by Susan Mcdaniel

Created on: November 13, 2009

The Caribbean is a cruisers paradise because each island offers different attractions, terrain, history, culture, and ambiance. This diversity makes the Caribbean an ideal repeat destination for cruisers. It is also why there are so many different shore excursions available. Here are the top Caribbean shore excursions to enjoy while cruising, according to veteran cruisers and cruise travel agents.

Eastern Caribbean:

Islands all over the Caribbean offer an excursion called "Snorkel and Sting Ray Adventure" that is fabulous. It is especially enjoyable on Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos. The crystalline waters around Grand Turk allow beautiful underwater viewing while snorkeling the reef, but the fun really starts when you arrive at the offshore island where the stingrays reside. Here you can actually feed and/or hold a sting ray in your arms. Their silky skin and gentle touch is something you will always remember. This tour on Grand Turk is not as crowded as the one offered in Grand Cayman and Nassau, Bahamas; however, wherever you have the chance to do this tour it is highly recommended.

Any Eastern Caribbean cruise is incomplete without a shopping trip in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. All the jewelry, designer clothes, electronics, perfumes, and other goodies you could ever want are available at discount prices. It is a shopper's Mecca, so if your cruise line offers a " Shop 'Til You Drop Tour," take it. Sometimes these shopping tours will be combined with a historical overview tour. It is a nice combination.

If shopping is not your style, a stop at St. Thomas is an excellent opportunity to take a tour of St. John. A ferry ride puts you on this splendid, unspoiled United States territory. There's little shopping here, but take the open air bus to Trunk Bay and you can say you have been on the Caribbean's most photographed beach. With good reason, as it is beautiful. There is a snorkeling trail here and rental snorkel gear is available. This is definitely a top Caribbean shore excursion.

On St. Maarten the idea is to get to the French side. The bus trip tour from the Dutch side to the French side, usually called St. Maarten Island Tour, is scenic and fun. It will give you a chance to shop and explore the French boutiques and cafes, probably in the town of Marigot. Be sure to try and speak French! Just the attempt opens the door to hospitality. It doesn't matter how badly you butcher the language, just so you try.

If beaches are your pleasure,

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