Hotly anticipated and featuring some of the coolest innovations in cruise ship design, 2,918- passenger Celebrity Edge made her debut in late November 2018, cruising from Fort Lauderdale this winter on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. It’s been six years since Celebrity Cruises’ final Solstice-class ship was introduced and Edge — the first in a series of four ships set to debut through 2022 — takes the cruise line’s focus on modern luxury to a design level not previously seen at sea.

The most obvious evolution is Edge‘s outward-facing design, resulting in panoramic vistas from many areas of the ship — including most of the staterooms (81 percent of which have balconies). While the ship’s staterooms were designed by London-based Kelly Hoppen, a host of other innovative minds contributed to the creation of this visually stunning vessel. There is so much to love, but we’ve narrowed down the 12 coolest things aboard the new Celebrity Edge.

Eden

Imagine Adam and Eve as part of a modern dance troupe with post-Apocalyptic undertones and they’re set loose every night to play in a fantastical garden (with real plants and intimate nooks). Sounds trippy, right? Created by architect Scott Butler and interior designer Patricia Urquiola, this 12,650 square-foot space spans three decks at the aft of Celebrity Edge. And Eden certainly it is.

This immersive and interactive spot invites passengers to sip on nature-inspired cocktails — or dine on an innovative six-course tasting menu (at $65 per person) full of earthly delights created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher — as Eden becomes a stage for flesh-tone-leotard-clad performers sinfully leaping, crawling and swinging overhead with dramatic slow-motion finesse.

Or maybe it’s not your thing. If not, Eden by day is a calm and visually captivating space (it features 7,000 square feet of floor-to-ceiling glass) to read, drink coffee, enjoy a wine tasting or simply make new friends.

The Very Special Godmother

Passengers strolling through the Guest Relations area on Deck 3 may be surprised, as they spot her portrait on the wall, to discover the strong and resilient young woman that Celebrity chose to be Edge‘s godmother: Malala Yousafzai.

The now 21-year-old Pakistani human rights activist survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012 and was awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her work helping educate young girls via her Malala Fund (which the cruise line is supporting).

Celebrity Edge continues the company’s ongoing commitment to women; Celebrity is helmed by a woman, President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, who in turn hired the cruise industry’s first American female captain, Kate McCue.

Infinite Veranda Staterooms

The design of the ship’s new Edge Staterooms with Infinite Veranda ditches the standard sliding glass doors for something far better: chic bi-fold doors that when opened extend the stateroom outward and create a floor-to-ceiling view through the glass walls of the veranda. Celebrity Edge has 918 of them and not only does the curtain-less design fill the 243-square-foot cabin with light, but it makes it a chic haven with a view that you might have a hard time leaving.

Want fresh air? You can lower the top glass partition with the touch of a button — just be aware that the captain can close it from a command center in the bridge should adverse weather or rough seas occur.

Martini Glass Hot Tubs

On a ship overflowing with innovative design how do you set something as standard as a hot tub apart from the crowd? You elevate it. Celebrity hoisted the two hot tubs high over the Resort Deck’s pool area to create a visual resembling two swirling martini glasses — and give passengers enjoying a soak some pretty dynamic views.

The Magic Carpet

No, it’s not a water slide or a hookah lounge. This 1,937-square-foot bar/lounge/eatery is a semi-glass-walled cantilevered platform on Celebrity Edge‘s starboard side that can be raised and lowered to three of the ship’s decks, creating an over-the-water extension of different venues that can accommodate 100 people at a time.

When positioned on Deck 5, The Magic Carpet offers alfresco dining on fresh seafood at Raw on Five. On Deck 14, the cantilever adds a stylish lounge for cocktails and live music to the cabana-lined pool area and when on Deck 16 transforms into an alfresco dining experience known as Dinner on the Edge.

Jogging Track

Yawn, you say. Not so! This leaf-green, quarter-mile pathway that meanders around and up and down – yes you can get some hill work in — Decks 15 and 16, offering terrific views of the ship’s design and the surrounding sea.

The Edge Launches

When is a lifeboat more than a lifeboat? When it’s an Edge Launch. Designed specially for this ship — and as a complement to The Magic Carpet, from which passengers load onto the launches from Deck 2 — the eight launches are a more stylish and comfortable way to go ashore in tender ports. In fact, they were a collaboration between French yacht designer Marc Lombard and lifeboat manufacturer Palfinger Marine Safety AS.

The Rooftop Garden

Whimsy takes flight in this one-of-a-kind outdoor relaxation and dining space on Deck 15, decorated with metal and wood sculptures along with an array of live plants and flowers. The 8,073-square-foot area, inspired by childhood playgrounds and designed by British architect Tom Wright, is home to the Garden Café (a delightful spot for burgers or barbecue) and hosts scheduled concerts and movie screenings as well as pop-up live musical performances.

Eco-Friendly Initiatives

With Celebrity Edge, the cruise line has eliminated 90 percent of single-use plastics; straws are paper and water bottles are recyclable aluminum or glass. The ship also features a new parabolic bow design and micro bubbles that coat the hull to reduce friction — and make Edge 25 percent more fuel efficient than Celebrity’s Solstice-class ships.

The Grand Plaza

The martini glass theme continues in this dazzling, three-story atrium designed by Paris-based Jouin Manku that’s the social heart of the ship. It’s also home to the decadent Martini Bar, where talented mixologists defy gravity to create 31 intoxicating variations on the cocktail classic, including the Kale Martini. Don’t knock it until you’ve sipped it — it’s actually quite refreshing.

