Caribbean Vacation Ideas For A Seven-Night Cruise

How to Make the Most of Your Weeklong Cruise in the Eastern or Western Caribbean

By Cynthia J. Drake | Published on February 5, 2024

While a short getaway on a weekend cruise can certainly recharge your batteries, a longer seven-night cruise can give you the added boost of luxury and time off that you need. A seven-night cruise gives you time to explore and roam in exciting new destinations while you achieve a perfect balance of exhilarating fun and pampered relaxation.

Here are a few of our favorite Caribbean vacation ideas to help spark your excitement for your next seven-night Caribbean cruise.

Exploring Seven-Night Caribbean Cruise Destinations

Planning for your seven-night Caribbean cruise starts with exploring the destinations and cruise itineraries that make the most sense for you. For some people, this means starting with the itineraries available from their preferred embarkation port.

For example, if you prefer to leave from ports such as Galveston, New Orleans, Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale or Orlando, these ports commonly offer seven-night western Caribbean cruise itineraries. Explore the ports of call — maybe there's an island you've never visited before or one you're excited to return to.

View of Burwood Beach in Falmouth, Jamaica

Head to Falmouth, Jamaica, as part of your seven-night Western Caribbean cruise.

Typical seven-night western Caribbean cruise itineraries include ports such as Falmouth, Jamaica; Labadee, Haiti; George Town, Grand Cayman; Belize City, Belize; Roatán, Honduras; Nassau, Bahamas. Ports along Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula such as Cozumel, Progreso and Costa Maya are also frequently part of a seven-night western Caribbean cruise.

Philipsburg Loterie Farm, Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, is one of many spectacular island ports of call on an eastern Caribbean cruise.

On a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, you're more likely to depart from an eastern port of call, such as one of the Florida ports: Fort Lauderdale, Cape Canaveral, or Miami. This might include a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico (or you might leave from the port of San Juan), as well as ports such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

Historic Fort San Felipe Del Morro., San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a culturally rich destination filled with exciting sightseeing.

You can snuggle with sloths in Honduras, ride bikes around Key West or zip line through the jungles of Belize. The western Caribbean is a region rich with natural and cultural gems.

Deciding On Ports For Your Caribbean Cruise

Top view of harbor of St. John U.S. Virgin Island of St Thomas us Virgin Islands — Top view of harbor of St. John US Virgin Island of St Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands

Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, is a picturesque Caribbean destination.

Sometimes, friends who haven't cruised before ask, "Won't I get bored on a seven-night cruise?" The answer is a definitive "no." In fact, you'll probably get to the end of your week and wish you could extend the vacation for another seven nights.

Both eastern and western Caribbean cruises offer an enormous amount of excursions and relaxing activities on and off the ship. Each port offers something new in terms of history, culture, food and activity — such as hiking, shopping, exploring historical sites or relaxing on the beach — so spend some time researching each individual port to help you decide on your cruise.

In the eastern Caribbean, my family and I love exploring the history of San Juan's Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a fortress dating back to the 1500s that is now a U.S. National Monument atop Old San Juan. Or, we like to kick back and sip piña coladas while we enjoy mofongo, Puerto Rico's famous plantain dish, and top it off with browsing the local shops. On a recent visit, after inquiring about a figure hanging inside a shop wearing an ornate horned mask, the shopkeeper mentioned "el vejigante," a mysterious and mischievous character from local folklore frequently seen during Carnival.

Saint Thomas Swimming with Seas Lions, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Enjoy the diverse wildlife on your next Caribbean vacation.

We were married in St. Thomas (our first stop on a Royal Caribbean seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise!), so the island holds a special place in my heart. For anyone asking, "Is St. Thomas a good place to vacation?" our resounding answer is "yes!" We've returned several times over the years and have found the island to be full of warm, friendly people and delicious food. Take a group tour or a private taxi tour of the island — and if you can swing by Udder Delights Ice Cream Parlor for a shake, try the Choc Bun Bun.

In the western Caribbean, stunning Mayan ruins await you in Mexico as well as snorkeling and scuba diving. Join a snorkeling excursion in Cozumel while on cruise and sip beer with the locals while wading in the water and watching stingrays swim past. The boat crew prepares fresh and delicious ceviche that they float out to travelers via raft. You can snuggle with sloths in Honduras, ride bikes around Key West or zip line through the jungles of Belize. The western Caribbean is a region rich with natural and cultural gems.

Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is filled with water park fun, zip lines, private beaches, a hot air balloon and more and is another highly prized Caribbean island destination for cruise travelers. If you're hoping to visit here, you might find the port on either eastern or western itineraries, but it's more likely to be on eastern Caribbean cruises leaving from Florida ports.

Relaxation Options On Your Seven-Night Caribbean Cruise

The great thing about eight-day cruises is that you don't have to be in a rush to do and see it all in an abbreviated amount of time. That means there will be ample time for you to just relax and do nothing at all, if that appeals to you. A typical itinerary for a weeklong cruise will include at least a few sea days, which are tailor-made for rest and relaxation.

Woman Relaxing by the Pool — Woman Sitting with her Feet in the Pool

"Cruise mode" is all about finding a way to relax and let go of the stateside stress.

