PORTS OF CALL
PUERTO PLATA, ST. THOMAS, & ST. MAARTEN
The Caribbean is one of those places where you don’t really need a watch. A place where island time rules. During your Caribbean cruise stops, let the beat of the tropics take control. Enjoy pristine beaches and turquoise waters. The warm Caribbean Sea is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. From snorkeling, to sailing and surfing, the Caribbean is a hub for all aquatic activities. Relax on sugar sand beaches, and listen to gentle waves. Foodies are in for a treat too, with a wide array of culinary options and influences. Delight in Caribbean cuisine or take a break at colorful cafés. The possibilities are limitless. The Caribbean is a destination that will leave you relaxed for days to come, even when you’re back home dreaming of the hammock you left behind. The Caribbean offers endless ways to escape the everyday.
PUERTO PLATA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
A Puerto Plata cruise brings you to an idyllic coastline of high mountains, lush rainforest, and long, sandy beaches. Days here are all about adventure, from the rock slides and natural pools of the 27 Charcos de Damajagua to a marine reserve where you can paddleboard through the mangroves in search of the endangered manatee.
Embark on an off-road adventure, soar on a thrilling zipline, or take a tour of a local coffee plantation. There’s fascinating history found in Puerto Plata, a bustling city displaying handsome Victorian architecture and an intoxicating zest for life. Or perhaps the glorious beaches will be the highlight of your Caribbean cruise to the Dominican Republic. There are miles of them, with golden sand, colorful reefs to explore, and cool beach clubs in which to relax and unwind.
Puerto Plata boasts a vibrant culture influenced by Spain, Africa, and the original Taíno, with music and dance permeating daily life, strong family values, and a laid-back approach to life. The official language is Spanish and, away from the tourist areas, some knowledge of the language is very useful.
Historic Puerto Plata
The historic center of Puerto Plata is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its collection of fine Victorian buildings clustered around the pretty Parque Central. Admire the San Felipe Apóstol Cathedral and colorful “Umbrella Street”, shaded by dozens of umbrellas strung overhead. Pink Street is equally photogenic—and very pink, as its name suggests. Drop into the Amber Museum to admire a fine array of golden resin from the Jurassic era.
27 Charcos de Damajagua
One of the best natural attractions near Puerto Plata is 27 Charcos de Damajagua, a complex of waterfalls, lagoons, and swimming holes. The falls are accessed via a hike through dense rainforest before starting the thrilling descent of the hillside through deep rock canyons. You’ll slide down a series of watery chutes into cool turquoise pools, where the river propels you gently to the next slide. Most tours include seven falls, but serious adventurers can attempt all 27.
Fortaleza San Felipe
The chunky San Felipe Fortress is the oldest building in Puerto Plata. It presides over the bay and the Malecón, with sweeping views along the coast. The fortress was built by the Spaniards in 1577 to defend the north coast of the Dominican Republic from pirates and British and Dutch hopefuls who coveted the gold and silver deposits here. It previously served as a prison, but today is an atmospheric museum displaying the original cannons and old weapons.
Paddle Through a Manatee Reserve
Look for majestic manatees as you drift through tranquil mangroves on a paddleboard or kayak at the Sanctuary of Estero Hondo, near Puerto Plata. There’s a healthy population of more than 40 of these gentle sea cows here, as well as colorful birds, crustaceans, and sea turtles. Manatees are both endangered and protected, so it’s a real joy to spot one feeding as you paddle around. Local guides will point out the different vegetation and wildlife, making this a wonderful experience.
Enjoy the View From Mount Isabel de Torres
Take the cable car up to the summit of Mount Isabel de Torres, 2,624 feet above sea level, for magnificent views down over the mountainside, the city of Puerto Plata, and the beaches and the blue Caribbean beyond. Check out the replica Christ the Redeemer statue, smaller than the original in Rio de Janeiro, but nonetheless impressive. Explore the botanical garden, visit a traditional homestead, peek into caves, and clamber around the remains of a historical fortress.
Relax on Playa Dorada
Popular Playa Dorada, the original and most famous beach of Puerto Plata, is a sweep of pale golden sand that extends for more than a mile. The beach is lined with hotels, restaurants, shops, and watersport concessions, and there’s even a links course here for golfers. Reefs close to the shore make this a great spot for snorkeling. Pick your favorite watersport, or spend the day enjoying the beach bars, the warm, clear water, and the shade of your beach umbrella.
