10-Night Ultimate Southern Caribbean Celebrity Cruise in December

Day 1 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

In the 1800s, William Lauderdale built a fort. Today, 16 million visitors come each year for miles of broad white sandy beaches, dozens of lush green golf courses, and Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Stroll the famous beachfront promenade, just 15 minutes from the port, and plunge into the warm Atlantic.

Head downtown to Las Olas Boulevard, paralleling New River, to sip lattes in outdoor cafés, shop chic boutiques, and catch concerts at the performing arts center. Stop at Stranahan House, the city’s oldest structure, built in 1901 as a trading post and preserved as a museum, or explore a whole village of historic buildings at History Fort Lauderdale. Join a Segway tour along the river or a waterborne cruise of Millionaire’s Row.

During your cruise to Fort Lauderdale, head out to the Everglades and enjoy Flamingo Gardens, home to pink flamingos, snarling alligators, black bears, and Florida panthers—plus exotic trees, butterfly gardens, and native flowers.

You’ll find great shopping on Fort Lauderdale cruises. Look for high fashion at Galleria Fort Lauderdale, north of the port and blocks from the ocean. Head west to Sawgrass Mills for 350 designer outlets, specialty shops, and eateries. Spend a relaxing day in downtown Hollywood, south of the port, for quaint shops, sidewalk cafés, and events in the park.

Discover Floribbean cuisine, a fusion of old Florida favorites with new Caribbean influences. Local seafood includes lobster, grouper, mahi-mahi, pompano, snapper, tuna, and stone crabs.

Florida dominates production of citrus fruits. Before you cruise from Fort Lauderdale, take advantage of anything orange—juices, sauces, marinades, marmalades, dressings, soups, and cakes. Try authentic key lime pie, which is sweet, tart, creamy, and yellow—not green—in a Graham cracker crust.

Days 2 & 3 – At Sea

While at sea, take the time to recharge before the next adventure. Lounge by the pool, be spoiled at the spa, taste the delicacies or explore the venues on-board, until we arrive at the next amazing destination.

Day 4 – Philipsburg, St. Maarten

In the 17th century, Dutch and French soldiers decided to share this little island, and today it remains happily split between France (Saint Martin, north side) and the Netherlands (Sint Maarten, south side).

Cruise to St. Maarten and explore the dozens of alluring beaches that ring the island. At Orient Beach, sunbathers bask and beachcombers stroll on the white sands, while divers and snorkelers
explore the sunken shipwrecks and marine life just offshore. You’ll really get blown away at Jet Blast Beach (officially Maho Beach), next to the airport.

Embrace all the beauty of the island on a tour to the French capital, Marigot, where you can explore the quaint streets and cafés, open-air market, and 18th-century Fort Louis. Take a scenic cruise of Simpson Bay Lagoon, site of luxurious villas and megayachts. More tours show you charming Grand Case and Orient Bay.

Both Philipsburg and Marigot are celebrated culinary capitals, and locals do enjoy outdoor cooking. Try the barbecued ribs and chicken. Leading French chefs flock to Marigot, where they give their sophisticated cuisine a Caribbean twist.

Shoppers find electronics, rum, cigars, jewelry, and designer brands in the hundreds of duty-free and tax-free stores on Philipsburg’s mile-long Front Street.

Day 5 – Roseau, Dominica

On this tiny island of high mountains and unusual beaches, you can explore volcanoes, rainforests, and a reef that bubbles. In the capital, Roseau, you’ll sway to the infectious rhythm of reggae and behold the historic architecture of the French Quarter. Discover the black sand beaches, eerie shipwrecks, and teeming Caribbean reefs. Underwater volcanic vents at Champagne Reef turn the sea here into an effervescent dream world. Explore Dominica’s interior in a 4×4 and hike lush rainforests amid untamed volcanoes. See where Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was filmed. Swim the waterfalls at Emerald Pool or Titou Gorge and experience the healing waters at sulfur springs. In Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll find a great variety of flora and fauna. Marvel at the boiling lake and seething geysers in the Valley of Desolation. In Carib Territory, on the Atlantic coast, browse for native images, carvings, and crafts. Back in Roseau, find hand-made treasures—baskets, attire, soaps, rugs, and carvings—at the historic Old Market Plaza. Dominica’s volcanic soil, tropical weather, and Caribbean waters produce abundant fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood. French and local chefs make good use of them. Sip hand-squeezed juices, savor hearty stews, and try callaloo, the national dish, which originated in West Africa.

