Caribbean & Mexico 4 Caribbean Cruises We Love

4 Caribbean Cruises We Love

By Chanize Thorpe

April 19, 2016

Whether you prefer a party-ready mega-liner or a small, serene vessel, these four new ships are ready to set sail, pleasing everyone from honeymooners to families.

Norwegian Cruise Line Ship : Cheeseburger in paradise, anyone? Norwegian Escape recently debuted the first-ever Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea, plus 4,248 guest rooms. Tip : Pamper yourself with over 50 treatments at Mandara Spa. Then chill out post-treatment in its Salt Room, modeled after the salt caves found in Eastern Europe, or the thermal suite with heated mosaic lounge chairs. Excursions : After a guided hike to Sage Mountain, the highest peak in the BVI, swim and snorkel Tortola’s Cane Garden Bay. Rate : From $599 per person for a seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise; ncl.com Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean Ship : Royal Caribbean’s 4,180-passanger Anthem of the Seas is built for the active crowd: bumper cars, an ice-skating rink and a trapeze school pack the family-friendly ship. Tip : Thrill seekers will love the North Star, an observation capsule that rises 300 feet above sea level, and RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator. Excursions : Bermuda tours include Horseshoe Bay’s beach. From there, you can walk the short, boulder-filled sandy path to secluded Chaplin’s Bay. Rate : From $564 per person for a five-day Bermuda cruise; royalcaribbean.com Shutterstock

Windstar Ship : Windstar’s yacht-style Star Breeze features 212 intimate, ocean-view suites and docks in hard-to-reach Caribbean and Central American ports. Tip : A little-known nook near the captain’s bridge is a quiet space to decompress, especially at sunset. Excursions : Stop in Cartagena, Columbia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore historic fortresses, In Oranjestad, Aruba, take a catamaran cruise to snorkel Arashi Reef and a WWII shipwreck. Rate : From $899 per person for a seven-day cruise from Philipsburg, St. Maartien, to Colon, Panama; windstarcruises.com Michaela Guzy of ohthepeopleyoumeet

Regent Seven Seas Ship : The 750-passenger, all-suite Regent Seven Seats Explorer starts its inaugural sailings in July 2016, and will take guests to Barbados, St. Barth, Guadeloupe and more the following December. Tip : Alcohol, all restaurants, tips and round-trip airfare all all part of the price. Bring fancy duds for Captain’s Night and post pics immediately, thanks to free Wi-Fi. Excursions : Most off-board activites are gratis. Grenada’s air is heady with spices – inhale them during a plantation and rum factory tour. Rate From $6,499 per couple for a 10-night Caribbean cruise; rssc.com Courtesy Regent Seven Seas Explorer