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Exploring Amber Cove: Free Activities, Beaches, and More
Amber Cove cruise port is located in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and is named in honor of the amber found on its shores. If you’re sailing to Puerto Plata, it’s important to note your specific cruise port, as there are two popular ones here — Amber Cove and Taino Bay (pronounced Tah-ee-no).
If you’re curious about which of the two your ship will visit during your cruise, you can often find this information on your detailed
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Exploring the Roseau, Dominica Cruise Port: Waterfalls, Canyons and More
Roseau (pronounced roe-zoe), the capital of Dominica (pronounced doh-MIN-ik-ah), is known for its colonial architecture, markets, and waterfront. The city is a gateway to the island’s lush landscapes and natural attractions, such as waterfalls, hot springs, canyons, and hiking trails.
Dominica is a small island with 72,000 residents, covering 290 square miles, and is a popular stop on many Southern Caribbean cruis
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Princess Cays Private Island: Important Info to Know
Princess Cays (pronounced “key,” not “cays”) is located on the southern tip of Eleuthera in the Bahamas and is a pristine private island for cruisers. Princess Cays is owned by Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, so you’ll find that Princess, Carnival, and Holland America Line call upon this private paradise.
Of all the cruise line private islands, this one is admittedly my least favorite, and I’ll tell you why in a mome...
What you need to know about Ocean Cay Marine ReserveÂ
Most of the major cruise lines own and market their own private islands; in some cases, these are not “islands” at all (I’m looking at you Royal Caribbean and Labadee). However, one private island that truly is both an island and private is MSC cruise line’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay has many great things to do, and you don’t need an excursion. Exclusive to MSC cruisers, this is one of my absolute private cruise line private island...
Exploring Half Moon Cay: A Cruise Line Private Island Paradise
Half Moon Cay, or Little San Salvador Island, is a private paradise in the Bahamas exclusively for Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line passengers. This serene retreat offers the perfect spot for a relaxing beach day during your cruise. Note that “cay” is pronounced “key”.
Of all the cruise line private islands, it’s one of my favorites. It offers not just a relaxing day at the beach with sugar-soft white sand and crystal-...
Discover Freeport Cruise Port: Everything You Need to Know
Freeport, located on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas, is a popular cruise port in the Caribbean, along with Nassau and Bimini. Of all the Caribbean ports, this one generally gets the least amount of love and, admittedly, is probably my personal least favorite of them all, but there are still some hidden gems here. The key with this one, though? Get out of the port area.
It’s important to note that many Caribbean destinations, includ...
The Perfect Day at CocoCay: Royal Caribbean’s Private Island Paradise
Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s exclusive private island in the Bahamas, offers a unique getaway for cruise passengers. This beautiful island, designed to provide the ultimate beach day experience, is a popular stop for many of Royal’s Caribbean cruises and is also used by Royal Caribbean’s sister brand, Celebrity.
This massive island has multiple themed sectioned areas, including a water park. Because of its s
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Exploring Bimini: Beaches, Free Tram, Golf Carts, and More
The Bimini cruise port is teeny tiny compared to the other two popular ports of call in the Bahamas, Nassau and Freeport. Bimini comprises two main islands, North and South Bimini, with a total area of about 9 square miles, housing just 2,000 residents. It’s a very narrow and skinny island.
In contrast, Nassau, located on New Providence Island, spans approximately 80 square miles and is the capital city with a higher population density...
What You Need to Know about the San Juan, Puerto Rico Cruise Port
The Port of San Juan in Puerto Rico is one filled with history and interesting architecture. Situated in the metropolitan area of Old San Juan, this port is a hub rich in culture. While it’s great for the history buffs and those who want to experience a different culture, and it’s a port that doesn’t require an excursion, if you have kids with you (or folks who are easily bored), you may want to look at other options than doing w...
Authentic Mexico: Exploring the Progreso Cruise Port and its Beach
Porting at Progreso is a different experience than stopping at more established and commercialized ports like Cozumel, and because of its less developed nature, some cruisers do not like the rusticness of this port. Located on the Yucatán peninsula where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea, Progreso is situated on the northern coast, near the city of Merida.
Progreso Cruise Terminal
A memorable feature of the Progreso C...
