Our family loves cruises because it's an opportunity to see multiple countries in one trip and enjoy an amazing adventure together. The photos in this post come from cruises we've taken as a family, along with our land excursions, in Mexico, Honduras, the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas. Here's why a Caribbean cruise works so well for families, plus a little history and the top things to do at each of these ports.
Key takeaways: A Caribbean cruise lets your family wake up in a new place almost every day and unpack only once. Popular ports include Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, Roatán in Honduras, Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos, and private cruise-line islands in The Bahamas. On a "closed-loop" cruise from a U.S. port, U.S. citizens can re-enter with a birth certificate and photo ID, but the State Department strongly recommends a passport book.
Why a Cruise Is a Great Family Vacation
A cruise packs a lot of variety into one vacation. You unpack once, and the ship carries you from port to port while you sleep. Meals, entertainment and a place to rest are always close by, and every port day brings a new country, a new language to hear and a new beach or historic site to explore.
Today's ships are destinations in their own right, with pools, water slides, shows and open-air promenades, so sea days are part of the fun. Lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and MSC, among others, sail family-friendly Caribbean itineraries, and each has its own style. Ashley helps you compare ships, cabins and itineraries so the trip fits your family. Our Caribbean cruises guide covers the basics of choosing a route.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is an island off Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, and its name comes from the Maya Cuzamil, often translated as "place of the swallows." The ancient Maya made pilgrimages here, and the island was a busy trading port in the centuries before the first official Spanish landing in 1518. Its main Maya city, San Gervasio, was founded about 17 centuries ago and is now an archaeological site you can visit. UNESCO recognizes the island as the Isla Cozumel Biosphere Reserve, part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world.
Things to do in Cozumel:
- Snorkel or dive the reefs of Cozumel's protected marine park.
- Walk the Maya ruins at San Gervasio.
- Explore the waterfront town of San Miguel, where most of the island's shops and restaurants are.
- Spend the day at a beach club, or visit a marine park or lagoon.
Costa Maya, Mexico
Costa Maya is the cruise port at Mahahual, a small fishing village on Mexico's southern Caribbean coast in the state of Quintana Roo. This quieter corner of the Mexican Caribbean, which the state tourism board calls Grand Costa Maya, also includes Bacalar and the state capital, Chetumal. The Mesoamerican Reef runs just off Mahahual's beaches. Inland, the Maya city of Chacchoben is the largest known settlement in the region's lakes district, and it grew into a major city from around A.D. 250.
Things to do in Costa Maya:
- Tour the Maya ruins at Chacchoben, a popular excursion from the port.
- Relax on the beach and stroll the boardwalk in Mahahual.
- Snorkel the reef right off the shore.
- Visit Bacalar's "lagoon of seven colors," known for its many shades of blue.
Roatán, Honduras
Roatán is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, ringed by the Mesoamerican Reef. English buccaneers settled the Bay Islands in the 1600s, and Spain, England and Honduras contested them for about two centuries until Britain ceded them to Honduras in 1859. That history is one reason English is still widely spoken on the island. In 1797, the British deported the Garifuna people from the island of St. Vincent to Roatán. They founded Punta Gorda, the oldest Garifuna settlement in Central America, and spread along the Central American coast. UNESCO recognizes the language, dance and music of the Garifuna as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Cruise ships dock near Coxen Hole, the island's main town, including at the colorful Mahogany Bay cruise center (now called Isla Tropicale).
Things to do in Roatán:
- Snorkel or dive the reef, which Roatán is best known for.
- Spend the day at West Bay Beach or a beach club with calm, shallow water.
- Visit an animal encounter or nature park, like the squirrel monkey encounter in our photos.
- Learn about Garifuna music, dance and food in Punta Gorda.
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Grand Turk is the historic heart of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory between The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. Settlers from Bermuda came for its natural salt ponds in the late 1600s, and salt was the island's main industry for centuries. Cockburn Town has been the capital of the Turks and Caicos since 1766. In 1962, after orbiting Earth, astronaut John Glenn first set foot on dry land on Grand Turk. Some historians also believe the island may have been Columbus' first landfall in 1492.
Things to do in Grand Turk:
- Swim and snorkel from the beach near the cruise center, or try Governor's Beach.