Day 6 – Scarborough, Tobago

Tobago cruises offer fun and adventure in the serene, aquamarine waters of the southern Caribbean. Lush, forested Tobago is the sister island to larger Trinidad, and part of the same country. It offers some of the best hiking, snorkeling, and beaches in the region. Tobago is also incredibly biodiverse, with thousands of protected bird and animal species and plant life that draw visitors from all around the world. Tobago isn’t just limited to natural beauty. From delectable tropical treats at the famous local food market to 18th-century forts and a world-class history museum, this island is brimming with ways to pass the time. Spending a day here is a feast for the senses, and you’ll feel it the second you step off the ship on any of these Tobago cruises.

Day 7 – Bridgetown, Barbados

When Bajans say, “Life’s a beach,” they mean 80 pristine beaches, some long and straight, some hidden among cliffs, many among the world’s most beautiful. Cruise to Barbados for water sports include jet skiing at lively Mullins Beach, paddle boarding at Pebbles Beach, and surfing at Atlantic Shores. Small boats will take you swimming with the turtles, or you can skipper your own Hobie Cat, try spearfishing, or lounge aboard a luxurious catamaran with drinks. Launch a 4×4 safari into the Barbados Wildlife Reserve in search of green monkeys, a rare sight outside Africa. Explore Harrison’s Cave from a tram, viewing stalactites, stalagmites, and underground streams. People have come here to trade since the English in 1627. Today, you’ll find designer fashion, fine jewelry, fragrances, electronics, and leather in this tax haven. Talented islanders produce exquisite art and collectables. Foodies love this “culinary capital of the Caribbean,” fusing the flavors of Africa, the West Indies, and Europe. The Atlantic provides a delicious array of fish including shark, salmon, cod, red snapper, and flying fish, a symbol of Barbados, as well as shrimp, lobster, and crabs. Chicken, beef, pork, turkey, and duck are served fried, grilled, baked, roasted, and pickled. On the side, look for cou-cou, rice and peas, pelau, and macaroni pie, along with tropical fruits.

Day 8 – St. Johns, Antigua

Cruise to Antigua, named by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and discover 365 Caribbean beaches—one for every day, every type of beach—hidden among the countless cliffs and bays. The lush rainforest, dramatic landscapes, and turquoise waters tempt eco-adventurers from swimmers to hikers to zip-line flyers
Swim and snorkel with gentle stingrays—even feed and pet them—and snorkel the coral reefs that ring the island and teem with life. Take a scenic catamaran sail. Stop at Paradise Reef and peer below the surface of the clear Antiguan waters. Lie on a golden beach and sip a rum punch or enjoy some lobster on your St. John’s cruise.

Antigua and neighboring Barbuda form an independent country in the British Commonwealth. The English settled here in 1632 and imported slaves to build sugar plantations. They became independent in 1981. The capital and largest city, St. John’s, is one of the more developed and cosmopolitan municipalities in the Lesser Antilles.

Antigua’s hotels and resorts serve excellent European cuisine, featuring the fresh catch of the day. Go native and try the local fungi (like polenta, paired with salt fish), callaloo (a popular West African / Caribbean dish), and hearty pepper pot.

When it’s time to go shopping, find Caribbean fashions, local crafts, and designer fashions in the duty-free shops of St. John’s. Browse luxurious Heritage Quay or quaint seaside Redcliffe Quay.

Days 9 & 10 – At Sea

Day 11 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida