I recently returned from a last-minute cruise on the MSC Divina. I made a very spur-of-the-moment decision to join my BFF on a sailing she booked months prior. I fear commitment, so I booked my trip 12 days before the ship sailed. Upon booking this last-minute cruise, I immediately found myself with the need to explain to family, friends, and the people I work for that I was going to be offline for a while. When I explained why–I’m going on a cruise, I said–they would immediately reply: oh! Nice! Where are you going?

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They expected a response like “the Mediterranean” or “the Bahamas” or even just “the Caribbean”. Instead, I hesitated. Because the MSC Divina was sailing to the Caribbean. And across the Caribbean to South America. And then up through Central America before crossing the Caribbean once again to stop in the Bahamas. While technically a Caribbean cruise, this itinerary is not what one typically imagines when one pictures a Caribbean cruise. There’s a notable lack of white sand beaches or rum drinks on this itinerary. In fact, I sat on exactly one beach during this entire week-and-a-half trip, and I could not be happier about that. But don’t worry, I did still manage to find some rum.

On this ten-day itinerary the MSC Divina visited Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, and MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas. I maintain that this is the best and by far the most interesting Caribbean cruise itinerary I’ve found. If you know of any itineraries which are similarly unique, please share them in the comments. Because I would like to sail those itineraries.

Because of the unique nature of this itinerary, I’ve found that a lot of people considering sailing this route have questions about the various port stops. Because I recently was one of those people–and because I couldn’t find the information I was looking for when researching this trip–I thought I’d create my own guide.

Welcome to my incredibly-detailed and obsessively-thorough guide to MSC’s 10-day cruise itinerary–now with extra dashes!–featuring Ocho Rios, Cartagena, Colon, Puerto Limon, and Ocean Cay. I swear, the good people in the marketing department at MSC really need to come up with a more-specific yet succinct title for this sailing than “Western Caribbean”, because that’s a lot to continue to type. But “Western Caribbean” does not capture the essence of this phenomenal itinerary.

Below I briefly introduce each port and provide some logistical information about each excursion. Please click on the links in each description to go to each port-specific post, where you can read a more-detailed narrative about that excursion and determine how to make the best of your time in each port.

Please note that I was sailing sort-of solo (my BFF had already booked her excursions) so I didn’t feel great about going out on my own. Thus, these are all cruise ship sponsored excursions. Some ports could easily be done independently, and I outline when and how that is possible in each port-specific post. 

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ocho Rios is a very popular cruise port in Jamaica. It is also a very popular destination for those visiting Jamaica by air for a land trip. There’s one iconic location in the area which most people think of when they think of Ocho Rios–Dunn’s River Falls. I did visit the falls, but first I did something quite unexpected for a Caribbean cruise port–I rode roller coasters.

Click HERE to visit my destination guide for Ocho Rios by Cruise Ship.

Bobsled Jamaica & Falls with Raga Ride Shore Excursion Itinerary

10am. Gathered in our assigned space to walk off the ship.

10:30am. On the van and driving to our first stop, Mystic Mountain.

10:35am. At Mystic Mountain.

10:40am. On the chairlift up the mountain.

11am – 12:30pm. Time at Mystic Mountain. Bobsled ride, Raga ride, and time to walk around and enjoy the view, the gift shops, and the pool.

1pm. Back on the van to our next stop, Dunn’s River Falls.

1:05pm. Arrival at Dunn’s River Falls.

1:30pm. Time to change into falls-climbing-appropriate gear.

1:45pm. Climbing the falls.

3:00pm. Falls climbing complete. Time to change back out of falls-climbing-appropriate gear.

3:30pm. Back at the port.

The travel times for this excursion were the shortest of any excursion I’ve ever done. You were never in a vehicle for more than five minutes. There are some shops and a Margaritaville right outside of the port, which we planned to explore after our excursion. But we were an hour late returning, so we really only had about an hour until we needed to be back on board–plus we were exhausted from climbing the falls–so we returned to the ship. But if you want to walk around town, it’s rather small and walkable. Some fellow passengers did have some issues with highly aggressive vendors right outside the port area, but I can’t give a first-hand account of that so I don’t know if it was actually an issue. Either way, maybe just tell a self-depreciating fat joke and they will laugh and wave you away.

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena is a port town perched at the very top of South America, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. It is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been, and after one short port day I am certain I will return for a longer visit. The main attraction of a port stop in Cartagena is the city itself. From the towering sky rises of Bocagrande to the flower-draped and street-art-festooned neighborhood of Getsemani to the iconic old walled town, you came to Cartagena to see Cartagena. I elected to take what I thought was the most independent of shore excursions–the hop on hop off bus–so I could spend the day exploring the city at my own pace. That’s not exactly what happened on this excursion, but I still count my brief time in Cartagena as one of my best port days ever.

