Exotic Haven – San Juan & St. Maarten

About this cruise

Somewhere around day five the ship stops being transport and starts being home. This 12-night sailing from New York on December 23, 2026 visits Puerto Plata (Amber Cove), San Juan, Basseterre, St. Thomas, Tortola and Philipsburg. 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 6 borders through the Caribbean: Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts & Nevis, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Sint Maarten. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Most ports give you about 10 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, Norwegian Bliss takes the food seriously, with 18 restaurants to choose from. 7 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. If you've been thinking about a cruise, this 12-night sailing is a strong place to start.