Your Caribbean Cruise Companion

8-night route: Fort Lauderdale -> St. Kitts -> Antigua -> San Juan -> Puerto Plata -> Fort Lauderdale. Departure: Mar 28, 2026 at 3:30 PM. Return: Apr 5, 2026 at 7:00 AM. Built for your style: relaxing, beaches, shopping, and dining.

Ship: Celebrity Eclipse 4 port days + 3 sea days Interactive planner + checklist DIY savings tips included
Trip Countdown

Sail date: Mar 28, 2026 at 3:30 PM

--Days
--Hours
--Minutes
Quick Wins
  • Book only 1-2 paid excursions. DIY the rest.
  • Use San Juan as your best walk-and-shop day.
  • Pick one full beach reset day (Antigua or St. Kitts).
  • Return to ship 60-90 min before all-aboard.

Ship Review - Celebrity Eclipse

Review Summary

Generally strong ratings and a loyal repeat-guest crowd. Most feedback praises service, food, and the calmer premium atmosphere.

Typical ratings around 4.2-4.5 Strong service culture Good main dining quality

What You Will Love

  • Adults-friendly vibe and quieter spaces (Solarium).
  • Solid included dining plus optional specialty nights.
  • Good sea-day comfort for true relaxation.

Known Trade-Offs

  • Some cabins/areas can feel older than new mega-ships.
  • Add-ons can raise total cost if not planned.
  • Wi-Fi and drink package value depends on usage.

Personal note: This guide is tailored to your booked sailing and your travel style: beach-forward, relaxing, food-focused, and smart on budget.

Route + Ideal Daily Rhythm

Day Stop Port Window Best Plan for Your Preferences
1Fort LauderdaleDeparts 3:30 PMBoard early, unpack, light dinner, early reset.
2-3Sea DaysAll daySolarium/pool mornings, relaxing lunch, show at night.
4Basseterre, St. Kitts8:00 AM-6:00 PMBeach plus one scenic/history stop.
5St. John's, Antigua7:00 AM-4:00 PMTurquoise beach morning + shopping afternoon.
6San Juan, Puerto Rico8:00 AM-5:00 PMOld San Juan walk, fort, food, boutiques.
7Puerto Plata, DR10:00 AM-6:00 PMCity culture loop + local food + souvenir stop.
8Sea DayAll daySpa/chill, pack in afternoon, farewell dinner.
9Fort LauderdaleArrives 7:00 AMEasy breakfast, customs, onward travel buffer.

Interactive Port Planner (Must-Do + DIY Savings)

Must-Do

  • Brimstone Hill + scenic island highlights tour.
  • Beach time at South Friars or Cockleshell Bay.

DIY Budget Plan

  • Shared taxi from port to one beach club.
  • Chair + umbrella + lunch, then return direct.

Keeps costs down and avoids overpacked tour schedules.

Food + Shopping

  • Port Zante souvenirs and local crafts.
  • Beach bars for simple local lunch.
South Friars Bay
Calm swim and chill vibe
Cockleshell Bay
Beach bars + Nevis views
Brimstone Hill
Historic lookout stop

Port Zante map South Friars Bay Cockleshell Bay

Must-Do

  • Half-day best-beaches combo excursion.
  • Shirley Heights viewpoint for one iconic photo stop.

DIY Budget Plan

  • Taxi to one beach only (Dickenson or Fort James).
  • Return early for Redcliffe + Heritage Quay shopping.

Food + Shopping

  • Duty-free in Heritage Quay.
  • Local boutiques and artisan pieces in Redcliffe Quay.
Dickenson Bay
Classic turquoise-water day
Redcliffe Quay
Boutiques and colorful lanes
Shirley Heights
Epic views and panoramic island shots

Heritage Quay Redcliffe Quay Dickenson Bay

Must-Do

  • Old San Juan self-guided walking loop.
  • Visit one fort: El Morro or San Cristobal.

DIY Budget Plan

  • Walk from port directly into Old San Juan.
  • Set one lunch stop + one shopping stop.

San Juan is your easiest and best-value independent day.

Food + Shopping

  • Mofongo and Puerto Rican coffee.
  • Local crafts, rum gifts, boutique fashion.
Old San Juan
Colorful streets + plazas
El Morro
Ocean cliffs and fortress walls
Paseo de la Princesa
Scenic waterfront walk

Old San Juan El Morro Paseo de la Princesa

Must-Do

  • Puerto Plata city highlights and cultural loop.
  • Umbrella Street + central park + malecon area.

DIY Budget Plan

  • Taino Bay: self-guided city stroll works great.
  • Amber Cove: compare taxi total to shared tour pricing.

Food + Shopping

  • Amber/larimar jewelry, Dominican coffee and cacao.
  • Local lunch over port-only restaurant pricing.
Umbrella Street
Playful city-center photo stop
Malecon Area
Local life and ocean breeze
Amber/Larimar Finds
Great souvenir category

Taino Bay Amber Cove Umbrella Street

Build Your Own Cruise Day (Drag and Drop)

Drag activities into your ideal day buckets. Saved automatically in your browser.

Sea Day Plan

Beach Port Plan

City/Shopping Port Plan

Evening Onboard

Packing + Practical Tips

Essentials

  • Passport, booking docs, app login, card and small cash.
  • Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, SPF lip balm.
  • 2-3 swimsuits, lightweight layers, comfy shoes.
  • Portable charger and refillable water bottle.

Health + Comfort

  • Prescription meds in carry-on only.
  • Motion sickness meds/patches if needed.
  • Small first-aid basics and blister care.
  • Pack a sweater for cool indoor A/C spaces.

Money-Saving Moves

  • Book only one premium specialty dinner.
  • DIY city-walk days in San Juan and possibly Puerto Plata.
  • Use included meals before port shopping splurges.
  • Track onboard account daily.

Interactive Pre-Cruise Checklist

Your checks save in your browser automatically. Great for daily prep.

Documents

Packing

Port Planning

Print tip: use browser print for a hard-copy travel sheet.

Final Personalized Game Plan

Best Beach Day

Choose Antigua for postcard sand/water, or St. Kitts for a calmer, easier mixed day.

Best Shopping Day

San Juan for culture + boutiques; Antigua for duty-free and quick buys near port.

Best Dining Day

Do a local lunch in San Juan and one polished onboard specialty dinner on a sea day night.

Personalized using your booked itinerary, ship details, cruise reviews, and destination guides. Final step before each port: check your app for day-of timing updates.

Made just for your 8-night Caribbean adventure. Have an amazing cruise.