eastern caribbean cruise reviews

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Caribbean Cruises

10 Eastern Caribbean Cruises to Book for Your Next Tropical Getaway

Sail through some of the most beautiful islands on Earth on an Eastern Caribbean cruise.

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Setting sail on a cruise is a guaranteed good time no matter where you go. But, if we had to suggest a destination, the Eastern Caribbean would be high on the list. With endless sunshine, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and delicious foods, it’s a corner of the world worth visiting on your next cruise getaway.

There are dozens of cruise lines that visit this region, so all you need to do is figure out how long you can travel and find the itinerary that best fits your interests. Need a little more help? We've covered the basics and rounded up 10 Eastern Caribbean cruises to check out for your next tropical getaway.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

What's the difference between an Eastern Caribbean cruise and a Western Caribbean cruise?

Many beautiful Caribbean islands are worth visiting at one point or another. However, if you’re particularly interested in exploring the Eastern Caribbean, it’s important to know which islands that region includes. The exact places you visit on an Eastern Caribbean cruise will vary depending on the cruise line and itinerary you choose, but Eastern Caribbean cruises tend to include destinations like the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. A Western Caribbean cruise itinerary might include stops in Jamaica, Mexico, or Belize, to name just a few destinations.

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

When is the best time to go on an Eastern Caribbean cruise? 

Weather is warm all year long in the Eastern Caribbean, so the main thing to consider is hurricane season, which could derail your cruise trip with cancellations and last-minute itinerary changes. Hurricane season typically falls between early June and late November, so winter is a great time to take a cruise and trade chilly temperatures at home for balmy Caribbean weather.

10 Eastern Caribbean Cruises for Your Next Getaway

Courtesy of Azamara

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian’s Caribbean: Curacao, Aruba & St. Kitts voyage takes guests from Puerto Rico to Aruba, Curacao, St. Lucia, and more on a seven-day getaway. The trip includes onboard entertainment, dining, and more, and this itinerary offers 87 different shore excursions so you can get to know the islands any way you please. 

Princess Cruises

This seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing from Princess Cruises offers guests the chance to get to know four unique ports of call, including those in the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. The round-trip journey departs from the super-convenient port in Fort Lauderdale. 

Holland America

For a weeklong getaway, hop aboard this  seven-day Eastern Caribbean  trip from Holland America. The multi-island jaunt takes you through Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas for a little getaway in the sun.

Celebrity Cruises

Spend a little more time at sea with this nine-night Eastern Caribbean trip with Celebrity. The trip includes stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and St. John's, Antigua, making sure you have all your “saint” stops covered. 

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Have one full week to spare? Check out the seven-night San Juan to San Juan trip  with Regent Seven Seas. The cruise brings passengers to favorites like St. Lucia, and St. Barts, and includes unlimited shore excursions, beverages, and even onboard specialty restaurants.

Oceania Cruises

Get to know more of the Eastern Caribbean on this 12-day voyage with Oceania. The sailing stops at Aruba, St. Kitts, Grenada, and more, and includes six shore excursions, a beverage package, and a $600 onboard credit. 

Royal Caribbean

Take a quick jaunt through the area with this five-night Eastern Caribbean trip with Royal Caribbean. The cruise takes guests from Miami to Haiti and back again on an affordable getaway that is short but sweet. 

Spend more than a week in crystal-clear waters with this  12-night Caribbean Breezes voyage with Azamara. The itinerary includes stops in Virgin Gorda, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, and more. It also offers various culturally focused shore excursions so you can leave with a deeper appreciation for each and every port.

Set sail on the Queen Mary 2 with this 12-night Eastern Caribbean trip with Cunard. The voyage travels to St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, and beyond, and does so in the elegant style this vessel is so loved for in the cruising community. 

Windstar Cruises

Finally, for a more personalized sailing (with a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1.5), try this St. Maarten to St. Maarten seven-day getaway. The trip stops at destinations like St. Maarten, Virgin Gorda, and St. Barts for a positively delightful and sun-filled getaway. 

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

Eastern Caribbean Cruises

Beaches, azure waters — what comes to mind when you think of cruises to the caribbean.

Best Multi-generational

Cruise Line

2022 Reader’s Choice Award, Porthole Magazine

Picture the Caribbean. Soft sandy beaches, warm winds blowing through palm trees and crystal-clear waters stretching as far as the eye can see. That’s the Eastern Caribbean cruise experience. Enjoy the calm waters around the islands, and snorkel, swim and sail your way through engaging activities. Relax on world-famous beaches, cool drink in hand, for a day of rejuvenation topped off by luxurious shopping. Dive in; the Caribbean is waiting.

Featured Ports Eastern Caribbean Cruise Ports

Get an overview of some of the Eastern Caribbean’s top islands (plus our main departure port).

• Princess Cays®
• St. Maarten
• Ft. Lauderdale

With a half mile of white-sand shoreline and 40 acres of relaxation, shopping and picturesque beaches, Princess Cays is one of the best private Eastern Caribbean cruise line ports in the world. Relax in a private cabana, dive into the dozens of available water activities, explore the gorgeous back roads of Eleuthera in a dune buggy, or indulge in shopping from local craftspeople.

St. Kitts and the neighboring island of Nevis were once considered the crown jewels of the Caribbean, and it's easy to see why. Green hillsides, fields of sugarcane and dramatic volcanoes rise into the strikingly blue sky. With it's beautifully restored colonial buildings, imposing Brimstone Hill Fortress and museum of Alexander Hamilton at his birthplace, the history lovers will have plenty to explore after relaxing on the beautiful beaches on a cruise to St. Kitts.

Two islands in one, St. Maarten is split between France and the Netherlands, but comes together as one memorable experience. From the Dutch-inspired port of Philipsburg with its historic colonial architecture and warm beaches, to the French hub of Marigot full of designer boutiques and bistros, a cruise to St. Maarten has something for you.

Cruise to St. Thomas, an American paradise that contains everything alluring about the Caribbean: sparkling sands, pirate history, snorkeling adventures among coral reefs, shipwreck dives and relaxation taken to the next level with rum punch and island music.

The "Venice of America" has been the premier destination for spring breakers for almost six decades, but don't let that fool you into thinking the city is one big party. From the Everglades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to an amazingly rich biosphere, to seven miles of white-sand beaches, Ft. Lauderdale is a beautifully diverse city.

Top-Rated Caribbean Beaches

Trunk bay, st. john.

Named one of  Conde Nast Traveler's  Seven Cruise Wonders of the World, Trunk Bay is stunning beyond words. Snorkel along an underwater coral reef trail, swim through warm clear waters, and lounge on the white sands while looking out on a vista that can only be described as tropical perfection.

Orient Beach & Little Bay Beach, St. Maarten

Two beaches, both with soft sand, warm water and refreshing breezes, make for the perfect day by the ocean. Snorkel with sea life, paddle through the azure waters, or relax on the beach.

Magens Bay, St. Thomas

One of the top 10 beaches in the world according to  National Geographic  magazine, Magens Bay, is known for its picturesque beauty and deep, sheltered bay with calm waters. With a white-sand beach that stretches for three quarters of a mile and gentle waves, you can relax, swim and explore with ease.

What Will You Do on an Eastern Caribbean Cruise?

Get a taste of what life is like in the (is)land of beach beauty and what you can anticipate experiencing here.

Island shore excursions

Experience the best the Eastern Caribbean has to offer with award-winning shore excursions that immerse you in thrilling experiences, unique culinary delights and peaceful rejuvenation. Sail on a tall ship at sunset, snorkel with vibrant sea life through teeming reefs, and explore old shipwrecks near the picturesque coastlines.

Late night departures

The Caribbean has a different feeling at night. Revel in its warm evenings and enticing music with our More Ashore program. Later stays in ports such as St. Thomas and Barbados let you soak up the full Caribbean experience, like a fresh-caught seafood dinner on the beach or street fair full of local crafts and flavors. With More Ashore, you get more time to enjoy the vibrant island nightlife.

Caribbean Cruise Onboard Experience & Featured Program

With award-winning onboard programs, regional cuisine from world-class chefs and celebrations of Caribbean life, Princess makes your ship a destination all its own.

Comfortable accommodations

Your stateroom is your home away from home on your voyage where you rest up and recharge between adventures. With the expertly designed Princess Luxury Bed, luxurious 100% Jacquard-woven cotton linens and specially created SLEEP program by a board-certified sleep expert, you might just get the best sleep of your life. We offer staterooms ranging from interior cabins to full suites, and we even offer connected rooms for families with more than four members traveling together.

Bringing local life aboard

Embrace the spirit of the islands the moment you step on your ship with our Rhythm of the Caribbean program. Savor island cuisine, sip signature cocktails and engage in authentic regional experiences. Dance beneath the stars to vibrant island rhythms at exclusive parties, and immerse yourself in one-of-a-kind cultural activities — from concerts and crafts to talks from shark experts and treasure hunters.

Never miss a beat

Say goodbye to the daily grind with our new Sail Away Party poolside on the top deck, dance to local music at one of the many Caribbean inspired concerts, or be the envy of every pirate at our high-energy gold treasure-inspired Terrace Pool Gold Party. Throughout your cruise to the Caribbean there will be events that excite, enrich and challenge you to fully experience the islands.

Deeper experiences of the islands

Discover the history of local distilleries while sampling some of the region’s best rums, meet the parrots and macaws that call the Caribbean home in the ship's Piazza, or become a part of the rhythm with steel pan drum lessons. Our onboard activities give you the chance to gain a deeper connection and understanding of the gorgeous islands you'll visit on your voyage.

Discovery at Sea

Sharks, pirates and stars — oh my!

Discovery at SEA brings the expertise and excitement of the Discovery Channel™ on board your Caribbean cruise! Enjoy Shark Week all summer long with shark-themed activities, hear tales of sunken treasure and lost shipwrecks from the stars of Travel Channel’s™ Caribbean Pirate Treasure, and explore the constellations and spectacular galaxies of the night sky with the Voyage to the Stars indoor planetarium experience.

Ship Activities for Every Cruise to the Caribbean

Recharging your batteries.

Pamper yourself in the Lotus Spa® with a massage, facial or manicure, and feel renewed. Enjoy The Sanctuary, a lounge just for adults, where you can relax with a light meal, specialty drink and al fresco massages while digging into that novel you've been looking forward to reading. If you prefer your relaxation more active, we offer Zumba, yoga and tai chi classes to burn off stress and raise your heart rate.

Celebrations

The perfect place to celebrate

Almost 30% of all passengers who sail with us are celebrating an important milestone in their lives. Say "I do" at sea in a ceremony officiated by the captain. Arrange for an anniversary package and let us spoil you with romantic balcony dining, chocolates and more. For us, every day is a celebration.

Love blooms on the Love Boat

It's difficult to imagine something more romantic than sailing through the warm waters of the Caribbean, hopping between tropical islands and white-sand beaches from the comfortable luxury of your ship. While on board we cater to your romantic side with private dining on your balcony, whether a relaxing breakfast for two or a romantic sunset dinner, honeymoon packages for lucky newlyweds, flowers and chocolates delivered to your room and couples-only massages in the Sanctuary.

Food & Drinks

The flavors of the islands

The diverse cultural influences, local climates and history of the Caribbean combine to make one of the most exciting and unique regional cuisines in the world. From mofongo, a dish from Puerto Rico made from mashed fried plantains, pork and garlic, to the famous jerk chicken of Jamaica, we serve the Caribbean's favorite flavors to you on board. Thanks to Princess' world-class chefs you'll enjoy fresh, locally inspired dishes for your entire voyage.

Movies Under the Stars®

Outdoor cinema at its best

Enjoy many of the latest movies, exciting concerts and most anticipated live sports games on a massive poolside screen. The warm Caribbean night air, fresh popcorn and comfortable lounge chair with fleece blanket make for a viewing experience like no other. Not to mention the best theater in the world, the Caribbean ocean with a ceiling of stars!

Sailing with your crew

Enjoy a ship full of activities for the whole family, from Broadway-style shows to Discovery’s Shark Week all summer long, your family will be engaged in the Caribbean. Go Stargazing under the stunning expanse of the night sky with Discovery at SEA, compete in a family game night, and savor the flavors of the islands together.

Caribbean Cruise Articles and Videos

Read about colorful cultures, breathtaking landscapes, must-see attractions and preparation advice for cruising the Caribbean.

2024-2025 Caribbean Cruises

There’s no better way to truly experience the laid-back Caribbean than with Princess.

Caribbean Cruise Weather by Month

From radiant sunshine to turquoise waters, enjoy the best Caribbean cruise weather all year round when you sail to these tropical lands with Princess.

Top Five Caribbean Cruise Destinations

Whether you’re a history-lover, adventure-seeker or laid-back traveler, discover the best Caribbean cruise destinations for any guest with Princess.

Best Caribbean Cruises

Visit the best Caribbean cruise destinations with Princess and relax on white-sand beaches or embark on adventure that will leave a lasting impression.

Top Things to Do in Grand Cayman

From relaxing on the shores of Seven Mile Beach to feeding majestic sea creatures at Stingray City, discover the top things to do in Grand Cayman with Princess.

Best Time for a Caribbean Cruise

Discover the best time for a Caribbean cruise. From the offseason to the sunniest months to festival season, anytime is the best time to travel to the Caribbean.

Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Princess EZair® Flights

Stress-free airfare

Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.

EZair flight quotes are available on our cruise search result details pages.

Airplane to Ship Transfer

We get you where you need to go

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Stay longer and relax

Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

Need help planning?

Princess Cruise Vacation Planners are a dedicated resource to help you every step of the way through the planning process of your cruise vacation. And the best part is, they are absolutely FREE!

Cruise deals & promotions

Find our top sales, deals, partnerships and promotions for our destinations all in one place. We run promotions throughout the year and sometimes run sweepstakes where you could win prizes!

#PrincessCruises Caribbean Connections

See the Caribbean through our guests' eyes.

You May Also Like

Caribbean cruise destinations.

Walk along sun-kissed beaches in laid-back style.

Southern Caribbean Cruises

Local Culture and Colonial Past

Western Caribbean Cruises

Historic Spots and Natural Wonders

• Favorites & Watchlist Find a Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay Weekend Cruises Crown & Anchor Society Cruising Guides Gift Cards Contact Us Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-2-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Weekend Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Cruise Dining
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms
• The Cruise Experience
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-5-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports
• Shore Excursions
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Caribbean Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises​
• Alaska Cruises
• European Cruises​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Cruise Planner
• Book a Flight
• Book a Hotel
• Check-In for My Cruise
• Required Travel Documents
• Make a Payment
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• Update Guest Information
• Beverage Packages​
• Dining Packages​
• Shore Excursions​
• Transportation
• Royal Gifts
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-7-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Future Cruise Credit​
• Travel Documents​
• Check-in​ & Boarding Pass
• Transportation​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

DIVE INTO DOWNTIME

Eastern caribbean cruises.

Chill out with some rum punch after an adventure-filled day with a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean.

Leave your troubles behind and get on island time with a cruise to Eastern Caribbean. Hike through dense jungle and pass by thunderous waterfalls in Puerto Rico's El Yunque National Forest, or take on the longest zip-line in the world over water in Labadee, Haiti. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of St. Maarten and go for a snorkel or swim with dolphins at Blue Lagoon Island in the Bahamas. Grab your eye patch and set sail on a schooner to Buck Island before dropping anchor at Turtle Bay, where you can learn about the pirate history of St. Thomas. Discover the magic with an Eastern Caribbean cruise.

Save Big With These Eastern Caribbean Cruise Deals

Explore more while spending less with Eastern Caribbean cruise deals onboard our best cruise ships

{{error.text}} {{error.link.label}}

THE WORLD’S BEST FAMILY VACATION

Introducing the new Icon of the Seas℠ , a whole new class of Royal Caribbean® adventure. Let your adrenaline surge at the largest waterpark at sea. Here, every day is a sun day with an all-you-can-swim buffet of seven unique pools — the most ever on a cruise. And families discover adventure for all ages at Surfside ℠ , a stay-all-day destination right onboard that opens the floodgates on family fun.

Icon of the Seas℠ arrives Early 2024

Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today

Sign up to receive information about our special offers and deals. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more details about how we use your information, view our Privacy Policy .

Whether your idea of adventure is historical or adrenaline-pumping, the best Eastern Caribbean cruises something that will light up your senses during your vacation. Explore the colonial past of the region's vibrant cities, or take a trek through dense rainforests full of singing tree frogs and exotic parrots.

TIME TELLS ALL

Explore the area in style. Hop on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway and be transported back in time as you visit the old sugar plantation. Wander down the cobblestone streets of San Juan and admire the colonial houses of the old town. Or visit Blackbeard's Castle in St. Thomas and learn all about the pirates who once came there.

REACH FOR THE SKY

The Eastern Caribbean is home to some of the best zip-lining courses in the world, and adrenaline lovers will have more than one chance to soar through the sky. Fly high over the rain forest canopy at Toro Verde Ecological Adventure Park in Puerto Rico, or rise to the challenge of the longest zip-line over water in Labadee, which is one of the main attractions on the island.

HIKES AND HEIGHTS

Cruises to the Caribbean are full of adventure and things to do. Jetboat or parasail over the sea in Labadee. Hike to the steaming rim of Mount Liamuiga volcano in St. Kitts and Nevis, or hike through a former sugar plantation turned eco-reserve at Loterie Farm in St. Maarten.

