Travel Top 5: Most popular Caribbean cruise destinations

Cruise companies are starting to move ships into the Caribbean for the coming winter months. If you’re planning a cruise this year, then here are the places you’re likely to go.

The Caribbean Tourism Association compiled statistics of cruise ship passenger arrivals for the region for the first half of the year and came up with the numbers below.

1. Bahamas

Owing to its close proximity to Florida, where most Caribbean cruises originate, it’s no wonder so many of them end up in the Bahamas. It doesn’t hurt that the country has some of the best beaches and friendliest people in the Caribbean.

Number of passengers arriving from Jan-Jun, 2013: 2,434,748
Increase from 2012: 3.8%

2. Cozumel, Mexico

The Mexican island of Cozumel is a gateway into the Mayan Riviera and Yucatan. Visitors can either enjoy the white sandy beaches nearby, snorkel the pristine water, explore Mayan ruins at Tulum or Chichen Itza or busy themselves with an array of shore excursions.

Number of passengers arriving from Jan-Jun, 2013: 1,495,525
Increase from 2012: 1.7%

3. U.S. Virgin Islands

Since the bulk of the passengers on Caribbean cruises is American, stopping in a port where American dollars are used and border formalities are trivial makes a lot of sense. The natural beauty of the island and its surrounding waters are also good reasons.

Number of passengers arriving from Jan-Jul, 2013: 1,225,488
Increase from 2012: 0.8%

4. St. Maarten

Visiting St. Maarten is like visiting two islands in one. Cruise passengers can tour the Dutch side or the French side of the island and all that they have to offer.

Number of passengers arriving from Jan-Jun, 2013: 1,012,772
Increase from 2012: 5.5%

5. Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman is famous for its Seven Mile Beach, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful and accessible. The entire beach is open to the public and you can freely walk from one end to the other. Many a cruise passenger has secretly wished that their ship would leave with out them so they can spend more time there.

Number of passengers arriving from Jan-Jun, 2013: 792,976
Increase from 2012: -9.8%

What’s your favourite Caribbean cruise destination? Let us know in the comments.