Guide to Cruising in the Caribbean

Private day tour of Puerto Rico

If you are traveling in a group, have your travel agent arrange a private tour of Old San Juan. Your agent may be able to get private transportation for you at a good price per person, based on the size of your group. This will be based on what you want. For example, during my visit, we toured several historic sites in Puerto Rico, including Old San Juan, and then dined at a local restaurant. We were given about 30 minutes to an hour at each stop to explore, take photos and enjoy the local cuisine.

Snorkeling adventure

Savor a refreshing beverage at the beachside bar before joining your group aboard a small yacht for a coastal excursion. You'll observe reefs, marine life and shipwrecks just offshore. When booking, you can choose between your cruise line's offerings or third-party operators. If you choose a tour with a third party, remember that the ship won't wait if you're late back. So, book your trip early if you can. However, if a cruise line-hosted excursion is delayed, the ship will be notified and will wait for your group to return. Third-party operators can also be much cheaper than cruise line options, but they have their own risks, so choose carefully.

Half-day of shopping and beach trip

Royal Caribbean offers affordable half-day excursions such as a day at the beach with shopping. An excursion like this will usually cost around $30-$70 and includes transportation.

Half-day tour of Trinidad

If you're traveling with a group, hiring a private driver for the day in Trinidad can be both helpful and cheap. This is like Puerto Rico. Local drivers often await cruise passengers at the port, ready to offer their services. During our visit, we hired a driver with a small bus who took us to a hilltop market with great views. They also gave us a tour of the city in a cool air-conditioned vehicle and drove us to Maracas Beach. When planning a tour like this, tell your driver the time your ship leaves. This will help them plan the trip so you can get back on time.

Visit Maracas Beach in Trinidad

Maracas beach is a beautiful beach on the Northside of Trinidad and about an hour away from the port. Before taking a refreshing swim, visitors can savor the local delicacy known as "bake and shark," a wildly popular street food that has become synonymous with Maracas Bay.

Shopping at the port of Tobago

The Port of Tobago has a few different shops at the port. It also has a small flea market and a two-story mall with more stores.

Open Bus and Beach Fun in Saint Lucia

Royal Caribbean offers an engaging excursion featuring a scenic ride in an open-air bus through the streets of St. Lucia en route to Pigeon Island Causeway Beach. During the journey, passengers can enjoy local music and free rum punch. This unique bus is well-known in the area, and it's customary for passengers to reciprocate when locals wave or call out greetings. Upon arrival at the beach, visitors can rent chairs and purchase food and beverages. This excursion provides an excellent opportunity to experience St. Lucia's vibrant culture and natural beauty while interacting with friendly locals. I went on this excursion during my cruise and I have to rate it a 10/10. Everything was lively, from the tour operators to the interactions with the locals.

Ride the world’s steepest zip-line in Saint Maarten

In Saint Maarten, you can experience the world's steepest zip-line, the Flying Dutchman, at Rainforest Adventure Park. The park offers a comprehensive "Big 3" package, which includes access to a museum, a scenic mountain lift, several short zip-lines, the Flying Dutchman and the Schooner Ride — a unique waterless inner-tube slide. Royal Caribbean offers this excursion with included transportation. From the mountain's summit, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the island. For those seeking liquid courage before tackling the Flying Dutchman, a conveniently located bar is available near the zipline entrance. This thrilling adventure combines natural beauty, adrenaline-pumping activities and cultural insights, making it a must-do experience in Saint Maarten.

Explore activities on the ship

Make the most of your cruise investment by taking advantage of the different onboard activities, especially during sea days. Royal Caribbean, like other cruise lines, offers many free entertainment options. These include live shows, competitions, karaoke, trivia contests, and fitness classes. For those seeking additional experiences, paid activities such as spa treatments, bingo and casino gaming are available. Larger ships may feature even more exciting attractions, including bowling alleys, go-kart tracks and water parks. These varied offerings ensure that passengers can enjoy a rich and engaging experience throughout their voyage, even when not in port.

La Cueva Del Mar in Puerto Rico

Located inside of Embassy Suites San Juan Hotel and Casino. They offer Caribbean-style seafood, and it’s a convenient restaurant if you are a guest at the Embassy Suites.

Barrachina

A restaurant in Old San Juan and home of the original Pina Colada.

Copacabana Beach Club in Barbados

Before you take a dip or decide to snorkel at Brownes Beach, you can enjoy a drink at the Copacabana beach club in Barbados.

Uncle Sam & Sons - Bake & Shark

Please do not leave Trinidad before you try Bake and Shark. I’m still craving a sandwich from Uncle Sam & Sons almost a year later. This is the good Uncle Sam! If you’re not feeling adventurous enough to try the shark, they have other offerings that are just as good, such as the Bake and Shrimp.

Fruit Stands in Trinidad

On the drive to Maracas beach, there were fruit and candy stands where vendors were selling fresh and spiced fruit. One of the popular items was the pineapple chow. I recommend stopping and trying some if you get the chance.

The Thirsty Parrot

This restaurant is located at Pigeon Island Causeway Beach in St Lucia.

Emilio’s at Rainforest Adventure Park in St. Maarten

Enjoy a fancy, casual meal at the Rainforest Adventure Park restaurant before, during or after your activities. Learn about Emilio Wilson, the person who named the restaurant. This will add a little bit of local history and personal connection to your dining experience.

Cruise Ship Dining

Your Cruise ship has many places to eat, usually a main dining room for dinner, a buffet area for all meals, and special restaurants for an extra charge. Take some time to review your app to see which offerings are available and if you need to make a reservation.