7 Night Eastern Caribbean Highlights: Tortola & St. Maarten Cruise from Orlando (Port Canaveral)

Cruise Overview

Whether you're snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, embracing vibrant island culture, or unwinding on pristine beaches, your perfect Caribbean getaway starts here. With an array of islands to explore, each offering unique experiences, the Caribbean is a paradise waiting to be discovered. Enjoy thrilling water sports, indulge in delicious local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of island life. Relax on sun-soaked shores or explore charming coastal towns. With Celebrity Cruises, you’ll experience the best of the Caribbean and see why nothing comes close to this tropical paradise.

A cruising experience with us provides access to a range of destinations. Specific ports of call are subject to change due to weather, safety or operational considerations.

Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

When you sail to the Caribbean from Cape Canaveral, it’s worth arriving a day or two earlier to experience everything there is to see and do. Check out the charming lifestyle of nearby Cocoa Beach. Work on your tan before your cruise at one of the oceanfront resorts. Enjoy local seafood at the numerous rustic restaurants located on the water. Climb the four-story Exploration Tower at the Port for one of the best views of the ocean. Plus, no stay in Cape Canaveral is complete without visiting the area’s main attraction, the Kennedy Space Center, where you can meet an astronaut or even watch a rocket launch. Or since you’re less than an hour away from Orlando, you can visit the nearby theme parks to add even more wonder to your unforgettable Caribbean vacation.

Travel Tips

1

A rental car gives you the freedom to explore as you please and is a good idea if you’re staying in the area before or after your cruise. All the major companies operate here. In downtown Orlando, the I-Ride Trolley runs back and forth along International Drive, giving access to multiple restaurants, shops, hotels, and other attractions. In Port Canaveral itself, there’s a shuttle service to Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island. You’ll also find rideshare service here.

2

You’ll find an abundance of shopping opportunities in Orlando, specifically on International Drive, at Disney Springs, and in the outlet malls. You’ll find everything from designer labels to factory outlet bargains. Nearer Port Canaveral, visit Cocoa Village for local art and bright, whimsical tropical clothing and homeware. Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach sells all you need for surfing. The gift shop at the Kennedy Space Center is a fantastic place for quirky gift ideas, from freeze-dried ice cream to model rocket kits. Around 30 minutes from the port, The Avenue Viera is an open-air retail center with some big names, while Merritt Square Mall, just 15 minutes away, is great for big department stores and specialty shopping.

3

The currency in Florida is the U.S. Dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping here is customary, as it is all over the United States. Leave 15-20% in restaurants for good service and tip taxi drivers and tour guides, too.

Day at Sea

A friendly reminder

Make the most of your day at sea by enjoying our Wi-Fi, beverage, and Specialty Dining Packages. These services are available at an additional cost

While at sea, indulge in some well-deserved relaxation before your next adventure. Unwind by the pool, pamper yourself at the spa, savor exquisite cuisine, or discover the unique venues on board. Your next incredible destination awaits.

Learn more about the ship

Day at Sea Highlights

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata was inhabited by the Taino people for centuries before Christopher Columbus arrived and founded the city in the early 1500s. By the 20th century, Puerto Plata had emerged as the Dominican Republic’s main tourism hub. You can paddle through a manatee reserve or zipline over treetops. Go for a swim at the awe-inspiring 27 Waterfalls complex. Hike through the lush, protected jungle of El Choco National Park, enjoying the park’s two lagoons. Swim with dolphins at World Ocean, the largest manmade dolphin habitat in the world, or grab a kayak and head out on the water at Manatee Reserve. Nature, adventure, history – Puerto Plata has it all.

Travel Tips

1

There are numerous ways to get around Puerto Plata. Taxis are plentiful, and some drivers may offer you their services for the whole day, in which case, negotiate a price in advance. Puerto Plata also has Uber. Local minivan buses are called guaguas and will stop when you flag them down and drop you where you say you want to disembark. You’ll need cash for these. Slightly more comfortable but operating on the same basis are carritos, or shared sedan cars, as opposed to vans. Car rental is also available, but be prepared to negotiate busy roads crammed with motorbikes, as you would anywhere in the Dominican Republic.

