Cruise destinations in the Western Caribbean include Mexico, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. With a mix of mainland and island ports of call, you can explore Mayan ruins, relax on white-sand beaches under palm trees, go reef diving or shop for souvenirs in market towns. Also check out our selection of Shore Excursions in the Eastern & Southern Caribbean.

JAMAICA
Montego Bay
The beaches and colonial history of Montego Bay are a Jamaican highlight, and you’ll dock nearby in Freeport. Patois-accented English is spoken here, and the US dollar is as commonly used as the Jamaican dollar. Take a shore excursion to splash in Dunns River Falls, hit the beach at Negril, swing above the rainforest canopy on an exciting zipline tour, or shop for duty-free bargains in downtown Montego Bay. Click here to view our full list of Montego Bay shore excursions.

Ocho Rios
Ships dock at Turtle Bay and James Bond Pier in Ocho Rios, further east along the island from Montego Bay. Outdoor pursuits are the attraction here, like Dunns River Falls, dolphin encounters, horseback beach riding and white-water rafting. Experience Jamaica’s rasta culture on a visit to Bob Marley’s hometown of Nine Mile or hail the Zion bus for a unique reggae experience. Click here to see the full list of Ocho Rios shore excursions.

CAYMANS
Cruise liners touring the Caribbean tender visitors to shore at George Town on Grand Cayman Island. English is spoken and US dollars are accepted. There are colonial buildings and gardens to see in George Town, or you can take an island tour, but most visitors head to the long stretch of sand at Seven Mile Beach to relax at a beach resort or go diving and fish-feeding at Stingray City.

MEXICO
Cozumel
The island of Cozumel is off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. English is widely spoken and US dollars are accepted all over the island, though Spanish is the local language and the peso is the local currency. Cruise liners dock on the island’s western coast at Punta Langosta, International Pier and Puerta Maya. Punta Langosta is right near downtown San Miguel’s shops, restaurants and waterfront promenades. Ride in a glass-bottom boat or submarine, go snorkeling at Palancar Gardens or Playa Uvas, and if time allows take an excursion to the Mayan ruins at Tulum. Click here for the full list of Cozumel shore excursions.

Cancun
Cancun, gateway to the Ruta Maya, is 60km (35 miles) north of Cozumel. Ships anchor quite a way offshore, and tenders bring you ashore to Cancun’s legendary resorts, beaches and shopping centers. The celebrated Mayan sites of Chichen Itza, Tulum and Xel-Ha are nearby on the Yucatan Peninsula.

KEY WEST
The US Florida Keys island that Ernest Hemingway called home is packed with museums and restaurants, and has a winningly laidback pace of life. You’ll be tendered right to the Old Town if your ship docks at Mallory Square, or ride a trolley to town if you dock at the Truman Annex. Step aboard the Conch Tour Train to see the best of Key West, go snorkeling and dolphin-spotting for the day, or meet descendants of Hemingway’s cats at the author’s former home-museum.

BELIZE
Belize is world famous for its diving and snorkeling, so organizing a diving shore excursion is as essential as seeing the sights of Belize City. English is the official language and US dollars are widely accepted, along with the local currency, the Belizean dollar. Your ship docks in Belize City’s harbor, and tenders bring you ashore to the capital’s shopping village. After touring the colonial architecture of Belize City, there are ancient Mayan temples to explore at Lamanai and Xunantunich, riverside jungles to hike and offshore coral cayes to spot on a helicopter tour.

LABADEE
Royal Caribbean’s private port of Labadee is on the island of Haiti. Your ship will anchor offshore and you’ll be ferried to the private resort to spend the day sipping frozen fruit cocktails, dining at beach cafes and browsing Haitian crafts. The real highlight is adrenaline-charged rather than relaxing, riding jetski waverunners across the sea or ziplining across Dragon’s Breath Rock.

COSTA MAYA
Costa Maya is near the Belize border. Ships dock at Costa Maya’s new port for shore excursions to less visited Mayan sites like Chacchoben and Kohunlick. Palm beach huts fringe the Costa Maya port, and authentic fishing villages are nearby.

MERIDA
The port of Progreso is your cruise base in Merida, the Yucatan capital. You’ll hear more Spanish than English spoken in Merida, along with locally spoken Maya. The currency is the Mexican Peso, available from Merida’s banks, currency exchanges and ATMs. Fabled Mayan sites like Chichen Itza, Uxmal and X’cambo are easily visited from Progreso, along with underwater cenote caves on a snorkeling tour and palm-fringed beaches.

ROATAN
Honduras’ cruise ship port is Coxen Hole on Roatan, the Bay Islands’ largest island and world-class diving hub. Spanish and English are spoken, and US dollars are accepted if you don’t have the official currency, the Lempira. While you’re here, take the chance to go reef snorkeling in year-round warm waters, on a reef that’s second only in size to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Paddle a kayak at West Bay Beach, sample the local lobster at a beachfront cafe or visit the island’s Butterfly Farm.