I’ve just come home from the most incredible two weeks cruising around the Caribbean onboard Marella Discovery and I am honestly not over it yet.
We flew direct from Glasgow to La Romana with TUI and it made such a difference for a long haul trip. No connections and no hanging around in other airports, we were straight into holiday mode. When we landed our cases were taken from us and delivered straight to our cabin and we were transferred directly to the ship. It was all so easy and stress free which is exactly what you want at the start of your holiday.
As big Caribbean fans we really wanted to see the islands differently from our usual type of holiday. We have done lovely hotels and beach stays before but this time we wanted to experience more, move around and see more than one island in one trip. Cruising felt like the perfect way to do that and it honestly did not disappoint. Waking up somewhere different most mornings was such a surreal experience. Opening the curtains to palm trees and turquoise water never gets old.
Somewhere between island number three and four we discovered our new favourite drink. Local rum punch. Safe to say we are fully converted. Every island had its own version and we made it our mission to compare them all. Purely for research of course.
La Romana Dominican Republic
The perfect relaxed start to the trip. Warm air and sunshine as soon as we stepped off the plane gave us that instant we are on holiday feeling. The embarkation process was so smooth which set the tone for the whole cruise.
Sea Days
I did not expect to love sea days as much as I did. Slow mornings with coffee on deck, lots of amazing food and just properly switching off. It is such a lovely balance between exploring new islands and giving yourself time to recharge. On sea days we swapped the rum punch for pina coladas and that quickly became our go to while relaxing by the pool.
Roseau Dominica
This was one of the most fun days of the whole trip. We did wacky river tubing and laughed from start to finish. Floating through the rainforest, bouncing over rapids and spinning round in circles was chaotic in the best way. Dominica is so lush and dramatic and feels completely different from some of the other islands.
St Kitts
One of our absolute favourites. We headed to Cockleshell Beach and it was exactly what you picture when you think of the Caribbean. Soft sand, calm turquoise water and views across to Nevis. It was so relaxed and just beautiful. Sometimes the best thing you can do is not over plan your day. Find a beach, give yourself time to properly relax and just enjoy your surroundings. That was exactly what we did here.
Antigua
You can see why the beaches here are so famous, Eagle Beach lived up to our expectations! The water was unbelievable and it was one of those places where you just want to stay all day. Again we made sure not to rush around. A beach, good company and something cold to drink is sometimes all you need.
Road Town British Virgin Islands
Sailing into Road Town was stunning. The British Virgin Islands have that exclusive untouched feel and the scenery is incredible. One of the top attractions here is The Baths on Virgin Gorda with huge granite boulders, hidden caves and clear pools you can swim through. It is such a unique experience. Even just wandering around Road Town and soaking up the marina views was lovely.
Samaná
Such a beautiful stop. We visited Bacardi Island also known as Cayo Levantado and it felt like stepping straight into a postcard. White sand, swaying palm trees and crystal clear water. We slowed the pace right down here and really took it all in. Finding a beach and allowing yourself that time to switch off makes such a difference. We did not have time to do whale watching but we did see turtles which was so special. Next time whale watching is definitely a must for us.
Santo Domingo
We loved having a bit of history mixed into the trip. It is always nice to experience something different and see another side of the Dominican Republic.
Aruba
This was pure paradise. We went to Eagle Beach and it completely lived up to the hype. Powder soft white sand and the brightest blue sea I have ever seen. It is one of those places where you just stand and take it all in because it feels almost too beautiful to be real. We made sure we had proper beach time here as well and just enjoyed every second.
Curaçao
So colourful and full of character. The waterfront buildings are stunning and the atmosphere is so welcoming. We visited the Curaçao liqueur distillery to see how the famous local drink is made which was really interesting and of course included a tasting. After that we headed to Mambo Beach which has such a fun relaxed vibe with clear water and beach bars. It was the perfect mix of exploring and chilling out.
The crew made this holiday. Not once did anyone walk past without saying hello. From the restaurants to the bars to housekeeping everyone was so friendly and genuinely wanted you to have the best time. We felt so well looked after from start to finish.
As first time cruisers we are completely converted. I was not sure what to expect before we went but waking up in a new destination, unpacking once and having everything taken care of really is such a lovely way to travel.
Converted to cruising and converted to rum punch!
If this sounds like your kind of holiday there is a very similar itinerary sailing on 26 January 2027 with direct flights from Glasgow.
If you have been thinking about trying a cruise this is your sign.
Give us a call on 0300 373 0800 and let’s get you booked.