2

The Dominican Republic is a great place to shop for hand-rolled cigars, rum, Haitian art, mahogany wood carvings, and jewelry made from amber, which is widely found here, or larimar, an opaque blue stone found only in the Dominican Republic. Shops in malls will display prices, which are usually fixed, but if you’re shopping in markets, a little polite haggling is appropriate. You’ll find plenty of shops within Taino Bay, but there’s a wider selection downtown.

3

The Dominican peso is the currency of the Dominican Republic. It’s wise to have some cash to buy local goods from smaller shops and to pay taxi drivers and bus fares. Credit cards are also accepted in many places. Leaving a 10% tip is customary at restaurants, bars, and cafés for good service.

Tortola, BVI

Besides being one of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean, Tortola also has a fascinating cultural and historical side. For a glimpse into the island’s colonial past, visit the Virgin Islands Folk Museum. The restored house was once the family home of shipwright, Joseph Wilfred Penn and features a deep collection of Arawak and Carib pottery and stone tools, as well as plantation artifacts. Hike along the seven available walking trails in Sage Mountain National Park for stunning panoramic views of the island and the surrounding natural habitat. Snorkeling in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea and a rum tasting at Callwood Rum Distillery are essential on a cruise to Tortola. Sample the delicious curries, spicy soups, and sumptuous shellfish dishes available in abundance at local restaurants and many snack shacks around the island.

Travel Tips

1

The best way to get around Tortola independently is by taxi. Rates are fixed, and many of the local drivers double up as guides. If you ask a driver to drop you at a beach, remember to agree on a pick-up time. In Road Town itself, you can walk, and there are ferries to the other islands. Car rental is another option, but bear in mind that driving is on the left here, a legacy of the British, and there are numerous local hazards, among them potholes, goats, and basking lizards. The island is steep and hilly, so if you’re renting a bike, opt for an e-bike.

2

Top souvenirs to get during your British Virgin Islands cruise include gems and metal bracelets pounded out right in front of you by local jewelers. To bring the flavors of the Caribbean home with you, local rum and spices are also popular. You can also find local art and pottery in the shops of Road Town, and jewelry, cigars, and clothing from the stalls at Tortola Pier Park.

3

Though the British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory, don’t expect to use the British Pound while there. The official currency of the islands is actually the U.S. Dollar. Tipping here is part of the culture, an influence of the many visitors from the U.S, and is similar to what you’ll encounter back home. From 10% to 20% is normal in restaurants, while bartenders and taxi drivers, especially driver-guides, should also be tipped.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

In the 17th century, Dutch and French soldiers decided to share this little island, and today it remains happily split between France (Saint Martin, north side) and the Netherlands (Sint Maarten, south side).

Cruise to St. Maarten and explore the dozens of alluring beaches that ring the island. At Orient Beach, sunbathers bask and beachcombers stroll on the white sands, while divers and snorkelers
explore the sunken shipwrecks and marine life just offshore. You'll really get blown away at Jet Blast Beach (officially Maho Beach), next to the airport.

Embrace all the beauty of the island on a tour to the French capital, Marigot, where you can explore the quaint streets and cafés, open-air market, and 18th-century Fort Louis. Take a scenic cruise of Simpson Bay Lagoon, site of luxurious villas and megayachts. More tours show you charming Grand Case and Orient Bay.

Both Philipsburg and Marigot are celebrated culinary capitals, and locals do enjoy outdoor cooking. Try the barbecued ribs and chicken. Leading French chefs flock to Marigot, where they give their sophisticated cuisine a Caribbean twist.

Shoppers find electronics, rum, cigars, jewelry, and designer brands in the hundreds of duty-free and tax-free stores on Philipsburg’s mile-long Front Street.

Travel Tips

1

Embrace the freedom of driving a rental car around the island; it’s a breeze, with plenty of rental companies to choose from. Just make sure you have an international driver’s license. You can take a rental vehicle freely between the French and Dutch sides; there’s no border here. Minibuses cover the whole island, with no fixed schedule, and are a fun way to explore if you’re in the mood for slow, authentic travel. Taxis will wait at the port, and many of the drivers will happily act as a driver-guide; they’ll welcome a tip for their services. There are water taxis and shuttles to the various beaches, too. Have cash handy for these.

2

You’ll find souvenir shops right outside the port at Harbor Point Village. Philipsburg’s Front Street, an easy walk from the cruise terminal, offers a near-bewildering array of duty-free shops to browse, selling everything from perfume and liquor to photographic equipment. On the French side, in Marigot, snap up French designer labels and Parisian perfumes. Don’t skip the local offerings, like guavaberry liqueur, cool beach fashions, handmade jewelry, and French and Dutch cheeses.

3

The island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is part Dutch and part French. The official currency on the Dutch side is the Caribbean guilder, while on the French side, it’s the Euro. Fortunately, U.S. dollars are widely accepted, and in most places, prices are displayed in the local currency and in dollars. There are ATMs in major towns. When it comes to tipping in a restaurant, look at your bill. On the Dutch side, service is not usually included, so it’s customary to leave 10% to 15%. Service is often included on the French side, in which case a tip isn’t expected.

2 Days at Sea

A friendly reminder

Make the most of your day at sea by enjoying our Wi-Fi, beverage, and Specialty Dining Packages. These services are available at an additional cost

While at sea, indulge in some well-deserved relaxation before your next adventure. Unwind by the pool, pamper yourself at the spa, savor exquisite cuisine, or discover the unique venues on board. Your next incredible destination awaits.

Learn more about the ship

Day at Sea Highlights

Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

When you sail to the Caribbean from Cape Canaveral, it’s worth arriving a day or two earlier to experience everything there is to see and do. Check out the charming lifestyle of nearby Cocoa Beach. Work on your tan before your cruise at one of the oceanfront resorts. Enjoy local seafood at the numerous rustic restaurants located on the water. Climb the four-story Exploration Tower at the Port for one of the best views of the ocean. Plus, no stay in Cape Canaveral is complete without visiting the area’s main attraction, the Kennedy Space Center, where you can meet an astronaut or even watch a rocket launch. Or since you’re less than an hour away from Orlando, you can visit the nearby theme parks to add even more wonder to your unforgettable Caribbean vacation.

Travel Tips

1

A rental car gives you the freedom to explore as you please and is a good idea if you’re staying in the area before or after your cruise. All the major companies operate here. In downtown Orlando, the I-Ride Trolley runs back and forth along International Drive, giving access to multiple restaurants, shops, hotels, and other attractions. In Port Canaveral itself, there’s a shuttle service to Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island. You’ll also find rideshare service here.

2

You’ll find an abundance of shopping opportunities in Orlando, specifically on International Drive, at Disney Springs, and in the outlet malls. You’ll find everything from designer labels to factory outlet bargains. Nearer Port Canaveral, visit Cocoa Village for local art and bright, whimsical tropical clothing and homeware. Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach sells all you need for surfing. The gift shop at the Kennedy Space Center is a fantastic place for quirky gift ideas, from freeze-dried ice cream to model rocket kits. Around 30 minutes from the port, The Avenue Viera is an open-air retail center with some big names, while Merritt Square Mall, just 15 minutes away, is great for big department stores and specialty shopping.

3

The currency in Florida is the U.S. Dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping here is customary, as it is all over the United States. Leave 15-20% in restaurants for good service and tip taxi drivers and tour guides, too.

Hi,

Eastern Caribbean Highlights: Tortola & St. Maarten 7 Nights • Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida • Celebrity Apex

Itinerary & Excursions

Cruise Overview

Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

Day at Sea

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Tortola, BVI

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

2 Days at Sea

Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

Cruise Overview

Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

Day at Sea

Day at Sea Highlights

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Tortola, BVI

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

2 Days at Sea

Day at Sea Highlights

Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

Celebrity Apex

Ship highlights