Cheap cruises from san juan puerto rico: San Juan Cruise Deals | Cruises from San Juan

Reasons to Take a Cruise Out of San Juan, Puerto Rico

December 16, 2018

When taking a cruise, you have the option of leaving from cruise ports all around the country. However, one of the most overlooked and best cruise port to take a cruise to the Caribbean from is San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Carnival Fascination docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico

If you are leery about visiting Puerto Rico because of Hurricane Maria, don’t be.  I’ve visited Puerto Rico four times now since Maria and I can tell you first hand that the island is open for business and as beautiful as ever.  Walking around Old San Juan where the cruise port is located you can’t even tell the area was hit by a devastating hurricane last year.

Yes, leaving out of San Juan will require the extra expense of airfare as you have to fly to SJU.  But here are reasons why it’s worth every penny to take a cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Best Caribbean Itineraries

Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean both have cruise ships based in San Juan year round.   Other cruise lines sail seasonally out of the port including Viking Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line,  and Windstar Cruises.

Since Puerto Rico is already located in the Caribbean, the itineraries offered out of San Juan can take you to islands in the Southern Caribbean that aren’t offered on cruises out of Florida.   Want to visit Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, St, Kitts, and the Virgin Islands on one week long cruise?  Then you have to leave out of Puerto Rico.

Grenada is a popular cruise port on cruises out of San Juan

Once you visit islands in the Southern Caribbean, you’ll have no desire to cruise to the Bahamas or Cozumel again.  They offer a beauty that is unmatched by the most common cruise destinations.

Viking Cruises even offers a round trip cruise out of San Juan that takes you up the Amazon River after visiting islands in the Southern Caribbean.

Viking Cruises offers unique itineraries out of San Juan that aren’t offered by other cruise lines

More Ports, Less Sea Days

As mentioned above, Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean between the Dominican Republic and the U. S. Virgin Islands.  Since there are so many incredible islands close by, you can visit five or six cruise ports on a week long cruise.  Many week long cruises out of Florida or Texas only stop at three cruise ports.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather visit six tropical islands than just three or four.  Go tropical island hopping and book a cruise out of San Juan.

Starts and Ends in Paradise

Your cruise starts on a Caribbean island and ends on a Caribbean island.  No offense to Jacksonville, Bayonne, or Galveston, but I’d rather be in Puerto Rico when my cruise is over.

Another great thing about cruises out of San Juan is that it’s always warm there. I’ve taken cruises out of Florida in January when cold fronts came through and everyone was wearing a jacket or sweatshirt.  You won’t ever need a jacket in Puerto Rico.

Perfect Port for Pre and Post Cruise Stays

There is no other port on earth that is better for a pre or post cruise stay than San Juan, Puerto Rico. On my last cruise out of San Juan (Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas), I opted for a pre and a post cruise stay so I could enjoy as much as the island as I possibly could.

From beachfront resorts (more on my favorite later) to a mom and pop bed and breakfast in Old San Juan, it’s the perfect extension to your cruise.

Yes, cruise ships often spend the day in San Juan as part of their itinerary.  However, there are some things in Puerto Rico that you can only take advantage of if you stay a few nights on the island.

If you really want to escape the busyness of everyday life, spend a few days on the island of Vieques before or after your cruise.  Vieques is located just off the Eastern coast of Puerto Rico and is a short 30 minute flight from Isla Grande Airport (that small airport near Old San Juan and adjacent to the Royal Caribbean terminal).  Another option is the ferry from Ceiba, especially since the fast ferry started operating two months ago.

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Sun Bay on Vieques, Puerto Rico

Vieques is the hidden gem of the Caribbean.   The island is almost known for what you can’t find on it than what is on it.  You won’t find a single traffic light and commercialization is basically non-existent. OK, so there is one Subway on the island but that is it.  In the day and age when just about every island has become a tourist trap with Margaritavilles, Senor Frogs, and jewelry stores promoted by cruise lines everywhere you go, Vieques is the polar opposite of that.

I recently spent four weeks on Vieques and can honestly say it’s unspoiled paradise.  There are thousands of wild horses that freely roam the island and it’s unlike any other place on earth.

Vieques is home to the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.  It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, the bay is glowing brighter than ever.  I’ve visited the bay three times now and this should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list.

Tip: Go with a company that offers glass bottom kayaks and go at a time when it’s as close to the new moon a possible.

