Mariner of the Seas: 8-Night Western Caribbean

New Orleans cruise port is the largest Gulf Coast cruise departure point after Galveston and the gateway for Western Caribbean itineraries out of the deep South. The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) operates two cruise terminals along the Mississippi River downtown: the Erato Street Cruise Terminal (serving Carnival and Disney Cruise Line) and the Julia Street Cruise Terminal (serving Norwegian and Royal Caribbean).

Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the western Caribbean known for Seven Mile Beach, exceptional diving, and its role as a major offshore financial center. George Town serves as the cruise port, but there's no pier large enough for cruise ships.

Falmouth's historic port was purpose-built for mega-ships and sits in a town known for its well-preserved Georgian colonial architecture. Popular excursions include Dunn's River Falls, bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae River, and Montego Bay beaches.

Cozumel cruise port is one of the busiest in the Caribbean, with multiple ships docking on the island every day during peak season. Cozumel is a flat, laid-back island off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, and it's been a cruise staple for decades.