The Caribbean is the most popular cruising destination in the world, and the cruise industry is one of the most significant drivers of Caribbean tourism . In the 2011/2012 cruise year, for example, cruise tourism led to more than 45,000 jobs and $1.99 billion in spending in the region, according to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. So where are the best places to dock in the Caribbean? We took a look, focusing on the large cruise destinations of the region and considering factors like safety, food, comfort, quality of excursions and, if applicable, the quality of downtown areas. (Don’t worry, we’ll be releasing a ranking of the top small cruise destinations in the Caribbean soon).

Old San Juan

It doesn’t get much better than Old San Juan, perhaps the most beautiful neighbourhood in the entire Caribbean. The shopping and food are great, but this port is all about exploring, whether you’re walking the cobblestone streets or checking out El Morro.