As I plan and prepare for four cruises this year, I want to share my past port experiences by region, in this case the Western Caribbean. I’ve been on nearly a dozen cruises worldwide, most of which cruised out of Galveston, Texas (living in Houston, this is extremely convenient for me). Most seven day cruises from Galveston, or at least the ones I’ve cruised, always cruise to Cozumel (read Part 1: Cozumel & Progreso, Mexico here), and either cruise to Belize and Honduras, or Grand Cayman and Jamaica. This blog post is dedicated to the port stops in these four non-Mexico locations. These are a few of my favorite things…
Past excursions & experiences from the port in Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Honduras
Pirates, Birds, & Monkeys of the Caribbean
- This excursion to a lush part of the island was so much fun! There were iguanas everywhere, a rope bridge, huge tropical plants, parrots, and several species of monkey. At one point I had a Spider Monkey sitting on my head (on purpose, not accidental).
Roatan Pros
- Mahogany Beach within walking distance of the port, although taking the “Magical Flying Beach Chair” is more fun. It’s basically a ski lift from the cruise ship to the beach, and really not that high off the ground at all.
- Beach dogs laying on chairs
Roatan Cons
- …..I don’t remember there being any
Past excursions & experiences from the port in Belize City, Belize
Altun Ha & Belize City Tour
- We had visited the Mayan Ruins of Tulum in Mexico on a prior trip, so during this cruise we wanted to see ruins in Belize as well. On the way to the site, our bus toured through Belize City. In contrast to not being able to touch or climb the ruins at Tulum, but in Belize it is encouraged (so we climbed!). There is also street food available for purchase on the property and cashew wine! This location was one of the highlights of that cruise.
Belize Pros
- Being able to touch and climb the ruins
- Locals were very friendly
- Everything was green
Belize Cons
- Belize City is segregated into poor and rich communities, and yet all the buildings had bars on their windows…so while beautiful during the day, I thought it might get sketchy at night.
Past excursions & experiences from the port in Montego Bay, Jamaica
Croydon Plantation – the Spirit of Jamaica
- The drive to Croydon up in the Jamaican mountains was so scenic and beautiful. The plantation itself is well kept with friendly staff. We learned about, and sampled, everything that they farmed from bananas to pineapple to coffee, and we were given free time to walk around and enjoy the views and warm mountain air.
Horseback Riding
- No experience required, but bonus points if you can manage on an English saddle. I was pleasantly surprised to not see the large Western recliner saddles that we’re used to in Texas. We rode through lush tree lined trails and ended the ride through the water on the beach. That was a lot of fun!
Jamaica Pros
- All the food!
- Scenery, water, and tropical plants
Jamaica Cons
- If you want to visit a beach, you’re going to have to pay for it
- Hot, hot, hot
- Biting/stinging bugs during the horseback ride
Past excursions & experiences from the port in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Stingray City Sandbar & Tiki Beach Combo
- Bonine/dramamine down, we boarded a small boat and headed to a sandbar about 30 minutes from the marina. Like in a movie, the waves of stingrays approached and swam around us. It was alarming and exciting, and I may have screamed a couple times. After swimming with stingrays, we had a drink and conch at Tiki Beach and people watched the younger folks get super drunk and goof off.
7 Mile Beach
- THIS is the quintessential reason we cruise to the Caribbean. 7 Mile beach is the BEST! Great swimming, crystal teal blue water, waves aren’t too crazy, lovely views of our ships from the beach, and soft large grain sand that feels great between my toes.
Grand Cayman Pros
- Love love love love the beaches
- Clean and safe, well kept
- Something about banking here…(haha)
Grand Cayman Cons
- Only thing wrong with Grand Cayman is that I don’t live here
What are some of your favorite Western Caribbean things?
In one of my prior blog posts, I’ve shared a two-part checklist for cruising that includes essentials and luxury items that should fit into (1) a backpack and (2) a single rolling suitcase. Read about and download my Free PDF Backpack Packing List (Carry-On Packing Checklist for Cruising) and Rolling Suitcase Packing List (Single Suitcase Packing Checklist for Cruising) here.
More Cruise Tips, Packing Lists, and Past Cruise Adventures:
First 24 Hours on a Cruise Ship: Do’s and Don’ts
Cruise Tips: Planning and Packing
My Cruise Kit: The Practical & the Ridiculous
A Cruise Must: Chef’s Table on Carnival Cruises
Cruise Packing Lists: Backpack & Rolling Suitcase Packing Checklists
Carry-On Suitcase Packing List (Packing Checklist for the Overhead Bin)
Carry-On Bag Packing List (Packing Checklist for Under the Seat)
Read about our Mediterranean cruise here and British Isles cruise here and Alaskan Cruise here.
Don’t forget a corkscrew (read about my TSA-compliant Carry-On Corkscrew here)!
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