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Tropical beach with turquoise water and green hillsides at Magens Bay, St. Thomas

St. Thomas: The Beach, the View, and the Bushwacker

You don't need a passport, you don't need euros, and you don't need a ship excursion. Here's how I'd spend a perfect day in St. Thomas — Magens Bay included.

June 02, 2026 ports caribbean, us-virgin-islands, beach, snorkeling, history
Castillo San Felipe del Morro overlooking the ocean in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan: The Caribbean Port That Doesn't Need an Excursion

Your ship docks inside a 500-year-old walled city and you can walk to a Spanish fortress, eat the best mofongo of your life, and be back aboard with time to spare. Here's exactly how.

May 28, 2026 ports caribbean, puerto-rico, history, food, walking, forts
Aerial view of Dubrovnik's walled Old Town with red rooftops meeting the Adriatic Sea

Dubrovnik: The Walled City That Earns Every Step

A medieval fortress on the Adriatic where the walls are the main event, the seafood is stupid fresh, and half the passengers will waste their day on the wrong things. Here's how not to be one of them.

May 23, 2026 ports mediterranean, croatia, history, food, walking, game-of-thrones
Lush green palm trees and coastline of Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ocho Rios: Jamaica Beyond the Waterfall

Every cruise ship in Jamaica funnels passengers toward Dunn's River Falls. Here's how to do Ocho Rios right — including which waterfall I'd actually pick, and what to skip entirely.

May 19, 2026 ports caribbean, jamaica, waterfalls, food, beach, adventure
Turquoise Caribbean waters meeting a pristine white sand beach in the Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman: The One Port Where You Actually Want to Stay on the Beach

Seven Mile Beach lives up to its name. Here's how to do Grand Cayman right — from stingray encounters to the best fish sandwich of your life.

May 08, 2026 ports caribbean, cayman-islands, beaches, snorkeling, food, shopping
Aerial view of Nassau and Paradise Island from the International Space Station

Nassau: A Cruise Primer for the Port That Feels Like America

Nassau is close enough to Florida to feel familiar, but strange enough to keep you on your toes. Here's how to make the most of a day in the Bahamian capital — and what to skip.

May 04, 2026 ports caribbean, bahamas, beaches, history, food, snorkeling
Brown parasol and beach chairs on white sand at a beach club in Cozumel

Cozumel: Your First Time in the Mexican Caribbean

Cozumel is famous for two things: world-class snorkeling and being a cruise line punching bag. Here's how to actually enjoy it — and when to skip what your ship is selling.

April 30, 2026 ports caribbean, mexico, snorkeling, food, mayan-history, beach
White buildings overlooking the Aegean Sea in Oia, Santorini

Santorini: How to Spend the Best Day of Your Cruise

Your ship anchors in a volcanic caldera and you take a tender to a cliff crowned with white villages. Here's exactly how I'd spend the day — and what I'd skip.

April 26, 2026 ports mediterranean, greek-islands, food, wine, photography, history

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