Best/Worst Caribbean Ports of Call

[Yurita]

Totally loved Half moon cay. But who doesn't??? the best island I've ever seen. Paradise! Personally, I love Eastern Caribbean. Also liked Grand Turk and St. Thomas. From Western, loved Roatan Island and ...'Belize' (Because of Cave-tubing)... if not, I don't think I'd like it.

 

Did not like Costa Maya at all. Lots of people trying to sell their stuff, rude people and nasty comments about turists (I speak spanish) and understood what they were talking about. Mahajual is extremelly dirty, even natives were saying they did not know how 'we, turists' like it. Dogs full of fleas walking and fighting in front of you, hygene was horrible, poverty everywhere and nasty comments about US as turists. They even admit their prices are extremelly high, but we seem to be stupid or something coz we go back... of course, most people do not understand what they say.. but I did! Soon as I heard what they were saying about their own beach, I headed back to the ship and will never go back!!!

[Hawaii697]

Best: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Least Liked: Grand Caymen. Although 7-mile beach is beautiful, I thought the locals (jewelry stores, etc.) were some of the rudest I've encountered. Like they were doing us a favor to wait on us.

[tammymacb]

I love Grand Cayman!:) ( I'm heading to Roatan on my next cruise and I'm figuring that will climb high on my list also)

 

I hate, hate HATE Jamaica. On our last stop, we took the kids to Dunns River Falls ( which I did enjoy ) on the way back to the ship, my hubby wanted to stop at an open air bar for a Red Stripe, I was so uncomfortable with the people bothering us, I took my 10 year old daughter and headed back to the ship. ( It was literally across the street ) Now, I'm 6' tall and athletic looking and we ( dd and I ) were accosted by these women who wanted to braid dd's hair. They came out of nowhere and were rubbing their hands in her hair and surrounding us saying "We braid, we braid" I said, no and we kept walking...they wouldn't let go of her head! :eek: I literally had to be threatening for them to back off my daughter and go away. I'd never get off at that port again ( especially with a child )

[Wennfred]

St Martin/St Maarten, Roatan and Costa Maya we truely enjoyed, Don't care for Jamaica and Panama any more.

 

 

 

Fred

[jpg1747]

I've enjoyed all of my Caribbean ports, except the Bahamas. I try very hard to avoid stops there and if I can't I don't leave the ship.

 

The only other place I don't care to return to is Ocho Rios. While the excusions outside the city were good, once was enough and I didn't care for the town itself.

[lagbunch8]

I have enjoyed most of the ports I have visited in the Caribbean.

 

 

My favorite is Grand Cayman overall. I have always had wonderful snorkeling there and the beaches are nice. The Island is not poverty stricken like a lot of the Caribbean. Half Moon Cay and Nassau have beautiful beaches. I am a beach person and I do not shop. For a family my favorite port is Castaway Cay.

 

Places I wouldn't return to -- Jamaica and San Juan. I also found Belize to be very over rated but, not bad. Costa Maya was just OK.

 

Mary

[Fancy_Goods]

I left my heart in Dominica!

 

I dream of San Juan, Puerto Rico...sigh....love, love, LOVE Puerto Rico.

 

I had the creepy vibes in Aruba...maybe it was just my traveling companions?

[FallingSilver02]

Thank you all for your wonderful posts! I was leaning toward Western Caribbean... and I think I've all but decided to start researching those ports. I've got to admit, I've had my eye on cave tubing and Stingray City since I found the boards... :D

[tkportersat]

Had the most fun hanging at the Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. I loved it and was never hassled once.

 

As for the least amount of fun?? That honor would go to Progreso.

[Janespup]

When searching for a cruise, I automatically reject any that include Jamaica. Have just heard too many negative things.

Jane

[ooulio]

We have always done Eastern & Southern. When we first did Freeport 7 years ago, it was dirty. Last 2 years, it has cleaned up a bunch. I don't mind Nassau anymore. We either catch a water taxi to Atlantis for the day or take a bus to Cable Beach Resort & Casino. Beach is nice and clean. Casino is great. Always seem to win there. They are great to people on the cruises. We did St Kitts and St Lucia this year. Waterfalls were very pretty. We did a tour on St Maarten this year. Saw some beautiful scenery too. Puerto Rico was ok but but the streets were dirty with trash all over the place. Tortola and Antigua were hot and clean. The only ports I used to hate were Nassau with the beggars. This past year and this year was so much better. Haven't got up the nerve to try the Western. Keep hearing about the problems. I think I will stick with Eastern & Southern. Heard from a few different girls about getting drugged at the bars. I think I will stay out of Mexico. Just my opinion.! I went to Aruba a few years ago. A Aruba Marine told me too to stay out of Venezula . He said the things that went on to American women, you wouldn't want to see. We were taking a helicopter over there. I am so glad I changed my mind. We talked to some other women that had a horrible time. One of the girls was almost raped and robbed. They stole her rings right off her fingers. That marine told me if they liked your rings, they don't think twice of cutting off your fingers if you don't give it to them. Some of the girls never came back. I am not even repeating some of the stuff he told me. He wasn't a quack either. Very respected marine. He tried to help us. Good thing. I am glad I never went to VEnezula!