Top Food & Drink
The Dominican Republic has a strong culinary culture with plenty of dishes to try during your visit. Bandera is the national dish, combining red beans with stewed meat, fried green plantains, and rice. Fish with coconut sauce is another specialty, as is locrio de pollo (fried rice with chicken), mofongo (plantains with deep-fried pork or shrimp) and sancocho, a stew comprising seven different types of meat.
For snacks, try chicharron, or pork rinds. You’ll find excellent coffee everywhere, as well as fruit juices and shakes featuring local fruit like mango, passionfruit, guava, pineapple, and papaya.
Port Facilities & Location
On a cruise to Puerto Plata, you’ll disembark in Taino Bay, a purpose-built cruise terminal that’s a destination in itself. In a gated village, you’ll find shops, restaurants, food trucks, ATMs, free Wi-Fi, live entertainment, a huge lagoon swimming pool, and aviaries displaying colorful birds. There’s also a beach right here for those who don’t want to stray from the port. Four-person tuk-tuks will carry you back and forth from the ship’s gangway (they’re free but the drivers do appreciate tips), and taxis wait outside the complex. You can walk from Taino Bay to the attractions of Puerto Plata if you don’t mind the heat—it’s about 15 minutes on foot to Umbrella Street and the Amber Museum.
Transportation
There are numerous ways to get around Puerto Plata. Taxis are plentiful, and some drivers may offer you their services for the whole day, in which case, negotiate a price in advance. Puerto Plata also has rideshare service. Local minivan “buses” are called guaguas and will stop when you flag them down and drop you where you say you want to disembark. You’ll need cash for these. Slightly more comfortable but operating on the same basis are carritos, or shared sedan cars, as opposed to vans. Car rental is also available, but be prepared to negotiate busy roads crammed with motorbikes.
Shopping
Puerto Plata, and the Dominican Republic as a whole, is a great place to shop for hand-rolled cigars, rum, Haitian art, mahogany wood carvings, and jewelry made from amber, which is widely found here, or larimar, an opaque blue stone found only in the Dominican Republic. Shops in malls will display prices, which are regarded as fixed, but if you’re shopping in markets, a little polite haggling is appropriate. You’ll find plenty of shops within Taino Bay, but there’s a wider selection downtown.
Local Currency & Tipping Customs
The Dominican peso is the primary currency of the Dominican Republic. It’s wise to have some cash to buy local goods from smaller shops and to pay taxi drivers and bus fares. Credit cards are accepted in many places as well. Leaving a 10% tip is customary at restaurants, bars, and cafés for good service.
CHARLOTTE AMALIE
ST. THOMAS
A cruise to St. Thomas will take you to the largest of the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), a laid-back archipelago fringed by white sand beaches and sparkling sapphire seas. Unwind under a sun umbrella, snorkel over rainbow-colored reefs, take a sailing trip, or explore some of the island’s nature trails and viewpoints. You can also head to sleepy St. John, a pristine spot for snorkeling and admiring marine life.
There’s history to discover in the enchanting capital of Charlotte Amalie, which dates back to the 17th century when the island was colonized by Denmark and pirates roamed the Caribbean. Explore ancient forts and cobbled lanes, flower-filled stone stairways, and elegant old houses. Discover more about the island’s cuisine, or sample some of the magnificent rum cocktails for which the island is famous. Leave time for shopping, too, as St. Thomas offers some of the best duty-free shopping you’ll find on a Caribbean cruise.
St. Thomas is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. It is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands archipelago, along with the islands of St. John and St. Croix. The island was first settled around 1500 BC by the Ciboney people and later, Arawaks and Caribs. St. Thomas was colonized by Denmark in the 17th century, which is why you’ll find remnants of the Danish language in the street names of the island’s capital. Charlotte Amalie was named in honor of the wife of the Danish king, Christian V. Fort Christian is part of the Danish legacy, built between 1666 and 1680, and the oldest structure on the island today.
The islanders’ culture blends African, European, and American influences. English is the official language, but locals speak their own dialect of Creole.
Magens Bay
Regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world, Magens Bay is a sweep of soft white sand, iridescent aquamarine water, and a lush backdrop of sea grapes, mahogany trees, and coconut palms. The shallow water and calm conditions make this the perfect spot for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, looking out for stingrays and sea turtles. Back on the beach, there’s a bar and café, as well as a 1.5-mile nature trail through the coconut grove.
