Cruising to Jamaica

If you're cruising in the Caribbean, chances are you'll drop anchor in Jamaica at some point. More cruise boats sail through these waters than anywhere else on Earth, and half of them visit Jamaica each year—making it the most popular cruise destination in the world. Be it the reggae music or the jerk chicken, the smiles on the faces of locals or the insanely perfect weather, this Caribbean isle provides the same type of hospitality that you'll find onboard—the playground is just bigger. Here are some ports you might hit.

Montego Bay: Sure, there's the famous rum factory (and jugs of Tia Maria, a coffee-flavored liqueur that we couldn't get enough of). But if you like to consider yourself among the active set, Royal Caribbean offers a wet and wild adventure to Lovers Paradise Mayfield Falls, where you'll have hours to frolic in the refreshing mineral pools and hike the nature trails in search of healing herbs (and we're not talking about the kind you smoke). A stroll through an Arawak-style village completes your afternoon excursion, as you weave through primitive rain forests on your way back to the pier.

Ocho Rios: You know you've imagined it: riding horseback on a pristine beach, the wind blowing through your hair just right, hooves splashing against the placid waves. It's hard to resist, and with a stop in Ocho Rios—"Ochie" to those in the know—you don't have to. Once you're through playing the part of a Bond girl (most of 007's movie plots were based here), you'll probably be famished. Those cruising with Celebrity Cruises luck out thanks to the line's "Real Taste of Jamaica" excursion, a lesson in everything jerk. Get your taste buds in check with a tour of Walkers Wood factory and spice garden, where Jamaican jerk is produced—samples, please!—before heading to a Wassai Art Studio and the Reggae Explosion Museum; if you've got an interest, Bob Marley's home is in nearby Nine Mile).

Port Antonio: With a sleepier atmosphere than Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, this lesser-known haven was initially a banana port before a visit from actor Errol Flynn secured its place on the Hollywood vacation radar. Under the command of the luxe Silversea vessel Silver Wind, you have your pick of activities: will it be snorkeling and swimming off the powdery beaches or cave-carousing in Nonsuch, a 1.5 million-year-old cave? Our vote goes to the stalagmites and stalactites at Nonsuch, where a 30-minute stroll through the bat-covered cave gives perspective into ancient Arawak civilization. Neighboring Athenry Gardens, set in a 185-acre banana plantation, offers stunning panoramic views of the island; the hundreds of species of plantlife are an added bonus.