Caribbean Ferries – Discover the Caribbean Islands by Ferry

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The Caribbean as a destination

The Caribbean is a very popular vacation destination. The many but different islands with white sandy beaches, palm trees and blue to turquoise sea make our heart beat faster. The Caribbean Islands include, for example, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, the ABC Islands, Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Each has a special flair, but everywhere life pulsates to the streets and big American cars are as much a part of it as old stately colonial buildings. A cruise allows you to experience different islands to one trip.


Caribbean ferries offers

You want to travel by ship through the Caribbean? Then take a look at our current Caribbean offers:

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Best time to travel to the Caribbean

The Caribbean is located in the tropics and therefore has year-round temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius. From June to November, however, you have to expect heavy tropical storms, which from experience are worst in the months of August and September. Hurricanes and cyclones then often sweep over the islands at 300 km/h and in the following months there will be at least one very heavy rain. The best time to travel is therefore in the first half of the year, but varies within the large area. In Barbados, December to April is recommended, in the Dominican Republic November to April and for a trip to Cuba even November to May. These travel times are also ideal for a trip that passes through the Panama Canal. Ships do offer year-round voyages and the ship can’t be harmed by a hurricane, but you may have to deal with itinerary changes or shore excursion restrictions.

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Ports in the Caribbean

Castries – Saint Lucia

Castries is the capital of the island nation of St. Lucia, a neighboring island of Martinique and St. Vincent. The port is located at the end of a well-protected bay and can accommodate up to five ships a day. Particularly large ships anchor outside the bay and bring passengers ashore with tenders. The island has two prominent volcanic cones in its southeastern part, the Pitons.

View to Marigot Bay St. Lucia

Marigot Bay St. Lucia near Castries

Miami – USA

The Dante B. Fascell Port of Miami is the largest port for cruise ships in the world. Miami is a city in the US state of Florida. Every day, more than 10,000 passengers board their flights here via 7 terminals. The port is directly connected to the city center via a tunnel. The subtropical climate offers an average of at least 18 degrees Celsius, summers are warm and humid and winters are warm and dry. Worth seeing are the Art Deco district in Miami Beach, the Cuban district around Calle Ocho or the Miami Seaquarium to Key Biscayne. The port is considered a hub for travel to the Caribbean and all of Central America.

Visit Miami Beach during Caribbean Cruise

Miami Beach

Scarborough – Tobago

Scarborough is the capital of Tobago and is located southwest of Rocky Bay. The port was expanded to accommodate ferries as well. Especially worth seeing are the Botanical Garden with huge trees and the Fort King George. The neighboring island of Trinidad is easily reached by ferry or plane.

Scarborough Tobago

Scarborough Tobago

La Romana – Dominican Republic

The port in La Romana, a city in the Dominican Republic, is the port of departure and destination for voyages of various shipping companies. Chartered planes of the shipping companies often land here as well, so that no further passport control is required to the flight. Passengers are taken directly to the ship by buses and do not even have to worry about their luggage. From Punta Cana or Santo Domingo airports, the transfer time to the ship is approximately one hour.

La Romana - Dominican Republic

La Romana – Dominican Republic

Montego Bay – Jamaica

Montego Bay is the second largest city to Jamaica. It has an idyllic harbor where two ships can dock at the same time. In the port terminal there is a tourist information and some stores. Excursions are worthwhile to the 11 km long beach of Negril or to Rick’s Café with Willidoo in the west of Jamaica. The cult café is located on a cliff right on the beach and here you can watch a cliff diver once $20 has been collected for his jump.

Jamaica

Jamaica

Cozumel – Mexico

15 km from the mainland of Mexico is the island of Cozumel. The port has three terminals, so up to 10 ships can dock at the same time. These are the Punta Langosta Pier, the International Pier and the Puerta Maya Pier. If the berths are not sufficient, passengers are also brought ashore by tender boats. The airport is very close. From the Punta Langosta pier you can walk along a shopping street directly into the town of San Miguel. Cozumel has no public transport, only cabs and large cabs.

View of to coastline of Cozumel in Mexico

Cozumel in Mexico

George Town – Cayman Islands

George Town is the name of the town on the harbor of the Cayman Islands, which belong to the British Commonwealth. The port is located in the southwest of the Grand Cayman Islands. The ships anchor in front of the harbor and take the passengers with tender boats the 400m to the shore. Sometimes up to five ships anchor in front of the harbor. The island has a well-organized network of public minibuses, with which vacationers can explore the island to their own. Omni Bus Depot is about 200 meters from the port. If you want to rent a car here, please note that there is left-hand traffic. To the east there is a beautiful kitesurfing beach, a coral reef protects the beaches.