The Theatre

Accommodating 900 guests per performance, the 13,600-square-foot, two-level Theatre is the setting for nightly performances that mix multimedia images (on 10 giant screens that form a dynamic 120-foot panorama) with live performers on both the stage as well as two rotating lifts and two spiral staircases.

There are five productions in rotation, ranging from the musical energy of Hype (a musical tribute to Prince, Bowie, Bruno Mars and others) to A Hot Summer Night’s Dream (which mixes music, acrobatics and Shakespeare).

The App

Download the new Celebrity Cruises app and you can check in and get your Xpress Pass right on your smart phone, have deck plans right in the palm of your hand, use free guest-to-guest chat, keep a personal calendar of onboard activities, make dining and spa reservations, book shore excursions, control your stateroom temperature and lights and even use a digital key to unlock your stateroom door. And check out Edge Access for a cool behind-the-scenes 3D tour using augmented reality.

The post 12 Coolest Things Aboard the New Celebrity Edge appeared first on Islands.

Traveling abroad doesn’t always entail long, grueling flights in a cramped and dark metal tube. In fact, the journey to your destination never has to feel like a journey at all, when you take a Caribbean cruise. But what makes for the best Caribbean cruises?

Maybe it’s cruising past a once-active volcano. Or perhaps it’s sinking your feet and crinkling your toes in the warm, embracing sands of one of the myriad jaw-dropping Caribbean beaches. Perhaps it’s trying new cuisine or interacting with people from a culture you’ve never even heard of.

Regardless of your motivations for traveling to the Caribbean, relaxing and vacationing are the priorities, and the best cruises to the Caribbean will have that in mind, too. Here’s our list of the best Caribbean cruise lines that will have an itinerary suited for you.

Royal Caribbean International

Sailing from: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Cruise ship: Independence of the Seas

Itinerary: 5-night Western Caribbean Cruise

Destinations: Fort Lauderdale; Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica

Begin your adventure in Fort Lauderdale: The ship won’t leave until late afternoon, so you have most of the day for activities like visiting the Florida Everglades and shopping. After a day at sea, you’ll arrive in Labadee, Haiti, where you can zip-line 500 feet above the ground on the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line before indulging in local food. Your final destination is Falmouth, Jamaica, where you can go river-tubing or climb Dunn’s River Falls.

Onboard Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International makes sure boredom is not an option. There are three stories worth of water slides and a virtual-reality bungee trampoline, for starters. Hungry? Try everything from typical American fare to decadent, made-to-order Japanese cuisine at Izumi or juicy hand-cut steaks at Chop’s Grille. Entertainment and relaxing won’t be lacking either, as there’s a spa, shops, live shows and auctions, to name a few activities.

Princess Cruises

Sailing from: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Cruise ship: Sky Princess

Itinerary: 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise

Destinations: Fort Lauderdale; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico

Your ship will first take you to Grand Cayman of the Cayman Islands where you can explore George Town before snorkeling with stingrays. In Honduras, check out the over 2,700 iguanas at a local iguana farm. Then, in Belize, visit the125-animal zoo, or check out Mayan ruins dating back to 2000 B.C. Last but not least, Cozumel offers a look into Mexico’s history while offering attractions like a national park, beaches, Mayan ruins and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.

Sky Princess offers a multitude of entertainment and dining options, as well as activities to keep your entire group engaged, placing it among the best Caribbean cruise ships. There’s a newly released escape room you can try out, or attend cooking shows and wine-tastings. Feeling lucky? There’s a casino, too. Also onboard are live shows, outdoor movies, a spa, a fitness center and kids activities for ages 3 to 17, making for one of the best Caribbean islands cruises.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Sailing from: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Cruise ship: Viking Sea

Itinerary: 11-day West Indies Explorer

Destinations: San Juan; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Kitts (Basseterre), St. Kitts & Nevis; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; Roseau, Dominica; St. John’s, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Martin; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Starting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this Caribbean adventure will take you to eight other ports. Start in Tortola, and consider a forest hike or an offshore fishing trip. In St. Kitts, take in the views on a scenic, historic train ride. Then, in Bridgetown, visit Harrison’s Cave for an awe-inspiring site of stalagmites and stalactites (which one’s which, again?).

Day 7 of the voyage will take you to Roseau, where you can relax to the sounds of the flowing Indian River, as you travel by rowboat. St. John’s, your next port, offers a catamaran cruise with a lobster lunch and tours of historic Fort James. In Philipsburg, you can admire panoramic views from hundreds of feet above on a chairlift. Snorkel with sea turtles at your last port, St. Thomas, while engaging with other marine life.

Onboard Viking Sea, there’s a spa, a fitness center, shops, a salon, a myriad of restaurants, a theater, pools and a sports deck.

RELATED: 62 Thoughts Everyone Has on a Cruise

Silversea Cruises

Sailing from: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Cruise ship: Silver Wind

Itinerary: 11-day Fort Lauderdale round trip

Destinations: Fort Lauderdale; Long Island (Clarence Town), Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Nevis, St. Kitts (Charlestown) & Nevis; St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda; Gustavia, St. Barthélemy; Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

You’ll leave from Fort Lauderdale in the early evening and travel at sea for a day before arriving in Clarence Town where you can explore coral reefs teeming with life, beautiful beaches and waterfalls. After another day at sea, you’ll visit San Juan and its lively, vibrant culture and people. Charlestown is next on the itinerary, and, here, you can take to the salt again for an offshore fishing trip.

