Southern Caribbean Cruise 11 Nights • Cape Liberty (New York), New Jersey • Odyssey of the Seas

This cruise port, the first to be built in New Jersey in 40 years, provides the perfect setting to the beginning or end of any voyage. From the vantage point of the deck, you can look out over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and all of lower Manhattan.

Your ship departs promptly at 3:00 pm, so plan to arrive at least 2-3 hours early to account for checking in and boarding protocols. During this time, many of the ship's amenities are open and operating, so feel free to start your vacation early.

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.

Fan out from Castries to find escapes for every taste. Near the port, browse Pointe Seraphine, for duty-free goods, or colorful Castries Central Market, for native spices and hand-made crafts. Sample the best of St. Lucia on a highlights tour to the Castries Market, historic Catholic church, and city square, and don't miss breathtaking views from Caribelle Batik, offering artisanal goods. Or, join a leisurely coastal cruise past Marigot Bay. Novelist James A. Michener described it as "the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean."

When Bajans say, "Life's a beach," they mean 80 pristine beaches, some long and straight, some hidden among cliffs, many among the world's most beautiful. Cruise to Barbados for water sports include jet skiing at lively Mullins Beach, paddle boarding at Pebbles Beach, and surfing at Atlantic Shores. Small boats will take you swimming with the turtles, or you can skipper your own Hobie Cat, try spearfishing, or lounge aboard a luxurious catamaran with drinks. Launch a 4x4 safari into the Barbados Wildlife Reserve in search of green monkeys, a rare sight outside Africa. Explore Harrison's Cave from a tram, viewing stalactites, stalagmites, and underground streams. People have come here to trade since the English in 1627. Today, you'll find designer fashion, fine jewelry, fragrances, electronics, and leather in this tax haven. Talented islanders produce exquisite art and collectables. Foodies love this “culinary capital of the Caribbean,” fusing the flavors of Africa, the West Indies, and Europe. The Atlantic provides a delicious array of fish including shark, salmon, cod, red snapper, and flying fish, a symbol of Barbados, as well as shrimp, lobster, and crabs. Chicken, beef, pork, turkey, and duck are served fried, grilled, baked, roasted, and pickled. On the side, look for cou-cou, rice and peas, pelau, and macaroni pie, along with tropical fruits.

Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis

Explore French and English colonial architecture, breathtaking beaches, and lush landscapes beneath soaring mountain peaks.

Walking distance from the St. Kitts cruise port, find the Circus and Independence Square. The Circus is a roundabout lined by local shops with artisanal batik clothing, leatherwork, and weaving. Stroll another couple blocks to Independence Square, site of the stately courthouse and cathedral.

West of Basseterre, visit 350-year-old Romney Manor estate, once owned by a British earl. The grounds include magnificent gardens with exotic plants and an amazing saman tree—as old as the estate—that covers half an acre.

Tour Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, 750 feet above the Caribbean. Ride a narrow-gauge train through breathtaking scenery on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway tour. All round the island, take in magnificent views of Mount Liamuiga, a 3,792-foot-high dormant volcano. Of course, pristine beaches and turquoise waters are everywhere.

For lunch, seek out rustic plantation homes that serve hearty West Indian fare like fresh seafood, local rotis, mango ginger chicken, and goat water stew, blending the islands’ staple protein with local papaya and breadfruit.

You'll have so much to discover before returning to the St. Kitts cruise port.

This cruise port, the first to be built in New Jersey in 40 years, provides the perfect setting to the beginning or end of any voyage. From the vantage point of the deck, you can look out over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and all of lower Manhattan.

The cruise might have ended, but there are still some great activities to enjoy in the area. If you flew into this port, be mindful of your departure flight time and plan accordingly.