MUCH TO DO ABOUT NOTHING

Set sail on a Eastern Caribbean cruise to slow down your sense of time and soak in it’s relaxing beaches and vibrant streets. With the warm, coral-filled waters lapping at your feet or lazing in a beachside cabana, you'll be on island time before you know it.

BORN TO BE WILD

Enjoy your Caribbean vacation the way you want to. Dive into the turquoise sea off Nassau in the Bahamas, where you can get up close and personal with vibrant coral reefs and beautiful parrot fish or get in touch with your daring side and hang out with sharks and barracudas. Come face to face with monkeys in El Yunque, or see mongoose, sheep and goats in St. Kitts.

YOU'VE GOT THIS IN THE BAG

Treat yourself to some retail therapy on your Eastern Caribbean cruise. Browse the duty-free shops and markets on Front Street in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Window-shop for traditional Taino arts and crafts like straw hats in Nassau, Bahamas. Visit the Caribbean to peruse upscale fashions at the Port Zante Mall in St. Kitts.

LET YOUR STRESS BE SWEPT AWAY

Kick back, relax and listen to the calming sounds of the ocean while the soothing tones of the steel drum fill the air. Sip on a Bahama-mama or mojito as your toes glide through the white sand of picture-perfect spots like Junkanoo Beach in the Bahamas or Condado Beach in San Juan.

Best Eastern Caribbean Cruises

A cruise to Eastern Caribbean is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Discover the Eastern Caribbean onboard the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.

SHORT AND EASY

Cruises to the Caribbean are perfect for a quick weekend getaway. Soak up the sun for a few days and use the time to relax and recharge. Head to Nassau, Bahamas, to explore 18th-century Fort Fincastle and wade into the turquoise waters with a mojito in hand at Paradise Island.

Mix and Match

The Eastern Caribbean lets you pair the opportunity to jump into adventure head-first with relaxing afternoons when you can tune out the world and relax on the white sand beaches. Adrenaline junkies can hike volcanoes in St. Kitts, dive coral reefs in the Bahamas, horseback ride through the jungle in Puerto Rico, or catch some rays in Labadee before shopping till you drop in St. Thomas.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Eastern Caribbean Cruises Insider

The sun shines on the Caribbean daily for most of the year, with the best weather December-April. Hop on a cruise during school breaks to go on a family adventure, or choose an off-season cruise August-October for a quieter experience. It's nice to soak in some solitude with waves lapping at your feet.

The sapphire-colored waters of the Eastern Caribbean will draw you into bubbling biodiversity beneath the surface. Come face-to-face with manta rays, sea turtles and dolphins on your journey to the deep. The spring and summer months see the most activity from these majestic sea creatures.

In addition to having lots of cruise options out of Orlando , Fort Lauderdale and Miami , there are Eastern Caribbean itineraries from New Jersey’s Cape Liberty . A great option for snowbirds and travelers looking to escape winter for sunshine and warm weather.

Caribbean Beaches

Caribbean Wildlife Encounters

Top 10 Things To Do: Caribbean Islands

Your Caribbean cruise will take you to some of the lushest forests in the region. Make sure to pack some bug spray.

In addition to coral-safe sunscreen, pack a few swim shirts or tropical skirts to keep you comfortably covered from the sun.

Respect the marine life: If you see dolphins and sea turtles out and about during the day, just admire them and leave them be.

LOCAL CUISINE IN-FUSION-ED WITH FLAVOR

The cuisine of the Eastern Caribbean is shaped by the fresh seafood and shellfish pulled from the region's pristine waters. Blend that with a taste for richness expressed through coconut-based desserts and hearty plantain side dishes, and you've got an approach to food that checks all the boxes for the pleasure-seeking palate.

CRAZY ABOUT CONCH

Whether your taste buds prefer fried food or something fresh, conch is the go-to in the Caribbean. Snack on some conch fritters with a delicious dipping sauce or indulge in conch salad, which is usually prepared with raw conch, bell peppers, onion, tomato and a sweet dressing.

CRIOLLO CLASSICS

Satisfy your craving for something delicious with some mofongo, green plantains that are fried first and then mashed up with meat. Finish off a meal with a freshly made coconut flan in Puerto Rico, and enjoy it as the sweet custard melts in your mouth.

PACK A PUNCH

The Bahama Mama, Painkiller, Rum Runner, Mojito, Mai Tai and Rum Punch all have one thing in common — they're incredibly refreshing on a hot Caribbean day. Oh, and they're made with rum. Sip on a rum cocktail while soaking up the sun on a white sand beach and watch as your troubles melt away.

RELATED PORTS

Fly through the trees on a zipline in Puerto Rico, or go snorkeling among the coral reefs off Labadee, Haiti. If you're looking to relax a bit more, dip your toes into the white sand in St. Maarten before jumping into the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. Even history buffs can get their fill and learn about the past of pirates in Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas. Or go shopping in the Bahamas before grabbing a cocktail to sip by the water when you arrive at your favorite Eastern Caribbean cruise port.

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Labadee, Haiti

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

La Romana, Dominican Republic

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Related Destinations

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

Disney Fantasy 7 day eastern Caribbean cruise review

By: Author Morgan

Posted on Published: August 31, 2023  - Last updated: October 6, 2023

Are you considering going on a Disney cruise? Here is our complete Disney Fantasy 7 day eastern Caribbean cruise review!

My family of four recently got back from a seven day cruise on the Disney fantasy cruise ship.

We are not what you would call a Disney family – we have never been to Disney World, and really have no intention of going anytime soon – and we aren’t big cruisers either as my husband and I have each taken a couple of cruises total and they were more than a decade ago each.

So, it was kind of out of character for us to plan a Disney cruise. But, our kids are three and four now, and have never been on a true vacation before.

We decided that this was going to be the summer that we went somewhere cool with them.

After throwing around a lot of different ideas – and actually booking and then canceling a trip to Yellowstone – we settled on a Disney cruise as being the most child-friendly possible option for this age.

I’m going to take a lot of time to go into very deep detail about this cruise, and I will write a lot of other articles that will dive into very specifics about the ship and our experience, but spoiler alert – we had a great time.

This cruise was, at times, stressful and frustrating, but still pretty much the best experience we could’ve possibly had considering the age of our kids, their general demeanors, and the fact that we don’t have grandparents or cousins that can travel with us and help.

But, let’s dive into all of the details of what made our Disney cruise great, some of the pitfalls, and what I would want to know if I was booking a similar cruise for my family!

Is a Disney Cruise worth it?

Before I start breaking it down, I wanted to dive into the number one question I’ve gotten from friends and family since getting back from this cruise five days ago – is a Disney cruise worth the price?

Because, I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that Disney cruises can be more than double the cost of comparable cruises from other cruise lines.

Here’s the thing – I struggle telling people if certain things are worth it, because that is such a personal decision.

Would I go into debt to go on a Disney cruise? Absolutely not.

But, as someone who was able to comfortably pay for a Disney cruise, I definitely think that it is worth it to pay the extra compared to the other cruise lines.

I’m a little bit bougie, I like nice things, I’m willing to pay a little bit more for something clean, with a very friendly staff, that feels very safe and child friendly. That’s a Disney cruise.

To be fair, before we had kids, Sean and I could’ve gone to Europe and done something really nice with the amount of money we spent on the seven day cruise. Honestly, I think we spent more on this cruise than we spent on our two week Italian honeymoon in 2015.

But, everything is taken care of for you and we did have a lovely experience.

One of the really nice things about doing a cruise with little kids is you don’t have to worry about wasting money when you’re there.

And by that I mean maybe you wouldn’t normally take your kids to see a movie because you’re afraid that they would scream and cry, and wanna leave halfway through. On the cruise, who cares, it was included.

Maybe you wouldn’t normally order the scallops and the steak just to take a few bites and try them both. On the cruise, who cares, it was included.

Maybe you wouldn’t normally give each person in your family their own ice cream cone, you would normally share a cup or two. Everybody get one, they’re free.

I certainly would have never bought tickets for my kids to see a Broadway style show. But it’s low risk when they’re free, and, what do you know, turns out my kids love musicals and we went 5 times.

Soda is included and free. We don’t really drink soda, but I drank a few cokes on the trip just because they were there.

My point is that the all inclusive experience really is nice and feels very low risk and relaxing. And isn’t that the whole point of your vacation?

Here is everything I can think of sharing regarding our experience on the Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean cruise.

Booking and Planning

When doing initial research for this trip, I did a lot of googling and looking at the options for Disney cruises. We are in South Carolina and are lucky enough to be able to drive to Port Canaveral so we focused on cruises that left from that location.

There were three different Disney ships at the time that were leaving from Port Canaveral, but I didn’t really do any planning based on the ship.

Instead, I focused on the itineraries that we wanted. In this case, we wanted a seven day cruise.

I talked to a few people who thought that it was a bit aggressive to leap straight into a seven day cruise. It seems like a lot of people do a three or four night cruise as their first, especially with little kids.

But, for us, it’s over a 7 Hour drive to Port Canaveral, and Sean and I don’t work conventional jobs where we have to take vacation days or anything like that.

I found that it was about $1000 more total for a seven day cruise compared to a five day cruise, at least at the time we were booking it, and so to me it just seemed like a total no-brainer to focus on the seven day cruises.

So, the Fantasy was the only choice for seven day Caribbean cruises out of Port Canaveral with Disney cruise lines.

They alternate weekly between an eastern and western itinerary. We just ended up with the Eastern itineraries based off the week we were available.

It’s worth noting, and I’ll get into this later, that kids have to be 3 years old to go to the kids club and that is why we were so specific on the date that we could go on this cruise – we had about a two week window between Rory’s third birthday and the day they went back to school.

So, that was pretty much how we landed on the eastern Caribbean itinerary – it’s just what fit our schedule best.

Reservation process and tips for booking a Disney cruise

You have two options for booking a Disney cruise- you could book it yourself, or you can use a travel agent.

We booked our trip through an acquaintance of mine, who is a Disney travel agent. I reached out to her because I knew she did this and there was no cost for her services as she’s paid a fee from Disney directly.

I am implying no hate to her. She’s a very nice person, and I’m not speaking on all travel agents, because I literally only worked with this one person, but we got zero benefit from working with a Disney cruise travel agent.

She didn’t get us any discounts, we didn’t get any credits or gifts, she didn’t even really give us any tips or advice, all of my advice came from Reddit and Facebook.

So, don’t feel like you need to use a travel agent. You aren’t missing out on anything. If I were to book it again, I would just do it myself online like I do everything else.

When to book a Disney cruise

Based on my research, Disney cruises tend to sell out, especially during popular times like when kids are out of school.

They also limit each cruise on the number of kids in each age category that can be on board at a time.

They limit it so that if every single kid age 3 to 12 was at the kids club at once they would be below capacity. So it’s possible that a cruise you want to book will have open rooms but will not let you book a room if you have kids of a certain age.

All of that is to say, the earlier you can book your cruise, the more likely you are to get the room that you want for the best possible deal. It seems the prices only go up as you get closer to the cruise date.

Embarkation Day

Embarkation Day is the day that your cruise leaves the port. You will be assigned a time to get on the ship – this is based on your rank in the Disney system (first timer, silver, gold, platinum, etc for returning cruisers, or concierge for the high rollers).

Arrival at the port

Do not arrive before the time you are assigned. Maybe 15 minutes before to get situated, but they will not let you in the door before your time- they are strict on this.

We chose to drive from our hotel and park in the parking deck. At Port Canaveral it was $17 per day (including arrival and departure day) to park, working out to be just shy of $150 for the week.

Before parking, you can drop your suitcases (with a member of your group) at the curb and then drive to park.

We were shocked that there were hardly any cars in the deck – we got one of the first spots on the ground floor and there were tons of empty spots. You’ll see later that this made getting out when we got back very easy.

Once you have your suitcases ready, a porter will come to take your bags away. It was chaotic, and by the time I flagged a porter down, he straight up told me to my face that he does not work for Disney and he works for tips and held out his hand. I stood there for a moment and said “well I don’t have any cash” and he walked away.

When Sean came out of the garage, I told him, and he got out some cash. The guy took a bit and came back and took the cash and our bags. Do not leave your bags on the curb and walk away, instead be sure someone takes them away for you.

So, definitely bring cash and be prepared with a $20 for your bags. I get it, they will help whoever is paying the most. I just was not prepared for that, there was no option that I saw to do your own bag, and it kind of put a sour taste into my mouth right at the start of the trip.

Check-in process

After the porter graces you by taking your money and bag, your party will have to go wait in line to board the ship. This is, luckily, indoors and air conditioned.

Have your passports ready and be prepared to wait 30-60 minutes to get through the queue.

They took our passports, set up our room, and set up our MagicBands .

On the other side of that line, you will go through an x-ray machine and then ride the escalator up to the Mickey tunnel and the ship’s entrance.

You go through the Mickey tunnel, cross the bridge, and you are on the ship!

The cast members (that’s what they call employees) will announce your family and everyone claps for you as you enter the ship. It’s a nice touch and very indicative that Disney tries to make everyone feel special and celebrated.

First impressions of the ship

When you first enter the ship, you will be in the atrium, which is the lobby. The atrium is on the third floor and has two upper floors that look down on it. So, the atrium kind of includes the third, fourth and fifth floor of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.

While the ship is large and beautiful, I do think that a lot of the fits and finishes are dated. The ship was built in 2012, so it’s not exactly old. Perhaps they were going for a “classic” look.

That being said, it is very very clean and well maintained. We had zero issues with messes or trash or broken anything on our trip.

Activities and events on embarkation day

On embarkation day, they suggest that everyone go up to the 11th floor to Cabanas, which is the buffet on the pool deck, and get lunch. It was about 1:00 by the time we got on and got up to the buffet, so we were glad to eat.

Expect the food to be very crowded day one. It was hard to get a table, so we brought our food out to the pool deck which had some empty spots.

You can get into your room after 2pm on embarkation day. Your keys will be stuck to the outside of your door and your luggage will come to your door by dinner time. Don’t be surprised if they don’t all come at one time as ours came in a couple batches.

Accommodations

The Disney Fantasy cruise ship, like most other cruise ships, has interior rooms, ocean view rooms, and rooms with a veranda. There are also suites, but I will not dive into those haha.

Our room was a family deluxe verandah state room, which is the largest non-suite room. This was room 8116 on the Disney Fantasy.

Size-wise, the room was just right. It has a queen sized bed, a sofa that folds into a twin bed, an upper bunk above the sofa that pulls down from the ceiling, and a 4th bed that folds down murphy style.

We used the queen and bunk beds. It did not feel too tight with a family of 4, even with the beds down, though we were thankful that our steward put the bed away each morning.

Location-wise, this room was perfect. I loved being on the 8th floor – it felt central but quiet. Being mid-ship meant we had no issues with motion or rocking. It was a great room!

My only feedback was that we had a port view, and if you had a starboard view, you would be able to watch the fireworks from your balcony! But, we loved looking at the port on docked days.

The bathroom

The other thing that this room had was a split bathroom. So, basically two separate, back-to-back bathrooms. One is a sink + toilet and one is a sink + shower.

This would be great if you had a lot of people wanting to get ready at once.

We are in a weird spot where our kids still need help with the bathroom and bathing and have zero modesty issues, so it felt very tight and closed off, but I see how this set up would be great for most families.

The verandah

I think that the verandah was the most used part of our room. We ate room service out there, drank wine in the chairs, watched the ship enter and leave the ports, and even interacted with Pluto onshore at Castaway.

I recognize that the balcony was a higher cost but whoooweee we loved it. It’s also really good if you’re a parent that needs a space to get away after your kids go to sleep.

Dining Experience

The Disney Fantasy had good food. It was by no means the best food of my life, but it was all consistently good. Some was great. A few things were bland or boring, but nothing was bad.

I will say that the best part of the food to me, as a mom home with 2 kids 24/7, is that I did not wash a dish or prepare a single thing for a week.

Even on vacation I am usually washing up a bit or cooking some meals. Nothing on this cruise! That, my friends, was priceless.

Main dining rooms and rotational dining

Disney serves their dinners in a rotational dining format. On the Fantasy, there are three restaurants that you rotate in between.

You will have to go into the Disney cruise navigator app to see the restaurant you are assigned to each night and your table number.

Your table number stays the same at every restaurant all week, as does your server and assistant server. The people at the tables around you stay the same too.

I thought this was really fun because you got to try different restaurants which each had a different style of food, and even when you went back to restaurant, it had a new menu each time.

On the seven day cruise, you get to try each of the three restaurants twice. The restaurant you go to the first night you will also go to on the middle night, which is pirate night, which has a pirate themed menu, so you will still get two menus at each restaurant excluding the pirate menu, to add up to seven total.

Learn more about each of the three rotational dining restaurants:

• Animator’s Palate review
• Enchanted Garden review
• Royal Court review

There’s also a buffet, which is called Cabanas, on the 11th floor near the pool deck.

We ate breakfast at Cabanas each day we didn’t have room service and had lunch there as well.

The food was pretty good for buffet, and there was a really wide selection of items.

My biggest complaint with a buffet is that I actually find it harder than a sit down restaurant with small kids.

It’s a tossup, because my kids don’t want to sit and wait for their food, but, they also aren’t going to carry a plate through the buffet.

We ended up having one adult go and take the kids and find a table – which could be really hard to do a peak times – and sit down.

At the same time, the other adult went and got food for the kids and then we had to alternate getting food for ourselves.

So the buffet was honestly kind of a lot of work, and there weren’t even servers bringing you drinks or anything.

They bused your table, so it’s not like you have to take your trash away at the end, but it was kind of an ordeal.

Poolside food

Additionally, there’s one more spot to get lunch or dinner, which is Flo’s Café, which had a “Cars” movie theme.

They had pizza, burgers, barbecue sandwiches, Panini’s, french fries, hotdogs, corn dogs, stuff like that. This was available for lunch and dinner.

We could eat at the pool deck or you could get it and take it into Cabanas and eat it there.

A lot of the food at Flo’s was actually at Cabanas too – my big feedback was that this spot usually had really short lines and I thought the pizza and burgers were pretty good so it was actually easier for us to grab lunch here with the small kids compared to dealing with a larger buffet at cabanas.

Room Service

Your final option for food is to order room service. Room service is free and included with your cruise, unless you order booze or some thing else premium.

However, we did tip a few dollars when we ordered room service.

Room service was clutch for early morning breakfasts when we had port activities starting at 7 or 8 AM.

I literally don’t know how we could’ve gotten the kids up, dressed, put on sunscreen, up to the buffet, fed, and downstairs by 7 AM. This way, we had food delivered between 6-6:30, ate it on the balcony, got dressed, and left.

Hot tip – you can get uncrustables pb&js delivered from room service with breakfast. We got 2 of these on each port day for the kids to snack on. It was CLUTCH when we didn’t make it back until 2pm or so.

Kid-friendly meal options

Everywhere on the ship is expecting kids. So, they have extensive kids menus and no one was upset by my kids poor behavior.

To be fair, my kids were not screaming or throwing food or anything but they also didn’t like sitting in their seats for a two hour dinner.

The kids menus contained things like:

• macaroni and cheese
• chicken strips
• pasta + red sauce
• mini burgers
• grilled cheese

The waitstaff also offered to bring the above kids items when they weren’t on the menu. They dig them up like magic from somewhere on the ship!

Also, kids can order adult food. The kids at the table next to us were elementary aged and ordered salads, steaks, and seafood off the full menu each night. The waiter actually cut the kids’ steak for him. I was very impressed by them!

I will also say that LOTS of little kids at dinner had tablets. We did not bring ours and, retrospectively, it might have helped with dinner time.

It’s not something we’ve ever done – screens at the table – and I’d prefer not too, but those kids seemed to do better than my screenless 3&4 year olds so who am I to judge.

Special dietary considerations

The menus at all of the restaurants had things clearly labeled that were vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free.

The waitstaff also made a big effort to get to know our needs and preferences. For example, I don’t eat much meat, and at first he kept pushing the steak and ribs and all these meaty things and acting perplexed when I chose tofu.

Once I explained my preference to him, he shifted his recommendations and never suggested the meat to me again. Basic, but he did a good job of it!

Onboard Entertainment

The onboard entertainment was really great on our fantasy cruise.

Broadway-style shows and performances

The musical performances on the Disney Fantasy were possibly the highlight for me. I feel like we got so much value getting to see these shows, and I was truly blown away at how much my kids not only enjoyed, but appreciated them.

Each of the three shows was shown as a matinee at 12:45, then at 6:30 and at 8:30. You go to the show that is the opposite of your dinner so if you have early dinner, you go to a late show and if you have a late dinner you go to an early show.

We went to the matinee and the late show for each show. The matinee was a great way to guarantee my kids were awake for it, and each time they enjoyed it so much they begged to go back again later that night.

My kids have never seen a live show like this before in their entire lives, so it’s not like they are used to plays or Broadway. These shows were just really good.

The shows on our ship, in order of their appearance was:

• Believe – a compilation of classic Disney songs from different movies.

Aladdin was random to me, but I made sure my kids watched it leading up to the cruise so they were familiar. Y’all. It was SO GOOD. Shout out to the actor who played Aladdin (yes I looked him up!), he was so charismatic and fantastic.

Frozen was good – though we all agreed that Aladdin was stronger. (I was surprised, since my kids generally prefer Frozen, but the leads were just stronger in Aladdin).

The Believe show was cute, but once again, the song choices were all “classic” Disney movies – most my kids didn’t know. They got excited for Tiana, but they don’t know Jungle Book, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, or many other 90s movies.

Movie Theater

One thing I don’t see mentioned enough about the Disney cruise that I want to shout out is the movie theater. They have a movie theater on board that shows Disney movies that are currently in theaters in the United States.

We were able to see Elemental. I really really wanted to see The Little Mermaid live action but the times just didn’t work with our kids schedule.

They were also showing Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan and Wendy, and some Indiana Jones something.

I was surprised that they seem to show the adult movies a lot more, and didn’t show the kids movies as much or as many times during the day.

But, if you go on a Disney cruise, definitely try and use it as a chance to catch any movie!

Deck parties and events

The ship held deck parties for sail away, which is when you leave the port on day one, pirate night when they had a little pirate show, and on the 25th anniversary they did a little Mickey show before the fireworks.

Personally, I found the deck parties lame.

They were very very crowded and I’m not one to watch Mickey Mouse dance around.

Some kids were into it, most seemed either hot and tired, or sleepy and tired, depending on the time of day.

There were some Disney adults that were really into it. I’m not gonna yuck their yum, but the deck parties just didn’t do it for me.

Family entertainment options

On the nights when there were not musical performances, there were other performers. There was a ventriloquist, a magician, and a juggler.

The only one of these that we made it to was the juggler. I’m not one to hate on artists, but I was super unimpressed with his act. My kids thought it was cool though, so I guess they were the target audience.

We did not make it to the other shows because they were at 8:30 at night and on those nights, my kids were just beat.

Port of Calls

The Eastern Caribbean itinerary included:

• Day 1: Port Canaveral
• Day 2: Sea Day
• Day 3: Sea Day
• Day 4: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
• Day 5: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
• Day 6: Sea Day
• Day 7: Castaway Cay private island
• Day 8: Port Canaveral

We loved this itinerary. Starting with Sea Days was a great way to get to know the ship.

The Virgin Islands were gorgeous with white sand and clear water.

Castaway Cay is great because everything is taken care of for you and mostly included in the cruise.

As far as the length of the cruise, we felt that 7 days was just right. I never got bored but I also did not feel rushed whatsoever.

Pool and Recreation

There are a variety of pools + water areas on the Fantasy.

The family pools

I was pretty unimpressed by the pools on the Disney Fantasy ship. There are 2 main family pools – a 3 foot deep pool and a 5 foot deep pool.

They were constantly so full with people it was like human soup, super unappealing and crowded.

We actually found a small fountain area on the side of the ship that I never found the name of – it’s next to the soda fountains – that was a huge hit with my 3 year old.

It’s worth noting that swim diapers are NOT allowed in any pools, so if your kid is not potty trained, they cannot swim at all.

There is also the Funnel Puddle in the “family area” right above the adults only pool. The fountain was never on, but my 3 year old LOVED this pool. We were always the only ones there.

It was only 6 inches deep but it was private and we ordered daiquiris and enjoyed the spot.

I felt a little awkward – it was right over the adults only section- but it was clearly marked as family pool, and I asked like 4 people and it was family friendly. It’s a hidden gem!

Adult-only areas

There are 2 adult only pools on the ship. In the very front of the ship there’s basically a 1 foot deep fountain with a seat you can sit on. We walked by here but never got in.

There is also an adults only pool with a swim up bar and 5’5″ deep section. It was nice – we went during one kids club visit – but it was very small and crowded.

Also there was a hot tub in the adults only area, but I never made it in.

Splash areas

There are 2 splash areas on the ship – Nemo’s Reef and the Aqua Lab.

My daughter LOVED Nemo’s Reef. It has all of the different Nemo fish that squirt and spray water. And, you can slide down Mr. Ray.

This was a huge hit and is what the Disney cruise should have more of – cute fun character inspired areas.

Aqua Lab is a spot where you can turn knobs and crank levers and squirt each other with water. It was fun, but it was frequently closed for too much wind.

AquaDuck water slide

The big water slide on the ship was called the AquaDuck. You have to be 42 inches to ride the AquaDuck with an adult.

My four year old was able to do it with my husband and they did it twice on the trip.

The trick is to go at low wait times, because during busy sea days, the wait can be long. They went early in the morning or later at night, because my four-year-old is not about the line.

This is the slide that goes all the way around the ship and they really really enjoyed it.

Mickey’s water slide

There is a smaller yellow waterslide that is kids only and called Mickey’s Slide.

You have to be 38 inches to ride it and have to be shorter than 5 foot five – we talked to a 12-year-old who got turned away because she was too tall.

This was a good slide and my four year-old did it twice by himself. I think he would’ve done it more if you’d had a friend with him, or if his sister had been tall enough to do it with him.

Sports and recreation options

This ship also has Goofy Golf, which is putt putt on the top deck. It was a lot of fun, we did this a few times, and my 4 year old really loved it.

There is also a basketball court, which seemed impossible to do because it was so windy.

Finally, there is a sports simulator up there on the sports deck. It’s indoors and you kick or throw actual sports balls at a screen.

You have to pay for this but it’s only like $15 for an hour, the bigger problem is getting a reservation. When we were able to sign up as first time cruisers, nothing was available.

Childcare and Kids’ Activities

The kids clubs on the Disney cruise are divided up as follows:

• 0-3 (or not potty trained) Nursery
• 3-12 Kids Club – Oceaneer’s Club & Lab
• 11-14 Edge (middle school age)
• 14-17 Vibe (high school age)
• 1820 club – for college aged >18 but too young for booze

If we are being completely honest, I was unimpressed by the kids club on this cruise. They have open houses several times throughout the cruise when adults can come and tour and check it out.

I felt that the Oceaneer’s club and lab were very screen-oriented. There were computer games, movies, and just a lot of giant TV screens on the walls. There is no playground and not a lot of toys.

They do have activities organized throughout the week, we took our kids to the kids club twice.

The first time they stayed for less than an hour and seemed to have a good time.

The second time, they stayed for one hour and when we picked them up our four-year-old son was sobbing, snot pouring down his nose, which is incredibly unlike him.

I tried to pick him up, and the woman yelled at me that I can’t touch him until he was signed out and then proceeded to sign out two other non-crying kids before signing him out while he stood there and just sobbed.

It then took them over five minutes to find my three-year-old and when they brought her out, she was crying too.

None of the employees seemed too concerned, no one, including my kids or the employees could tell me what happened, and my kids adamantly refused to go back to the kids club after that.

I heard lots of people saying that their kids didn’t want to leave the kids club. They loved it so much they even wanted to go to the kids club on the private island days and during dinner. This was not what happened for us.

Character Interactions

One of the big selling points for many people on the Disney cruise is the character interactions and the ability to get photos with characters.

I pre-paid for the photo package, so about halfway through the cruise, I decided to start waiting in these long lines to get photos with characters.

It’s worth noting that you can take pictures with the characters on your own cell phone. No problem for free.

Also, some of the best interactions that we had with characters was when we just passed them in the hallway, not waiting in a line. Shout out to Rapunzel. She was the best for this.

But, if you want to wait in line for a character that you really want to see, be prepared to line up. For example, on the second to last day, we still had not seen Stitch and my kids really love Stitch, so I waited in line 15 minutes before he was due to appear and ended up waiting for an hour total to see him.

The best strategy is definitely for one adult to grab a drink and get in line with their cell phone, and then text the rest of the group when you are close to the front of the line. This was totally cool. As long as you were doing just one group one photo you’re not really cutting the line you’ve got one spot it’s not like a ride.

Only other feedback on character meet and greets is that I think that Disney needs to take a long hard look at the characters that they feature on the ship.

It really felt to me like they were catering towards Disney adults with some of these choices.

For example, Chip and Dale were out every day. Are Chip and Dale even relevant anymore? I think not.

I would like to see Elsa and Anna, Moana, Buzz Lightyear, and more recent characters.

Here’s who we physically saw on our cruise so you can prepare your kids, so they know who these people are because my kids did not know most of these:

Classic Disney characters

• Donald duck
• Chip + Dale

All of these classic Disney characters also come out at different times wearing different outfits, such as pirate costumes or sailing clothes, so you can see them multiple times in different garb.

Other Disney Characters

• Captain Hook + Smee (pirate night only)
• Captain Jack Sparrow (pirate night only)

Cruise Staff and Service

The highlight of this cruise for me was really the Disney cruise staff, and the level of service that we were given. Everyone seemed just so genuinely happy and friendly.

Either they’re the Fakest Fakers in the world or they like what they do. Maybe it’s a mix of the two.

I will say this is a sharp contrast to customer service that we have gotten anywhere else lately and was a big relief.

I feel like this is one of the biggest things you are paying for when you pay premium for a Disney cruise – really really good service, very clean facilities, and just a very child friendly atmosphere.

Themed Experiences

There were a few themed activities on our 7 day Disney cruise.

Our cruise had two special nights – the 25th anniversary night, and pirate night.

25th anniversary night

The 25th anniversary night was because 2023 is the 25th anniversary of Disney cruise line.

They had free cocktails in the atrium before each dinner service, which was the only time we found them doing this on the whole cruise. The cocktails were kind of sickly sweet for me, so retrospectively I wish I had grabbed glasses of champagne instead of the neon blue cocktail. Regardless, it was a nice touch.

On the 25th anniversary night it was formal night, and they also did a fireworks show off the pool deck. It was nice, nothing too crazy, and it didn’t start until about 10:30 which was way too late for my kids.

Retrospectively, I wish we had a room that looked starboard so we could’ve just watch the fireworks from our balcony.

Pirate night

The other theme night was pirate night, which was about halfway through the cruise. Definitely some people went completely wild dressing up in full pirate garb.

All of the staff was talking like a pirate and really having fun with it which made it really silly.

I got this pirate gear set up for my kids and I also got inflatable pirate swords and pirate tattoos for the kids and our fish extender group, which were really fun.

My kids enjoyed getting pictures with Pirate Mickey and Minnie. These were limited costumes so the lines were very very long. Be prepared.

There was a pirate menu, which wasn’t really very stand out, and a pirate Mickey show on the pool deck after our early dinner.

They also did a Captain Jack Sparrow show around 10 p.m. followed by fireworks, but we skipped this one because the other fireworks had been such a late disaster for our kids.

Dress-up opportunities for kids

I packed two Disney costumes for each of my kids for this cruise and they did not wear them. Big waste of space. We did see a lot of little girls, wearing princess dresses, especially on the formal and semi formal nights and at the princess gathering.

I will say that lots of kids wore Frozen costumes to the Frozen show, so maybe look into what shows are on your ship and pack costumes if you have them.

Royal gathering

The princess gathering is a free event that you have to book in advance. It becomes available 30 days out from your cruise at midnight Eastern standard time. If you want to go, you need to be on your app at midnight for real. At 12:03 it was sold out.

You don’t know the times in advance, but it will be the first two days of your cruise.

This is a chance to see for princesses dedicated like a full 60 seconds with each one. You still have to wait in line, but it’s a lot shorter line.

You will see the same princesses for the rest of the cruise, this was a really easy way to see them and get autographs and start the crews out with a bang.

This is not to be confused with the paid premium tea party, which you were not going to get tickets to if you are a first time cruiser. It was sold out I think before even silver members could book excursions on our cruise.

Debarkation

After our experience getting on the ship, I expected debarkation to be a bit of a disaster. I was shocked at how well it went.

With a 5:45 dinner time, we were assigned a 7:10 AM breakfast in the restaurant where we had our final dinner the night before.

This was the only plated sit down breakfast that we went to and we had our regular waiters.

We had breakfast and were not able to go back to the room afterwards. Instead, we grabbed our carry-on bags, said goodbye and headed off the ship.

We were off the ship at 8 AM and our bags were there waiting for us sorted by the group number we were given good night before.

It was easy to grab our bags, and then we had to go through customs which was less than a 10 minute wait.

At this point, some people were hiring porters to carry their bags, and the porters literally came through customs with them. Considering the guy wanted 20 bucks to put our bags on the ship in the beginning I can’t imagine how much they were asking for for this 30 minute commitment.

Regardless, we rolled out of there with our rolly bags zero problems, straight into our car and were on the highway by 8:30 AM.

I definitely want to say that there is no problem checking our bags the night before, we were slightly worried that we might have to wait, but there was zero issue.

It was there waiting for us. The combination of checking our bags and parking in the garage made it just so super fast to get out and get going for our long drive.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

I think that the ideal audience for a Disney cruise would be a family with two elementary aged girls, who love princesses, and are independent enough to feed themselves at dinner, stay up until 11 PM for a special occasion, and are excited to meet new friends and hang out with other kids they might not know very well.

I also think that a Disney cruise would be fabulous for people with younger teens, who similarly like to make friends, and would really enjoy the independence that you could give them in the safe environment of a Disney cruise.

Also, it seems like a hit for Disney adults with cash to burn or grandparents who want to treat all of their kids and grandkids to really special trip.

We had a great time, don’t get me wrong. We will probably go on another Disney cruise, I wouldn’t be surprised if we did another one next year.

But, I think it would’ve been a lot more fun for us if we had more adults with us. Either grandparents, or preferably friends with kids pretty close in age to ours.

I think having other kids would have given our kids more confidence in the kids club and it would’ve been fun to be able to switch off with some other adults so we could do things like go to the adults only restaurant or go out after bedtime once or twice.

