The Eastern Caribbean blends postcard beaches with centuries of maritime lore. You’ll sail past harbors once stalked by privateers, sip rums born from the sugar trade, and snorkel reefs roamed by sea turtles. This adults-oriented cruise itinerary leans into refined shore time, slower lunches, and lively nights that start with sunset and stretch into starlight.

Ports like Nassau, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten reward curiosity. Climb colonial stairways to old forts; duck into duty-free boutiques; then swap sandals for fins and glide over coral gardens. Evenings bring craft cocktails, fresh-catch dinners, and soft Caribbean breezes off the water.

Practical notes: Carry a passport for the Bahamas; St. Thomas (USVI) uses USD and U.S. cell service often works. St. Maarten accepts USD widely (ANG and EUR also used). Pack reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and a light cover-up for breezy decks. Travel insurance is wise for cruises.

Miami (Embarkation)

Miami sets the tone: art deco glow, Cuban coffee, and a cruise port five minutes from the skyline. Arrive a day early to buffer travel hiccups and nibble through Little Havana or Wynwood. From November to April, the air is balmy and the stone crabs are in season.

• Getting there: Search flights on Trip.com or compare on Kiwi.com. Miami International Airport to PortMiami is ~20 minutes by ride-share (~$18–35 depending on time).
• Pre/post-cruise stays: Browse Miami stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Local tastes: Cuban sandwiches and cortaditos in Little Havana, fresh stone crab at Joe’s (seasonal), and creative cocktails at hotel bars across South Beach.

Day 1: Arrive Miami and Embark

Morning: Fly into MIA by late morning. If you overnighted, grab coffee at Panther Coffee in Wynwood and stroll past street murals. Light brunch ideas: GreenStreet Café in Coconut Grove (eggs and pancakes on a leafy corner) or La Sandwicherie in South Beach for a quick, baguette-style bite.

Afternoon: Aim to arrive at the cruise terminal during your assigned window (often 12:00–2:30 pm). Drop bags, check in, and explore the ship. Book specialty dining and spa times—prime slots fill early.

Evening: Sailaway from the top deck with a mojito as the Miami skyline fades. Dinner onboard; then slip into a piano bar or wine lounge. Early night or first-night show—it’s your call, but rest up for a full port day.

Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau layers pastel buildings, British colonial history, and aquamarine water just beyond the pier. The Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle hint at 18th-century defenses; artisan stalls, chocolate and cigar workshops, and rum houses tell the rest of the island’s story.

• Top picks: Snorkel or catamaran cruise; beach clubs off Paradise Island; art and history walk in town; Arawak Cay “Fish Fry.”
• Eat & drink: Try conch salad, cracked conch, and sky-juice; Bahamian beers at Pirate Republic Brewing; a wine blending class at Bahama Barrels by Graycliff.
• Extend your stay: If you add nights ashore, find places on VRBO or Hotels.com.

Day 2: Nassau – History, Beaches, and Bahamian Flavors

Morning: Arrive ~8:00 am. Start with a 2–3 hour snorkel catamaran (look for operators that cap groups and include reef-safe sunscreen; ~$75–120 pp). Alternatively, walk to the Queen’s Staircase (66 limestone steps carved by enslaved laborers in the 1790s) and Fort Fincastle for harbor views.

Afternoon: Taxi to Paradise Island (~10–15 minutes, ~$15–20) for a beach club day pass or casino break, or head to Arawak Cay’s Fish Fry near town (~5 minutes, ~$10). For lunch, Twin Brothers serves conch fritters and grilled snapper; Goldie’s pours frosty Kaliks. Prefer sit-down downtown? Athena Café (above a jewelry shop) does Greek-Bahamian plates—try the grilled octopus.

Evening: Sample Bahamian chocolates and cigars at the Graycliff estate area, then a flight at Pirate Republic Brewing near the cruise pier. Back onboard, reserve a specialty steakhouse or seafood venue for a slower, adults-first dinner and a nightcap under the stars.

Caribbean Sea (At Sea)

Sea days are the palate cleansers of a cruise—late breakfasts, long reads by the pool, and time to indulge in tastings or spa rituals. Most ships have adults-only solariums, thermal suites, and enrichment talks that skew grown-up.

• Good to know: Dress codes vary by night; bring resort-casual plus one elevated outfit. Book mixology or wine classes early.

Day 3: At Sea – Spa, Sips, and Sunsets

Morning: Ease in at the adults-only pool or solarium. Hit the gym, then a sea-day brunch with made-to-order omelets. Consider a behind-the-scenes galley or bridge talk if offered.

Afternoon: Reserve the thermal suite (sauna, steam, heated loungers) or a couples’ massage. Join a mixology, whiskey, or wine tasting (~$25–45 pp). If you’re active, try a spin class followed by an acai bowl.

Evening: Dress up for the evening’s main show or a comedy set. Dinner at a specialty venue—French bistro or sushi—then linger at a live jazz lounge or a martini bar. Late-night trivia or silent disco if you still have energy.

Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas, USVI)

Once the Danish West Indies, St. Thomas became U.S. territory in 1917 and is famed for harbors, switchback hills, and clear-water bays. Charlotte Amalie’s Main Street mixes historic warehouses with boutiques and jewelers.

