Most large-ship cruises are designed to offer a diverse selection of ports, rather than allow extended time to explore. Ships may call for a few hours, allowing time for one or two frenzied activities and perhaps some frantic window-shopping before it’s time to re-embark.
That model works well for many popular cruise ports. However, for some islands in the Caribbean, that’s simply not enough. Some islands gain their charm from serene mornings and quiet evenings before and after the ships are in port; others have vibrant culinary scenes many cruise passengers miss entirely as their ship sails off into the late afternoon sunset. Even while overnight port calls are increasing in popularity, there’s still a different atmosphere to be absorbed by planning a trip to the island for longer periods than a port call.