For fans of wellness, you can't beat the option of indulging in a luxurious facial, massage, pedicure or other spa treatment. Spend some time trying new training equipment or a class in the onboard fitness center, or just challenge yourself to take a reflective walk before sunrise (or a romantic stroll at sunset). Adults-only relaxation spaces mean you can carve a bit of time every day just centering yourself, maybe catching up on your reading or taking a nap in the shade.

If you're the just-can't-sit-still type, don't worry — onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise, there's a schedule full of activities to keep you busy. You can find a good trivia game throughout the cruise. Or, if you're traveling with friends or family, join in on one of the scavenger hunts or other friendly competitions that yield funny results and plenty of memories. Others look forward to their chance to hit the jackpot in the onboard casino.

Some people enjoy unwinding with a game of blackjack or roulette at the onboard casino.

Don't overlook the variety of dining options, which are their own kind of adventure. Earmark a new-to-you specialty dining venue and splurge on a special dinner. Keep your eyes peeled for exclusive events such as brunches or Chef's Table experiences, or simply try a seated breakfast or lunch in the dining room as opposed to the Windjammer Café to give yourself time to slow down and savor.

Caribbean Vacation Ideas: Excursions

When planning your excursions for your seven-night Caribbean cruise, think about what you're looking to get out of your vacation and plan accordingly. What words describe your typical vacation style? Adventurous? Thought-provoking or educational? Beach? Nature? Food?

Maybe you'd like to mix it up — or maybe you're traveling with others who lean into a different style than you. There are cruise excursions available for each type of vacation personality, and there are plenty of overlapping possibilities as well. For example, sometimes, a city tour will include a variety of stops to sample food, learn about history and do some shopping.

Since you have several days in your itinerary, make sure to create a port strategy that strikes a balance between your shore excursions. If you're traveling with your family or a large group, one option is to let everyone choose a different type of excursion, ensuring that you'll have a good variety. You might also choose to go your own way during the day at port and reconnect back on the ship at dinner time.

Woman Snorkling in the Caribbean — Woman holding a Sea Urchin

Booking a catamaran snorkeling excursion once during every weeklong Caribbean cruise can be a great little treat.

You can include a catamaran-style snorkeling excursion on any seven-night Caribbean cruise. On these excursions, you can cruise out on the open ocean and let the wind blow through your hair while you get a peek at local underwater wildlife, which is different in every port and every season. Then, on the ride back, you'll typically sample some alcoholic beverages (tequila-based in Mexico, rum-based in other parts of the Caribbean), sometimes with a few local snacks included.

In addition to snorkeling, you can add on a cultural excursion—or plan to spend some time exploring on your own in one of the ports. It's a great idea to do some advanced research to see which ports are most walkable, or maybe which ones have legendary beaches that you won't want to miss (i.e. Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands).

You can book a shore excursion to explore Chichén Itzá from your port in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

Some ports, such as Costa Maya, Mexico, are entry points to significant sightseeing far beyond the port. Think ancient Mayan ruins such as Chichén Itzá, a holy city of pyramids and temples. For sites like these, you'll need to book an excursion through the cruise line, not only to ensure that you get connected to a proven, experienced tour company but also because these trips sometimes require hours of traveling, and by booking through Royal Caribbean, you'll arrive before your ship leaves port.

For other ports, such as San Juan, you could easily spend the whole day exploring Old Town on your own. Keep in mind that a booked excursion is not necessary for every port — sometimes it's nice to leave room for spontaneity. Onboard the ship, cruise staff members do a good job of preparing you for the layout of each port, highlighting possible places for good shopping, sightseeing and eating. If you haven't visited the port before, it's a good idea to visit a port lecture in advance and grab a map, so you have a game plan before heading off the ship.

Packing Souvenirs from your Cruise Travels

Pack comfortable clothing for a day of exploring in port.

What To Pack For Your Seven-Night Caribbean Cruise

The great news about cruising in the Caribbean is that you're almost guaranteed to enjoy fantastic weather.

With the exception of visiting any religious sites (which may have particular dress codes), ports in both the eastern and western Caribbean islands are fairly casual, with tourists wearing shorts, sundresses, T-shirts and cover-ups in shops and restaurants. Comfortable walking shoes are a must if you plan to do any significant walking or hiking, and water shoes can be a great asset for walking on the beach and in the ocean.

For days at sea, if you're a pool lounger, your primary "outfit" will be your bathing suit and cover-up, so you don't need to over pack, but do bring a fresh change of clothing for your evening meal.

If you're planning on hitting some port beaches, be sure to pack a cover-up and at least one bathing suit — if not a few! It's nice to have a spare so that you can step into a fresh bathing suit while the other one is drying. A cover-up can also be an easy way to transition from the beach to shopping and vice-versa.

Your seven-night cruise will likely have two formal nights in the dining room, so plan on bringing a few of your nicer dresses and suits. If you don't have many to choose from (or you don't have space in your luggage), pack a versatile, basic dress (or basic pant/jacket combo) that you can wear two nights, and accessorize it with different jewelry, tie, scarf, etc.

Written By
CYNTHIA J. DRAKE

Cynthia J. Drake is an award-winning freelance writer in Austin, Texas, whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Wine Enthusiast, House Beautiful, Southern Living, Cruise Critic, AAA, Texas Monthly, and others. She specializes in writing about food, cruise travel, family travel, and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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