Upon awakening, you peel back the blinds that so effortlessly blocked out the bright shining waters.
As you do, you reveal a Southern Caribbean destination with sand so white you’d swear it’s sugar sand.
Coffee service in the morning in our sky cabin suite, before heading out for the day is one priceless luxury.
The ability to sip and sustain swaying palm trees and glistening sun-kissed waters.
It’s about living in the moment.
However, if you think it’s a 7 day cruise, thing again, 10 days it the ultimate in cruising to these destinations.
Cruising is hands-down one of my favorite ways to travel.
However, admittedly I prefer an upscale cruise with all the amenities, as I am that ‘luxury-loving’ gal.
Cruises are a time to be spoiled and unpacking once is just one of the luxuries I enjoy most about the venue.
I do have 5 Southern Caribbean destinations I want to visit on my luxury cruise.
Cruising is about a spinning globe of stops and a sky suite with everything in it, that one could crave!
5 Southern Caribbean Destinations I Want To Visit On My Next Luxury Cruise
10 Days Because 7 Is Not Enough
Boarding an elegant ship means exploration and life on-board.
Truly, I have learned that one can not enjoy the ambiance, the hidden gems of the ship if you are only on for 7 days.
I love when we set sail and it takes a day or 2 to reach destination 1.
Every time we cruise we increase our increment of sea legs!
We (my husband and I), stroll the decks, seek out every restaurant and bar area and of course the cinema.
Submerging ourselves in the ambiance is our daily task.
How? Each day a different drink from a different bar, a stop at the pool, and testing out each side of the ship for scenery.
Unpacking is so easy because we will visit several destinations but unpack only once, that is priceless.
Cabins Matter
Cabins matter so we are seeking that perfect Cabin-Sky Suite on the Reflection on Celebrity Cruises.
Why? A covered balcony, and plenty of storage and room to get ready in for each day.
Spaciousness is not always an option when cruising, so we tend to do research a lot ahead of our trip.
We’ve been on cruises that are great and those that are ‘eh’.
It’s true, I always overpack and I will own up to it.
However, when there’s plentiful storage, it does not matter!
Perks On A Cruise – Allegiance to Brand Matters
Further, we’ve learned about the clubs on floors with round the clock alcohol and appetizers.
Now, because we like to ‘sip sip hooray’ the alcohol and appetizers are abundant and delectable so a little perk we love!
On our last trip, we were asked not to ‘photo’ so all I can tell you, “the more you are brand allegiant, you will experience if your brand offers this as not all do, sorry!”
5 Southern Caribbean Destinations I Want To Visit On My Next Luxury Cruise
Antigua
After a few days of sailing we arrive at St. Johns, Antigua.
Somehow I am in disbelief we have not visited here, and not sure how that is possible.
The country named by Christopher Columbus and suddenly we will be able to discover over 365 beaches.
Wait, how are we going to see them all?
There are so many cliffs and bays, and a lush rain-forest, this is a tropical paradise.
We will start our day with snorkeling over the coral reefs.
Then we are going to take a scenic catamaran sail to see as much as we can.
To round out this stop, shopping, and European cuisine.
Did I mention that shopping here is offered ‘duty-free’? Time to fill up our Sky Cabin storage right?
Barbados
Our next stop is at Bridgetown, Barbados.
Actually, we spent a little time here, but the anticipated weather was to be bad, so our Captain shortened the stay.
We have scheduled the walking tour of Bridgetown because we love to adventure and sometimes its more experiential this way.
Not rushed, just with the ability to smell the scents of the area and appreciate the culture, for our brief stay.
Later, we will schedule a Champagne Catamaran sail to toast off our day enjoying the crystal clear waters found in Barbados.
We will sip and tempt our taste-buds with premium open bar libations and appetizers.
As the breeze passes through our hair and across our faces, we capture that moment.
Alas, we will look to the horizon and observe the sun slowly setting while snapping selfies and pictures so many in number I won’t be able to count!
Santa Lucia
Castries, Santa Lucia is a port on my mind.
My chosen excursion will include an Exotic Garden Beach tour at the Stoney Hill Estate.
3 acres of lush, blooming local flora.
The ending note, an elegant, orchid garden, and a rich photo opportunity to pack in our archived memories.
After the tour, it’s time to Pigeon Island National Park.
I understand that there are crystal-clear turquoise waters that will beckon the bikini!
Before leaving Santa Lucia, I will be purchasing some local spices, of course duty free and super fresh!
Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
I was supposed to travel here a few times before, but this time I will be there.
We are ready to explore both the French and English colonial architecture and the famed beaches.
Having read that there are soaring mountain peaks, we just want to explore and see with our own eyes!
Shopping at this destination will be at the Circus.
No, I am not kidding, it’s a roundabout that is skirted with local shops of every sort.
After shopping for local treats, we will saunter to Independence Square for photo opportunities and enjoyment of the courthouse and cathedral.
They are so Instagram-worthy and a quintessential part of this trip!
UNESCO Heritage Site Visit
With every cruise we take, we like to seek out at least one UNESCO World Heritage site.
For this port of call, we will try to take the tour of Brimstone Hill Fortress.
Why? It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. In fact it is 750 feet above the Caribbean.
We visit as many UNESCO World Heritage sites as we can on all of our trips. Kind of a bucket list thing.
If we have time, we want to ride the train to enjoy the scenery so we miss nothing. (St. Kitts Scenic Railway Tour)
St Maarten
Ah, St. Maarten, what devastation she suffered, but she’s back at about 70%.
We’ve spent 8 days here on a previous vacation, so I know what we really want to do!
The Dutch side is rebuilding faster than the French side, but she’s coming back to life.
I can’t wait to shop, support and absorb my time in the area.
The area is split between the Dutch and The Netherlands (Sint Maarten) and has been since the 17th century 2 cultures in the area.
Our adventure here will be 4×4.
We want to drive and absorb. Seeking Maho Beach, Orient Beach, Friars Bay Beach and Marigot.
Of course, since we have the Jeep, we are planning on finding our own spots as well.
End of day activities are to include a feast in Marigot to experience sophisticated cuisine that is French with a Caribbean twist.
The Truth In Luxury Cruising
While my story of planning out the perfect 10-day cruise has come to an end, my journey has not yet begun.
Luxury starts the moment we enter the ship to the moment we exit.
There’s nothing we will need or want that won’t be met in our 5 Southern Caribbean Destinations I Want To Visit On My Next Luxury Cruise.
Where is your favorite cruise destination? What is the brand you choose?