In St. John’s, go horseback riding, or break out the golf clubs at Cedar Valley. In Gustavia, you’ll likely be jaw-dropped from the abundance of personal luxury yachts at bay (all pale in comparison next to Silver Wind, though), but don’t forget to visit the red and white Gustavia Lighthouse. For your last port, you’ll visit Jost Van Dyke and its turquoise waters and idyllic beach scenes with palm trees and blinding white sand. Go snorkeling off this island’s shores.

Silver Wind has a boutique, a theater for live shows, a fitness center, a pool deck, multiple bars, lounges and restaurants, a spa, a library, a casino and a salon, to name a few amenities, making for one of the best tropical cruises.

Celebrity Cruises

Sailing from: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Cruise ship: Celebrity Reflection

Itinerary: 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Destinations: Fort Lauderdale; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Fort Lauderdale will play host to you and thousands of other passengers waiting to board Celebrity Reflection for this seven-night voyage. Here, you can explore beaches and have a relatively light day shopping, eating and enjoying South Florida life.

San Juan will be your first stop. Consider a trek through El Yunque National Forest, one of the most famous natural sites in the Caribbean in one of the best Caribbean cruise destinations. Day 4 will entail a stop on St. Thomas where not one culture reigns supreme: Danish, French, Spanish, West African and Caribbean influences can be seen all over the island. For your last stop in Philipsburg, prepare to go snorkeling in their crystal-clear, vibrant waters.

Aboard Celebrity Reflection, you’ll have the option to dine at a variety of restaurants, like the main Opus Restaurant that boasts “legendary” service. A martini bar and multiple lounges, among other onboard amenities, are also available for you to relax and enjoy life on the water outside your stateroom, making for one of the best cruises to the Caribbean islands.

Windstar Cruises

Sailing from: Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Cruise ship: Wind Surf

Itinerary: 7-day St. Maarten round trip

Destinations: Philipsburg; Tortola (Road Town), British Virgin Islands; Jost Van Dyke (Great Harbour), British Virgin Islands; Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; Road Bay, Anguilla; Gustavia, St. Barthélemy; Falmouth Harbour, Antigua

For your first stop, you’ll visit Road Town on the British Virgin Island of Tortola. Here, you can go snorkeling around Norman Island. On Jost Van Dyke, you have the option to go on a kayaking eco-tour. At Road Bay, enjoy true paradise on a relatively remote beach with delicious local food. When you get to Gustavia for your penultimate port, consider returning to the water on a catamaran adventure. At your last stop on Antigua, take a segway tour around Fort James.

Your Windstar Cruise aboard Wind Surf includes all meals in all venues at any hour and 24-hour room service, all non-alcoholic beverages and coffee, multiple restaurants and lounges to enjoy, of course multiple pools and a spa, among other amenities.

Holland America

Sailing from: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Cruise ship: Koningsdam

Itinerary: 10-day Southern Caribbean Seafarer

Destinations: Fort Lauderdale; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba

What better way to spend a day in the luxurious Bahamas than by going an eco-bike ride and hike, as you explore Half Moon Cay on a relaxed, wholesome experience. Change the pace when you arrive at Grand Turk: Try a thrilling dune-buggy safari that’ll take you to multiple sites with more energetic means than a bike ride. For those interested in culture in the D.R., visit Puerto Plata for its Victorian-style architecture, the rum factory and the Plastic Artists Art Galleries.

Bonaire is, perhaps, one of the lesser-known Caribbean stops, so a trip to King’s Warehouse & Cultural Park for a historic tour filled with panoramic views might be worth it. In Willemstad, a trolley train will take you on a 50-minute trip that takes you around many local sites, like Scharloo, a former Jewish neighborhood with buildings begging to be photographed. On Aruba for your final stop, consider exploring an underwater shipwreck on a submarine adventure.

From the Rolling Stone Rock Room and the Lincoln Center Stage providing live-music performances to a multitude of dining experiences, ranging from Northwestern American fare to pan-Asian cuisines, and a spa, Koningsdam has no shortage of onboard amenities to keep you engaged.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Sailing from: Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Cruise ship: Seabourn Odyssey

Itinerary: 7-day Classic Yachtsman’s Caribbean

Destinations: Philipsburg; Frenchman’s Cay, British Virgin Islands; Gustavia, St. Barthélemy; Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe; Castries, St. Lucia; Mayreau, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Bridgetown, Barbados

Your seven-day voyage will begin in Philipsburg: Go duty-free shopping before boarding. Then, on Frenchman’s Cay, take a self-driving safari and beach tour that’ll take you to Smugglers Beach, among other stops. In Gustavia, there are awe-inspiring beaches and now-dormant volcanic hills to explore. Basseterre has the Brimstone Hill Fortress that’s been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its 17th- and 18th-century military architecture.

On Guadeloupe, go clear-bottom kayaking, and become enamored with the natural marine world below. Castries is home to St. Lucia’s only rum distillery, so that’s a must-visit. On Mayreau, take a local boat to two islands for photo-ops galore. You’ll end your cruise in Bridgetown where you can explore the ocean waters while staying dry in a submarine on one of the top Caribbean cruises.

Restaurants, lounges, bars, a casino, a dance club and a sky bar are just a few of the features that highlight an engaging experience aboard Seabourn Odyssey.

The post Best Caribbean Cruises appeared first on Islands.

