Five Caribbean Cruise Ports I Want to Reheat Myself In - Part 1

Brrrrr is right, Isis. 

The temperature dropping has caused a quick change to heavier coats, warm gloves and faux-fur-lined boots. It's enough to make one stuff their luggage and hop on the first plane down south. 

Cruises are our go-to for escapes to warmer weather. What started out as a compromise between Las Vegas and a beach resort, we choose to cruise for to shrug of the winter blues. We also like the booze and views, but also the crews.

But where to go? After having visited a lot of the Caribbean islands through Carnival Cruises, I have my preferences. So here they are!

Here are my top ten Caribbean cruise ports I want to shed my winter coat for. 

Harkening back to 2011, Phil and I visited Mahogany Bay on the Carnival Legend. The third stop on our cruise, we stepped out onto the deck to a lush jungle and canopy that we hadn't seen yet. Tall trees surrounded the cruise port, which was lively with cruisers heading on their adventures. Our excursion that day was to the Pirates of the Caribbean ziplining tour. To get to our course, we had to walk through a zoo of macaws and monkeys. This would be our first time ziplining and it's a thrill I love exploring again and again, as you'll read about soon. We were encased in the canopy and the heat was enough to drive us straight into Fat Tuesdays. Their tower frozen cocktails are enough to charter our own ship back to the island. Well worth a visit. 

In 2026, Mahogany Bay is transforming into Isla Tropicale. Part of Carnival's Paradise Collection, it offers an expansive pool with swim up bar, lounge areas and dining, all right off the ship.  

Grand Turk is the largest of the Turks islands and home to the territory's capital, Cockburn Town. Similar to Roatan and other ports, Carnival built up the area in 2004. The $35 million port includes shops, restaurants, bars and a pool area with FlowRider, a surfing simulator. Our first visit took us out on the water in a catamaran for some snorkeling and swimming with sting rays (or standing still while sting rays swam around us). Our second visit was an adults-only retreat day. A day of oceanside cocktails on lounge chairs and basking in the sun is why Grand Turk makes the top ten. I can feel my feet warming up in the sand and the crashing of the waves that clear away my sweat beads.

The most recent island we visited, Curaçao was on my must-visit list before 40. The Dutch decor mixed with the Caribbean vibes makes for a beautiful stop when traveling the ABC Islands. When in Curaçao, you have to visit the Curaçao distillery. If you are not taking an excursion, look for the taxi stand (sorry, Phil, I should have listened). But don't be afraid to get lost in the streets as well. We ended up at the floating market for some fresh bananas and mangoes. After visiting the distillery and taking home some sample packs, take in the city. Linger on Queen Emma Bridge before the next boat comes through. Next time, we are venturing around the island - there is lots to see and do here.

Chalk it up to the weather, but I just want a day by a pool with a swim-up bar. Many resorts have this feature, but the Amber Cove port offers a massive pool just steps from the ship. I admit that we saw nothing else of the Dominican Republic, but some times you just need a rest day on a cruise. The pool can get busy and the sun will make you thirsty, but the port crew keep the party alive. We watched a Karen disrupt a dance-off because who she wanted to win the hat (yes, the free baseball cap) did not win. I love cruise people - some people just cannot escape themselves. The port has plenty of shops and dining options for your stay, if you choose to remain in the port area. Otherwise, let me know where else in the DR we need to visit next.

Our visit to Saint Kitts will be one I hope to remember for the rest of my life. We were feeling adventurous and athletic, so we booked an excursion to climb up to Monkey Hill Viewpoint. Rain cancelled the excursion and we were left to our own devices. After a wander into Basseterre, we stumbled on a bus tour that would show us the island. Why not?

We saw THE WHOLE ISLAND. This driver took us the entire perimeter, along cliffside roads and through small villages. The driver stopped at the Blackrock Volcanic Runoff, a highlight along the shores of the island. There was a small cluster of shops there which we meandered. One of the attendants was keen on Phil and offered to trade him for some of his wares. I haggled as best as I could, but Phil refused to stay. I could have come home with all my Christmas gifts, but then who would I give them to?

The ride in a covered, open-air bus and stops at other attractions like Wingfield Manor Estates and old sugar plantation, Timothy Hill Overlook and a tour of the major resorts on the island was well worth the $20 USD. A drive around the island only takes about an hour, but it felt like we were there much longer. It was peaceful yet exciting, and I need to go back for those bowls.

These are the first five of ten cruise ports I am mentally checking into. Read the next five here. 

Whether you are a cruiser or not, what are some areas of the Caribbean you daydream about when the cold temperatures are lingering?