• Top picks: Magen’s Bay for a gentle swim, Sapphire Beach for snorkeling, or a ferry to St. John’s Trunk Bay. Skyride to Paradise Point gives a grand harbor view.
• Food & drink: Caribbean comfort at Gladys’ Café, island brews and burgers at Tap & Still, elevated coastal dishes at The Easterly in Red Hook.
• Stay longer: Browse VRBO or Hotels.com for hillside villas with harbor views.

Day 4: St. Thomas – Beaches and Views

Morning: Dock ~8:00 am. Grab coffee and a quick bite at Barefoot Buddha (near Havensight) before a taxi to Magen’s Bay (~20 minutes; beach entry fee applies). Swimmers can do a gentle bay-to-bay walk; snorkelers should head to the rocky ends where fish congregate.

Afternoon: Lunch in town at Gladys’ Café (peppery roti, kallaloo soup, and homemade hot sauces) or Tap & Still for craft beers and smash burgers. Shop duty-free along Main Street for spirits and jewelry. If you prefer more water time, go to Sapphire Beach for easy-access snorkeling or take the Red Hook ferry to St. John (20 minutes) for Trunk Bay’s underwater snorkel trail.

Evening: Ride the Skyride to Paradise Point for sunset and a banana daiquiri with harbor panoramas (operates most cruise days). Dinner at The Easterly in Red Hook focuses on local fish and wood-fired plates; their tiki-forward cocktails are balanced and bright. Sail out under a sky full of stars.

Philipsburg (St. Maarten)

Two cultures share one island: Dutch Sint Maarten to the south and French Saint-Martin to the north. The Treaty of Concordia (1648) set the tone—today it’s easy to cross between sides for beaches, gastronomy, and plane-spotting thrills.

• Top picks: Maho Beach for low-flying jets, Orient Bay for wide sands and beach clubs, Grand Case for gourmet dining, Loterie Farm for hiking and a chic pool hangout.
• Food & drink: Grand Case “lolos” (open-air grills) for ribs and lobster; French-Caribbean fine dining; rum tastings at Topper’s Rhum Distillery.
• Extend your stay: See options on VRBO or Hotels.com.

Day 5: St. Maarten – Beach Clubs and French Flavors

Morning: Arrive ~8:00 am. For an indulgent start, taxi to Zee Best in Simpson Bay (buttery croissants, crepes, and espresso). Then choose: Orient Bay for a classic beach day with loungers and service, or Maho Beach to feel jet engines rumble overhead as planes land feet away.

Afternoon: Head to Grand Case for lunch at a lolo such as Talk of the Town—grilled snapper, ribs, rice and peas, and plantains at fair prices. If you want a chic break, Loterie Farm’s day pass offers jungle trails and a stylish pool with cabanas. Rum lovers can tour and taste at Topper’s Rhum (creative infusions from coconut to banana vanilla).

Evening: Sunset cocktails at Sunset Bar & Grill on Maho with runway views. For dinner, book Rainbow Café in Grand Case (rooftop terrace, seafood carpaccio, and Mediterranean plates) or Ocean Lounge on Philipsburg’s boardwalk for a refined, waterfront meal before reboarding.

Day 6: At Sea – One More Long, Lazy Day

Morning: Sleep in, then linger over a proper breakfast. Attend a culinary demo or a coffee cupping if offered. Grab a lounger early at the adults-only area.

Afternoon: Treat yourselves to a Chef’s Table or food-and-wine pairing class if available. Stroll the promenade, read on deck, or photograph the ship’s sculptural stairways and art when crowds thin.

Evening: Final night: catch the production show you skipped, then a quiet nightcap at the ship’s champagne or whiskey bar. Pack before 10 pm; keep a small overnight bag for morning essentials.

Miami (Disembarkation)

Back where you began—with new tan lines and a camera roll of turquoise. If your flight’s in the afternoon, there’s time for a Cuban coffee and a last stroll.

• Flights home: Check options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Keep at least 4–5 hours between scheduled docking and flight time.
• Hotels if staying on: See Hotels.com or VRBO for a final night in the city.

Day 7: Disembark and Depart

Morning: Early breakfast onboard; disembark typically starts ~7:30–8:00 am. Grab a last Miami bite—Versailles in Little Havana for café con leche and pastelitos, or Big Pink in South Beach for hearty brunch plates.

Afternoon: Transfer to MIA (~20 minutes) for your flight. If you have extra time, a quick loop through Wynwood for murals or a biscayne-front stroll offers a gentle landing back to city life.

Evening: Homeward bound, already plotting the next island.

Cruise logistics and costs (estimates): Taxis in Nassau and St. Thomas typically run $6–15 pp per segment on shared routes; private cabs vary. Beach entries like Magen’s Bay have small fees; snorkel tours often run $75–120 pp; day beds/club passes vary by venue and season. Your ship handles the “between-city” travel—overnight sails average 10–18 hours, arriving most mornings.

Pro tips for adults:

• Book spa, specialty dining, and tastings on embarkation day for ideal times.
• Carry a small daypack with swimsuits, sunscreen, and IDs; checked bags may arrive at your cabin later.
• Use ship-sponsored excursions when timing is tight; for DIY days, plan a 60–90 minute buffer before all-aboard.

Optional extensions: If you decide to fly between islands pre/post cruise, check flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; typical hops include MIA–STT and MIA–SXM.

Summary: In seven days, you’ll sample three distinct islands and two languid sea days, balancing reef time, rum tastings, and elevated dinners. It’s a Caribbean cruise tuned to adults—unhurried mornings, curated excursions, and nights that end with the sound of the sea.