Easy-breezy or culturally curious? Indolent or adventurous? Gregarious or private? Here, we’ve compiled a dozen ships with high-romance IQs sailing to climates from tundra to tropical. Read on to find the best cruises for your honeymoon.

Best Caribbean Cruises – Big Ship

Ship: the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze from Carnival

What you’ll love: Newfangled extras here include a water park, a comedy club, a tequila bar and – no kidding – 5-D movies. For some respite, there’s an adults-only deck, too.

Where to take it: Six-day trips to the Eastern Caribbean call at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, where you can snorkel above a 7,000-foot drop-off. In Jamaica, climb the terraced Dunn’s River Falls, and ride a [snow-free] Jamaican bobsled. At Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, spend the day at Atlantis resort’s water park, or sample conch salad at downtown seafood shacks on one of the best honeymoon cruise packages.

Best Caribbean Cruises – Little Ship

Ship: the 312-passenger Wind Surf from Windstar Cruises

What you’ll love: The five-masted ship anchors in deserted bays where you can go swimming, kayaking or water skiing off the stern’s water-sports platform.

Where to take it: The seven-day Yachtsman’s Caribbean itinerary, a roundtrip from St. Maarten, island-hops in the British Virgin Islands. Go snorkeling on Tortola, swim around the Baths rock formations on Virgin Gorda, and have signature Painkiller cocktails on laid-back Jost Van Dyke, where an overnight call allows you to party late. Then, slip on your best sundress for a day amid the swanky set on St. Barth.

Best Mediterranean Cruises – Big Ship

Ship: the 2,886-passenger Celebrity Silhouette from Celebrity Cruises

What you’ll love: Walk barefoot on the real-grass lawn on the top deck, sample some of the 32 vintages at the wine bar, and take advantage of the DIY scrubs in the water-centric spa.

Where to take it: The eight-night Adriatic cruise starts out in Venice and makes its way around the Italian boot to Rome. En route, walk the walls belting the city of Dubrovnik, and make stops in Rijeka, Split, Corfu, Messina and Naples. In Italy, taste olive oil, cruise the Amalfi Coast, and visit the ruins of Pompeii.

Best Mediterranean Cruises – Little Ship

Ship: the 49-passenger Panorama from Variety Cruises

What you’ll love: The triple-masted yacht switches to sail power in the right conditions. When it stops in remote coves, you can swim right off the boat.

Where to take it: The eight-day Aegean Odyssey departs from and returns to Athens and visits freewheeling Greek islands, including Mykonos – where the ship overnights, allowing you to sample the area’s ouzo, “mezethes” (appetizers) and legendary nightlife – and Santorini. (Tip: Rent a moped, and hit the black-sand beaches.) Wander around tiny Delos, mythical home of the sun god Apollo, and Ephesus, which has the most magnificent ruins in the region.

Best Pacific Cruises – Big Ship

Ship: the 2,138-passenger Pride of America from Norwegian Cruise Line

What you’ll love: Shipboard diversions range from lei-making lessons with a Hawaiian expert to whale-watching from your balcony.

Where to take it: Based in Hawaii, the Pride visits four major islands on a roundtrip from Honolulu in weeklong tours. An overnight call in Maui allows you to catch the sunrise at Haleakala Crater, to drive the remote road to tranquil Hana or to snorkel offshore at Molokini. Watch the lava flow on the Big Island, and cruise Kauai’s rugged Na Pali Coast.

Best Pacific Cruises – Little Ship

Ship: The 332-passenger m/s Paul Gauguin from Paul Gauguin Cruises

What you’ll love: Get your scuba training on board, and find Nemo off the stern’s water-sports deck. Wind down afterward with a traditional Polynesian massage.

Where to take it: Tour Tahiti and the Society Islands on a seven-night cruise from Papeete to neighboring Raiatea and Tahaa, where you can visit a black-pearl farm, drift-snorkel or kayak a river canyon. Next, it’s on to legendary Bora Bora to snorkel or sail its blue lagoon.

Best Alaska Cruises – Big Ship

Ship: the 2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises

What you’ll love: Fresh from a dry-dock overhaul, the ship has three new restaurants, an outdoor movie screen and an adults-only sunning area. Don’t miss whale-watching between shots on the nine-hole putting course.

Where to take it: The 15-day Connoisseur Escorted cruise tour in Alaska combines a week afloat and a week in Denali National Park and on the Kenai Peninsula for a thorough exploration of the 49th state. Roam the tundra before sailing to the calving Hubbard Glacier. En route to Vancouver, Canada, canoe on a glacier lake in Juneau and hike a gold-rush trail in Skagway.

Best Alaska Cruises – Little Ship

Ship: the 74-passenger Wilderness Explorer from UnCruise Adventures

What you’ll love: This ship comes with commodious cabins and extra elbowroom in public spaces. You can stargaze from the hot tub and watch wildlife on the underwater TV channel.

Where to take it: The new Northern Passages & Glacier Bay tour from Juneau to Sitka spends three full days inside Glacier Bay National Park, where rangers and guides lead hiking treks and kayaking excursions. The Explorer pokes into passages bigger ships can’t, including Peril Strait, popular with otters, whales and bears, and Chichagof Island, where the coast is lined with waterfalls.

Best Bucket-list Cruises – Big Ship

Ship: the 848-passenger Crystal Symphony from Crystal Cruises

What you’ll love: The ship’s worldly dining options include a sushi bar by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, plus Italian and French restaurants. Sign up for a couples massage in the feng shui-designed spa.