If you love having tropical beaches lined with palm trees all to yourself and visiting mom and pop restaurants while staying in an Airbnb, then Vieques is for you.

Enjoy having tropical beaches basically all to yourself? Then you’ll want to visit Vieques.

If you’re there on a Sunday and would like to attend services, there is now an English speaking church on the island (Vieques Baptist Church).

On the mainland, you have the choice of resorts, budget hotels, Airbnbs, or bed and breakfasts. You can even do something foolish like buy a timeshare and stay there for your extended vacation. There’s no lack of places to stay for a pre or post cruise visit in Puerto Rico.

More Time at El Yunque

El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest system.  Yes, you can visit El Yunque on some cruises as long as you arrive early in the morning.  However, you really can’t take time to enjoy it since you have to get back to the ship before it leaves.

Hiking to La Mina Falls is one of our favorite things to do in Puerto Rico. It’s even better on days when no cruise ships are in port and it’s far less crowded. By taking a cruise out of San Juan and opting for a pre or post cruise day, you can take time to enjoy the beauty of this rain forest.  There are some great hidden spots where you can swim in the rainforest that you won’t find an any cruise tours.

La Mina Falls in El Yunque Rain Forest

Where to Stay

My go to hotel when staying in San Juan is the Intercontinental. It’s pretty much the perfect hotel for pre or post cruise stays.  For one, it’s located right by the airport and a short 10-15 minute cab or Uber ride to the cruise port.  It has an incredible pool area with a waterfall, tons of palm trees, a swim-up bar, and giant hot tub.  It is also located right on the most popular beach in San Juan.  You can enjoy time by the pool or walk right out to the largest beach in the city.

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View from my room at the Intercontinental San Juan

When I was visiting here last year, John Travolta was filming a movie (Speed Kills) at the resort.

The hotel is also in the perfect location as there are a ton of restaurants that are less than a 5 minute walk away. There’s everything from fast food to authentic Puerto Rican restaurants.  The resort also has several restaurants including a Ruth’s Chris Steak House.  You can even have a casual dinner right on the beach at sunset.

Pool area at night at the Intercontinental San Juan

Another great option for your stay is the El San Juan Hotel that just reopened this week. It’s located next door to the Intercontinental.

If you want to stay right by the cruise port, there’s a Sheraton that is pretty much across the street from it.

Uber

Uber is an awesome, affordable way to get around San Juan but there is one thing you should know.  They can not and will not pick you up by taxi stands.  If you want to use Uber, walk a block away from the taxi stands and then open the app to get your ride.  This includes hotels that have taxi stands right outside of them.

View Prices on Cruises out of San Juan, Puerto Rico

Odds and Ends

Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, they use the U.S. Dollar and your phone will work just like it does back in the States.

Puerto Rican coffee is nothing short of divine. If you are a coffee lover, then Puerto Rico is a place you need to visit. Due to the climate, there are numerous coffee farms on the island. My favorite Puerto Rican coffee?  Finca Cialitos!  It is located right in Old San Juan on Calle San Francisco and is a short walk from the cruise pier.   The owner (Joaquin) grows and roasts the coffee beans and it’s pretty much the best coffee on earth. Seriously, stop and grab a cup and you can thank me later.

There are many fixed cab fares for trips to and from the airport, Old San Juan, Isla Verde, and Condado.  This comes in handy so you don’t have to worry about being gouged or your driver going the long way to drive up the meter.

While Spanish is the official and primary language of Puerto Rico, pretty much everyone in the tourist areas is bilingual and can communicate in English.   However if you can speak some Spanish, they appreciate the effort.  This is true pretty much wherever you go in the world.

Make sure you try some local Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo, empanadillas, or tostones and maduros.

There is a free trolley service that takes you around Old San Juan that runs Monday – Friday from 7-7 and on weekends from 9-7.  This is strictly transportation but a great way to get around.  There is no tour guide on board.

Old San Juan has two 400 year old forts that are filled with history.  A ticket includes admission to both forts, El Morro and San Christobal.

If you’re on the fence about taking a cruise out of San Juan, just do it.  You won’t regret it.

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10 cheapest spring break cruises

With the start of a new year, it’s time to start locking in those spring break plans! It will be here before you know it, and there’s no better time to book a cruise than right now.

You might be wondering why now is the best time to book a cruise for 2023? Well, that’s because it’s wave season – the time when cruise lines have some of their biggest sales of the year.

While you might assume that cruises will be more expensive in March to April because of spring breaker, this time is actually shoulder season for many popular destinations. Since summer is considered the busiest travel time of the year, you can snag some pretty fantastic cruise deals.

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Here’s a list of 10 of the cheapest spring break cruises we could find.

1.  Spain and Portugal Cruise, 2-night sailing

Where: Departing from Lisbon (Portugal), sailing to Malaga (Spain), including a stop in Seville (Spain)

Dates: March 31, 2023- April 2, 2023

Price: $99 per person

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Ship: Norwegian Sun

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When searching for the cheapest spring break cruises, this incredibly cheap 2-night sailing was the first option that popped up through Norwegian Cruise Line.

If you’re already studying abroad in Europe or looking to add a little pizazz to your European spring break trip, consider taking this 2-night sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line. Airfare to Europe in March is much cheaper than fares you’ll pay in peak summer – and you can enjoy some cooler weather.

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For this cheap spring break cruise, you’ll embark on a short 2-night sailing from Lisbon, Portugal to Malaga, Spain. This cruise has one stop in Seville, Spain as well. These are cities rich in culture with incredible beaches to enjoy as well.

Although this itinerary is short, the total price of this cruise is easily less than you would pay for a hotel for two nights. Don’t forget, this includes the price of transportation, food and accommodations onboard. You’ll also get access to all of Norwegian Sky’s onboard amenities and entertainment.

2. Catalina and Ensenada Cruise, 4-night sailing

Where: Departs from Los Angeles (California) with stops in Catalina Island (California) and Ensenada (Mexico)

Dates: March 27, 2023 or April 3, 2023 or April 24, 2023

Price: $300 – $390 per person

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean

Ship: Navigator of the Seas

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For those living on the West Coast, this 4-night itinerary on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas is an excellent option for a quick and cheap getaway.

In fact, this is a cruise that I did back in high school for spring break with my family! For many years, Royal Caribbean did not offer regular sailings from the West Coast, but this has since changed with Navigator of the Seas becoming regularly deployed to California.

Mexico is a popular destination for spring breakers, so this itinerary is sure to be a popular choice for many.

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This itinerary also includes one sea day after embarking from Los Angeles, allowing you to enjoy Navigator of the Seas and all of the ship’s onboard amenities, thrills and offerings. With multiple dates to choose from, this is a great itinerary for spring break.

3. Western Caribbean Cruise, 4-night sailing

Where: Departing from Miami, Florida with stops in Key West (Florida) and Cozumel (Mexico)

Dates: March 27, 2023 – March 31, 2023

Price: $294 per person

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line

Ship: Carnival Conquest

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Heading to the Sunshine State of Florida is the quintessential way to celebrate spring break!

If you’re looking for cheap cruises, Carnival Cruise Line is going to be your best bet for the multiple sailings throughout March and April. Carnival is known for having the most fun ships at sea, so you are sure to have a wild time for spring break if you choose to sail onboard one of their cruise ships.

Back in college, I actually did this same itinerary for my own spring break cruise!

During this 4-night sailing, you will visit Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico. You’ll also enjoy one sea day, which Carnival has coined as Fun Day at Sea. We love to use sea days to kick back, relax and enjoy a poolside cocktail.

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Carnival Cruise Line also has tons of nightclubs, bars and lounges; so, even while you’re onboard, you can still have a great time.

4. Western Caribbean Cruise, 5-night sailing

Where: Departing from Tampa (Florida), sailing to Mahogany Bay (Honduras) and Cozumel (Mexico)

Dates: March 25, 2023 – March 30, 2023

Price: $414 per person

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line

Ship: Carnival Paradise

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If you’re wanting to visit Central Florida, you could consider taking this cheap cruise from Tampa.

Again, Carnival Cruise Line has tons of different cheap cruises for spring breakers looking to enjoy a quick getaway. While Carnival Paradise is one of Carnival’s older ships, it’s been retrofitted with signature Carnival offerings like BlueIguana and Guy’s Burger Joint.

For this 5-night sailing, you will have two Fun Days at Sea to enjoy Carnival Conquest.

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Carnival Cruise Line also has tons of nightclubs, bars and lounges; so, even while you’re onboard, you can still have a great time.