[lappy22]

Didn't care for St. Thomas that much, but loved St. John. I wish the ship would of docked there for the day.

Freeport had some of the nicest beaches we have ever seen. Cozumel and Costa Maya beaches were nice too.

 

If there is more than 3 ships at Grand Cayman on my next cruise, I'm not getting off. Way too crowded both times we have been there and way overpriced.

[CorbinCatFan]

Least favorite port: Freeport. Been twice and was never that impressed. If I took another cruise with Freeport as a stop, I don't think I would get off the ship.

 

Past Favorite port: Aruba. Been twice and have always enjoyed the snorkeling and the party at Carlos and Charlies.

 

New Favorite port: Grand Caymans. While I didn't explore much on our stop (Sting Ray City), what little time we spent near port, I would like to go back again.

 

Hopefully new Favorite port: Dominica. Everything that I have read and ahave seen by photos, I think this will be a new favorite. Our past shore excursions have been either beach, snorkel, or shopping. I'm looking forward to a rain forest type experience.

[vacruizer]

Loved Belize - thought the people were gracious, friendly and welcoming. Cave tubing was a blast!

 

And in unpopular opinion, I hated Cozumel. I expected aggressive merchants but couldn't get used to being insulted and called names when we politely said "no, thank you" to people trying to drag us into their shops. I just got a "let's rip off the tourists" kind of vibe there. We were offered drugs and my husband was offered a hooker (with me right there!) when we walked off the main strip down a side street. I had researched to port and had read to get a couple of blocks off the strip for the best shopping. I wouldn't rule out another cruise that stopped there, but would probably just go to the beach next time instead. Had heard great things and this was the one port that disappointed me.

[ala-kat]

Dang, I feel cheated. In three cruises I've never been offered drugs :eek: .

[Hedocple]

Based on our limited experience....

 

Enjoyed Barbados. Wish we could have stayed longer.

Loved St. Kitts. So much so that we returned this past year and spent a whole week. Wonderful beaches, uncrowded, friendly.

 

St. Thomas was beautiful. But a bit too crowded and commercialized for our taste.

 

Will not return to Grenada.

 

Looking forward to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and most of all a trip to Bob Marley's birthplace (Nine Miles Jamaica) last week of June.

[gypsyrose]

Great!! I am booked on Victory to Costa Maya, Cayman and JAMAICA:eek: Now I am worried. I know that everyone has a different opinion but the majority hate Ocho Rios. What is recommended so that I will enjoy the island and not have the same experience some of you have had. I don't want to stay on the ship.

To pick my favorite or worst would be hard. I have not disliked anywhere I went, just maybe liked some better than others. Thought San Juan was beautiful and we had a really fun day there. Love them all and want to see as many as possible.

[tkportersat]

Jamaica was my favorite stop, the best advice I can give is to plan an excursion here. Most of the complaints I have heard are from people that tried to do their own thing and wander around and were hassled. I went to Sunset Beach in Montego Bay but that is too far from Ocho Rios. My parents went to Dunns River Falls and said it was beautiful. Good luck!

 

Great!! I am booked on Victory to Costa Maya, Cayman and JAMAICA:eek: Now I am worried. I know that everyone has a different opinion but the majority hate Ocho Rios. What is recommended so that I will enjoy the island and not have the same experience some of you have had. I don't want to stay on the ship.

To pick my favorite or worst would be hard. I have not disliked anywhere I went, just maybe liked some better than others. Thought San Juan was beautiful and we had a really fun day there. Love them all and want to see as many as possible.

[lhargrove62]

Least favorite port: Port Antonio in Jamaica- went there in 1988. Could not go to Ocho Rios so the ship docked in Port Antonio. Armed guards all over the streets. People in the water begging for quarters. We did not feel safe at all. Went back to the ship very fast.

Favorite ports: Anywhere with good snorkling: Grand Caymen, Coz, Belize, Aruba. :rolleyes:

[cruiseapril]

Favorites: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Dominica, St. Thomas & Private Islands (CocoCay, Half Moon Cay, & Princess Cays.) We like beaches and snorkeling.

 

Interesting: Barbados, Isla Margarita, Dominican Republic, Nassau,

Grand Turk, San Juan.

 

Probably won't return to: Caracas, Haiti, or Jamaica. Too much of an element of danger in these ports, sadly.