Grand Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman Islands

Key West – USA

Key West is the southernmost point of the USA. If you want to explore the western or southern Caribbean, this is a good starting or ending point. Therefore, the local port is a pivot point. The streets of the city have the peculiarity of being laid out strictly geometrically. A round trip on the Conch Tour Train gives a good overview of Key West. The harbor itself has three docks, closest to the city are the Mallory Square Docks, after that are the Pier B Docks, and the berth furthest from the city is that of the Old Mole Docks.

Key West Florida USA

Key West Florida USA

Nassau – Bahamas

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, which after all consist of more than 700 islands. It is located on the east side of New Providence. The old town with the two forts Fincastle and Charlotte still has colonial charm. The harbor entrance is located in the north of Nassau, just less than 200 meters from Nassau’s Paradise Island. The island, formerly called Hog Island, can be reached via a bridge. At the pier are sometimes 5 and more ships at the same time. The modern terminal also has stores, a post office, tourist information and fast food.

Nassau Bahamas

Nassau Bahamas

St. John – Antigua

St. John’s harbor in Antigua has two jetties and thus room for four ships. From the port you can walk directly into town or hire a cab. Travel is also offered here. Worth seeing is the two-towered cathedral in the town and the two shopping centers Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay offer various small stores. Directly at the harbor entrance is Fort James, built at the beginning of the 18th century to ward off pirates. You can enjoy the beautiful view here or admire the big cannons. The fort itself is largely dilapidated. A small restaurant is located in the immediate vicinity. Antigua also offers a 30 minute sightseeing flight by helicopter.

St. John Antigua

St. John Antigua

Road Town – Tortola – British Virgin Islands

The capital of the British Virgin Islands Road Town is located to Tortola. There is a terminal, stores and restaurants at Tortola Pier Park on the harbor. Besides colonial-style houses from the 19th century, a botanical garden with man-made waterfalls and tropical birds is interesting. The island is mountainous in the interior and has a lot of pretty bays all around, where smugglers and pirates are said to have lived in the past. However, the most beautiful beaches are almost exclusively in the north.

Road Town - Tortola

Road Town – Tortola

Roseau – Dominica – Lesser Antilles

Roseau is the capital of Dominica, an island nation in the Lesser Antilles. For ferries, there is a jetty at the Roseau Cruise Ship Berth from which you can get directly to the center of town. You can get free Wi-Fi at Ruins Rock Café, a former supermarket that burned down, 50 yards from the jetty. There is a small tourist information center in the harbor area and you can find a bus stop right to the harbor exit. Another jetty is Woodbridge Bay Port, located about 2 km north of the first. Small vessels also use the Cabrits Cruise Ship Berth in the northwest of the island.

Roseau - Dominica

Roseau – Dominica

Bridgetown – Barbados

The port city of Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados. Located in the southwest, four large and two small ships can dock at the port’s piers at the same time. The large hall, which also houses the terminal, has various restaurants, a tourist information center and duty-free stores. In the interior of the island you will still see feudal land holdings of the sugar barons.

Bridgetown - Barbados

Bridgetown – Barbados

St. George – Grenada

Grenada, the southernmost of the Leeward Islands, has as its capital St. George’s in the southwest. It was built around a natural harbor bay, which has the shape of a horseshoe. Three ships can dock in the port at the same time. Additional ships bring their passengers ashore by tender boats. The city, which has preserved its colonial image to this day, connects directly to the port with the market and commercial streets. The terminal building does not have a tourist information center.

Grenada

Grenada

Kralendijk – Bonaire

Kralendijk, as the capital of the Dutch island of Bonaire, which belongs to the Lesser Antilles and lies north of Venezuela, has two piers. A ship can dock at any pier. There is a tourist information center right in the harbor. The city adjoins the port. Round trips and cab rides to beaches are offered with prices set by the government. By the way, there are no public buses in Kralendijk, although there are well-signposted bus stops everywhere.

Bonaire

Bonaire

Willemstad – Curaçao

Willemstad is the capital of the island of Curaçao. The colorful little houses of the old town are all built in colonial style and belong to the UNESCO world heritage. Also worth seeing are Fort Amsterdam, an aloe vera plantation or the Hato Grottoes. The harbor is called Schottegat and was created naturally. It is shielded from the sea by the Sint Annabaai bay.

