Caribbean Escape – San Juan & St. Maarten

About this cruise

You sail from New York on August 19, 2026 and spend 10 nights visiting San Juan, Philipsburg, St. Thomas, Tortola and Puerto Plata (Amber Cove). It's a well-tested route and there's a reason people keep booking it. The first couple of days are at sea, which gives you time to settle in and get to know the ship before the ports begin. Crossing 5 borders through the Caribbean: Puerto Rico, Netherlands, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Roughly 7 hours per stop. More of a sampler than a deep dive. As for the ship itself, Norwegian Escape takes the food seriously, with 17 restaurants to choose from. 8 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. By night three you start recognising faces; by night ten you're swapping numbers. That's the magic of a longer sailing. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Pro tip: fly in the day before. New York has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. It's peak season, so the weather is at its best and the ship will be full. That's part of the fun. You start in New York and come back with stories from Puerto Rico, Netherlands, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic.