🇩🇴 La Romana
La Romana itself is rather unremarkable – and the city near the port is considered a bit unsafe, so it’s best to leave valuables on board. The real highlight is Isla Saona. The catamaran ride itself is an experience: turquoise waters, Caribbean music, and drinks on board. On the island, you’ll find stunning beaches, palm trees, and crystal-clear water. I even spotted starfish in the sea – a truly unforgettable moment!
👉 Tip: Book the excursion through the ship to ensure you return on time. If you prefer to go independently, a taxi (~25 minutes, around 30 USD) will take you to Bayahibe Beach, which is also beautiful and more relaxed.
Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)
€1 ≈ 75 DOP
Cruise Port
The pool at the port in La Romana is free to use.
Isla Saona
I sent my drone into the Caribbean sky and it captured this — the breathtaking calm of Isla Saona’s shoreline.
Sandbank
We stopped at this hidden sandbank near Isla Saona — waist-deep in turquoise water, surrounded by gentle waves and colorful starfish. Pure magic.
🇧🇧 Barbados
Barbados is very easy to explore on your own. A taxi (~10 min, around €12) takes you to Carlisle Bay, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. If you prefer, you can also walk from the port – about 20–25 minutes – which is perfect if you want to stroll through town a bit before hitting the water.
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for around 20 USD. Bring your own snorkel set – you’ll often see turtles and colorful fish right from the shore. For more adventure, there are also small boat trips and watersports.
Currency: Barbadian Dollar (BBD)
€1 ≈ 2.35 BBD
Turtles
I couldn’t believe how close you can get to the sea turtles in Barbados — they swim gracefully just a few meters from the beach.
🇱🇨 St. Lucia
St. Lucia is one of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean. Its iconic Pitons – two majestic volcanic peaks – are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Castries (the port), it takes about 1.5 hours by car to reach viewpoints or nearby beaches.
Popular are catamaran tours, offering stunning views of the Pitons from the sea. You can also book combined tours that include beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls.
👉 Tip: Book these excursions through the ship to ensure a smooth return, as distances on the island are long.
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
€1 ≈ 3.18 XCD
Pitons Beach
Pitons Beach, St. Lucia — where mountains meet the sea.
Viewpoint
St. Lucia from above — pure island magic
🇰🇳 St. Kitts
On St. Kitts, the Sugar Train is very popular – an old railway that takes you through the lush landscape along the coast. Some cruise lines offer the excursion directly.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi at the port (approx. 20–25 €/hour). Highlights include the Brimstone Hill Fortress (entrance ~13 €) and the Timothy Hill viewpoint, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea. Beaches are also reachable within 20–30 minutes.
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
€1 ≈ 3.18 XCD
St. Kitts viewpoint
The famous St. Kitts viewpoint — where you can see both volcanoes, Mount Liamuiga and Mount Nevis, divided by turquoise waters.
🇦🇬 Antigua
Antigua has 365 beaches, one for every day of the year! Many are reachable in 15–30 minutes by taxi (16–25 € per trip).
Highlight: Stingray City Adventure, where you can swim with gentle stingrays. Many ships offer this excursion, or you can book it independently online. Tip: Book in advance – it’s almost impossible to secure a spot last minute.
For a relaxing day, head to Dickenson Bay Beach, home to the famous red telephone booth – perfect for photos and swimming.
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
€1 ≈ 3.18 XCD
Phone calls
Antigua calls — straight from the beach!
Dickenson Bay
The iconic red phone booth on Dickenson Bay, Antigua — a fun twist on a Caribbean beach.
🇲🇶 Martinique (Fort-de-France)
Martinique is part of France, so everything is in Euros. The port area itself isn’t very interesting to explore. Better options are a visit to a rum distillery (entrance ~9–10 €) or a scenic island tour. Beaches are reachable by taxi or ferry in 20–30 minutes. Enjoy French pastries and cafés – the Caribbean with a Parisian touch!
I went on a day trip in Martinique, visiting a charming church by the beach and then heading to see the statues of monks. Both spots were beautiful and made for a memorable outing.
Currency: Euro (EUR)
€1 = €1
The church
The church is in the village of Anses‑d’Arlet on the west coast of Martinique.
Statues of monks
Église Saint‑Henri des Anses‑d’Arlet
The church is pictured as one of the most photographed spots on Martinique because of its perfect alignment with the pier and sea.
🇸🇽 St. Maarten / St. Martin
Right at the port is Great Bay Beach, which is really lovely. If you just want a relaxed beach day, this is more than enough. Chairs and umbrellas are around 20 USD.
For more excitement, take a taxi (~25 min, ~20 €) to the famous Maho Beach, where planes fly just meters above the sand. Spectacular, but loud and windy – have your camera ready!
Currency: Dutch side = U.S. Dollar (USD) / French side = Euro (EUR)
€1 ≈ 1.08 USD
Maho Beach
On Maho Beach in Sint Maarten: where turquoise water meets towering jets overhead — every landing feels like a show.
Great Bay Beach
The beach is directly adjacent to the cruise ship port, making it very accessible for visitors arriving by ship. From the cruise port you can walk approximately 10‑15 minutes.
🇻🇬 Tortola (British Virgin Islands)
Road Town is small, but Cane Garden Bay and Brewers Bay are amazing beaches (~20 min taxi, 12 €).
I had the chance to join a catamaran excursion myself, and it was absolutely beautiful. We saw turtles, some guests spotted stingrays, and the local guides created a fun atmosphere with music and rum punch – pure Caribbean vibes!
The ultimate highlight is the Baths on Virgin Gorda: huge granite boulders forming pools and caves. Entrance is ~3 €, plus boat/ferry from ~70 €. Totally worth it.
Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD)
€1 ≈ 1.08 USD
Catamaran excursion
The sea breeze, snorkeling stops, and island views made it one of the most magical days