5. Dominican Republic & St. Thomas, 9-Night Caribbean Cruise

Where: Departing from Miami (Florida) with stops in Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas), San Juan (Puerto Rico), St. Maarten, St. Johns, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic)

Dates: March 21, 2023 -March 30 , 2023 or April 8, 2023 – April 17, 2023

Price: $449- $549 per person

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Ship: Norwegian Sky

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While shorter cruises will be inherently cheaper overall, you can still find cheap cruises that feature longer sailings with more port-intensive itineraries.

Norwegian Sky is an older and smaller ship in Norwegian’s fleet, but it was recently refurbished. During this 9-night sailing, you will have two sea days onboard the ship.

Great Stirrup Cay is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, located in the Bahamas where you can enjoy a plethora of complimentary amenities. During this port-intensive itinerary, you’ll also visit the wildly beautiful islands of St. Thomas, St. Johns and St. Maarten.

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For ports with tons of history and culture, you’ll also enjoy San Juan in Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

6. Transatlantic Spanish Cruise, 12-Night Sailing

Where: Departing from Miami (Florida) sailing to Barcelona (Spain) with stops in Malaga (Spain), Valencia (Spain)

Dates: March 9, 2023- March 21, 2023

Price: $447 per person

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean

Ship: Symphony of the Seas

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Transatlantic and repositioning itineraries are excellent choices for those looking to snag a cheap cruise.

I found this incredible deal on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, which is one the biggest cruise ships in the world. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships are packed with tons of onboard amenities and thrills.

Although you’ll be onboard Symphony of the Seas for the majority of this sailing (it is a transatlantic cruise, of course!), you can still enjoy two port days in Spain. This transatlantic sailing docks in Malaga, Spain and Valencia, Spain at the end of the itinerary before ending in Barcelona, Spain.

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If you’re someone who is taking online classes or you can work remotely, this cheap cruise is an amazing price!

7. Bahamas Cruise, 4-Night Sailing

Where: Departing from Miami (Florida) and sailing to Nassau (Bahamas) and Ocean Cay (MSC Marine Reserve)

Dates: April 10, 2023 – April 15, 2023

Price: $179 per person

Cruise Line: MSC

Ship: MSC Divina

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New to the North American cruise market is European-based cruise line MSC – and they are offering some very cheap itineraries for 2023’s spring break season!

For this 4-night sailing to the Bahamas, you’ll enjoy two stops in the Bahamas, including Nassau and MSC’s private island, the MSC Marine Reserve. Additionally, you’ll have one day at sea to relax onboard MSC Divina.

For just $179 per person, this cheap cruise is a great choice for those looking to sail on a budget. MSC cruises is one of the more budget-friendly cruise lines due to offering tons of add-ons and frills to their pricing. If you want to sail for the dirt cheap fares, you still receive dining, entertainment, accommodations and transportation in the cost of your cruise fare.

8.  Key West and Bahamas Cruise, 4-Night Sailing

Where: Departing from Miami (Florida) sailing to Key West (Florida) and Nassau (Bahamas)

Dates: March 2, 2023 – March 6, 2023

Price: $249 per person

Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises

Ship: Celebrity Summit

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Right now, Celebrity Cruises is having some amazing promotions and sails for cruises in the coming months.

Celebrity Cruises is considered an upscale cruise line with a more refined experience. If you’re looking for a more serene and tranquil cruise environment, you should consider taking this 4-night spring break cruise.

You probably shouldn’t expect to find wild parties onboard, as Celebrity Cruises focuses on having a more luxurious cruise experience onboard its vessels.

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For just $249 per person, you can sail to Key West and Nassau – and with Celebrity’s current promotion during wave season, you’ll receive $100 onboard credit per stateroom. These cheap fares are comparable to budget cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line.

This cruise fare includes dining (excluding specialty dining), entertainment, accommodation and transportation between ports.

9. Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan Cruise, 7-Night Sailing

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Where: Departing from Los Angeles (California) with stops in Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Mazatlan (Mexico), Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)

Dates: April 7, 2023 – April 14, 2023

Price: $481 per person

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean

Ship: Navigator of the Seas

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Another cheap cruise for those of you living on the West Coast or wanting to visit California. While we typically see shorter sailings with the cheapest rates, this cheap cruise on Navigator of the Seas is tough to pass up. 

If you have enough time to do a 7-night sailing during your spring break, you should absolutely consider this cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas.

Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta are very popular destinations in Mexico for spring break, but why choose just one location when you can visit both?!

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This cheap cruise on Navigator of the Seas includes two sea days at the beginning and end of your cruise. You’ll have three full days of sunshine, beach and cocktails in Mexico, visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

10. Bahamas Cruise, 5-Night Sailing

Where: Departing from Jacksonville (Florida) and visiting ports in Nassau (Bahamas) and Princess Cays (Bahamas)

Dates: April 17, 2023 – April 22, 2023

Price: $334 per person

Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line

Ship: Carnival Elation

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Our final cheap cruise for spring breakers has to be Carnival Cruise Line, as they are known for having the cheapest cruise fares in the industry.

Carnival Elation is offering a 5-night spring break sailing for $334 per person. You’ll enjoy stops in Nassau, Bahamas and Princess Cays, Bahamas. These are the perfect places for you to head to the b

This means you have two Funs Days at Sea to relax onboard Carnival Elation and enjoy some of the cruise line’s signature amenities, like Sea day Brunch, Waterworks slides, and Spa Carnival.

Final Cheap Cruise Tips

As we mentioned, this is the best time to book your spring break cruise for 2023, as most cruise lines are having big promotions, sales and discounts. Some cruise lines, like Celebrity Cruises, are even providing free onboard credit if you book during their wave season promotion. 

To look for the cheapest cruises, head directly to the cruise line’s website and punch in the dates you want to travel. For this, I selected March and April of 2023. You do not need to choose a specific destination or departure port; instead, you can simply click search with just the date frame.

Once you see your results, you can sort all of the cruises by Price: Low to High. This way, you aren’t limited to certain destinations, departure ports or number of sailing nights.

Also, consult with a travel agent before you decide to book a cruise during wave season. Travel agents can often secure better deals for your cruises without costing you anything extra.

Read more: What to know before booking a cheap cruise

Finally, don’t be afraid to sail in the cheapest cabins onboard. If I am sailing on a budget, I almost always cruise in an inside cabin guarantee. Choosing the cheapest cabin allows you more flexibility in your budget to purchase shore excursions, drink packages, or specialty dining onboard your cruise. 

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Cruise company MSC Cruises

Sea cruises MSC Cruises: Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea

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Last cabins on the MSC World Europa liner in the Persian Gulf

Itinerary 7 nights: Dubai – Abu Dhabi – island Sir Bani Yas – Sea – Dammam – Doha – Dubai – Dubai

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Total cruises: 4941
Found: 2462 cruise(s) from 11.02.2023 to 11.02.2024 for 5-13 nights for 2 adults ,

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MSC Grandiosa

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Cruise on MSC Grandiosa

Marseille Marseille (6 cities/ports in 4 countries)

Cruise itinerary: Marseille – Genoa / Milan – Civitavecchia / Rome – Palermo, Fr. Sicily – Valletta – Sea – Barcelona – Marseille

7 nights 11.02.2023 – 18.02.2023

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Royal Caribbean cruises up to 40% off!

Issued on 11/11/2016

Forget your daily routine and switch to Caribbean mode! It should be noted that one of the best ways to get to know the Caribbean is just a cruise: it’s convenient, safe and profitable!

Book a Caribbean cruise now, because within the framework of this offer you will be able to purchase it up to 40% cheaper than !

The offer is valid until there are enough seats, or until 12/31/2016 .

Below we have listed some examples of routes, in fact the choice is much wider. Contact Estravel consultants for more information!

• Prices

• Royal Caribbean

Caribbean cruise aboard Freedom of the Seas

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Liner: Freedom of the Seas

Departure example: 01/15/2017
Route: Fort Lauderdale, USA – day at sea May – Georgetown, Cayman Islands – Mexico – Costa Mexico day at sea – Fort Lauderdale

Allure of the Seas Caribbean Cruise

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Liner: Allure of the Seas

Departure example: 01/08/2017
Route: Fort Lauderdale, USA – day at sea – Labadi, Haiti – Falmouth – day at sea – Fort Lauderdale, USA

Caribbean cruise aboard Oasis of the Seas

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Liner: Oasis of the Seas

Departure example: 01/15/2017
Route: Port Canaveral, USA – a day at sea – Labadi, Haiti – a sea – Falmouth, Jamaica day at sea – Port Canaveral, USA

Anthem of the Seas Caribbean Cruise

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