In conclusion, the Disney cruise is probably the most expensive way to cruise, but they sure to take care of you- it’s clean, it’s nice, it’s perfect for kids!

Any more questions about the Disney Fantasy?

Thanks for reading!

Hey there, I’m Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I’ve made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎈

Sharing is caring!

• Cruise Destinations

Eastern Caribbean

• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

* Coming Soon

• Ports of Call

Eastern Caribbean cruises are everything you see when you close your eyes and picture paradise. An almost perfectly scattered arc of islands, ringing sparkling tropical waters — this is what awaits you on cruises to the Eastern Caribbean . For a taste of the local flavor you can expect to enjoy on Eastern Caribbean cruises, check out a sampling of this delicious island menu: Martinique, La Romana, San Juan… plus saints aplenty: St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and St. Maarten... With a lineup like that, it’s hard to imagine a better way to spend your precious vacation days than on one of our cruises to the Eastern Caribbean. Go on, take a look at a few more of those turquoise-water-filled photos. Isn’t it time you booked your Carnival cruise to the Eastern Caribbean?

• Tour local rum distilleries… and, most importantly, taste-test the goods.
• Pay your respects to real-life saints — St. Thomas, St. Maarten and St. Lucia, among others.
• Hang out with marine life, and enjoy the beach life, where the sand meets the surf.

YOU WANT WHERE? WE GO THERE.

No results found.

St. Maarten

Montego Bay

Port Canaveral (Orlando)

New Orleans

Manhattan, New York City

Celebration Key

Half Moon Cay

Princess Cays

Thinking about the Caribbean?

We've got some daydream options for you.

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person.

Home » Cruise » Norwegian Escape Cruise Review

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review

We have everything you need to know about Norwegian Escape in this detailed Norwegian Escape Cruise Review. Follow along with us for 7 days as we visit the Eastern Caribbean and give you insider access

Share this post:

1/9/16- 1/16/16.

What’s Missing

Main Takeaway

If you like to sail on mega ships, then you will love Norwegian Escape. This ship certainly is in a class all her own. Compared to other ships of about the same size, Escape delivers on all fronts. Top notch dining, well appointed rooms, and a mix of spaces to accommodate all types of travelers. We especially appreciated the adult only venues like Spice H20. But, the ship also offers tons of children activities and events for families. If you prefer to cruise on smaller ships then Escape might be overwhelming. It can get crowded at times, and if you do not pre-book entertainment, or book as soon as you board, then you may not get to see all of the shows and entertainment. However, with a little planning before you board, you can take advantage of as little or as much of the ship’s offerings as you want. We highly recommend this ship. After sailing on Norwegian Escape, we are considering giving one of her kid sisters (Breakaway or Getaway) a try. Continue reading our Norwegian Escape Cruise Review below to find out more about this new ship.

Read our detailed, day by day Norwegian Escape Cruise Review below…

Norwegian escape cruise review – day 0.

Vacations are meant to be a time to recharge your batteries and relax, unless you cruise with my wife. Her idea of a vacation is seeing and doing as much as possible. That is why on our pre-cruise day, we were up at 3:00am to catch the first direct flight from Providence airport down to Ft. Lauderdale. Wanting to leave no stone unturned, we had a full day of sightseeing and picture taking planned. I was going to need plenty of coffee to make it through this day…and the entire seven days onboard Norwegian Escape if we were going to have a coherent Norwegian Escape Cruise Review .

Just one of the many rounds of iced lattes

The Princess might try to blame the early wake up on me, as she claims I get to the airport too early. Leaving our house at 4:30am, we would arrive at T.F. Green airport around 5:15am, about 90 minutes before our scheduled flight time. Parking and taking the transport from the parking lot took only a few minutes- one reason we love to fly from this small airport. Southwest’s luggage check line was manageable, but the security line was not. It was actually one of the longest lines that we have seen at this airport in years. By the time we got through security, grabbed a coffee, and made a restroom break, they were already lining up to board the plane. With our “B” boarding passes, we had a few extra minutes but no real time to spare. Sometimes planning to be a little early works out in your favor!

With an uneventful flight, we landed in Ft. Lauderdale, collected our luggage- all three checked bags (for now), and used the Uber app to secure a ride to the InterContinental Miami hotel 27 miles away. The weather today in Florida was not ideal, partly cloudy and in the upper sixties. As the day progressed it did get sunnier, and thankfully, for the rest of the trip we would be graced with beautiful weather. With not much traffic on the roads and our Uber driver using the express lane (you are not required to pay any additional tolls for this convenience), our total ride time from being picked up at the terminal to the hotel was about 35 minutes.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – King Guestroom at InterContinental

Few Remaining Signs of Christmas at the Park

Snapping photos and maneuvering through the maze of scaffolding, we arrived at the Big Bus Central station just missing the 12:45pm bus doing the “city loop”. Now, we would have to wait another thirty minutes for the next bus. I used this time to briefly walk around the Bayside Mall and grab a few more photos.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Big Bus Tour

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Some of the Wynwood Walls

It was a good thing we decided to hop on this tour to experience the Wynwood Walls, as they are some pretty impressive works of art. The 60 minute tour got us back to Bayside slightly after 5:00pm. Prior to leaving, we made dinner reservations at the hotel’s restaurant Toro Toro for 7:15pm. So, with plenty of buffer time, we headed off to take more pictures of the Bayfront Park sculptures by world renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero and the Bayside Marketplace.

Bar at Toro Toro

Toro Toro’s bar was rather busy, but the restaurant itself was mostly empty. Miami diners apparently do not like to eat as early as we do (7:15pm is actually late for us!) because the restaurant got rather crowded as we were finishing up. We enjoyed our dinner, getting an empanada appetizer, one of the signature dishes for two- the Toro Toro, and a round of drinks.

Dinner at Toro Toro

Given the hotel’s location, we contemplated going to the Brickell Village for some drinks and more exploration, but we decided to stay closer to the hotel. Plus, fatigue and food coma were setting in, so we walked down to Bayside. For a Friday night, the area was busy but not overwhelming.

Downtown Miami Skyline at Night

After a short walk around the area, we settled into a high top table to listen to some live music and enjoy a drink at the Make Your Own Daiquiri Bar. Honestly, we let them make the drinks, we just consumed them.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review –  A Miami Nightcap

Approaching 11pm, we decided to start walking back, knowing that along the way we would stop at a convenience store to grab some bottled water to bring onboard the ship. Not finding a suitable brand for the Princess at our first stop, we headed to the Walgreens two blocks up from our hotel, where luckily 24 packs of water were on sale.

Returning to the Hotel

Lugging one of these over my shoulder, while the Princess carried a bag filled with a few bottles of Powerade, we returned to our luxury accommodations shortly after 11pm to retire for the evening.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review- Day 1

With all the planning and extra preparation, we were up around 6:45am on embarkation day. Our “check-in time” was scheduled for 9:30am, but we knew the ship would not actually be loaded until somewhere around 11:00am. That said, we wanted to get to the port for our arranged time anyway.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Quiet Hotel Lobby

Having a Starbucks on the first floor of our hotel was essential, as we were going to have a long day of picture taking and exploration on the largest cruise ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. Of course, this meant I had to make the trek down the 21 floors (which the Princess subconsciously kept referring to as “decks” during our hotel stay) to get us some iced lattes and breakfast. We had stopped the night before to grab a case of bottled water, as the NCL Ultimate Beverage Package does not included bottled water or premium coffees, but we wanted to get some additional bottles for our carry-on. This ultimately meant that I had to set out again to buy another 24 pack of water. Luckily, all of this water did make it to our stateroom later in the day and was consumed in its entirety during the course of the week.

The extra time spent running around for these last minute items meant we were not going to leave the hotel by 9am to make our scheduled 9:30am check-in. Already behind schedule, the Princess was not happy that our plans were not being executed appropriately. In any case, we checked out of the hotel and with assistance of two valets, moved our luggage, now containing 48 bottles of water, into a nearby taxi.

Saying Goodbye to the InterContinental Miami

The short taxi ride to the pier cost around $11. Having saved money on our Uber ride from the Ft. Lauderdale airport the previous day, we were not going to sit around and waste more time waiting for a ride share service this morning.

Our First Glimpse of the Norwegian Escape

Arriving at the port before 10am, there were still plenty of cruisers from the previous week’s cruise trying to get back home. We were dropped off in the middle of this scene and had to wheel our luggage to the appropriate drop off location. There were not many people in line yet, so we were able to leave the luggage with a porter and go through security rather quickly. With only one sailing on NCL in our cruise history, we did not get priority check-in which meant a small queue, but it moved quickly. Within 20 minutes, we were checked in, cruise cards in hand, and ready to get onboard to start our cruise vacation. Then we waited.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Selfie Terminal Waiting to Board the Ship

Assigned a “group 3” card, I knew we would be among the first on the ship, although, not among the very first as we often are on Royal Caribbean ships. Further altering the Princess’ plans, this meant that many venues would be crowded with fellow passengers by the time we made our way from the top decks down during our photo tour. As the crowds grew in the waiting area of the terminal, no announcements were made and no information was provided; the natives were getting restless. We could see a large line of cruisers who were still exiting the ship. We overheard someone claim that there was an issue with customs meaning we would not be able to board the ship until noon.

Welcome Aboard the Norwegian Escape !

Luckily, that was not the case as the first group was called around 11:30am and our group shortly after. Finally, we were about to set foot on a Norwegian Cruise ship again after an eight year hiatus. We boarded on deck 7 forward right next to the box office and main entrance to the Escape Theater. Not wanting to waste any more time, the Princess and I quickly made it onto an elevator-which are rather narrow but deeper than a typical elevator-and headed all the way up to deck 16 to begin grabbing photos for our Norwegian Escape Cruise Review .

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Few Photos of the Pool Decks and Waterpark

Making it to the pool deck, we would roam around the outdoor and indoor spaces grabbing as many photos as we could of these public venues sans passengers, first heading up a few decks to deck 20, then making our descent. We started out rather solid, but by the time we made it inside towards deck 8, we were overcome by crowds of eager cruisers like us, testing out the bars and lounges of this ship.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Lunch at Savor

Not too hungry and knowing that dinner was only a few hours away, we ordered a bunch of starters to share- the nachos, the chicken Caesar salad, the popcorn shrimp (ok, those were only for me), and the potato skins. The food was okay, but some of the apps were a bit different than we expected, especially the potato skins. We were out of the dining room in about an hour. Cabins had been ready for a while, so we headed up a few flights to deck 11 to our cabin, 11782, a starboard side balcony.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Balcony Room

With modern décor and design, it was reminiscent of Quantum of the Seas and was most definitely larger than our typical inside cabin. Upon entering our room, we were pleasantly surprised by a Bon Voyage package including balloons, streamers, and some special towel animals-yes we kept these up the entire length of the cruise.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Drinks of the Day

Prior to sailing, we purchased the 6 night specialty dining package and made all of our dinner arrangements prior to the cruise using the NCL Planner. (If you are sailing on this ship, be sure to check out our complete guide to planning a Norwegian Escape Cruise ). First up on our specialty restaurant list was Moderno at 6:30pm tonight. This Brazilian-style steakhouse is all you can eat for a cover charge of $24.95 per person (including gratuity). The restaurant was not busy, so we were seated without any issues. If you do choose to dine at this restaurant, give yourself close to two hours, as it is a non-stop carnivorous experience.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Dinner at Moderno.

Finishing dinner after 8:00pm, we were both stuffed. The Welcome Aboard show started at 7:30pm, so it was obvious that we were too late to catch that show. Instead, we started our Drink Around the Ship , in which we get at least one signature drink at each bar and lounge on the ship.

We made it to two bars-the Sugar Mojito Bar and Tobacco Road, both located on deck 8. We are not huge fans of mojitos, but Sugarcane has one of the best bartenders on the ship-Bong. When you visit, you will see why-his brain teasers, drink tricks, and plenty of personality! Completing these two bars, we decided to call it a night around 11pm.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Day 2

The alarm seemed to sound way earlier than it should have. Today was the first full sea day so it was time to test out the crowds. Any cruiser knows that the ship and public areas only get busier as the cruise progresses; this is why we get up early to secure our real estate. Only problem, I hate the mornings! Somehow, the Princess is able to pull herself out of bed, but I struggle.

Among the to-dos set by the Princess for our Norwegian Escape Cruise Review , we had to eat breakfast and lunch at every venue to try out the offerings. Before retiring the night before, the plan was made to try O’sheehan’s for breakfast this morning. After putting on an eating display at Moderno the night before, the last thing on my mind this morning was breakfast. We showered, got ready, and headed down to the Café Atrium for coffee before 9am.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Cafe Atrium

The Ultimate Drink Package does not cover lattes and premium coffees, so we knew there were going to be some additional charges on the account, but the Princess does not like drip coffee. Breakfast at O’Sheehan’s was steady, but not overly busy. Our waiter, Wayne was nice and prompt, and our two omelets came out rather quickly.We were through breakfast much quicker than the sit down lunch the day before.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Breakfast at O’Sheehan’s Bar and Grill

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Inside the Spice H20

One of the best perks here is the Grotto, this cave-like water feature allows you to cool off without having to jump into a pool filled with children and other travelers. Again, this feature remained relatively unused the first few days of the cruise, until others began to realize this was a great way to escape the mid-day heat.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Aqua Racer Slide

Building her confidence, it was now time to conquer the Aqua Loop. We did not notice the small sign indicating that jewelry could not be worn on the ride. This means watches, earrings, wedding bands, etc. So, it was only at the top of the line that a fellow cruiser behind us informed us of the restriction, and shortly thereafter, we witnessed one gentleman get turned away because he was wearing a necklace. Not wanting to waste the time we already spent in line, I gave the Princess my watch and wedding ring and completed the slide first.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Margaritaville at Sea

Not even sure why we also ordered the pretzel sticks,(probably so we could write about them in this Norwegian Escape Cruise Review ) but we were more than full with these two appetizers. Full and ready for a nap, we decided to work off some of these nachos with some physical activity. Well, if you consider mini golf an activity. The course was rather busy, so it took a few minutes to get clubs of the appropriate size. The course design was not the greatest, as most holes had the same setup with you trying to hit the ball through some building or obstacle, but it was rather challenging.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Mini Golf Course

Both the Princess and I got exactly the same score, which was well above par. Unfortunately, with so many other activities, we never got to battle it out for the title of Norwegian Escape mini-golf champion. Approaching 3:00pm, we did not want to spend too much more time outside. Tonight is Norwegian’s only “dress-up” night, and of course, we would be taking pictures. This is actually our first cruise ever that I did not pack a suit. Instead, I planned a blue blazer with a tie and some khakis. I know, very nautical. To avoid being red in these formal portraits, we decided to head inside. A few of the restaurants and bars were closed, which gave us a great opportunity to get some pictures without other cruisers in them. During the trip, we also made a pit stop at the photo gallery to find our picture folder and review our welcome aboard pictures. For the last couple of cruises, our Welcome Aboard photos have been less than stellar.

The Photo Gallery on Norwegian Escape

Before heading back to the room to shower and get ready for dinner, we did some of our souvenir shopping. In the past, I have missed out on getting t-shirts and other items from the cruise gift shop by waiting until the end of the cruise. Not going to let that happen on this trip. We got our cruise ship ornament and an inaugural season t-shirt. Mission Accomplished. We headed back to the room for 4:00pm to get ready and begin putting together this cruise review.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Ready for Formal Night

Down to deck 8 by about 5:40pm, we completed 5 of the 7 portrait stations, two studios on deck 8 and 3 out of 5 studios on deck 6, rather quickly. We were about 5 minutes late to our 6:00pm reservation at the Manhattan Room. This would be the only time during the cruise we would eat at one of the complementary venues for dinner. Making the reservations ahead of time, we did not know what the menu would be, as the dinner menu changes nightly (but is the same in all 3 complementary venues). We choose this venue versus Savor or Taste because we knew it was “formal night”, and the Manhattan Room is the most grandiose, complete with live music and dancing.

Our dinner this evening took about 90 minutes with the food and service being just average. Tonight’s menu featured a chicken dish, so the Princess was all set. For a starter, she tried the Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio which had an odd presentation and was not exactly what she was expecting. Her main dish, the Chicken Kiev, looked pretty ordinary. The same was true of the raspberry cake she got for dessert. With nothing on the menu that really caught my attention, I went with the Classic Favorites, starting with a Caesar Salad. Even though we would be eating at Cagney’s the following night (had to get as many specialty restaurants in as we could fit for our Norwegian Escape Cruise Review)  , I did the steak frites for an entree. The steak was not very well seasoned, but the french fries were warm and crispy. My dessert, the warm chocolate lava cake, was the bright spot of the meal. It paired nicely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Dinner at Manhattan Room

Our plan after dinner was to get seats for the Newlywed Game, which was in the Atrium at 8:45pm. After a quick loss in the casino, we found two of the very few seats left in the Atrium around 7:45pm. I ordered us drinks at the Atrium Bar, checking it off our Drink Around the Ship. Tierney and Sandra were playing a tribute entitled “A Night in Paris”. Apparently the show’s title didn’t dawn on the Princess. By about the third song in, she turns to me and says “Why are all the songs in French?”.

Atrium Entertainment on Norwegian Escape

Following their set, the stage was set for the Newlywed Game. Similar to what you would see on other cruise lines, multiple couples who had been married a variety of years are asked questions about each other to see if their answers match. Julie, the cruise director, was the host, and this was the first time we had seen her around the ship since the sail away party. There were a few laughs, but the show did not have the same feeling or excitement we have experienced on other ships. We actually jetted a few minutes early to make sure we got seats at the first theater production, After Midnight.