Where to take it Start from Sydney, and venture along Australia’s east coast on this 13-night venture before ultimately concluding your tour in Bali. Along the way, you’ll stop by Airlie Beach, granting access to the Whitsunday Islands. Journey on for an overnight stay in Cairns, and explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. After stopping by Darwin on Day 9, you’ll spend the last three nights in Indonesia.

Best Bucket-list Cruises – Little Ship

Ship: the 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour II with Lindblad Expeditions

What you’ll love: Passage comes with yours-for-the-duration snorkeling gear, and kayaks are stowed on board for trips to deserted coves. After frolicking, don’t miss a treatment on the floating massage platform.

Where to take it Lindblad pioneered Galápagos Islands cruises, and a staff of five onboard naturalists and National Geographic photo instructors accompany its 10-day trips. Get as active or as lazy as you’d like: Options range from scuba diving to lounging poolside, with plenty of alone time rather than group herding. Catch the early-morning light from the summit of Bartolome Island, swim with a sea lion, and toast the sunset from the top deck.

Best Cruises for Ship Geeks – Big Ship

Ship: the 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International

What you’ll love: This is the floating home of nonstop wows: boardwalk games, a climbing wall, a surf pool, a 12,000-tree park, water shows with aerial acrobats and a three-level bar.

Where to take it: Eight-day trips to the Caribbean stop in Haiti, where you can gaze up at the ship from sea level aboard a WaveRunner; Falmouth, Jamaica, where you can poke around the gingerbread-trimmed buildings in the historic port; and Cozumel, Mexico, for snorkel stops and tangy margaritas. Best of all, you’ll have three full days at sea.

Best Cruises for Ship Geeks – Little Ship

Ship: the 84-passenger yacht Safari Endeavor from UnCruise Adventures

What you’ll love: This small ship offers a wine bar, hot tubs, a sauna, yoga classes, stand-up paddle-boarding and our favorite: hydrophones for listening to whales.

Where to take it: The Baja’s Bounty itinerary in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez explores the aquarium-like waters east of Baja, home to more than 800 species of fish and 20 kinds of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Though there are occasional shore calls for hiking, it’s largely about life on and in the water on one of the best cruise lines for honeymoons.

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20 Best Caribbean Cruises | 12 Over-The-Top Cruise Cabins | Best Cruises for Families

The post Is This a Cruise Ship or Resort? appeared first on Islands.

1. NEW OVERNIGHTS: Celebrity Cruises

Typically, cruising means no happy hours, sunsets or even dinners on dry land. Starting January 2016, Celebrity Cruises will give guests aboard 43 Caribbean itineraries, each 10 nights or longer, the chance to overnight in ports such as Aruba, Barbados, Cozumel, Curaçao, St. Maarten and Cartagena, Colombia. So go ahead — make a dinner reservation at Yemanja Woodfired Grill on Aruba, and keep the party going on St. Maarten, stopping by Kali’s Beach Bar for a shot of local-fruit-infused rum.

2. NEW SPA: Canyon Ranch SpaClub

The newest ship in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises‘ fleet, the 750-passenger Explorer — setting sail July 20, 2016, from Monte Carlo — will debut a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, hailed by company president Jason Montague as “the most luxurious at sea.” On deck five, it will feature an infrared sauna, aromatic steam room, a cold room designed to re-create the effect of icy swims, eight treatment rooms and an outdoor infinity-edge plunge pool. The new menu takes inspiration from across the globe: Atlantic Ocean sea salts are used in an exfoliating treatment, and a body cleanse features Moroccan mint tea and silt for detoxifying. These treatments will premiere on Explorer before transitioning to other ships in the fleet.

3. NEW PORT: Montserrat

Since the 1995 volcanic eruption, no cruise ship has returned to the Lesser Antilles island of Montserrat … until now. Starting Dec. 5, 2015, Windstar Cruises‘ Star Legend, which debuted in May,will stop at the new capital and port, Little Bay, which can welcome small ships only. Choose the Insights of Montserrat excursion, part of the San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands itinerary, to tour local villages and witness the long reach of the lava.

4. NEW PORT: Martinique

In early 2016, Disney Wonder, leaving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, will tour the Southern Caribbean, introducing a new stop at the French island of Martinique. Hailed as the “Flower of the Caribbean,” Martinique offers rainforest hikes and waterfall pool swims. The all-new itinerary will visit Barbados, Grenada, Antigua and St. Kitts.

5. NEW SHIP: Norwegian Escape

It’s home to the first at-sea Margaritaville bar and the new Waterfront, an open-air promenade leading to the Food Republic; order Asian-fusion cuisine via iPads. (Not to mention, you can choose from 120 bottles of wine.)

6. NEW SHIP: Encore

Seabourn’s newest ship sails Dec. 4, 2016, and it will be the largest in the small-ship fleet. Restaurateur Thomas Keller, of California’s The French Laundry, brings his famed fare on board.

The post 6 Best New Cruises in 2016 appeared first on Islands.

Try one of Windstar Cruises’ relatively small vessels, accommodating around only 300 passengers; other cruises will have you packed tightly with upward of 2,000 or more. Looking to never run out of food options while at sea? Venture out with Norwegian Cruise Line and its 15 eat-and-drink options on Norwegian Dawn. Each of these Aruba cruises also has more than enough shore excursions suitable for almost any age group, accommodating most budgets.

Here are five of our favorite cruises that visit Aruba.

Windward Ways & Tobago Cays – Windstar Cruises

Traverse the Windward and ABC islands on this seven-day adventure aboard Wind Surf, Windward Cruises‘ flagship sailing ship. Along with 300 other passengers, you’ll depart from Barbados, stop by Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Bonaire and Curaçao before arriving in Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba.

Along the way, you’ll stop by four colonial towns, two of which are UNESCO-listed, have an opportunity to snorkel the coral reefs of Tobago Cay, see exotic birds and attend an exclusive beach party on Mayreau. Additionally, you’ll have 22 shore excursions available along the six stops. Activities range from boating, watersports, sightseeing and exploring wildlife, costing anywhere from $35 to $500 and lasting between one and five hours.

Southern Caribbean Cruise – Celebrity Cruises

Join 2,200 other passengers on Celebrity Summit for a seven-night cruise that will take you from Puerto Rico to St. Kitts and Nevis, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire and back. Onboard, dine in one of three elegant restaurants, including one exclusive for the suite class. Shop for fine jewelry and the most fashionable clothes on the European-inspired piazza. There is also an alfresco movie theater, bars, lounges and an adults-only solarium.

Boredom won’t be a part of your vocabulary on this cruise: Each port this Celebrity Cruises vessel stop at, including Puerto Rico, has 20 excursions available each. These opportunities include horseback riding, glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling, beach tours, a sunset cocktail cruise, hiking and more.

If you want to burn off the calories gained from either at sea or from an island, don’t worry: There’s also a jogging track that’s built around Celebrity Summit‘s top deck.

Southern Caribbean Cruise – Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas will take you on a nine-night expedition in the Southern Caribbean. Departing from Miami, Florida, this ship will stop at four ports before returning to South Florida: Labadee, Haiti; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Kralendijk, Bonaire.

Passengers onboard won’t have to worry about getting bored during their four days at sea. In addition to four restaurants — a 10-plus-year-old steakhouse, a casual Italian trattoria, a made-to-order sushi restaurant and a nostalgic American eatery — Explorer of the Seas also has four primary attractions: a 40-foot rock-climbing wall, the 40-foot-long FlowRider surf simulator, a mini-golf course and an ice-skating rink.

Not enough for you? Join fellow passengers at the varied live-entertainment opportunities. “Invitation to Dance” is the cruise line’s take on “Dancing with the Stars,” wherein a select few guests are taught ballroom and Latin dance. “Fast Forward” is a trip down memory lane, showcasing the best movies and musicals from the ‘80s. Lastly, “Spirits of the Season” is an ice show inspired by each of the four seasons.

Southern Caribbean Medley – Princess Cruises

Aboard Crown Princess, you’ll embark on a 10-day exploration of six Southern Caribbean islands in a round trip beginning in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The first destination is Aruba; afterward, you’ll hit Curaçao, Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Grand Turk of Turks and Caicos.

Never go hungry on this Princess Cruises voyage with 10 eat-and-drink options on this 3,080-passenger ship, including a steakhouse, a wine bar, a buffet and an Italian eatery. Stay active with one of your favorite sports, as Crown Princess has basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, too. Avoiding physical activity? Visit the photography studio, go shopping, admire an art gallery, win a prize at an auction, try your luck at the casino, or dance away at the nightclub.

At each of your six stops, there are also plenty of excursion options, ranging from snorkeling in Aruba, an off-road adventure exploring caves and ostrich farms in Curaçao and an eco-hike on St. Thomas.

Southern Caribbean from Tampa – Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line will take you aboard its Norwegian Dawn for a 14-day expedition across a variety of Southern Caribbean islands. You’ll begin your roundtrip journey by departing from Tampa, Florida, before hitting eight different ports: George Town on Grand Cayman; Aruba’s capital of Oranjestad; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John’s, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Enjoy an attentive staff aboard this 2,340-passenger cruise ship, as the passenger-to-crew ratio is almost 2:1. Enjoy 15 eat-and-drink options, revel in the ship’s three shows focusing on song and dance, or find ultimate relaxation with one of 36 spa-treatment options.

When you’re not enjoying yourself aboard on one of your five days at sea, there are a plethora of shore excursions at each port — 116 total, to be exact. Go scuba diving off the shores of George Town, exploring a nearby coral reef; venture into Harrison’s Cave, considered one of the world’s best caves, in Bridgetown; or step onto a submarine to get a dry-but-personal close-up of local marine life.

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After stopping in Old San Juan, traverse over one of three bridges leading to mainland Puerto Rico. Venture along the cobblestone streets, and visit historic sites like forts and the district’s massive city wall. El Yunque, the island’s national forest, is also a site for nature-lovers to visit before leaving. Many of these are cruises to Puerto Rico from Miami, so be ready to experience a nightlife and urban culture almost unlike any other.

Here are the best Puerto Rican cruises that either begin or include a stop in Puerto Rico.

San Juan & the Virgin Islands – Windstar Cruises

Travel aboard Star Legend with only 200 other passengers on this seven-day, roundtrip cruise that departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico. After embarking on this Windstar Cruises voyage, you’ll stop at six other ports, including Vieques, Puerto Rico; Gustavia, St. Barthélemy; Little Bay, Monsterrat, British West Indies; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands; and Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands.

Explore more than 400 restored Spanish colonial buildings in San Juan before starting your Caribbean expedition. Visit El Morro’s 16th-century ramparts, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or go on a hike in Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest.

At each of this voyage’s stops, there are opportunities for excursions — 26 in total. They range from $55 to $625 and can last from one to five hours. Among the possible excursions are kayaking, snorkeling and ATV adventures.

Caribbean Melody – Oceania Cruises

Starting from the bustling shores of Miami, you’ll embark on Insignia for a 10-day adventure that’ll see stops at six other ports: Gustavia, St. Barts; Fort-de-France, Martinique; Castries, St. Lucia; Basseterre, St. Kitts; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Onboard this Oceania Cruises voyage, there are 12 eat-and-drink options, ranging from bars, restaurants, lounges and cafés. Check out the artist loft for guided painting, sketching and more. There are also three boutiques to purchase duty-free items, a spa, a casino, four live-entertainment shows, a library with over 2,000 books, a pool, two whirlpool spas and a sports deck with a putting green, shuffleboard and a fitness track.

In total, there are 45 excursions across the six stops, with the most happening on St. Kitts. Visit botanical gardens, go on jeep tours, hike through El Yunque, or go on an ATV tour. Whatever your fancy, there’s bound to be something that’ll catch your interest.

Eastern Caribbean from Miami – Carnival

This Eastern Caribbean Carnival cruise takes you to four other ports in its roundtrip that begins in Miami, Florida. The seven-day voyage will include stops in the Dominican Republic (Amber Cove), the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Puerto Rico (San Juan) and Turks and Caicos (Grand Turk).

You’ll travel on Carnival Conquest with a crew of 1,100. In addition to a seemingly never-ending, twisting water slide, there’s also a comedy club, an adults-only area, 10 eat-and-drink options and live musical entertainment.

Excursions at each port range from dune-buggy rides in the D.R. and exploring fortresses in San Juan to parasailing off the coast of St. Thomas and snorkeling off Grand Turk.

Southern Caribbean Cruise – Celebrity Cruises

Join 2,200 other passengers aboard Celebrity Summit on this seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise. You’ll embark on this roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and hit five other ports: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Johns, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis.

Never be bored on this Celebrity Cruises voyage that has you and your group at sea for only one day out of the entire trip. At each port you stop at, there are 20 excursions each, including 20 from your departing port. Experience anything from rum tastings and eating seafood to snorkeling, island tours and horseback riding.

For the time you are on Celebrity Summit, enjoy six eat-and-drink options, a top-deck, al fresco area for movies, a kids club for the younger members of the party, a casino, an art gallery, a fitness center, shopping and an adults-only spot when you need to simply get away.

Caribbean and Antilles – MSC Cruises

Aboard MSC Seaside, you’ll embark on a unique itinerary that’ll depart from Miami, Florida, and return there midway through the voyage before ultimately ending there.

This 15-day, 14-night adventure will stop at nine ports, including a two-day stop in Puerto Rico: Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Nassau, Bahamas; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas; Miami, Florida.

Across this MSC Cruises’ cruise from Miami to Puerto Rico, there are 188 excursions, with the most (45) occurring in Cozumel. From snorkeling and bamboo rafting to exploring Mayan ruins and experiencing tequila tours and tastings, there’s an abundance of activities fit for anyone’s tastes.

Eastern Caribbean – Holland America Line

Visit Puerto Rico and three other Eastern Caribbean islands on this seven-day cruise, as Nieuw Statendam takes you and your group on a roundtrip that begins in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and visits Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.

Boredom aboard won’t be a concern on this Holland America Line voyage. There’s a variety of live-music opportunities, including genres like rock ‘n roll, the blues and orchestra. Head over to the Microsoft Studio to compile a photo gallery or a video from your memorable cruise experience, or visit the spa to unwind with the ocean’s waters around you.

In total, there are 11 eat-and-drink options, including 24-hour room service, New York-style pizza and French, Italian and Japanese cuisines. Want to get more hands-on with your food? Check out America’s Test Kitchen for live, onboard cooking shows and workshops.

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While you could fly to Oahu and spend a few days in Honolulu, you won’t get the full experience of what the Hawaiian islands have to offer. The best way to experience this isolated U.S. state is to go on cruises in Hawaii. Live in Canada? There are plenty of roundtrip Hawaiian cruises that start in Vancouver. They are among the best Hawaiian cruises, giving you a chance to explore two countries and different cultures.

Read on for our list of Hawaiian island cruises that will leave you with lifetime-lasting memories.

Hawaiian Cruise from Honolulu to Vancouver – Disney Cruise Line

Embark on a 10-night journey aboard Disney Wonder, hitting five Hawaiian ports before enjoying a relaxing five days at sea on the way to Vancouver.

In Honolulu, check out the Dole Plantation and its pineapple exhibits. Careful when visiting Hilo, as there are two active volcanoes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In Nawiliwili, try to stay dry near Mount Wai’ale’ale, the second-wettest place on the planet. A stop at Kahului isn’t complete without a visit to Kanaha Beach Park, a place for swimming, sunbathing and picnics.

Disney Wonder will keep you entertained while at sea, too, with Broadway musicals, three themed pools, a spa and a boutique, among many other amenities.

Hawaii, Round-trip Honolulu – Norwegian Cruise Line

Aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, you’ll embark on a seven-day itinerary that begins and ends in Honolulu and stops at four other ports: Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; Kona, Hawaii; and Nawiliwili, Kaua’i.

In Honolulu, consider going on a Pearl Harbor tour and visiting a memorial to the sunken USS Arizona. Kahului offers the chance to taste local cuisine or discover how Hawaii’s best-selling vodka is made. How about a 4.5-mile, six-hour hike to see Hilo’s waterfalls? At your next stop, visit Kona’s black-sand beach. Saving the best for last, check out Luau Kalamaku on Nawiliwili for delicious local foods and authentic cultural showcases.

Pride of America was refurbished in 2016 after debuting in 2005. It fits 2,186 passengers and has a crew of 927.

Hawaiian Islands – Princess Cruises

Embarking from Vancouver, Canada, you’ll start your journey with five nights at sea aboard Pacific Princess before hitting three ports and ending your journey in Honolulu.

Before departing Canada in the late afternoon, visit the second-largest Chinatown in North America. On Maui, spot humpback whales, and consider traversing the Haleakala National Park with photo-op vistas. Try snorkeling to get a glimpse at the wondrous marine life off the shores of Kauai. On Hilo, visiting the 442-foot Akaka Falls is worth it for the sight alone. Lastly, when at your final destination, visit Hawaiian royalty at Iolani Palace.

Onboard Pacific Princess, Princess Cruises makes sure its travelers are taken care of in every way. This ship was refurbished in June 2019 and holds 670 passengers and 375 crew. It has 10 dining options, and activities include a writing room, a golf practice cage, shops, a Las Vegas-style casino, fitness classes, a spa and more.

Hawaii from San Diego – Carnival Cruise Line

Take to the salt from San Diego, California, and spend a 15-day vacation aboard Carnival Miracle traveling to Hawaii before returning to the mainland on one of the best cruises to Hawaii.

For your first stop on Maui, you can enjoy whale-watching and conch shell-supported luaus. Next up is Hawaii’s capital and largest city, Honolulu. There, head to the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn the long, majestic history of Hawaii. On Kauai, embrace nature, as you explore Kokee Forest Reserve and Poipu Beach. Explore sea caves while on Kona, and take in the aftermath of a past volcano eruption.

After the Hawaii tour, spend four day at sea before making one final, quick stop in the Mexican city of Ensenada before returning to San Diego. Indulge in local wine and cheese, as you take in the sites of the Guadalupe Valley.

On board Carnival Miracle, partake in a lip-sync battle, visit the Cherry On Top candy store, have a beer at the SkyBox Sports Bar, or play your favorite games, like Connect 4 and Yahtzee, but giant versions of them.

Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas – Holland America Line

Looking for that ultimate getaway? One that really takes you away from all your worries and responsibilities and puts you on a boat to explore 12 different ports over 32 days? This Holland America Line cruising adventure aboard Zaandam is for you.

Startin San Diego, and relax at sea for Days 2 to 6 before arriving in Hilo. Spend the day there before moving to Honolulu for the next two days. Your next stop is then Lahaina for the day. Two more days at sea will take you away from U.S. waters to Kiritimati (Christmas Island), just northwest of Australia.

Days 15 and 16 will be the start of the French Polynesia tour, beginning in Bora Bora. You’ll continue on to Raiatea, Society Islands, on Day 17. The next two days will be spent in Papeete, French Polynesia, before an early-morning trip to Moorea. Day 20 will be held on Avatoru, Rangiroa, and Day 21 is on Fakarava, Tuamotu. Days 23 and 24 take place in Hapatoni, Tahuata, Marquesas, and Taiohae, Nuka Hiva, before the journey back stateside for the next seven days.

You’ll share in this journey with 1,400 other guests. So, be prepared for the on-ship casino to be filled. Perhaps you’ll have to wait a little extra for a massage at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon. There is certainly no limit to how much you can spend, however, as onboard shopping is available.

Hawaii Cruise – Royal Caribbean International

Cruise the Hawaiian islands on a 10-night cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas that will take you from Oahu to Maui, Kailua Kona, Kauai and Hilo before ultimately ending in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Before you even leave from Honolulu, the state’s capital city, schedule a snorkeling tour in crystal-clear waters with a variety of marine life. Then, embark on your cruise where you’ll first stop at the former-whaling-village-turned-tourist-site of Lahaina. Day 3 will be spent at Kailua Kona where you can peer into the lives of Hawaiian royalty at the Hulihee Palace, formerly a vacation home for royalty but now a museum.

In Kauai, visit Wailua Falls without having to stress about a hike. You’ll also have a chance to see Alekoko Fishpond, a nearly 1,000-year-old, Hawaiian fishpond that is said to have been built in one night. In Hilo, check out 24-acre Liliuokalani Gardens, the largest authentic, ornamental Japanese garden outside Japan. Days 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are then spent at sea before you ultimately arrive in Canada on Day 11.

From live stage performances and dive-in movies above the main pool area to a variety of cuisines, including Japanese and Italian, and a full-service salon and spa, there will always be something for you to do aboard Radiance of the Seas.

Hawaii Cruise – Celebrity Cruises

Take 10 days out of your busy schedule to unwind and detach from your regular routine, and tour the islands of Hawaii. Start in Honolulu before stopping in Lahaina, Hilo and Kailua Kona before ultimately concluding the adventure in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The journey begins with an overnight stay in Honolulu. There, you can visit the Honolulu Museum of Art and admire cultural landscapes, Asian art and Polynesian artifacts. In Lahaina, take a helicopter tour that hovers above dormant Haleakala volcano. Hilo is for those who stand in awe at waterfalls, as it is home to Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls. For your last stop in Hawaii, Kailua Kona will sate coffee lovers and snorkelers alike.

Aboard Celebrity Solstice, you’ll join 2,800 other passengers. Enjoy the martini bar, two lounges, three restaurants, a casino, a fitness center, an artificial lawn, outdoor movies, an art gallery, shopping and an adults-only solarium.

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