Willemstad Curacao

Willemstad Curacao

Oranjestad – Aruba

Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba. The port has four piers. Especially worth seeing is the 18th century fortress Zontman just near the marina. Here also still stands the former lighthouse Wilhelm III.

Oranjestad Aruba

Oranjestad Aruba

Belize – Honduras

Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America and was called British Honduras until 1981. Because of the coral reefs and the very shallow water, the big ships anchor about 5 nautical miles offshore. Fast tender boats take vacationers to the terminal, known here as Fort Street Tourism Village, in just 20 minutes. In addition to stores and restaurants, there are also tour operators offering shore excursions. Because of a dense jungle to Belize you should take only organized tours.

Belize - Honduras

Belize – Honduras

Pointe-à-Pitre – Guadeloupe – Lesser Antilles

Guadeloupe belongs to the Lesser Antilles and reminds from the air of a butterfly with its two parts of the country, which are connected in the middle by a bridge. One wing is green and mountainous, the second is a beach paradise.
The capital, Pointe-à-Pitre, is home to the port, which has been remodeled and expanded in recent years. Two modern terminals offer WiFi, stores and catering, as well as a tourist information center. The two berths are each 320 m long. French is spoken on the island and payment is made in euros. The city center starts right at the port.

Pointe-à-Pitre - Guadeloupe - Lesser Antilles

Pointe-à-Pitre – Guadeloupe – Lesser Antilles

New Orleans – USA

The port city of New Orleans is located in the south of the USA on the Mississippi River. The seaport is a deep-water port from which voyages also depart for the Caribbean. Every year, about 700,000 people embark here. Because of the particularly strong current here, the ships have to leave the harbor at full throttle. The French Quarter district is just a few minutes from the port by cab and well worth a visit. You’ll quickly hear sounds of Dixieland or cool jazz to Bourbon Street there.

New Orleans

New Orleans

Saint Kitts

The modern port Port Zante is located in the southwest in the capital Basseterre. Close to the center, it is located to a small artificial peninsula. At a very long pier, one large ship can dock on the left and one on the right. St. Kitts is located in the eastern Caribbean and has a lot of rainforest and beaches with white and black sand. Houses from the colonial period are worth seeing in Basseterre, especially interesting is the Victorian clock tower to central square “Circus”, which was built to to model of Piccadilly Circus in London.

Saint Kitts

Saint Kitts

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TOP 10 destinations in the Caribbean

Dunn’s River Falls, Nine Miles and Shining Lagoon to Jamaica

From Montago Bay, you can visit three Jamaican attractions in one day trip with a guide. Dunn’s River Falls are 180m high and can be climbed. Since the waterfall has several steps that pour into pools of water before continuing to fall, you can always cool off as you climb. On the way to Nine Miles there is the possibility to do some shopping or eat something in Ochos Rios. Nine Miles is the final resting place of Bob Marley, who was also born here. On the way back to the coast you can have dinner at Joa James restaurant and visit its art gallery. The Shining Lagoon is best visited by boat at sunset. As soon as the water is stirred up, it begins to glow. This is caused by phosphorescent microorganisms. This phenomenon is known to exist in only three places to Earth.

Dunn's River Falls

Dunn’s River Falls

Stingray City to Grand Cayman

In the far northwest of the island of Grand Cayman, there are a great many sandbars on North Sound, which were once popular with fishermen to process their catches. This left behind a lot of marine debris, which attracted stingrays in large numbers. Stingray is the English name for stingray. The stingrays have remained and today they are an attraction; because they are trusting. You can swim with them and also touch them, in the crowd you should only watch out to the spikes to their backs. If that’s too much crowding for you, you also have the option of observing the animals via a glass-bottom boat. Feeding with pieces of squid is allowed, the rays suck and suck them out of your hand. Wiping your hands on your swimwear or skin after holding squid can to in bruises. The stingrays smell it and suck on your clothes or skin. Overall, this is an experience you won’t forget.

