Vision of the Seas: 9-Night Southern Caribbean

San Juan cruise port is one of the busiest in the Caribbean and one of the few that doubles as both a major embarkation point and a popular port of call. The port sits in Old San Juan, the historic colonial core of Puerto Rico's capital, founded by Spanish colonists in 1521.

Known as 'One Happy Island,' Aruba docks ships at the port in Oranjestad, just steps from the colorful Dutch colonial architecture and Royal Plaza Mall. Eagle Beach and Palm Beach offer powdery white sand, and the island sits outside the hurricane belt.

You've probably seen photos of Willemstad even if you don't realize it: that row of pastel-colored Dutch colonial buildings along the Handelskade is one of the most photographed waterfronts in the Caribbean. It's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

Barbados cruise port is in Bridgetown, the capital of the easternmost Caribbean island. Bridgetown Port (Deep Water Harbour) sits just outside the city's UNESCO-listed historic center, with modern terminal facilities including 21 duty-free shops, restaurants, car rental agencies, and a tourism office.

St. John's is the capital and main cruise port of Antigua, one of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. The Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay cruise terminals sit in the heart of St. John's, directly adjacent to the duty-free shopping district.

St. Thomas cruise port is one of the busiest stops on Eastern Caribbean itineraries and the hub of the US Virgin Islands cruise scene. The port handles two main cruise terminals.