This will be especially useful and appealing to my audience in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas — yes, you can get to 16 islands/ports-of-call in only 4 cruises, with a minimal amount of flying and only 1 duplication!

Two of the ships operate seasonally on the routes we’re going to talk about, and two of them are available year-round, so it’s possible for you to spread them out comfortably or choose a winter cruise and a summer cruise each of two years.

Let’s start with a seasonal ship:  1st up is the marvelous Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas sailing December - April from Galveston.  She sails alternating routes, but to make this work you’ll want to take the Jamaica-GrandCayman-Cozumel route.  Highlight activities are climbing Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica; swimming with stingrays and snorkeling at Grand Cayman, and swimming with dolphins in Cozumel.

An amazing wildlife encounter!

Jamaica's musical heritage on display

The next cruise, also out of Galveston, is the elegant yet super-fun Carnival Conquest.  You’ll want to choose a week when she is sailing to Key West; Nassau, and Freeport, Bahamas.   Key West never disappoints with its laid-back, funky island charm; Nassau offers amazing opportunities for everything from great shopping to snorkeling with sharks; and sweet, lazy-feeling Freeport has wonderful beaches and native craft markets to explore.  

Fun photo-ops in Key West!Mallory Square has all the fun!

Beautiful Key West landmark

Next up, the beautiful Norwegian Spirit sailing seasonally from New Orleans:  she calls at Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatamala; Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico (Cozumel is the only duplication of the 4 cruises).  This is a water-lover’s cruise to paradise — full of fabulous beaches, snorkeling and diving sites, and opportunities for sealife encounters.  Additionally, there are several opportunities for visiting Mayan ruin sites.

View of the Atlantis resort from the cruise pier.

Heading out in the Bahamas for a snorkel safari and shark encounter!

 

Last, but certainly not least — is the exciting Carnival Victory, sailing year-round from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  No matter where you live, you’ll have to fly to get there, because Puerto Rico is one of the island destinations on our list!  Be sure to go in a day early to have time for exploring charming Old San Juan and the amazing old fort “El Moro.”  After you set sail, you’ll spend every day on a different island:  St Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Kitts!