Stingray City

Stingray City

Morne Trois Pitons National Park to Dominica

The national park begins just a few kilometers beyond the city of Roseau and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A dense rainforest to volcanic terrain holds some freshwater lakes and deep waterfalls. The best place to start a hiking tour is the village of Laudat, which is located in the immediate vicinity of two waterfalls. There is also the visitor center, where you can get information in advance. Trafalgar Falls consists of two waterfalls and is a particularly popular destination. From a wooden visitor platform you can observe both cases, called father and mother, at the same time. You may also swim in the pool below the falls. You can also use a developed jungle trail to access another pool for swimming, the Emerald Pool. It, too, was created by a waterfall. Middleham Falls is about an hour’s hike from the visitor center, and sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. The waterfall is the largest on the island, 60 meters high. The 1400 m high volcano Morne Trois Pitons is in the center of all the natural beauty. Boiling Lake is a 60 meter wide thermal spring in the south of the volcano. From Laudat it takes you about 3 hours on foot, which is worth it if only because the water in the middle of the lake is boiling, even at the edge it is still 90 degrees Celsius. However, the water in the narrow Ti Tou Gorge is quite cold, and you can only swim through it to reach a small waterfall. But this gorge was the location of the film “Pirates of the Caribbean” with Johnny Depp. If your time for hiking is not enough, you can also reach everything by cab in 3-4 hours.

In the footsteps of the Maya in Belize

In Belize’s dense rainforest you can still discover Mayan remains. However, you should not undertake such a tour to your own. The Mayan site of Lamanai is located on the New River Lagoon. From the harbor you can take the bus for about an hour to Ayinha Eco Park. From there we continue through the rainforest to boat across the New River to the lagoon. The visit to the Mayan site of Altun Ha will also be combined with a boat ride. The bus takes about 1.5 hours to Altun Ha and to tour, the bus takes another hour to the Belize River. The subsequent 1.5 hour boat trip concludes from excursion.

Maya in Belize

Maya in Belize

Crayfish waterfall to Guadeloupe

The trip starts in Pointe-à-Pitre and takes you to the National Park to Basse Terre. The landscape here is dominated by the 1467 m high volcano La Soufrière. To reach the crayfish waterfall Cascade aux Ecrevisses, take one of the cabs waiting outside the terminal or a rental car. Since the way to the waterfall is very well signposted, you can’t miss it. The car is parked at the parking lot and you walk 10 minutes to a well paved path through the rainforest to the waterfall. Bathing in the waterfall is allowed, but it is very cold. A large sign explains each species of crayfish found in the water, 5 crayfish and one crab species.

Old San Juan to Puerto Rico

San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and its old town is well worth seeing. The smallest main island of the Greater Antilles was in the period of the 16th to 18th century very much contested. Spain and other European powers fought over the land and it was also involved in the Spanish-American War at the end of the 19th century controversial. You might start your tour at the Fuerte San Cristobal fortress. The Boulevard del Valle then leads you along the sea and right below you see the Barrio La Perla, once built for the troops, today about 10,000 people live in it in to very small space. The Castillo de San Felipe del Morro was built as a fortress to a headland and is located right next to the harbor. Puerta de San Juan is a historic city gate in the old town.

Old San Juan

Old San Juan

Cathedral of Fort-de-France in Martinique

The cathedral was built in 1895 in the architectural style of historicism on the site of several predecessor churches and has been a protected monument since 1990. Since the previous churches had each been destroyed by fire, earthquake tsunami, and ultimately by a cyclone, this church was built as a lightweight fire- and earthquake-resistant metal skeleton structure by assembling prefabricated parts. Inside, the church has three naves, round arches and a dome to octagonal floor plan. Leaded stained glass windows and the western tower facade show the neo-Byzantine style. This cathedral is already by its special construction more than 120 years ago a worthwhile and worth seeing destination for you.

Fort-de-France Cathedral

Fort-de-France Cathedral

St. Maarten/St. Martin

St. Martin and St. Maarten are the names of two parts of the island that belong to different states. Here there is even a border crossing in to middle of the island. The history of the division, which is said to have taken place in 1648 between Dutch and French prisoners of war after the Spanish wardens had been chased away, is the reason for two very different ways of life.

St. Maarten

St. Maarten

St. Lucia rainforest

In the interior of St. Lucia, the rainforests are particularly worth seeing; you can view them from above in an organized one-hour cable car gondola ride. From the harbor you take the bus for about 30 minutes to the aerial streetcar base and board the gondola, designed for 8 people at a time, in which you then glide slowly over the rainforest.

Mount Isabel de Torres near Amber Cove

The best way to climb the mountain Isabell de Torres is with the cable car Teleferico Puerto Plata. From the Cruise Terminal Amber Cove you drive about 30 min. to Puerto Plata to the cable car station. From the top you have a good view to Puerto Plata and you can visit a botanical garden, for which you need sturdy shoes.

Mount Isabel de Torres

Mount Isabel de Torres

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Questions and answers about Caribbean vacation

Which shipping companies offer Caribbean ferries?