Getting to the Escape Theater around 9:30pm for the 10 pm showing, they were already scanning cards. We were quickly scanned in and found seats, right center near the aisle. There was limited bar service, so we did not end up getting to order a drink before the show as the theater was jammed pack.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review- Day 3

Getting two complete sea days in the beginning of the cruise was great as it gave us time to do and see as much as possible. When sailing on mega ships, it always feels like there is not enough time to get everything done. Sometimes, we end up trying to squeeze too much into the last sea day, and we know that Mother Nature does not always cooperate.

Today on the itinerary was tackling the ropes course. Oh, and more food and drinks. Yes, I know, it is a tough life when sailing on one of the largest cruise ships in the world and having to try everything once to have a comprehensive cruise review. The only downside to experiencing all of this fun was another early alarm at 6:45am. Already feeling the effects of the cruise food, we both decided to skip breakfast.

The small jogging track on deck 16 can be busy in the morning, so if you want to take a morning stroll, the Waterfront is a great alternative. There are also coffee stations in a few places (during our trip, located near both Cellars and 5 O’clock Somewhere), so you can also just sit back and enjoy the view as you sip your morning brew.

Back to the room for a quick shower, we were to Spice H20 for 9:30am- just in time. On the first sea day, there were no issues getting seats, but today, we got the last two lounge chairs available. At the time, they were in the shade but within an hour, they were in direct sunlight and made for a perfect location.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Inside an Empty Spice H20

With our seats now secured, we debated when we should do the ropes course, which opened at 10:00am. I knew that it would only get busier, and the wife’s courage weaker, the longer we waited. At exactly 10am, we took the stairs up one deck to be greeted by a small line getting geared up in the harnesses and a good number of cruisers already on the ropes course. After making a quick trip back downstairs to drop off our camera, as they are pretty strict about enforcing no items in your pockets (wearable Go-Pro cameras are allowed), we were geared up and ready to go.

We spent about 45 minutes conquering this multi-story obstacle course. It was quite windy this morning, so the top level was not open (which is fine as I did that level on another sea day, and it was not any different). Due to the wind, only one plank was open on the starboard side of the ship. The first couple of challenges are easy, and we soon reached a bottleneck before the first zip line.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Entrance to the Ropes Course

The Princess had no problem walking through those courses and loves zip lines, so far it was a piece of cake. But then came the plank. Dangling eight feet over the edge of the ship, there was now some trepidation. The Princess began questioning whether she could do it. With a rather brisk wind and a fear that if she lost her footing, she would not be able to get herself back up, she tried bypassing the plank. I was not going to let her back down now.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Preparing to Walk the Plank

With some encouragement from the young boy in front of her, she put one foot out on the plank. Looking down to the ocean eighteen decks below her, she started to have second thoughts. But, she mustered up enough courage to make a quick creep out to pull the “selfie” rope and hurried back in. Oh, did I mention I got all of this on my GoPro?

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Video of Ropes Course

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Aqua Racer

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Lunch at O’Sheehan’s Grill

While not the healthiest, the pub-style menu of this restaurant was right up our ally. We would have been happy testing out additional menu items during the cruise, but unfortunately, too many venues and not enough time. The port side of O’Sheehan’s also has a small game room with air hockey, pool tables, darts, bowling, and other arcade games. With time to kill, we took our drinks over to this area and squeezed into the open bowling lane. It costs 5 dollars a person for a game.

After a close first game, we decided to have a rematch, which was interrupted by a malfunction. The pins are on strings, instead of a traditional rack system. After one of my impressive strikes, two of these strings got tangled up, resulting in the system’s inability to untangle and reset the pins after several attempts. Finally, an error message came on the screen, so I had to go to the bar and have them send someone up to fix it. This took a while, so the technician was nice enough to refund the game due to the error. We finished the last couple of strings and were back to our room by 4:15pm.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Balcony Sunset

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Dinner at Cagney’s Steakhouse

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Prime Meridian Bar Deck 8

On the first day of the cruise, we reserved the comedy show in Headliner’s at 9:00pm. The cruise features two different comedians, which were not available for pre-booking prior to the cruise. The two comedians rotate days and times with showings usually at 7pm, 9pm, and 11pm. We do recommend booking these shows once onboard as they do sell out quickly and the stand by lines were quite long.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Entrance to Headliner’s

For all shows on Norwegian Escape, doors open about a half hour before showtime. So, a few minutes past 8:30pm, we were checked in for the show and secured seats toward the right of stage. The show’s host and opener was Frank Townsend, and tonight’s featured comedian was Mark Viera. Being a comedy fan, I enjoyed the show and thought both performers were funny. Note, the 7:00pm and 9:00pm shows are considered the “family” shows and the 11:00pm show is the adult only. We heard that the material was very similar, just a bit more graphic.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Inside Headliner’s Comedy Club

Later in the cruise, there was a “late night comedy” show featuring both comedians in the main theater and neither one of the main acts were very dirty. After the show, there were plenty of things we could have done on the ship, but we decided to retreat for the evening. Having our first port of call tomorrow with a shore excursion meeting right when the ship was scheduled to dock, we wanted a good night’s rest. Organizing our gear, checking the internet, doing some social media updates, and taking notes on the day’s activities ended up taking us close to two hours, so our plan to get to bed early did not exactly work out as anticipated.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review- Day 4

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Sail into St. Thomas

Our shore excursion included a two-hour beach break. On Norwegian Escape, beach towels are in your stateroom and your room attendant switches them out for you. There are also stations available for you to get pool towels when exiting the ship, but they swipe your card and put a $25 dollar hold on your account until the towel is returned. With no beach towels left the night before, I had to flag down our room attendant. He was all out of beach towels, but delivered them a few minutes later, just in time for us to get off the ship.

Getting off the ship in St. Thomas was a breeze, a small line that moved very quickly. Julie, the cruise director, was greeting guests as they exited, which I thought was a nice touch. Of course, on the pier, there were photo opportunities so we did stop for a few pictures. But without a digital package offering, none of these pictures made it home with us. The instructions for our shore excursion were to meet our guide “immediately outside of the gate”. We had to walk up and down this area for a while before we finally spotted our tour guide Sunny Liston, with his brightly painted red open air bus, pulling into the terminal area.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Our Tour Bus

His tour has several different starting times as the first portion of the tour is a drop off in Downtown for shopping. We chose the earliest pickup time to make the most of our tour. Apparently, we were the only ones who did, so he put us on another tour heading to downtown Charlotte Amalie. Here, we spent some time exploring the shops and vendor’s market.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Reviews – View of Ship from Downtown

We were back to Emancipation Gardens for 11:45am to meet back up with him for a 12pm departure from Downtown to begin the rest of the island tour and beach break. Be on the lookout for our complete St. Thomas Island Tour review coming soon.

With our tour bus blaring pop music as we traveled down Frenchman Bay Road, we returned to the cruise terminal area in style around 4:00pm. Sunny dropped off some of the cruisers at the Havensight Mall, and we got off too to do a little shopping. Thankfully, the shopping spree did not last too long, so we were back onboard the ship around 4:30pm. Getting through security was easy, and Norwegian has stepped up their game offering cleansing towels and a water and fruit juice station right outside the ship now.

Havensight Shopping Mall

The cruise director’s staff was also there welcoming passengers back onboard. Having spent a full day in the sun, a second round of coffees from the Atrium Café was in order. The lattes were definitely better than we remember from our previous cruise, and the costs comparable to other cruise lines.

Tonight’s dinner was at Teppanyaki at 6:15pm. This is a signature hibachi restaurant, providing dinner and a show. The flat fee is $29.95, which includes soup, salad, your choice of meats prepared right in front of you, fried rice (which was delicious), and dessert. Even if you didn’t order something, the chef was willing to let you sample other items as he cooked everything in abundance.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Inside Teppanyaki Restaurant

Seating is staggered at this restaurant so that each chef can prepare meals for a seating of approximately 10 people. The food and the service were both on point tonight, and we left this venue stuffed after about two hours of non-stop eating. See our complete picture review of this restaurant coming soon.

Timing was perfect as we got out of the restaurant just in time to walk across the way to Headliner’s Comedy Club for tonight’s Howl at the Moon dueling piano show. Even though the show had just started, it was tough to find seats, so we were stuck towards the back of the club. The show plays several days during the week, alternating with the comedy shows, and features the same three performers who rotate in and out. The piano players feed off the crowd, asking for the audience’s requests and participation. Remember, you can suggest a song for free, but if you want to request a song (i.e., make sure it gets played) then you are going to want to pony up some cash. The three performers were entertaining, adding some banter between the singing and playing.

We both enjoyed the “show” and would have stayed longer, but the seats were quite uncomfortable and we had show reservations for Million Dollar Quartet for 10:00pm. We stayed until about 9:30pm then headed off to the theater. By the time we got to the Escape Theater, they were already letting cruisers with reservations into the show. We gravitated towards roughly the same seats as we did for After Midnight. This time, however, we did grab some drinks from the bar. Noting the lack of bar servers, I just went directly to the bar and got some speedy service.

Norwegian Escape Theater Bar

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Day 5

If you thought that waking up at 5:00am on vacation was crazy, you would be right. But with an early arrival into Tortola at 7am and an excursion booked (this one through NCL) which departed right when the ship docked, this was the time the Princess insisted the alarm be set. On a previous NCL cruise back in 2008, we had done the same excursion to the Baths at Virgin Gorda, but sadly, we do not recall much about the tour. Being only our second cruise together, we were newbies. So, 8 years and 8 cruises later, we decided to head to Virgin Gorda again.

Now and Then Pictures of us from The Baths at Virgin Gorda

You can book the excursion through the cruise company directly or opt to take the ferry ride over to Virgin Gorda yourself with a few different lines, but after comparing ferry times with our arrival and departure times, it made the most sense to just book with the cruise line. Even though we could have possibly squeaked out an extra hour at the Baths, we did not want to chance missing the ferry and our all aboard time.

So, up even earlier than the day before and no shot at getting lattes, I did run down to O’Sheehan’s for a bakery basket to go so we would at least have something to eat before departing. Dressed in our bathing suits and beach towels packed, we made our way to the Escape Theater at 7am along with a large group of fellow cruisers. Our excursion was called within a few minutes, and we were escorted off the ship toward the ferries awaiting our tour.

Early Morning Shot of Norwegian Escape in Road Town, Tortola

Along the way, we did stop to get a few of the pier side portraits but did not end up purchasing any of them. Our group was led to the Speedy’s Ferry where we handed over our tickets. The ferry ride was approximately 35 minutes, followed by a 10 minute bus ride.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Our Virgin Gorda Ferry

By the time we got to the baths, we had a solid two hours to swim and explore the sea caves. You can find out more about our day at the Baths in Virgin Gorda in our upcoming shore excursion review.

Sneak Peek of our Beach Break at Virgin Gorda

Our ferry back to Tortola left at 11am, taking closer to 45 minutes to arrive back on land. Upon our arrival, we were surprised to see another cruise ship, the Aida Luna, parked alongside us. Never one to miss a photo opportunity, we snapped some pictures of the colorful hull of this ship, even though the chances of us sailing on this German line are pretty slim.

AidaLuna Docked Next to the Norwegian Escape

After grabbing some photos, we browsed the few shops that were open as the port is current undergoing some updating and expansion. As one comedian commented later that night, the port will be beautiful once it is finished. I did find one store that was selling Tortola rum, so I picked up a few bottles as gifts (including one for myself). The Princess began venturing into town as she was intent on finding an ornament to buy for our vacation tree.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Crafts Alive in Tortola

We happened to stumble upon the Crafts Alive Village offering plenty of souvenirs and locally made goods. This is a five minute walk from the ship, heading southwest down Administration Drive to the first major intersection on Waterfront Drive. This spot also provides an excellent vantage point to get some additional photos of the cruise ship.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – View of the Norwegian Escape from

We were back on the ship around 1pm. Running on no caffeine, we skipped the elevators and climbed the few decks up to get some iced caramel lattes at the Atrium Cafe. We were not alone as this was the longest line we encountered for coffee thus far. Debating what we should do next, we opted for lunch again at Margaritaville. In hindsight, doing lunch at O’Sheehan’s probably would have been the smarter option as we never made it back there to sample more of the venue’s enticing menu.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Lunch from Margaritaville at Sea

There was a small line at Margaritaville, so we had to wait a few minutes before getting seated. Today, we both ordered our own appetizers and meals. I ordered a cheeseburger and conch fritters, and the Princess ordered the Cobb Salad and Chicken Quesadillas. Lunch was busy, but our server was very prompt. Even though there is an upcharge, this venue was one of our favorites on the ship, combining food, theming, and overall atmosphere. In preparation for the sail away, we walked up to the Bar on deck 19 for a drink of the day, and to cross another bar off our drink around the ship.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Drinks at the Sundeck Bar Deck 19

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – A peek into Vibe Beach Club

As the ship began to pull away from port, we left the comfort of our chairs to head down to deck 17 to get some photos of the sail away. Noting the nice conditions and relatively quiet ropes course, I ran downstairs to change up. The top level of the ropes course was open, so I wanted to try it out. The Princess decided to stay grounded today and take some pictures and video of me on the course.

All the excitement was quickly exhausted as the zip line was not open and the challenges were actually less rigorous on this level. At least I can say I did complete all of the different levels, but I was expecting a bit more. Perhaps the caffeine was finally kicking in, but we both seemed to have a bit more energy now. We made our way to the photo gallery to check out all our recent photos and also ended up getting a drink at the outside bar of 5 O’clock Somewhere, which does have a slightly different drink menu than Margaritaville.

Margaritas at 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – A Few of the Plates from La Cucina

After dinner, we walked next door to Cellars to grab a glass of wine as we continued to cross bars off our drink around the ship, but there were no seats available outside. We sat inside for a bit then moved on. We walked through the casino, where the Princess and I both lost more money at the one arm bandits. I guess we had not learned our lessons from the previous days.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Glasses of Wine from Cellars

A fellow cruiser had highly recommended one of the ship’s entertainers, Beau Tahana, and we had yet to catch him at any of the lounges. There were a few different musical acts which tended to rotate through many of the bars, so tonight Beau was in the District Brewhouse. This was perfect as it was a venue we had yet to get a drink at also. For some reason, the crowd was non-existent tonight. We grabbed seats on one of the comfy sofas and ordered a few drinks. Beau is definitely a solid performer with a good voice and a quirky personality.

Tonight was also the 80s party. There was already a decent crowd at Spice H20 when we strolled in a few minutes after 10pm. We managed to both squeeze into an oversized chair in the back near the bar. There was 80s music blaring but not many people on the dance floor. It would take some cajoling from the cruise director staff to get cruisers out there on the dance floor. I headed down to the dance floor for a bit to grab some pictures when the “special guests” arrived-a bunch of fellow cruisers dressed up as popular acts from the 80s, like Madonna and KISS.

80s Party at Spice H20

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Day 6

We should know better, but we decided to sleep in a bit today. And by sleeping in, I mean the alarm went off at 7am. While the Princess got ready, I went down to get our customary iced lattes. I also made a few loops around the Waterfront with my GoPro as the crowds were relatively light in the early mornings. We were up to deck 17 around 9:15am to find not an empty deck chair to be had in Spice H2O. Of course, there were plenty of “reserved” deck chairs with towels on them, but not many fellow cruisers actually sitting on them. So, despite our success the past two sea days, we had to find an alternative location for our last sea day. After searching around deck 17 a bit, we opted to move forward to deck 19. There were quite a few seats here.

When in Doubt, Decks 20 and 19 Forward Tended to Have Available Deck Chairs

Securing our seats with towels and towel clips, we headed to the Garden Café for breakfast. This was our first time at the buffet all cruise. While we are not usually fans of buffets, we were pleasantly surprised at the quality and selection of the breakfast. The food was fresh, the made to order omelets were well prepared, and the flow of passengers was manageable. We recommend entering the restaurant and heading aft as we found plenty of seats.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Breakfast at the Garden Cafe

Breakfast lasted about a half hour, and then it was back outside to enjoy our last chance at relaxing in the sun for this cruise. As we were leaving breakfast, we stumbled upon the $10 t-shirt sale that was just beginning at the outdoor Marketplace on deck 16, right near the pool. The $10 t-shirt sale is one sale that we normally try to catch on a cruise as I am a sucker for a good cruise t-shirt. This time around, the sale was pretty organized and they actually had shirts in my size, so we grabbed a few before they were all sold out.

Marketplace on Deck 16

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Ice Carving Demonstration on Deck 16

After doing nothing but eating, drinking, and lying in the sun for three hours, we had no option but to go to lunch, so back to the Garden Café to test out the lunch selections. We scored a booth in the same location we ate breakfast a few hours ago. Again, not usually a fan of cruise ship buffets, lunch here was better than we expected. Similar selections as other cruise lines, but the food itself seemed better prepared. You can see the hamburgers and grilled chicken being cooked right in front of you. We also liked the ice cream and dessert area, not that we really needed to eat dessert at 2:00pm, but whatever.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Lunch at Garden Cafe

Finishing up lunch, we went back to our room to drop off our bag and beach towels as there was no need to cart them around the rest of the afternoon. Then, we decided to head back out and enjoy more of the ship’s outdoor decks. Back to the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar on the Waterfront, we ordered a few more drinks off the signature menu. We wish we would have discovered this outdoor bar a bit sooner as the bartenders were very comical, and the specialty drinks were some of our favorites.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – More 5 O’Clock Somewhere Cocktails

There was a large group of Jimmy Buffet fans sailing on our cruise, so this area was always packed and could get a bit rowdy at times. Finishing our cocktails rather quickly, we decided to get another round from Bong at the Sugarcane Mojito Bar. Unfortunately, this bar was packed too, so we decided to do our own al fresco drinking out on the balcony and do some social media/blogging while sipping our drinks.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Raspberry Mojitos on Our Balcony

Highlights of Dinner at Le Bistro on Norwegian Escape

Tonight, we had another comedy show reservation for 9:00pm. Out of dinner by about 8pm, we had some time to grab a post dinner drink at Mixx Bar for our drink around the ship quest. This bar had the standard menu, and since we had not already done so, we ordered two drinks of the day then headed over to Headliner’s shortly after.

Tonight’s featured comedian was Rodney Laney. Similar to the other two comedy shows, Frank Townsend came out to warm up the crowd with a different set, with tonight’s focus on why women are smarter than men. Rodney followed with material that was also different from the previous adult comedy show. Rodney put on a solid show again tonight, and I would definitely recommend making time in your schedule to see both Rodney and Mark perform in Headliner’s.

Ready to Take the Stage at Headliner’s Comedy Club

Finishing around 9:45pm, we made our way to Spice H2O; we were not going to be shut out of seats for the Glow Party at 10:15pm. We arrived only to find the area soaking wet. Apparently, it was raining earlier?! We grabbed some prime people-watching seats in the front row, but before long, I had to run downstairs to grab a sweatshirt for the Princess as the weather had definitely gotten windy and chilly. Despite the weather, the crowds filled in quickly. Before long it was GLOW time, complete with plenty of white outfits, large neon glow sticks, pop music, and lots of energy.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review- Late Night at Skyline Bar

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Day 7

Breakfast at Taste on Norwegian Escape

Finishing up right on time, we met the crew member near guest services for a tour of the Thermal Suite and Haven area. The spaces were relatively quiet, so we were able to get some pictures of both locations. Not that we ordinarily utilize the spa on a cruise, but after taking the tour, we would definitely consider getting a day pass on one of the sea days ($54 a person).

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Some of the Treatments in the Thermal Spa

As you would expect, the Haven area was luxurious. The décor matched the rest of the ship but just felt slightly more elegant. We got to view an Owner’s Suite, as apparently the original occupants switched to a spa suite instead. Touring the areas took about an hour.

A Glimpse into the Haven

I made arrangements with the staff member to meet her later in the day to get pictures of the restaurant as we did not want to disturb those Haven cruisers who were still having breakfast. Done packing up what we could by around 11am, we headed out and about on the ship, making a quick stop off at the photo gallery to purchase only one photo this cruise. Next we made our way out on the Waterfront, just in time for sail-in and some great up close shots of the lighthouse.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Docking in Nassau, Bahamas

Norwegian Escape was cleared right around 12pm, and we were off the ship by 12:10pm. Maneuvering through the crowds, we followed the masses looking for a taxi. When we told one of the drivers we were heading to Ardastra Gardens, he told us to wait with another family who were also heading west to Cable Beach.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Norwegian Escape Docked at Nassau Port

A fter our taxi issues earlier in the day, we decided to walk back. Trekking by popular attractions like the Fish Fry and Junkanoo Beach, we were tempted to stop, but it was approaching 4:00pm, so we decided to just head back to the ship.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – View of the Ships from Junkanoo Beach

We were back onboard by 4:30pm, so I had to make a quick costume change to meet the hotel director’s assistant for 5:00pm for some additional backstage tours. Flying solo this time, I was able to get some pictures of the Haven Restaurant and a quick tour of the Studio Lounge and Vibe Beach Club.

More Behinds the Scenes Looks at Exclusive Areas on Norwegian Escape

I was back to the room for 5:30pm to meet the Princess and head off for the evening. Tonight, we had reservations for the Supper Club. After reading reviews online, the food seemed to be a primary complaint. Armed with this information, we had already discussed getting appetizers at The Food Republic prior to the show. Norwegian Cruise Line must have read our minds, as they offered us a complimentary meal at this venue! We would have paid for it anyway, but now that it was free, we might be more inclined to try a bunch of the menu items.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Inside Food Republic on Deck 8

Of note, this venue is a la carte and is not included in the specialty dining package. The venue was actually pretty empty; not sure if it was just the time of day or not, but it surprised us as this was some of the best food we had all cruise! We ordered a total of 8 different tapas, and all of them were excellent. Although the waiter tried to stagger bringing the dishes to the table, all the plates were delivered quite quickly, so we may have looked a bit gluttonous to some. We definitely recommend trying this venue. See our upcoming review for all of the juicy details about this restaurant.

A Sample of the Delights at Food Republic on Norwegian Escape

We devoured the dishes in about an hour and proceeded to waddle our way to the Supper Club around 6:30pm to find that guests were already being seated. The show is immersive, so we had been told to try to sit towards the back of the small restaurant to have a full view. The hostess tried seating us towards the front, but we politely requested one of the high top tables for two in the back. Most of the other seating arrangements are shared.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Highlights from the Brat Pack

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Margaritas at 5 O’Clock Somewhere Inside

After karaoke, we stuck around for a few minutes to listen to the Golden Octaves, but they were minus the lead singer. So, we moved on to the District Brew House to catch some piano music. But, as luck would have it, when we arrived, he was finishing his last song before taking a break. I guess that was our cue that it was time to call it a night. Slightly after 11 pm, we headed back to the room, placed our two larger suitcases outside the door, and said goodbye to our Norwegian Escape Cruise Review.

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Day 8

For our last couple of cruises, our departure flights have been dreadful, and this time around was no different. Coming from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale, there was a chance we could make a 10am flight, but uncertain of how long NCL’s disembarkation would take, we opted for the late day flight instead (3:30pm). With time to kill, we purchased a transfer tour with Norwegian, the hop on hop off bus with transport to the Ft. Lauderdale airport. Yes, we had already done this tour pre-cruise, but only 2 of the 3 loops, leaving the Miami Beach loop for our return. Our plan was to explore some of Miami Beach and South Beach, but unfortunately that did not turn out as planned.

Firstly, we had received a letter in our room the previous day indicating that the bus route had to be altered this weekend, due to a festival in Miami Beach. Essentially, the tour would not be driving on Ocean Drive due to street closures- Great!

Worst Part of the Disembarkation Day – Back to Reality

Then, we were informed that transports to Miami airport would occur every hour from the Big Bus Central Terminal where our luggage would be stored, but that only 2 transports to Ft. Lauderdale would occur-one at 12pm and the other at 2pm. This meant that we would need to catch the 12pm transfer to ensure we made our 3:30pm flight.

Our shore excursion tickets had a meeting time of 8am in the theater. We set the alarm for 6 am, with the expectation that we would get ready and grab some breakfast before our meet up time. When the Princess woke up, she was startled to learn it was already 6:45am. It appeared that she accidentally changed the time on her weekly work alarm, which is set to only go off Monday-Friday, hence it did not go off this morning!

Norwegian Escape Cruise Review – Our “Zoo” of Towel Animals Wishing Us Safe Travels

With a mad dash to get ready and finish packing, we somehow managed to have just enough time to grab our last latte before heading to the theater. Maneuvering around the crowded decks with two pieces of luggage took some work, especially since some areas and staircases were roped off to direct the flow of traffic. Shortly after arriving in the theater and checking in for our shore excursion, we were given departure instructions, and around 8:20am, we got the green light to begin exiting.

Total embarkation time took about 40 minutes with a rather long delay at customs. Reunited with our luggage, and through U.S. Customs, we found the Big Bus Miami tour operator who directed us to the luggage drop off area and then the bus that would take us to central station. The ride from the port to Bayside Marketplace, where all of the bus tours originate, took just over five minutes.

Don’t Want to Miss The Bus

We arrived just in time to catch the 9:30am Miami Beach loop and grab some of the last seats on the top deck. The total loop is 90 minutes. Given the detours and the time constraint imposed by our airport transfer, we decided that we really only had time to hop off at one stop, so we chose Lincoln Road, known for its shopping.

With only 30 minutes, we did not have much time to venture around, so we grabbed an iced coffee from one of the three Starbucks we passed and a few more city pictures. The next bus was quite packed, so we were stuck sitting inside for the remainder of the trip. Arriving back at the central station around 11:30am, there was just enough time for a bathroom break before boarding the shuttle to the Ft. Lauderdale airport. The shuttle is first come, first serve, so we wanted to ensure our spot.

We arrived at the airport around 12:45pm. One thing that I have learned flying Southwest over the years is to pay for the early bird check-in for the flight home. This ensures no worries about forgetting to check-in the day before and no C boarding group. After checking our bags and making our way through security, we scoped out two seats near the gate area is this very crowded terminal. Once our seats were claimed, I grabbed us a bite to eat and before long, we were boarding.

On the plane and back up in the air, we were over twenty minutes early arriving in Providence, being greeted with a balmy 40 degree temperature. Then, it was just a bus ride to the parking lot and the final 40 minute car ride home. Arriving home at 7:30pm, we did what any normal cruise blogger would do- grabbed our computers to start working on posts, social media, and editing pictures. At least this would keep the vacation going in our heads. Laundry, unpacking, grocery shopping, and all those other things could wait for another day!

Related Posts

Cruiseline module – Remove Title

14 comments on norwegian escape cruise review, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up to our newsletter!

We were on the Escape the week after you. Staying in Melbourne Beach the month of January, we were disappointed by the cool weather. So, we made last minute reservations for the Escape. Booking at 2:00 PM on Friday, we had our choice of some 20 balcony cabins on the 12 and 13 decks. As this is a new ship, this was a pretty good deal and the price was right. The only down side was Norwegian eliminated the freebie offerings for cruises booked less than 30 days out. I called after realizing this and they pointed out the very small print, but, also acknowledged that they received several complaints about this bait and switch tactic,

Hi Ranny. Thanks for the comment. Glad you were able to hop onboard this ship with such a short noticed. I hope you enjoyed your time on this brand new mega ship as she sure has a lot of great things to offer. Happy cruising.

Wonderful review! Thanks for being so thorough.

Thanks Curlz for the comment. Glad you found the review useful. The ship was amazing so we were happy to write such a detailed review of the ship and cruise. Happy sailing.

I’ve been on 2 other NCL ships (in Hawaii & Alaska) and wasn’t super impressed. (The destinations were spectacular though). The Escape looks really nice though, I hope to give it a try one day!

Thanks Traveling Gals. We sailed one other time before with NCL and were also not impressed. That said, the company did a great shop with the new ship. The layout and venues were on par with other mega ships. Food was better than we recalled; although, you do need the dining package as specialty restaurants were much better than complimentary offerings. We would sail on a ship of this caliper, and highly suggest you get it or her sister ships a try. Appreciate the comment.

Hi DB! You guys seems to had a great time.Must be a very exciting experience. Love your review.Very detailed and interesting.I’m sure the view of the King Guestroom at InterContinental must be amazing.Big bus tour also look interesting.I’ve never been on a cruise yet!Hope to experience it soon.

http://travelme-srilanka.blogspot.com

Great review….my wife and I are taking this cruise in July and I’ve been reading as many reviews as possible. I’ll definitely take on the challenge of having a drink at each bar. Sounds like you guys had a great trip and had a lot of fun!! Hope we do to. I’ve got a few things to figure out…we’re in “The Haven” but afraid it may be too quiet…so should we get Vibe passes? Think I’ll do spa passes as well. This is a 25th anniversary trip and want to make it special. So much to do on this boat – just under 4 months to go before our trip.

Hi Cole. Thanks for the kind words. Sounds like you do as much research as us if you are reading all these reviews. If you are staying in the Haven do not bother with Vibe passes-you will have your own private sun deck inside the Haven. The Vibe is quiet so if you are looking for a more lively area then you could consider the Spice H20 area. You have to get there by 9am to get a sun deck, but is an nice adults only area during the day. Of course, the loudest area is the main pool deck. Feel free to ask us any questions you have about the ship.

I wish I had read your entire review before we sailed on June 4. I think your most perceptive comment is that the entertainment lacks. I thought the comedians were lame (except for the guy commenting on cruise etiquette), the Cotton Club show was snooze inducing, and the dueling piano concept is interesting for 2o minutes, tops. A venue with a guitarist or trio of musicians is needed.

I also wish I had known about the app for scheduling dinners before we sailed. This idea is new since our last cruise in 2012 and we were definitely late to the game making reservations at the specialty restaurants. We were stuck with 9:00 or later reservation times on 3 nights. Admittedly, I doubt that scheduling dinner before we sailed would have been a priority in a busy life, but still, we might have booked at least while in Miami the day before sailing.

Re Moderno, funny that your dinner lasted so long. I felt that that they were hurling food at us. The dinner was anything but paced and we were out of there in less than an hour. Meat was coming at us every minute which was way too rushed, especially for a family of light eaters.

Criticism aside, we love NCL. My 16 year old son had a fabulous time. It was like going to college without having to study (a terrible precedent, I know). He and his ship friends were hanging at the Glow Party and 80s Party, playing trivia in the Atrium, meeting others in the Teen Lounge, playing hoops and golf, and generally having a great time. We barely saw him except for meals and shore days.

Your video of the wave slide was cool.

Somewhere on this blog I read about the necessity of packing water shoes. Great comment – I will be getting some this week for a pending trip.

Thanks Jay for reading. We really appreciate your kind words. These reviews are very time consuming so glad you found some value in it, even though you had already cruised! We had sailed on NCL a while back and was not a fan, but Escape won us over. We are bit of over-planners in everything we do, especially cruising, so pre-booking things just comes natural to us. When is your next cruise?

Hi Don and Heidi, Greetings from Canada. All I can say is AMAZING!! I absolutely loved reading all of your reviews of the NCL Escape. I am taking my very first cruise in January on the NCL Escape. I didn’t read your reviews until after I booked my cruise and I couldn’t be more excited. Your entire review really left no stone unturned. I am such a planner and taking my first cruise I was feeling a little uneasy not knowing what to expect, but after spending some time reading everything about the Escape on here I feel more prepared and organized for this trip then any other vacation I have ever been on. Thank you so much for putting together such an amazing website, I am excited to continue to follow along on your future journey’s at sea!!

Hi Sarah, thanks for reading and leaving your very flattering comment. Sorry it has taken us so long to get back to you. Glad you found our review and found it useful. We are a bit over the top, but that is half the fun of cruising and blogging! We are so happy that the review and our articles have you prepared for NCL Escape. She is a great ship and we know you will have an amazing vacation. We are just back from a cruise on Oasis of the Seas. So, if you catch the cruising bug after Escape, check out our review of Oasis, as she is also a fantastic ship. Happy Cruising.

I found your review of the Escape right on. We were a little disappointed by the Madero’s restaurant. We were seated one of the farthest tables from kitchen. By the time they got to us, most were out of meat. Long wait between servings. We said something to our waiter and it was promptly fixed. Cagney’s was our favorite place to eat. We had a suite and ate breakfast in the same room as Cagney’s. The next morning The wait staff recognized us and asked how the service was. I told them excellent. They told us what happened last night would not happen again. As for entertainment we saw a husband and wife areal show. Excellent show. It hurt me watching what they did. Also a show called “Choir of Men” we saw it twice. Got free beer both times. We have been on five different NCL ships. This is my favorite. Had a great trip to Bermuda.

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

What’s Trending

Contact Us: [email protected]

Your Friend the Nomad

Caribbean , Cruise Port Guides , Virgin Voyages · July 17, 2023

Virgin Voyages Eastern Caribbean Antilles Review

If you’ve been dreaming of sparkling turquoise water, lush jungle vistas, and colorful colonial streets, it might be time to book a Caribbean cruise!

Virgin Voyages’ Eastern Caribbean Antilles 8-night cruise from Miami just might be the perfect getaway.

My husband and I recently went on Virgin’s Eastern Caribbean Antilles cruise for our wedding anniversary and had a blast. It was our very first cruise, and I admit: we can’t wait to go on another!

As an avid traveler and first time cruiser, I wanted to share my own personal experience on this cruise. I’ll share my honest opinion about the sailing length, Valiant Lady ship, and each port city.

If you’re wondering whether or not to book a Virgin Voyages’ Eastern Caribbean Antilles route or are preparing for an upcoming sailing, this article is for you!

Exploring the colorful streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico (stop #2 on Virgin Voyages Eastern Caribbean Antilles cruise)

Note : This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through these links, at no cost to you. But don’t worry, I only share products I’d truly recommend to a friend.

Eastern Caribbean Antilles Virgin Review

Virgin Voyages is an innovative new cruise line that has captured the attention of folks like me who may have otherwise never stepped foot on a cruise ship.

I chose Virgin’s Eastern Caribbean route to get the most bang for my buck and visit as many ports as possible in a week.

While other cruise lines might have a few more stops on a weeklong cruise, I was only interested in Virgin Voyages because of their  vegan options , truly all-inclusive dining, adult-only sailings, and generous promotions (such as a free $600  bar tab credit !)

The shades of blue in the water at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini is unreal!

Eastern Caribbean Antilles Itinerary and Stops

Since I was a first-time cruiser, I was unsure if an 8-night sailing would be too much for my first route. However, it took me a few days to feel comfortable on the ship, so I appreciated having a whole week to enjoy the experience.

The Virgin Voyages Eastern Caribbean Antilles route includes three full sea days and four port days, including stops at:

★ Frederiksted, Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands ★ San Juan, Puerto Rico, US ★ Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic ★ Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas

Since my first sailing, Virgin Voyages has changed its route slightly. When I sailed this route, we visited St. Croix first, then Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Bimini. The route is a little different now, with a stop in the Dominican Republic first, then Puerto Rico, then St. Croix, and of course, the Bimini last.

Need to Book a Hotel in Miami Before Your Cruise?

Check out my full guide to the best hotels near the Miami cruise port with shuttles, cruise packages, and more!

Stop 1: St. Croix, USVI

St. Croix was by far my favorite port city. The island’s picturesque landscapes range from lush jungle and colorful colonial towns to windswept seascapes and rugged desert.

I had never considered visiting the US Virgin Islands, but I’m so glad I could spend a day on St. Croix because now I want to go back.

I highly recommend  renting a car in Frederiksted  or going on a tour to see more of the island. The port city, Frederiksted, is a charming small colonial town with several incredible beaches within walking distance of the pier. However, there is so much more to the island!

Gazing at Protestant Cay from Christiansted

Gallows Bay from a viewpoint above Christiansted

Exploring Fort Christiansvaern National Historical Site

The Frederiksted pier is a favorite feeding spot for local sea turtles, so you will likely be greeted by majestic turtles as you step off the ship (what a special experience!) The pier is one of the island’s best snorkeling and scuba diving spots when there are no cruise ships.

The island locals are incredibly friendly and offer a heartfelt welcome as well. Despite the challenges of living in a US territory, the US Virgin Islands have a thriving culture and deep roots.

Be sure to learn about the island’s history, whether you research it ahead of time or visit a museum during your visit. I recommend the museum at Fort Christiansvaern National Historical Site, which is free and very informative about the island’s history and current challenges.

Sea turtle swimming at the Frederiksted pier

Incredible views near Point Udall

Personal recommendations of things to do: Rent a car in Frederiksted and drive around the island, learn about the island’s history at Fort Christiansvaern, stroll down the Christiansted Boardwalk, try Rastafarian Ital food, take the two minute ferry to Protestant Cay, drive to Point Udall (the easternmost point of the US), and spend the day at the beach.

Virgin Voyages’ Shore Things : Exclusive Buck Island Snorkel and Beach Day, Better Cocktail, Better Planet Class, Sail St. Croix in a Catamaran, Scenic Drive to Christiansted, St. Croix on Two Wheels, Triple Threat Shipwreck Reef Dive, and more.

Would I visit again? 100% yes!

Read my local guides: Renting a Car at the Frederiksted Cruise Port , The Ultimate Guide to St Croix, USVI .

Breathtaking views of St. Croix from the cruise port

Stop 2: San Juan, Puerto Rico

The capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, is a bustling city with rich culture and impeccable charm.

Given all there is to do in San Juan and the surrounding area, I had difficulty narrowing down my plan for the day.

Some popular Virgin Voyages shore things (excursions) include an El Yunque Rainforest tour, a historical hacienda tour, and a visit to the Bacardi Rum Distillery.

Walking through San Juan with my love

View from Plaza San Juan Bautista

I chose to explore Old San Juan on foot and take the local  free walking tour . I’ve been on many free walking tours around the world, and this one wasn’t my favorite, but it was still a good way to see the city with a guide.

The walking tour started a few blocks away from the cruise port and took us through the city’s main sites, all the way to the iconic Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

If it didn’t start pouring rain directly after our tour, I would have loved to wander through the streets of Old San Juan for a few more and grab a local piña colada (something Puerto Rico is known for).

On our way back to the cruise port, we took refuge in Caleta , a charming boutique with gorgeous locally-made jewelry. I bought a beautiful necklace that I’ve worn almost every day since!

Castillo San Felipe del Morro from the ocean

Old San Juan from the Valiant Lady ship

Personal recommendations of things to do: Wander through the Old City by foot, visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro, indulge in local cuisine, sip piña coladas, and take a day trip to the El Yunque Rainforest.

Virgin Voyages’ Shore Things : ATV Countryside Adventure, Bacardi Rum Distillery & Old San Juan Tour, Caffeine & Cobblestones Old San Juan Walking Tour, Caguas City & Sangria Tasting Experience, Canopy Tour Zip-line Adventure, El Yunque Rainforest Tour, Globe Trotting: Puerto Rico by Horseback, Mixology Tour at Ron del Barrilito, and more.

Would I visit again? I would visit Puerto Rico again, but probably not on a cruise. I saw what I wanted to see in Old San Juan, but I’d love to spend extended time exploring more of the island.

Stunning beach Beach near Whale Point on St Croix

Stop 3: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata has two cruise ports. Virgin Voyages ships stop at the Taino Bay port.

My time in Puerto Plata was interesting, to say the least. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain all day. We canceled our canyoneering experience and got our money back.

Although we didn’t have rain jackets or umbrellas and knew very little about Puerto Plata, we decided to explore the town on foot on a whim.

Despite being experienced travelers who speak passable Spanish, our lack of preparation made us feel vulnerable. Consequently, we got scammed (for only $20) by someone who showed us around the city and then asked us to “pay” afterward.

Cathedral of St. Philip the Apostle in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Although we felt dumb for falling for such a basic tourist scam, it was nice to have someone guide us through an unfamiliar place in the rain. And $20 means very little to us and a lot to someone trying to feed their family.

The worst part wasn’t being scammed, though. It was when a sketchy salesman tried to lure us into a backroom in a gift shop and got aggressive when we said no. I’ve never had an experience like that in all my travels—even after living in the Middle East and traveling to dozens of countries.

Despite feeling unsafe, I do not regret the experience. It was simply a reminder that while I am enjoying a luxurious all-inclusive cruise, the majority of the world is just trying to get by, which inevitably pushes some people to wrong others. Perspective is important.

There is always a reason why tourist scams exist. In many places in Europe, it is oppressed Roma families and African refugees who have experienced unspeakable persecution. In Puerto Plata, it seems to be locals living in immense poverty and Haitian refugees whose lives have been uprooted over and over again. The backstory doesn’t justify the scam, but it does enable us to have compassion for those who have wronged us.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a consumeristic traveler who consumes bite-sized pieces of the places they visit and only supports international tourism companies. I want to contribute to local economies, partner with the local church, and treat all destinations with care and respect.

It’s difficult to do these things when you only have a few hours in a port city on a cruise, but there are small ways we can move toward a more ethical way of traveling.

I’m not usually one to take photos at umbrella streets but we had to document visiting the Dominican Republic somehow!

I wish I had better things to say about Puerto Plata, but I want to be fully honest in this guide/review. I’m sure that on a different day, with different weather and a guided tour or a little more research, I would have had a better experience.

Also, it’s important to note that the Taíno Bay Cruise Port has a large enclosed area built specifically for tourists. It feels like Disneyland for adults, with lazy rivers, pools, gift shops, lounge chairs, and several restaurants. That type of place isn’t really my vibe, but it is an alternative to exploring the city if you don’t want to book a tour.

Personal recommendations of things to do: Book a tour, explore the city (but do your research ahead of time), or relax at the Taíno Bay Cruise Port.

Virgin Voyages’ Shore Things : Cable Car Mountain Ride and Lunch, Chocolate, Rum and Rancho Don Fernando Tour, Cultural Getaway in Puerto Plata, Dual Day: City and Beach Experience, Island Rum Tasting Tour, Jungle Buggy Ride & Beach, Local Women’s Co-op: Recycled Art Project, Waterfalls of Damajagua, and more.

Would I visit again? Like with Puerto Rico, I would visit Dominican Republic again but I’d like to see more of the country outside of Puerto Plata. That being said, I would go on another cruise to Puerto Plata if I could do one of the fun day trips through the cruise company.

(Overpriced) coconut at the Beach Club at Bimini

Enjoying the incredible beach at Virgin Voyages’ beach club

Stop 4: The Beach Club at Bimini

The Bimini Beach Club is Virgin Voyages’ private beach club on Bimini, a small Bahamas island. As someone who typically tries to support local businesses and explore outside tourist hubs, I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy my day at Bimini.

There are several Shore Thing excursions on Bimini, but my husband and I ultimately decided to spend the whole day at the beach club and get our money’s worth of free food and drinks (since we had a free bar tab).

I’m happy to say that we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Bimini Beach Club. We swam in the gorgeous water, went on a long walk along the beach, and spent plenty of time relaxing in lounge chairs by the ocean.

I wrote an entire Bimini Beach Club guide with seven insider tips. Be sure to take a look before your Virgin Voyages Caribbean cruise.

On our way back to the cruise, we jumped off the tram at Fisherman’s Village Marina to check out the local shops and get a glimpse of Bimini outside of the beach club. Afterward, we walked back to the cruise terminal.

Personal recommendations of things to do: Relax at the beach club, walk along the water, visit Fisherman’s Village Marina, and explore the island via golf cart.

Virgin Voyages’ Shore Things : Bimini Heritage and Cultural Tour, Guided Two-Tank Scuba Dive, Great Hammerhead Safari and Scuba Dive, Sapona Shipwreck & Shark Snorkeling, Views-n-Blues Mid-Afternoon Cruise, and more.

Would I visit again? Yes!

The Caribbean Sea from my Sea View Cabin on the Valiant Lady

Being a First Time Cruiser the Valiant Lady

Cruising with Virgin Voyages was an entirely new experience for me. I’m not used to being surrounded by so many other vacationers while traveling, and I’d never been to an all-inclusive resort (or cruise).

At first, I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people on board. I was expecting to be able to relax by the pool, but the pool area was the least relaxing place on the ship, with loud music and crowds of people.

I honestly had difficulty relaxing for the first day or so. Maybe it was an unconscious anxiety my body was experiencing from being on a boat, the whole experience of being around so many people as an introvert, or perhaps it was just culture shock (I cruised directly after spending two months living in Mexico).

Thankfully, it only took a day or two for me to feel comfortable on the Valiant Lady. My husband and I discovered the areas we liked to hang out—like the Dock House and the Perch for relaxing, the Social Club for board games and group trivia, and the hot tubs near the Athletic Club for an evening soak.

I tend to get car sick, and I was worried I might be terribly seasick and regret booking such a long cruise. However, I did not experience any seasickness on board. Perhaps it was a calm sailing, or perhaps it was because the Valiant Lady ship is brand new.

While I have nothing to compare the Valiant Lady to (until I go on more cruises!), I thought the ship was thoughtfully designed, and I appreciated all the different hangout areas with different vibes.

Final Thoughts: Is Virgin Voyages’ Eastern Caribbean Antilles Route Worth It?

Despite all the ups and downs of my Virgin Voyages experience, I left Miami with a desire to cruise again someday.

This route, in particular, is a great one for first-time cruisers like me and for people who want to see more of the Caribbean without traveling to each island alone.

The feeling of waking up in a brand new country without having to do any active travel is something that never gets old.

If you’re debating whether or not to book Virgin Voyages’ Eastern Caribbean Antilles route, I would say do it !

Make sure to bookmark my other Virgin Voyages guides so you can fully prep for your adventure!

If you’re leaving for your cruise in a few weeks (or days), here are a few things I recommend ordering online for your sailing (besides the packing list items):

Something Red

Scarlet Night is one of the most iconic events on board. Make sure you have something red packed!

There is a pajama party on the first night of every Virgin cruise. Pack some cute pajamas !

Get an extra pair (or two) of sunglasses—you’ll thank me later! I love SOJOS sunglasses .

You’ll need something to carry your things around the ship—and on cruise port days!

GoPro Camera

If you have any water adventures planned during port days, order a GoPro to capture those memories!

A Kindle can be a gamechanger for reading on vacation. They’re fairly affordable and easy to travel with.

About Annie

Annie is the founder of Your Friend the Nomad and an expert in the digital nomad lifestyle and vegan travel. She's lived abroad in Mexico, Italy, and Palestine, and traveled extensively in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

You’ll Also Love

October 5, 2023 at 3:16 pm

I enjoyed this vlog i am going on this cruise in April, thank you for this nice, beautiful blog post!

October 16, 2023 at 5:51 pm

Thanks for your kind words! I hope you have an amazing cruise!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Ultimate Guide to Santiago Apoala, Oaxaca Waterfalls & Hiking

Get exclusive travel tips.

• US Virgin Islands
• Virgin Voyages Travel Guides
• Let’s Work Together
• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Your Friend the Nomad · Theme by 17th Avenue

• Login or Register to access your account
• Digital Wallet
• Get Started
• 114 Ports of Call
• 14 Destinations
• 76,834 Shopper Approved
• 16,200 Live Help
• 7,997 Excursion Reviews

Eastern Caribbean

• Destinations
• Eastern Caribbean Cruise Excursion
• Free Back to Ship Guarantee & Free Last Minute Cancellations!
• Simply the Best Deal Guarantee, Or we refund 115% of Difference!
• 101,000+ Customer Reviews, 4.8 / 5 Booking Satisfaction Record!
• 24/7 Personal Traveler Assistance, 365 Days & Around the World!

Eastern Caribbean Cruise Ports & Shore Excursions

The Eastern Caribbean boasts some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) are notorious for gorgeous beaches, 5-star resorts, and incredible cuisine. St. Martin/St. Maarten is noted for its diversity and friendly locals. Whereas the British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Tortola) are well known for their British hospitality. You'll also find Puerto Rico, Grand Turk, St. Barts, Antigua, Anguilla, Les Saintes, and Dominica. Some of these islands might have fewer visitors and therefore will offer that truly "get away from it all" island feeling. Cruise ships make stops at all these islands, although there are fewer stops at the smaller locations, check with your travel agent. Excursions offer the perfect way for visitors to see exactly what they want but without the hassle of watching a clock. Most islands offer sightseeing such as our  St. Thomas Island Sightseeing Excursion ,  St. John's Antigua Island Sightseeing Excursion  or  Dominica Natural Highlights Eco Excursion . From eco-adventures to parasailing, there is certainly much to do. Water sports are quite popular like our St. Maarten Jet Ski at Orient Bay Beach , of course, but there are biking such as the St. Maarten Historical Philipsburg Bike Excursion , hiking, and zip-lining as on our San Juan Canopy and Zipline Excursion Adventure , and dune buggy activities and much more. Check out our Grand Turk Island Trails and Beach ATV Excursion for some fast-paced fun! The activities offered are only limited by your imagination. Well known for beautiful beaches and tropical climates, the Eastern Caribbean draws visitors from all over the world to marvel at the lovely tropical splendor of the local flora and fauna. Many of the islands also offer unique cuisine from a wide variety of indigenous peoples mixed with the flavors of the visitors who decided to stay. With eating establishments as varied as beach shacks all the way up to 5-star restaurants, finding something to please the palate won't be difficult. In fact, any trip to the Eastern Caribbean will help to make those memories that last a lifetime, enjoy!

Reader's Digest

The Best Caribbean Cruise for Every Type of Vacationer

Posted: July 29, 2023 | Last updated: July 29, 2023

Get ready to set sail in the Caribbean

It's no wonder cruising in and around the Caribbean is so popular. But with so many ships—50,000 yearly—offering up exciting itineraries from a variety of departure ports, not to mention the number of islands the ships call on, finding the best Caribbean cruise can seem downright overwhelming! We're here to help by breaking down the options with all the best Caribbean cruises. Whether you want an affordable warm-weather family cruise, a luxury couples getaway or a solo cruise to meet new people, we've got the scoop.

If you're in the market for the best deal on a Caribbean cruise, there are two seasons to be aware of. Between January and March is what's known as "wave season." This is when the cruise lines promote deeply discounted fares for the best Caribbean cruises. Or you can choose to shop around for sailings during the fall, when prices tend to be low because of hurricane season. Don't worry, though—the captains of the ships are well-versed in avoiding stormy weather.

How we chose the best Caribbean cruises

Not only did I rely on my own personal experiences at sea (I've taken eight cruises in the past year alone, and I've been cruising for about a decade), but I also scoured websites to find the  best cruise lines based on the many different types of travelers, from those who want to snorkel every day to cruisers who want nothing more than a sunny deck chair by the pool. Now, all you need to do is brush up on all the things you can't do on cruises , discover the many hidden cruise features , decide if you want to add on a stay at one of the most glamorous all-inclusive Caribbean resorts before or after your cruise , and then book your vacation!

Get  Reader's Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter  for more travel, tech, humor, cleaning and fun facts all week long.

Best overall

Celebrity cruises.

With a breathtaking mix of elegant ship design, gorgeous cabins, delicious restaurants and luxurious outdoor spaces—including a rooftop garden, martini-glass hot tubs seemingly floating in mid-air, the adults-only Solarium and the thrilling Magic Carpet lounge jutting out over the water on the Edge-class ships (Beyond, Edge, Apex and the forthcoming Ascent)— Celebrity is our choice for the overall best Caribbean cruise. Plus, the Edge-class ships feature a unique main dining room concept that not only soars above other cruise lines' complimentary dining options but also the majority of the fee-based specialty restaurants that I've dined at. Each of the four main dining destinations has stunning, regional-specific design elements, shared and individualized menus and top-notch service.

Additionally, the Celebrity spa and its thermal suite are the best at sea for affordable luxury and ultimate relaxation while island-hopping. If you're looking for the best cruises for couples in the Caribbean, it's hard to beat the affordable elegance and sheer class of these ships.

• 11-day southern Caribbean itineraries with a port of call in Cartegena, Colombia
• Three top-notch complimentary main dining rooms
• Eden, the live entertainment venue that's home to more than 5,000 live plants
• The spa's SEA Thermal Suite is the apex of relaxation
• Lack of outdoor activities like waterslides and rides for families
• The theatrical stage shows sometimes disappoint

Best budget

Carnival cruises.

For decades, Carnival "fun ships" have been the premier choice for cruisers looking for ways to travel on a budget . Carnival is still competitively priced, still hosts hairy-chest contests and a St. Jude charity dance party, and still ranks as one of the best Caribbean cruises you can book for less. Better yet, the newest ships in the fleet have added a touch of class thanks to the Brass Magnolia, a cool, new jazz club. Overall, we love the fact that you can have a ton of fun on board Carnival cruise ships in the Caribbean, not just in the most exciting ports, like Nassau in the Bahamas, Ocho Rios in Jamaica, and Cozumel, Mexico. On the ships, you'll find colorful water parks with twisty waterslides, the Bolt roller coaster and the Red Frog brew pub. While the ideal time of year to cruise the Caribbean is usually from January to April during the Caribbean's dry season, Carnival makes visiting the islands fun any time of year.

• Affordable prices starting at under $500 per person for a week in the Caribbean
• Guy's Burger Joint and Smokehouse offer some of the best free food at sea
• Superb live music and theatrical entertainment
• Exciting kids camp partnership with the Kennedy Space Center on Carnival Celebration
• Low prices make Carnival one of the best cruise lines for kids as well, which means couples and seniors may find these ships too loud and busy

Best for kids

Disney cruises.

The best cruises for kids and families will naturally be focused on the joys of childhood and the unique needs of children from start to finish. That's definitely true on Disney cruises , which pay as much attention to the bright and fun design of the staterooms as they do to the interactive restaurants, bars and lounge experiences that call on Marvel,  Star Wars and Disney's famous animated characters. (These are all exclusively on Disney Wish.) In my experience, the kids clubs—with Marvel superhero school, Jedi training camp and never-ending arts and crafts—are where Disney truly excels. In fact, your elementary-school-aged kids may never want to leave!

Another high point are the Broadway-caliber shows, including Aladdin , Frozen and The Little Mermaid . So put on your mouse ears or grab your lightsaber, check out these  Disney cruise tips , and book a magical Caribbean cruise with Disney.

• Character meet-and-greets and multiple interactive dining experiences
• Themed sailings for Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars fans
• First-run Disney films premiering in the onboard movie theaters (think: the live-action Little Mermaid )
• Access to Castaway Cay, a private Caribbean island
• Cost-prohibitive for many families

Best for luxury lovers

Scenic cruises.

The world's first discovery yacht, the Scenic Eclipse , which spends part of the year exploring the Arctic and Antarctica, is now bringing guests to some of the most exotic small ports of the Caribbean. Scenic is one of the best Caribbean cruises for the traveler who wants to experience remote escapes for a more culturally authentic vacation in well-traveled waters. You will visit ports such as Darby Island, Egg Island and Long Island in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico's Isla de Culebra, Grenadine's Mayreau and Colombia's Isla de Providencia, as well as have the opportunity to make a full Panama Canal voyage.

And the joy of cruising the Caribbean on this luxury small ship isn't limited to the destinations—you'll enjoy extraordinary onboard experiences too. Let's start with the fact that there are private butlers for each cabin and suite, and just 228 guest maximum on any given sailing, with almost a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. You'll also find 10 dining options, premium beverages and all airport transfers and gratuities included in the price. Plus, once-in-a-lifetime immersive excursions and enrichment experiences, like floating through mangroves and small caves in glass-bottom kayaks, are all complimentary. With everything covered and handled on a Scenic Caribbean cruise, the only thing you'll need to worry about is figuring out what to pack .

• Private butlers and a nearly 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio
• Remote ports of call accessible only on a small ship
• Truly all-inclusive , with even excursions included in the price
• Lack of diverse activities and entertainment on board

Best for LGBTQIA+ travelers

Virgin voyages.

Virgin took to the Caribbean Sea a few years ago with the aim of disrupting the cruise industry. Its cruises feature cabins that convert to social spaces thanks to beds that become seating areas, and swing hammock chairs on private balconies, and nearly everything is rolled into the main price—including restaurants, Wi-Fi, group exercise classes and gratuities. In short, Virgin comes the closest to offering affordable all-inclusive cruises . With no kids under 18 allowed onboard, the upstart cruise line was and still is a breath of fresh air for cruisers looking for adults-only cruises .

The most exciting thing about Virgin Voyages, however, just may be the "come as you are" vibe on their cruise ships. Crew members are allowed to show off their tattoos and piercings, and the ships have unisex bathrooms, sexy shows, raucous parties and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQIA+ cruisers, making them feel safe and seen in the sunshine of the Caribbean.

• A "come as you are" vibe
• Sexy, adult-oriented entertainment, dances and parties
• Private Bahamian beach experiences and parties that go late into the night
• All food, many beverages, Wi-Fi and gratuities included in the cost
• Vegan dining at Razzle Dazzle
• Families, even those with worldly teens, aren't able to cruise on Virgin Voyages

Best for Texans

Norwegian cruise line.

The brand-new Norwegian Prima is an amazing Caribbean cruise for families—both because of its features and its accessibility to different parts of the country. Those family-friendly features include go-kart tracks spanning multiple decks, virtual reality games, an escape room, thrilling dry and wet slides hanging off the edge of the ship, and a neon sports area featuring mini golf, dart rooms, pickleball courts and so much more. And thanks to departures from both Galveston, Texas, and New York City, the Caribbean has never been more accessible to so much of the country. From Texas's south coast, Prima easily reaches southern Caribbean ports like Roatán and Belize, while travelers departing from New York can cruise all the way down to St. Kitts, the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands, with a stop in Bermuda on the way back, without having to get on a plane first. Whether your family is in the Midwest or the Northeast, Norwegian puts the Caribbean right at your doorstep.

• Departs from Galveston, Texas, and New York City
• Access to a private Caribbean island for exclusive beach time
• A go-kart track spanning three whole decks, and a massive virtual reality gaming room
• Studio staterooms for solo travelers
• Go-kart drivers must be under a set weight, which means some family members may not be able to drive

Best for action lovers

Royal caribbean oasis class cruises.

Like a thriving city at sea, Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships offer up more fun, entertainment and activities than most people can even see and do during a typical weeklong cruise! It is nearly impossible to be bored on an Oasis-class ship. That's why these vessels are the best Caribbean cruises for anyone who wants to try new things like ziplining or simulated surfing, feel nostalgic riding a carousel on a boardwalk, or see Broadway-caliber theatrical shows inside and out.

While they are some of the biggest cruise ships at sea, these vessels were cleverly designed to make it not feel like you are surrounded by upwards of 6,000 other passengers. There's so much to see and do on Royal Caribbean in the Caribbean, you may not even have time to ponder those strange white balls on cruise ships , but if for some reason you do get bored, know that you've got Perfect Day at Coco Cay to visit. This is arguably the best private island in the Caribbean, and you can spend a day here ziplining, riding in a hot-air balloon, chilling out by one of many pools or playing in an incredible waterpark that features North America's tallest waterslide.

• Multipurpose deck that serves up ice skating and ice shows, then transforms into a laser-tag arena
• The tree-lined Central Park neighborhood in the center of the ship is literally a breath of fresh air at sea
• Interior rooms have balconies and views of "Central Park"
• Every itinerary includes a trip to Perfect Day at Coco Cay, a private island paradise
• Oasis-class ships may feel too big for some cruisers

Best for cultural explorers

Windstar cruises.

Thanks to departures from Caribbean ports like San Juan, Puerto Rico , and Bridgetown, Barbados, Windstar allows you to spend less time in transit and more quality time in places like St. Barts, Montserrat, St. Maarten, Barbados and the British Virgin Islands. Not only are these budget-friendly luxury smaller ships fabulous, but the excursions also offer the opportunity for you to make deep dives into the history and traditions of some of the most culturally rich islands in the Caribbean. You'll meet locals who will invite you into their homes, teach you to cook with their herbs and spices, and provide you with experiences that showcase why travel is so important in the first place.

There are itineraries covering two distinct sides of the Caribbean: Eastern and Western. The Eastern side is where you'll find more cultural and historical ports of call, with some great shopping too. The Western side is better known for water sports and fun in the sun on white-sand beaches.

• Intimate excursions that explore the culture and traditions of each island
• Option for a 35-day grand Caribbean adventure
• Windstar's Signature Beach Party on a secluded beach with a buffet lunch and free water sports
• Onboard poolside barbecues
• Not a robust selection of onboard activities or entertainment

Best for seniors

Princess cruises.

If you're of a certain vintage that fondly recalls the TV show  The Love Boat , then Princess Cruises is the best Caribbean cruise for you! It was a Princess ship featured in that classic show, and they still call it The Love Boat, so nostalgic seniors will think that Princess Cruise Line ships are the bee's knees! But Princess is one of the best Caribbean cruise options because the ships have a retro elegance about them, an old-fashioned level of class with shiny brass decorative elements, elaborate chandeliers, familiar tasty food, upscale wine tastings, cultural enrichment programs, Deal or No Deal games on the main stage, Broadway-style entertainment, and The Love Boat Piazza Party on one of your formal nights.

Additionally, seniors will enjoy knowing that on every Princess ship cruising the Caribbean, there are many ADA cabins with full wheelchair-turning space, roll-in showers with grab bars and a fold-down bench seat, as well as closets and desks that are both cleverly designed and highly accessible. Princess Cruises also offers one of the best Alaska cruise itineraries.

• Numerous ADA-accessible staterooms across all cabin types (from suites to interior rooms)
• Old-school elegance
• May feel too old-timey for some travelers

Best for sailors

Star clippers.

These classic clipper ships have sails that aren't just for show—they are actually powered by the wind whenever possible! When it's time to sail away to a new island, the ceremonious hoisting of the sails, which is accompanied by the epic strains of "Conquest of Paradise" from the movie 1492,  is a truly breathtaking sight to behold. And here's an interesting fact : Star Clippers holds the Guinness World Record as the world's largest full-rigged sailing ship. The five-masted vessel is a beauty and a throwback to another era of seafaring. While the big ships may have ziplines and ice-skating rinks, on a Star Clippers cruise you can lounge in a net suspended high above the sea and kayak or stand-up paddleboard off the marina platform at the rear of the ship.

• A working sailing ship that transports you to another era
• Sailings start and end in the Caribbean
• Access to small islands like St. Lucia and Martinique and Virgin Gorda
• "Treasure Island" itinerary visits a host of small, intriguing Caribbean islands that you won't get to experience on the bigger cruise ships
• Pirates don't mind the rough seas on a sailboat, but you might on a Star Clippers cruise
• Pirates also don't need a lot of entertainment options on board, so don't expect Broadway productions on these ships

Best for LEGO fans

Msc cruises.

While we love the F1 simulators and the full-size bowling alley on MSC cruises , spending a week at sea on this Caribbean cruise is really all about LEGO for us. MSC and the LEGO Group have an exclusive entertainment partnership that gives kids the chance to play and build with LEGO bricks in colorful areas of the ship designed just for them in the Mini and Juniors clubs. But the LEGO (and Duplo) fun isn't confined to the kids clubs. Once during every Caribbean cruise, there's an entire day dedicated to LEGO activities for kids of all ages to enjoy, LEGO diplomas to earn, and parades to watch.

But, of course, it's not really  all about LEGO. For environmentalists and cruisers looking for a relaxing private island escape with miles of white-sand beaches with chairs, umbrellas and cabanas calling your name, MSC's Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is a sheer delight. It's a biodiverse and sustainable environment with coral reefs being relocated and saved, and you get to explore it on your trip.

• LEGO fun for kids, with loads of play areas and activities
• MSC Meraviglia departs for the Caribbean from Brooklyn, New York
• Late-night and overnight stays on MSC's exclusive private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
• Not as many onboard activities for families as the other big cruise ships

More for You

Donald Trump Gets Bad Legal News From D.C. While in New York Court

Grammy-winning American Idol star Mandisa dies aged 47

The 26 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S. Ranked

One of the best British spy dramas of all time is finally streaming on Netflix

20 TV characters who died because the actor who played them died in real life

Is walking a good enough workout? This number of daily steps can reduce risk of dying

5 Issues With Their Parents That Gen Z Brings Up Most In Therapy

The 20 movies critics loved but audiences hated the most

13 Modern Taboos That Used To Be Perfectly Normal

20 of the Healthiest Dog Breeds with the Fewest Medical Problems

11 Best Ikea Items To Buy for Less Than $10

I Lost 100lbs by Following 4 Rules

Pushups are an efficient, full-body exercise — but don't make this 1 mistake

The Last of Us Dethroned as Max's Most-Watched Series Ever

Markets rocked as US says Israel has struck Iran

The obesity rate in America is the highest in these cities, according to data

Ex-Patriots star Julian Edelman, who is Jewish, discusses 'hurtful' antisemitism: 'Sad moment right now'

The Food City Anthony Bourdain Considered One Of His All-Time Favorites

Windows of plane used by King Charles fell out mid-flight after the frames were melted by lights

I Lost 50lbs With 3 Lifestyle Changes

3 of the world's biggest cruise ships soon will battle for supremacy out of Miami

Get ready for the Battle of the Cruise Ship Giants out of Miami.

Fast-growing MSC Cruises on Thursday officially announced its North America schedule for the summer of 2025, including a Miami deployment that will set the stage for an epic matchup between three of the world's biggest cruise vessels.

As part of the announcement, MSC Cruises confirmed that its soon-to-debut MSC World America would sail from Miami from April 2025 through at least October 2025. This will place it in a head-to-head matchup with Royal Caribbean 's just-unveiled Icon of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Line 's one-year-old Carnival Celebration .

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

All three of the vessels will be the biggest in their respective fleets.

Scheduled to begin sailing in April 2025, MSC World America will be the world's seventh-biggest cruise ship when it debuts and the biggest MSC Cruises ship ever deployed to North America. Unveiled in January, Icon of the Seas is the world's biggest cruise ship .

Dating to November 2022, Carnival Celebration is the world's 14th biggest cruise ship.

For the summer of 2025, both MSC World America and Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami on Saturdays on seven-night trips to the Caribbean. Carnival Celebration will sail out of Miami on Sundays on six- to eight-night trips to the Caribbean .

As confirmed on Thursday, MSC World America will operate alternating itineraries to the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean.

• Eastern Caribbean voyages will bring stops at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Ocean Cay, MSC Cruises' private island in the Bahamas.
• Western Caribbean sailings will stop at Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Ocean Cay.

Icon of the Seas will rotate among four different itineraries across the Eastern and Western Caribbean that bring visits to such destinations as St. Thomas; St. Maarten (the Dutch side of the island of St. Martin); Roatan; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

Related: Yikes, does Icon of the Seas really cost that much?

Carnival Celebration will mostly sail to Eastern Caribbean destinations such as St. Thomas, San Juan and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. It'll also operate some Southern Caribbean cruises.

The matchup between MSC World America and Icon of the Seas is particularly notable as it marks the first time vessels measuring more than 200,000 tons from two different cruise brands have competed on sailings out of a North American port.

Giants of the seas

MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean are currently the only cruise brands in the world with ships measuring more than 200,000 tons. MSC World America is expected to measure around 216,000 tons. Icon of the Seas measures 248,663 tons. Carnival Celebration measures 183,521 tons.

All three vessels are among the most venue-filled in their respective fleets, with dozens of restaurants, bars, showrooms and over-the-top attractions on the decks.

Related: Our first impressions of the giant Icon of the Seas

MSC World America and Icon of the Seas, in particular, have several similarities, including public area venues segmented into "districts," as MSC Cruises calls them. Royal Caribbean calls them "neighborhoods."

Both ships have been designed around a central interior promenade with entertainment, shops and bars.

Among the standout features planned for MSC World America will be an Aquapark with multiple waterslides that integrate virtual reality technology. MSC Cruises also announced last week that the ship would have what's billed as the only overwater swing ride at sea; the attraction is called Cliffhanger, and it's suspended 160 feet above the water.

MSC World America will also have six pools and 14 hot tubs, making it one of the most pool-covered ships at sea.

Related: The 6 types of MSC Cruises ships, explained

As part of its Thursday announcement, MSC Cruises confirmed summer 2025 plans for three other vessels sailing out of North American ports:

• The 4,540-passenger MSC Seascape will operate three-, four- and seven-night itineraries from Miami departing on Thursdays and Sundays. Stops will include Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan; Puerto Plata; Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Ocean Cay.
• The 4,488-passenger MSC Meraviglia will operate seven-night itineraries from New York City to Florida and the Bahamas and Bermuda, departing on Sundays. Stops on the Bahamas cruises will be Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau; and Ocean Cay. The Bermuda cruises will bring an extended call at Bermuda's Royal Naval Dockyard.
• The 4,540-passenger MSC Seashore will operate three-, four- and seven-night itineraries from Port Canaveral with a range of port options departing Thursdays and Sundays.

All three of the vessels are among the 25 biggest cruise ships in the world.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin