Experience the Caribbean with Norwegian Cruise Line

If you’re interested in a Caribbean vacation, Norwegian Cruise Line has your bases covered with seven departure ports close to home.

Choices consist of everything from short four-day Cuban getaways to two-week grand voyages.

Travelers can opt from a dozen ships to easily embark from Miami, Port Canaveral and Tampa in Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; Boston, Massachusetts; New York City, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Popular vessels such as the Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape journey on the likes of classic western, eastern and southern itineraries.

New to the region will soon be the line’s latest Norwegian Bliss following its inaugural season in Alaska this year. By the fall of 2018, the ship—complete with two-level electric-car racetrack and pair of double-decker observation lounges—will be sailing the Caribbean from Miami. Its seven-day eastern route will call on St. Thomas, Tortola and Nassau and feature three relaxing sea days.

Speaking of specific destinations, Cuba remains a hot ticket, so much so that Norwegian sends two ships to the capital of Havana roundtrip from Florida. The Norwegian Sky leaves from Miami, and the Norwegian Sun leaves from both Miami and Port Canaveral.

In fact, the company recently added extended seven, nine and 13-day cruises to Cuba that dive deeper in the Caribbean to ports including both Great Stirrup Cay and Harvest Caye in a single itinerary.

Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian’s original private island in the Bahamas, and Harvest Caye is the line’s newest exclusive destination in Belize. I myself have had the chance to visit the two of them, and they are exquisite.

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Harvest Caye is the most extensive with its own dock for super quick access. The isle features beautiful beaches, shops, a massive swimming pool, splash park, nature center, luxurious bungalows, LandShark Bar & Grill restaurant and Flighthouse activity hub of zip-line and ropes courses. There are even the means to transfer to the mainland for touring Mayan ruins.

Great Stirrup Cay requires tendering ashore but has been updated itself to more closely resemble Harvest. Even without zip-lines, an eco-center, pool and splash zone, the island’s beaches are pristine, and its new dining options are delicious. Unique here is the Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Trail Adventure with 30 underwater sculptures to be discovered. Of course, wonderful private villas are also available.

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Elsewhere in the Caribbean, there are plenty of other architectural, cultural, historical and natural delights to be explored, and you can be sure no amount of hurricane damage has kept any of them permanently down. Now’s the time to head to the region as it’s very much on the rebound.

Think of all the tropical cities and countries that await your oceanic arrival from Bridgetown, Barbados and Basseterre, St. Kitts to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and George Town, Grand Cayman. Passengers may venture out to shop, sightsee, hike, snorkel, dine, swim, fish, zip-line, tube or simply tan on the beach, but they know their home away from home awaits at the end of the day.

Back onboard Norwegian Cruise Line is always a whole other world of plush accommodations, engaging activities, fine dining and exciting entertainment—and that’s a given in the Caribbean and beyond.