We kicked off our Caribbean cruise adventure by flying into San Juan, Puerto Rico, where our 7-day Carnival cruise would set sail. Before boarding, we spent some time exploring the city.

San Juan: More Than Just a Port City

We wandered through Old San Juan's cobblestone streets and checked out the historic castle. The Spanish colonial architecture is everywhere you look, and it really does feel like you've stepped back in time. Whether you're starting your cruise here or just passing through, San Juan shouldn't be skipped. You've got those picture-perfect streets lined with colorful buildings, historic chapels, gorgeous beaches, and even rainforests nearby—pretty much something for everyone.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Our first port stop was St. Thomas, and we packed a lot into the day. We visited Blackbeard's Castle, perched high on a hill with sweeping views of the harbor and Charlotte Amalie below. The tower dates back to the 1600s and has that authentic pirate-era vibe—worth the climb up those stone steps.

Next, we toured a rum factory where we learned about the distilling process. The whole island seemed to be crawling with iguanas—they're just casually sunbathing on rocks, sidewalks, and pretty much anywhere they feel like.

We wrapped up the day at Magen's Bay, which lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. The mile-long stretch of white sand and calm, crystal-clear water is perfect for swimming or just lounging under a palm tree.

Barbados

Barbados was next, and we started with a scenic drive through Bridgetown, the historic capital. We passed the Barbados Parliament Buildings, Heroes Square, Freedom Park, and Government Headquarters—all giving us a good sense of the island's British colonial history. It actually feels pretty British in some ways, from the architecture to the roundabouts everywhere.

After the city tour, we headed to Carlisle Bay, one of Barbados' best beaches and the only natural harbor on the island. The water has that postcard-perfect turquoise color, and the sand is soft and powdery.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia was one of our favorite stops. We booked the Aerial Tram experience at Rainforest Adventures, located about 2,000 feet above sea level in the Castries Waterworks Reserve. The drive up took about 30 minutes from the port, winding through scenic roads that gave us a peek into local island life.

The aerial tram ride itself was incredible—we floated above the rainforest canopy in gondolas. The whole experience lasted about 2.5 hours and included a walk along the Fern Nature Trail.

The descent gave us a bird's eye view of the forest and a spectacular panoramic vista of the northern part of the island. It's suitable for all ages and fitness levels, so anyone can do it. The island is incredibly green and mountainous—completely different from the flatter islands we'd visited. The views from up there were stunning, and it was surprisingly peaceful floating through the treetops.

St. Kitts

In St. Kitts, we took the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. This narrow gauge railroad was built almost a century ago to transport sugar cane from the fields to the mills in Basseterre. Now it offers a unique way to see the island from railcars designed specifically for sightseeing. The railway hugs the northeastern coastline where sugarcane fields stretch from the shoreline up to the volcanic mountains that rise nearly 4,000 feet above sea level.

The train rolled across tall steel bridges spanning deep canyons and wound through small villages and farms. Our conductor pointed out old sugar estates, mills, and windmills while sharing the island's history. We got complimentary specialty drinks, island music, and listened to a colorful narrative throughout the journey. The experience was complemented by a scenic drive along the southern coast, where we saw Brimstone Hill Fortress—known as the British "Gibraltar of the Caribbean"—and even caught views of the neighboring island of Nevis.

St. Maarten

Our final stop was St. Maarten, and after all the excursions on the previous islands, we decided to take it easy. We spent the day walking around town, popping into shops, and doing some window shopping. We grabbed lunch at a local spot and just enjoyed wandering around at our own pace. Sometimes the best way to experience a port is just to explore without an agenda.

This 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise gave us a great taste of the islands—from historic sites and adventure activities to beach days and laid-back exploring. Each island has its own personality, and mixing up active excursions with relaxing beach time made for the perfect balance.

Our 7-Day Southern Caribbean Cruise: Puerto Rico & Island Hopping with Carnival