If You Build It, They Will Cruise

Caribbean ports designed and built just for you.

ne of the things people love most about cruising is the variety of ports that can be visited on a single voyage. In fact, many travelers plan their cruises based on the itinerary and its destinations.

As the popularity of cruising has grown, so has the need for more ports of call with better facilities. In much of the world, cruise ships have added new destinations by using commercial port facilities in cities without cruise-specific terminals. If a city or town has good port facilities, amenities, and easy access to fun or interesting things to do, one or more cruise ships probably visit.

However, in the Caribbean — the world’s most popular cruise destination — cruise ships were already visiting most of the islands and towns with sufficient facilities by the turn of this century. And since local governments often lack the funds needed to build new port facilities, demand for new ports far exceeds what could be developed locally.

To address this demand, cruise lines themselves began building their own ports of call, investing millions of dollars into resortstyle facilities ashore. Boasting amazing pools and exciting shoreside activities, these ports are built exclusively for cruise passengers. The locations provide easy access to historical towns, lush countrysides, and gorgeous beaches; and nearby communities have grown to support those working in the shops, bars, restaurants, and other facilities used by the cruise ship guests.

Whether built by cruise lines or investors, these ports have made the Caribbean even more fun and memorable, not only by adding a new destination option, but by helping local economies and enhancing the already desirable tropical destinations of the Caribbean. Let’s look at five of the best ports that cruising built.