The following shipping companies offer ferries in the Caribbean:
Ocean Ferry Belize, CTM Deher, Great Bay Express, Voyager, Ultramar, Baja Ferries, FRS Caribbean, Balearia Caribbean and Safe Way Maritime.

What is the climate in the Caribbean?

Since the sun is almost perpendicular here north of the equator, it stays warm all year round and the water temperature also hardly differs from the air temperature, which averages between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. There is hardly any cooling during the night. Nevertheless, there are differences, as the Caribbean covers a large area. In the eastern Caribbean, which includes the northern Lesser Antilles with Antigua, Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Anguilla, the northeast trade wind blows moist ocean air to the coasts. Especially beautiful tropical plants grow here. It rains almost all year round, but least in the month of March and most in the months of July to December. The western Caribbean, on the other hand, is less dominated by the trade winds, so it tends to have a dry, desert-like climate, especially in the southern western Caribbean. The northern Caribbean, with Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Haiti, as well as Puerto Rico, which together form the Greater Antilles, also has the greatest influence of moist ocean air in its eastern area. In Puerto Rico it rains at least 14 days a month and the humidity is generally above 80%. In Cuba, on the other hand, the months of November to April seem rather dry and also the humidity is usually below 80% during these months.

What clothes should I take with me?

Even if your trip does not take place in the rainy season, rainwear is absolutely necessary. For the shore excursions you should have sturdy shoes and for windy nights at the railing a cardigan. Otherwise, the clothing is little different from other tropical vacations. Good is thin and loose clothing, through which the wind can blow. Besides swimwear and shorts and long pants, women should have a few dresses and men a suit with shirts, for special evenings. However, not all shipping companies handle this so strictly, it is best to to before the trip, usually there is a dress code. Please also note that you can have your laundry washed on board without any problems. In case the suitcase does not arrive, it is recommended to divide the laundry to two suitcases and to put all important utensils such as passport, cell phone, camera, but also the chargers and sunglasses in the hand luggage.

Is a Caribbean trip with baby or toddler possible and recommended?

All modern ferries have medical assistance during the trip. Therefore, bringing a baby or small child is quite possible.

What shore excursions are recommended in to Caribbean islands?

The shipping companies offer several excursions for each port of call, from which you can choose what suits you best. Especially popular are city or island tours or visits to small craft workshops, which at the same time provide unique vacation souvenirs. Often, sightseeing flights over the island or diving excursions are offered, which reveal a fascinating Caribbean underwater world. In any case, there is enough choice to choose just the right tour for you.

Can I organize excursions in the Caribbean myself?

Yes, in principle you can organize the excursions yourself, ideally with local operators. However, this should be prepared in good time before the trip so as not to run into time constraints on site. Of course, you should pay attention to the exact schedules of the excursions. So if 4 hours are given for excursions, you have to be back at the ship to the time is up. For privately organized excursions, it is therefore advisable to plan enough reserve time for unforeseen events from the outset.

Is the swell in the Caribbean very strong?

No matter how strong the swell is, you won’t notice it in the ship most of the time. A cruise on a ferry boat is usually very quiet. The bigger the ship, the calmer you will experience the ride. However, during hurricane times there are also stormy seas from time to time. Then, as a precaution, the gastronomy to ship is temporarily closed or a course correction is made.

Do I need a passport or is an identity card sufficient for the Caribbean trip?

A valid passport is always required for travel to the Caribbean. It should be valid for at least 6 months to planned return journey. It may also happen that you will not travel further by ferry due to illness or other circumstances and then the passport is urgently needed anyway, even though there may be exemptions for ferries. Under certain circumstances you would also have to acquire a visa, which you will not get without a passport. Children need their own passport at any age. Some countries insist that at least two opposite sides of the passport remain blank. Therefore, if possible, you should try to convince the border official to stamp his stamp to a page that has already been stamped. Copies of your travel documents are always very important, even if it is only to prove your identity if you have been the victim of a pickpocket. If you are boarding or transferring in the U.S. to get to your cruise, you must complete all immigration formalities required there, even if you do not leave the airport. These include electronic passports, including those for children, with photos and fingerprints (the burgundy machine-readable passports), and ESTA authorization, which must be applied for online at least 72 hours before entry.

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Our conclusion to the Caribbean trip

The Caribbean is not only a very idyllic destination, most of the large islands and island states have now adapted very well to tourists and live more and more from tourism.

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Caribbean map

Caribbean map

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Caribbean Ferries – Discover the Caribbean Islands by Ferry Experiences & Travelogues

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