Bonaire. The island is an attraction known for its scuba diving opportunities – and you'll soon learn why, as you swim with frogfish, seahorses, spotted eagle rays and more.
SPICE OF HISTORY
Set sail on a Southern Caribbean cruise and explore the kaleidoscope of cultural influences that make up the area.
BIG DIG
When you dock in Martinique, make your way to the Chateau Dubuc. The ruins date back to the 17th century and have a colourful history. Rumour has it, the master of the estate was a thief who would lure ships into the cove where they would slam against the rocks, leaving the wreckage fresh for looting.
SUGAR, SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE
During your day in Grenada, head to the Dougaldston Estate and learn all about nutmeg. The spice trade was a prominent part of Caribbean history, and here you can see how the spice is harvested, processed and then exported.
MAKE IT SNAPPY
With beauty stretching from coast to coast in the Dominican Republic, there's no shortage of photo ops. Perhaps the best one is at Montana Redonda, where you can snap a sweeping panoramic view of the mountains and the sea. Ask your local guide to tell you about the region while you take it all in.
Best Southern Caribbean Cruises
Discover exciting destinations in the Southern Caribbean, each with its own tropical style and vibe. Explore the colorful Colonial Dutch streets of Curaçao, snorkel in crystal-clear waters around St. Croix and more onboard the world's most unforgettable ships.
VACATION MODE MADE EASY
Slip into relaxation on Rhapsody of the Seas®. Unwind while lounging poolside, order a cold drink from the swim-up bar – then indulge in delectable bites from seven different dining venues. Your ultimate kick back begins on this Vision Class ship.
ISLAND GETAWAYS
Kick back on a secluded beach in Bonaire after a dip in warm, crystal-clear waters. Scout silver waterfalls while wandering along wild jungle trails in the Dominican Republic. And snorkel in the vibrant coral reefs off the coast of Antigua. After each sun-soaked day onshore, Explorer of the Seas® awaits with dazzling ice skating shows and musicals, buzzy bars and world-class cuisine that takes your tastebuds from Japan to Italy.
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Check out the shopping options in port cities. Some cities have local shops where you can find homemade souvenirs, while others have duty-free shops where you can score a bargain.
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If you want to bring rum back on the boat, learn the cruise policy before you buy. There's a limit to the amount of alcohol you can carry onto the boat from a port.
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Spend your first at sea day planning your excursions. Book ahead so you have a better chance of doing your top activities.
WHERE CUISINES COLLIDE
Southern Caribbean cuisine reflects the region's diverse cultural influences, from hearty Latin American dishes based on plantains and rice to east Indian curries and island-inspired takes on British favourites. Look for locally owned spots serving humble, authentic dishes – this is where you'll find the region's most distinctive flavours.
ISLAND FUSION BBQ
St Maarten is known for its mix of Caribbean flavours. The French, east Indian and island influences are the perfect combination for a delicious roadside BBQ stop. Visit a lolo – the local term for a barbecue joint – and enjoy freshly grilled lobster. Wash it all down with some guavaberry liqueur.
THE MELTING POT
Aruba is a melting pot when it comes to cuisine. Enjoy a mix of Argentinian meat dishes, Dutch cheeses or gumbo with pan bati, which is a pancake made from wheat and corn flour. The fusion of flavours and cultures has created a food mecca in the Caribbean.
Drink with Captain Morgan
Grab a glass of rum to sip your way through the distilleries in St Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Home to both Captain Morgan and Cruzan Rum distilleries, you can spend the day learning about the famed Caribbean drink while tasting it right from the source. Rum tasting is one of the best things to do when you visit a Southern Caribbean island.
RELATED PORTS
Arrive at your favourite Southern Caribbean cruise port to explore an underground world of beauty at Harrison's Cave in Barbados. Visit natural hot springs in St Lucia and give yourself a spa day in nature. If you're seeking something more active, head to Loterie Farm in St Maarten for a day of hiking and zip-lining.