- Visit the Grand Turk Lighthouse, built in 1852.
- Walk Front Street in Cockburn Town and visit the Turks and Caicos National Museum.
- See the old salt ponds, and look for the donkeys and horses that still roam the island.
- Dive the famous Grand Turk wall, where the reef drops to great depths close to shore.
CocoCay, The Bahamas
Some cruise lines have their own private islands in The Bahamas. Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Berry Islands, about 55 miles north of Nassau. The Berry Islands are a chain of about 30 cays, and CocoCay was once known as Little Stirrup Cay. Ships dock at a pier, so you can walk right onto the island. Other lines offer their own private-island days, too.
Things to do at a private island like CocoCay:
- Swim at the beaches and the freshwater lagoon pool.
- Let the kids splash in the kid-friendly water play areas.
- Ride the water slides, zip line or balloon, which cost extra.
- Rent a cabana for a quieter day with the family.
Many experiences on a private island are included in your cruise fare, while others cost extra. Ashley can help you decide which add-ons are worth it for your family.
Planning a Family Caribbean Cruise
Travel documents for U.S. citizens:
- Closed-loop cruises. A closed-loop cruise starts and ends at the same U.S. port. On these sailings, U.S. Customs and Border Protection allows U.S. citizens to re-enter with a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. Children under 16 need only proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
- A passport book is still the safest choice. The U.S. State Department strongly recommends that every cruise passenger travel with a passport book, in case you need to fly home from a foreign port because of an emergency. Your cruise line or the countries you visit may also require one.
- Check before you go. Rules can change, so always check CBP's travel document guidance, the State Department's cruise travel page and your cruise line's requirements.
When to go: Caribbean cruises sail all year. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. Many families still cruise during these months. If you do, consider travel insurance, and know that ships can change their route to avoid storms.
Traveling with a bigger group? Cruises are a great fit for multigenerational trips and family reunions. Our group and family vacations page explains how Ashley plans trips for groups.
Is a Caribbean Cruise Right for Your Family?
If you want to see several countries in one trip, unpack only once and share an adventure together, a Caribbean cruise is hard to beat. Prefer to stay in one place? Our Caribbean all-inclusive vacations guide covers resort stays, and our Jamaica and Couples Resorts post shares one of our favorite islands.
At Simply Travel by Ashley, Ashley Muhlenkamp helps families across the United States plan Caribbean cruises, and her planning services are completely free to you, with no hidden fees. Tell us about your trip to get started.
Family Caribbean Cruise FAQ
Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?
On a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends at the same U.S. port, U.S. citizens can re-enter the United States with a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, according to CBP. Children under 16 need only proof of citizenship. The State Department strongly recommends a passport book for every cruise passenger, and your cruise line or ports of call may require one.
What is a closed-loop cruise?
A closed-loop cruise begins and ends at the same U.S. port on the same ship, such as a round trip from Florida to the Caribbean and back.
Is a cruise a good family vacation?
Yes. Our family loves cruises because it's an opportunity to see multiple countries in one trip and enjoy an amazing adventure together. You unpack once, and food, entertainment and activities for every age are close at hand.
What is Cozumel known for?
Cozumel is known for its reefs, which are part of the Mesoamerican Reef and protected within the UNESCO Isla Cozumel Biosphere Reserve, and for its Maya history, including the ruins of San Gervasio.
What is there to do in Roatán?
Roatán is known for snorkeling and diving on the Mesoamerican Reef, West Bay Beach, beach clubs, animal encounters and Garifuna culture in Punta Gorda.
Why is Grand Turk famous?
Grand Turk is the historic capital island of the Turks and Caicos. It is known for its salt-raking history, the 1852 Grand Turk Lighthouse, wall diving, and as the first land John Glenn set foot on after orbiting Earth in 1962.
What is CocoCay?
Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Berry Islands of The Bahamas, about 55 miles north of Nassau. It was once known as Little Stirrup Cay.
When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center.
Let's Plan Your Family Cruise
Ready to see multiple countries in one trip with your family? Fill out the "Let's Plan Your Vacation!" form on our homepage, call (419) 852-4445, or email simplytravelbyashley@gmail.com. Ashley's planning services are free, and she's available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern.