It’s no surprise that between January and April, cruise bookings hit a peak as chilly Brits seek some winter Sun. The Western Caribbean is the perfect destination, with hurricane season ending in December and the rain not picking up again until June. Cruise Deals have some great offers to take the stress out of holiday planning. As well as sun and sea, there’s lots to explore, from shipwreck relics to vibrant music to delicious food – here are the ports not to miss.
Cozumel, Mexico
There’s plenty to do in this port in Mexico, home to some incredibly preserved Mayan history. El Cedral is the oldest Mayan ruin in the region, and situated beside a church, it is thought to have had great significance in its heyday for you to speculate. For a slice of present day life, check out the Carnaval held every February, complete with traditional Caribbean dancers, food stalls, and music taking over the town and seafront. For a quieter day out, take advantage of the crystal clear waters off the Arrecife Palancar, has some amazing horseshoe coral formations to reward any scuba diver or snorkeler willing to swim out.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
One of the highlights of Grand Cayman is the world famous seven mile beach, an ideal rest stop for beach bums looking to find a calm stretch of sand to sunbathe on, running right along George Town. That said, there’s so much incredible biodiversity on this island, and it really is the pride of the people. Visit the National Trust Visitors Centre to learn all about the island’s history and wildlife and enjoy an ice cream, or head up to the verandah where you can use a telescope to have a closer look at parts of the island. Your next stop should be the Queen Elizabeth Botanic Gardens, dedicated to exhibiting some of the island’s natural wonders, from orchids to iguanas. Not enough? Have a swim from Bloody Bay Marine Park or head to Stingray City.
Falmouth, Jamaica
A relatively new port for cruise ships, visiting Falmouth can feel like a step back in time as you wander around the Georgian period architecture. Burwood Beach is quiet and secluded, while there’s more activity at Jacob Taylor beach, including a crafts market. Wannabe explorers should look into the Caving Tours in nearby Trelawney, or visit the bats at Windsor Caves. One activity to not miss is seeing the Luminous Lagoon at Oyster Bay, where the water naturally glows at night.