[Adeena62]

We were not that impressed with Nassau, Bahamas. The buildings were all run down and the most of the people seemed rude. We took a pretty interesting taxi ride over to the Atlantis resort to look around. Our driver was cool, but he almost ran into a horse drawn carriage because the jerk pulled right out in front of him, then started screaming at our cabbie and swearing at him. Then there was another taxi (they are all minivans) that came straight toward us at full speed. There was no room on the road, so before he nearly hit us, he jumped the curb and rode it the whole way down the rest of the road. Keep in mind the sidewalks were filled to the brim with tourists. It was crazy! Think NYC driving at its worst, times a thousand. I’ve never heard more horns blaring in my entire life. At one point we were walking down one of the main streets downtown, when we were overwhelmed by the smell of urine. It was so gross, and everywhere you looked there were wet spots on the side walk. My husband tried to convince me it was water (laughs) but it was 90+ degrees outside and it hadn’t rained. It was disgusting. My husband was asked numerous times if he wanted to buy drugs, twice by the same man. If we ever find ourselves at this port again, I would rather just stay on the ship.

My husband had been to Jamaica on a previous cruise. He said people there (for the most part) were rude, even hostile at times. He didn’t feel safe at all.

We loved both St. Thomas and St. Martin. Both were beautiful Islands with friendly people.

[Radical Ruth]

I would have to agree with everyone about Jamaica. I had been there many years ago and loved it. So, I was happy we were stopping there on the cruise. Boy, was I surprised! When we got into port I talked to one of the cab drivers and asked if he could give us a mini tour, shops, beach...Dunne's River Fall...etc. Sure, no problem!!! I was with my DH and our two cousins, male and female. A couple of the places he took us to, I thought this is it! Everyone's eyes were like saucers and they had broken out into a sweat (and not from the heat)! I'm from a big city and don't scare easily, but I was AFRAID! Would not do that again.

 

We absolutely loved Costa Maya and the Cat's Meow. We had a wonderful day on the beach and you can't beat buckets of beer for $10 and 60 min massages for $20.00! And, the coconut shrimp was delish!

 

Ruth

[FloridaLaura]

My all time favorite port is not offered thru any cruiseline anymore...it is a small island Great Guana Cay, which is part of the Abacos Islands. On the BiG RED BOAT some 20 years ago, it was their private island. It has the 3rd largest barrier reef right off shore, so snorkeling was amazing. We may try to fly to Marsh Harbor from Florida and ferry over there some day. There are now a few hotels on the island. (none way back when)

 

Besides that, we just returned from St. Martin, St. Thomas and Princess Cay, all of these were terrific. In st. Thomas we actually sailed to St. John on a private sailboat for a day of sailing and snorkeling. Just beautiful. Princess Cay off of the island Eluthrea (sp?) was such a relaxing beach day. We loved st. martin and st. thomas so much we are booking a similar cruise for 2008.

 

My least favorite would have to be Progresso/Merida.

And I was not a big fan of Cozumel.. Too pushy for my taste

[mjmiller]

As others have mentioned, I research a LOT before I go on any cruise. Pretty much every port has good/bad, and I am very careful when booking excursions (mostly not ship tours) to make sure that DH and I will both enjoy ourselves.

 

That being said...

 

Carib/Mex faves: San Juan, St Thomas, Puerto Vallarta, St Lucia, Barbados, Panama, Dominica, Aruba, Belize

Carib/Mex good: St Kitts, Mazatlan, Cayman (only for stingray city), Cozumel, Jamaica

Carib/Mex not favored: St Maartin, St Barts, Bahamas, Cancun

 

Med faves: Istanbul, Venice, Athens, Dubrovnik, Ephesus

Med good: Alexandria/Cairo, Corfu, Odessa (Ukraine)

Med not favored: Constanta (Romania), Varna (Bulgaria)

[Hogladyrider]

Great!! I am booked on Victory to Costa Maya, Cayman and JAMAICA:eek: Now I am worried. I know that everyone has a different opinion but the majority hate Ocho Rios. What is recommended so that I will enjoy the island and not have the same experience some of you have had. I don't want to stay on the ship.

To pick my favorite or worst would be hard. I have not disliked anywhere I went, just maybe liked some better than others. Thought San Juan was beautiful and we had a really fun day there. Love them all and want to see as many as possible.

 

Without a doubt, I highly recommend Dunn's River Falls, it is something you will always remember, like Sting Ray City, is a memory forever.

 

The fresh water is so refreshing and to realize it is all dumping into the ocean.

 

Bring along a waterproof one time camera for some great photos.

 

Just stay away from the flea market area that's where the people are pushy and offering drugs and alike.

 

Jamaica is a beautiful country, very poor, but beautiful.

 

Another option if you don't like the water fall climbing is to take a Plantation tour - the rich live up in the hills, the poor down below. There are some gorgeous sites to be seen and fresh grown fruit to be sampled and you'll still have time to at least take some photos of Dunn's River Falls.

 

Jamaica is also known for its famous Blue Mountain Coffee beans if you know any coffee lovers back home!