New York City Brooklyn Bridge — Brooklyn Bridge During Summer Time

6 BEST SUMMER VACATION CRUISES FROM NEW YORK

Calling all New Yorkers — You can have the best summer vacation ever. Here’s how.

Published on March 4, 2020

Goodbye sweater weather, hello sunshine — summer is just around the corner. For many New Yorkers, the change in weather usually heralds the beginning of a season of rooftop parties, live music in Central Park, longer days with plenty of blue skies and swiftly rising temperatures. But it’s also the ideal time of year to get out of town and check some new vacation destinations off your bucket list on the perfect summer getaway, whether you’re a parent with kids who are out of school, a student in between semesters, or just someone who’s craving a little change in scenery.

This year, add a well-deserved Caribbean getaway to your summer agenda. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to plan a week-long family vacation to exotic southern shores or a last-minute sun-soaked island hop with your besties. You don’t even have to board an airplane — there are plenty of tropics-bound cruises to choose from sailing out of the New York Area.

KING'S WHARF, BERMUDA

With its pastel-hued colonial buildings and stunning white-sand beaches, Bermuda is a sun-seekers’ paradise and the perfect place to take a break from the Northeast. Its claim to fame as a world-class diving and golf destination doesn’t hurt, either. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most popular destinations to cruise to from the New York area, which is why you’ll find lots of itineraries with stops at this Caribbean-cool paradise. Hop on a 5-night getaway if you’re pressed for time or set sail on a longer adventure if you aren’t counting vacation days.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

Located just east of the Dominican Republic and west of the British Virgin Islands, sunny San Juan has everything you could hope to find in a Caribbean cruise destination — a vibrant culture, rich and fascinating history, beautiful historic buildings and breathtaking beaches. Wander through the Old Town and sip rum while gazing out over the city’s centuries-old fortress walls, or ride an open-air trolley around to San Juan’s most famous sites. You can reach the Isle of Enchantment on summer cruises ranging from 8-10 nights.

PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN

New Yorkers should feel right at home in St. Maarten — boasting more than 120 nationalities speaking close to 100 languages, it’s nearly as diverse of a melting pot as the Big Apple. You’ll find tons to do here, too, whether you’re chasing an adrenaline high through dense rainforests on the zip line ride of your life, soaking up the sunshine on one of the island’s many secluded beaches, or sampling the world-famous global cuisine that makes up the legendary food scene in Philipsburg. Are you feeling the wanderlust yet?

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NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS

If you’re craving a hearty dose of calypso rhythms, clear turquoise waters and lots of quintessential Caribbean charm, look no further than Nassau in The Bahamas. Once a popular refuge for pirates and bootleggers, the Bahamian capital is home to picturesque streets, open-air markets and vibrant coral reefs as colorful as the rum-running characters that used it as a hideaway centuries ago. The beaches here are postcard-perfect, the seafood is unforgettable, and the hospitality is world-class. Visit on a 7- or 8-night summer cruise and discover for yourself why the island nation’s slogan is “it’s better in The Bahamas.”

LABADEE, A THRILL-SEEKERS PRIVATE DESTINATION

There’s something for everybody at the Royal Caribbean private destination, Labadee. Thrill-seekers can test their courage on an alpine roller coaster and the longest zip line over water. Outdoorsy types can hike along winding trails through lush jungles and up rugged mountains. And sun soakers can unwind in tranquil beach bungalows situated along gold-and-turquoise-shores. If this unforgettable stop is on your summer cruise itinerary, make sure to try the destination’s signature drink, the Labadoozie — it definitely lives up to its name.

PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY

If you’ve visited this private island in the past, you’re in for a jaw-dropping surprise. The fan-favorite destination has undergone a major revamp introducing all new spaces and attractions like the largest freshwater pool and the largest wave pool in the Caribbean, a water park with the tallest waterslide in North America, and the first floating cabanas in The Bahamas. You can get there starting this summer on a cruise from the New York area.