Charlotte Amalie
Explore the pretty capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands filled with cobbled lanes and steep flights of steps. The 99 Steps is one of the most colorful, with flowers banked on either side. Visit Blackbeard’s Castle, a 17th-century watchtower, and tour some of the city’s historic homes. Check out the pale gold Lutheran Church and the historic St. Thomas Synagogue before strolling along Main Street, where most of the 18th century buildings now house duty-free shops.
Mountain Top
The summit of St. Peter Mountain is St. Thomas’ highest point, 1,500 feet above Magens Bay. Come up here for stupendous views from the observation deck; on a clear day, you’ll be able to see 15 islands, including the British Virgin Islands, scattered across the sea like jewels. There’s a big duty-free shop here, but perhaps equally alluring is the banana daiquiri that was invented here, a tasty frozen concoction featuring Cruzan rum, a banana liqueur, ripe bananas, and lime.
Take a Catamaran to St. John
Sail on a gleaming catamaran across the sparkling water to sleepy St. John, where you’ll stop in the turquoise waters off Honeymoon Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. You can jump straight off the boat into the warm water, or head for the beach for a few hours of beachcombing, snoozing under a coconut palm, or snorkeling over colorful reefs teeming with fish.
Learn About Plants at Villa Botanica
Occupying the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation, this lush tropical garden is bursting with dazzling blooms, orchids, herbs, and other medicinal plants, the air fragrant with frangipani. Peacocks, tortoises, and soldier crabs populate the crumbling remains of the estate, which has sweeping views down over Charlotte Amalie. You’ll learn about bush medicine and sample local teas, with the option of trying island rum, too.
Join a Foodie Tour of Charlotte Amalie
Wander through the lanes and alleys of historic Charlotte Amalie with a local expert to discover more about the island’s cuisine and local history. You’ll learn how to make the perfect rum cocktail and try dishes like curried chicken, rice with peas (which are actually beans), fungi (fried cornmeal cakes), sweet plantains, and a delicious dessert of banana rum flambé. The tour also weaves in the city’s top sights, from the 99 steps to Fort Christian and Blackbeard’s Castle.
Top Food & Drink in St. Thomas
St. Thomas has an eclectic culinary scene, from classy restaurants to beach bars and fun street food trucks. The seafood here is superb; look out for spiced mahi mahi fish and the sweet, clawless Caribbean lobster, as well as yellowfin tuna and creamy conch chowder. Fish and fungi, the national dish, is a polenta-like dumpling served with fried fish. You’ll see Johnny cakes everywhere, which are deep-fried flour or cornmeal patties served with cheese or salt fish.
Check out the food trucks for roti, salt fish, or meat pate (like an empanada), and cold beer. If you’re feeling peckish, meanwhile, a Bushwacker cocktail will keep you full till the next mealtime. This is a heady mix of blended ice, dark rum, coffee liqueur, creme de cacao liqueur, cream of coconut, and milk.
Port Facilities & Location
Cruises to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands stop at one of two docks: Havensight and Crown Bay. You’ll find them on either side of Charlotte Amalie on the south side of the island, though neither is close enough to provide an easy walk between the ship and downtown. It’s easy to find taxi service between Charlotte Amalie and either pier, or you can opt for a shore excursion to take you around the island and to Charlotte Amalie. Both piers are well equipped with duty-free shopping, car rental, ATMs, restaurants, tour desks, and places to eat.
Transportation
One of the easiest ways to get around in port while on a cruise to St. Thomas, if you don’t want to rent your own car, is by taxi, although local taxis are not what you might expect. They’re small, open-air shuttle vehicles called safari trucks equipped with a few rows of seats. Flag one down heading in the direction you want to go and tell the driver where you want to be dropped off. You may make extra stops before yours, depending on the other passengers’ desired routes. You’ll pay a set price per person that is usually quite reasonable. To explore the island under your own steam, rent a car from the outlets at the cruise pier—but remember that driving is on the left.
Shopping
St. Thomas is known for its extensive duty-free shopping, and downtown Charlotte Amalie is where you’ll find bargains galore, from perfume to jewelry and electronics. Shops stocking everything imaginable line Main Street, while there’s a small market nearby with vendor stands selling jewelry, clothing, crafts, and other Caribbean-inspired artifacts. The Havensight Mall is right by the Havensight cruise terminal, while the Crown Bay Center serves the Crown Bay pier. For the most upscale shopping, head for Yacht Haven Grande, where you’ll find brands like Gucci, Bulgari, and Coach.
Local Currency & Tipping Customs
The U.S. dollar is the official currency in St. Thomas and the rest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tipping is customary when dining out or ordering drinks at a bar. Tipping customs in St. Thomas and the other USVI are similar to those in the U.S., with 15% to 20% of the total bill being the normal amount to tip.
PHILIPSBURG
ST. MAARTEN
The capital of the Dutch side of St. Maarten is the town of Philipsburg, though St. Maarten is an island with two distinct sides. To the north is the French side, whose capital is Marigot, while Philipsburg sits on the southern part of the island. When exploring on cruises that go to St. Maarten, it’s important to visit both sides to understand their customs and heritage.
On an Eastern Caribbean cruise, you’ll quickly be charmed by all sides of the island. Of course, this Caribbean island is best known for its beaches, like Maho Beach or Great Bay Beach, one of the area’s best snorkeling spots. Sample local seafood or rum during your time in port, which have become symbols of St. Maarten life. There’s just enough to fill the day here, especially if you hop between the French and Dutch beaches.
Fort Amsterdam
Philipsburg is home to Fort Amsterdam, a historic fort built by the Dutch during the 17th century. Views of the Caribbean and its bright blue waters are a highlight. Visit the fort at sunset for a romantic experience.
Maho Beach
Arguably the most popular beach that travelers on cruises to St. Maarten visit is Maho Beach, which is known for having the area’s longest stretch of hotels and resorts. Snorkeling, swimming, and jet skiing are the reigning favorite things to do on Maho Beach.
Marigot
Marigot is the capital of the French collective of the island. Highlights here include shopping at the Marigot Market, its bustling marina, and plenty of stylish cafes and restaurants. Pop into the boutiques, chat with the locals, and enjoy the beauty of the Marina Royale as you explore.
Climb to the top of Fort Louis
North of Marigot is the formidable Fort Louis, which is the oldest monument on the island. It was built to protect Marigot from invaders and spot passing enemy ships. Today, a trip up Fort Louis promises the best view of the entire island. Snap photos and take in the fresh sea breeze from on high.
Swim the Waters of Grand Case Beach
The calmness of Grand Case Beach is a welcome break from the busier party beaches of St. Maarten like Maho Beach or Orient Beach on the French side of the island. Grand Case is ideal for family fun and a relaxed afternoon swim.
Top Food and Drink Spots
L'Escargo
96 Front St, St Maarten
You’ll know when you arrive at L’Escargot thanks to its colorfully painted exterior. French classics are the menu staples, where you can enjoy escargot served in butter and garlic or the signature sole meunière.
The Greenhouse
Simpson Bay, St Maarten
A meal at The Greenhouse offers the standard classics like chicken fingers, burgers and fries, steaks, and sandwiches. The portions are sizable and the mood is unpretentious and relaxed. On Monday and Thursday nights, all-you-can-eat ribs are the best seller here.
Lazy Lizard Beach Bar & Grill
Great Bay Beach 29 | Boardwalk
After a full day of swimming and time on the beach, you’re going to want a cold drink and a hot meal. Head to Lazy Lizard Beach Bar & Grill on the boardwalk for fried foods and sandwiches, whether you’re craving calamari, fish and chips, stewed oxtail, or a classic hamburger and fries combo.
Port Facilities & Location
It’s about a half-hour walk to get from the Philipsburg pier to the center of town. The port facilities for cruises to St. Maarten offer helpful amenities like ATMs, shops, a tourist information desk, taxi and rental car information, and restaurants if you’re hungry right when you get off the cruise ship.
Transportation
Most cruise passengers explore the town on foot or rely on taxis to get around. Bike rentals are also an option.
Shopping
There are souvenir shops available once you exit the cruise ship. Shopping in St. Maarten includes a lot of handmade jewelry, small shopping stands, and local vendors hawking their wares to tourists. Duty-free shopping can be found concentrated along Front Street.
Local Currency & Tipping Customs
Even though the area is ruled by both the Dutch and the French, U.S. dollars are commonly accepted and often preferred on cruises to St. Maarten to lessen any confusion. Otherwise, the French side accepts the euro while the Dutch side takes the Netherlands Antillean guilder. It’s good to have some cash with you, because not all ATMs accept foreign credit cards. When it comes to tipping, round up to the nearest bill for your taxi driver, and leave a few euros or dollars behind for excellent service in a restaurant.