Click HERE to visit my destination guide for Cartagena by Cruise Ship

Cartagena Hop On Hop Off Bus Excursion Itinerary

8:30am. Very short walk from the ship to the bus.

8:25am – 9:15am. Drive through various neighborhoods.

9:20am. Arrive at the Clock Tower entrance to the old town.

9:20am – 11:15am. Walking tour.

11:15am – 12pm. Wait for direct to ship return bus.

12pm – 1:30pm Enjoy port area aviary.

Cartagena Hop On Hop Off Bus Excursion FAQ

Availability of Food: there is no food available on this tour, and you’re walking too swiftly to stop for snacks. There was one opportunity to buy a coconut from a cart but I’m certain that wasn’t planned so that may not be an option on your tour.

Availability of toilets: there is one toilet stop on this tour, at the very end of the walking tour. It is a single toilet room in the emerald shop. You will be waiting in line with 20 other people. There are no other rest stop opportunities on this tour.

Transportation mode: open air bus and your own two feet.

Travel times: 40 minute bus ride into town. 10 minute bus ride back to the port (there was less traffic on the return, plus they took a more direct route.)

Activity level: moderate. You must be able to walk for up to two hours in the heat.

Colon, Panama

Colon was the most confounding port stop for most of the people I met aboard the MSC Divnia–and for everyone I tried to explain this itinerary to. And I get it. People were like: so we are going near the Panama Canal but not through it? Yup. That’s exactly what we were doing.

Colon is a port city on the Caribbean side of Panama, home of the Gatun Locks which allow ships to enter Gatun Lake and continue on to transit the length of the Panama Canal and emerge into the Pacific. There were a variety of excursions to choose from on our port day in Colon, but to me there was only one choice: I needed to transit the Panama Canal and, like the aforementioned ships, emerge into the Pacific. And so I did. In a ferry. It was pretty cool.

Because this port is the most-asked-about port on this entire itinerary, I strongly recommend you…

Click HERE to visit my destination guide for Colon by Cruise Ship/Panama Canal by Ferry

Panama Canal by Ferry Excursion Timetable

Drive from Colon to Gamboa Dredging Station: 1 hour 10 minutes.

Sitting on the ferry not moving: 1 hour+

Transit of Panama Canal: 5 hours.

Waiting to get off the ferry and then waiting to get back on the bus: 30 minutes.

Drive back to Colon: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Panama Canal by Ferry Excursion FAQ

Availability of Food: A lunch was served on the ferry about halfway through the transit. I didn’t eat it because I have health issues, but it looked perfectly passable as a way to stay alive for the day. There were also ice cold bottles of water and cans of Coke available at all times. You could also buy a can of beer for $2 USD.

Availability of toilets: There are no toilets on the bus, but there are two large restrooms on the ferry–one for men and one for women. The women’s room had three or four stalls, and the toilets were standard flush toilets and were clean and had toilet paper.

Transportation mode: Coach bus to ferry to coach bus.

Travel times: See timetable above.

Activity level: low. The bus was not wheelchair accessible, but if you can get onto a bus without assistance you can do this excursion.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. If you can find a way to get here, if even only for one day on a cruise stop, do it. Of course, I recommend a much longer say. My visit back in 2015 remains one of my favorite trips ever, and I hope to get back to Costa Rica for a land trip sooner rather than later. I was honestly not sure how a port day in the Puerto Limon area would stand up to my week spent driving around Arenal and Manuel Antonio in the west, but while it was a far shorter visit it was just as lovely.

Known for its outdoor adventure options and nature exploration opportunities, Costa Rica seems like it would make the ideal stop on any cruise. But the one thing you should keep in mind when docking in–or simply visiting–Costa Rica is that the travel times are often much longer than you expect. Like by double. Fortunately Puerto Limon is close to many easier-accessible options. On my day in port I explored a rainforest preserve and embarked upon a wildlife-viewing river cruise, all without spending more than 50 minutes at a time in transit. I chose to take the full-day Veragua Rainforest Aerial Tram and Tortuguero Canal Excursion offered by MSC Cruise Line, and it was a wonderful, surprisingly relaxing day in one of my favorite destinations on earth.

Click HERE to visit my destination guide for Puerto Limon by Cruise Ship

Veragua Rainforest Aerial Tram and the Tortuguero Canal Excursion Itinerary

7:30am. Disembark ship and board coach.

8:45am. Arrive at Veragua.

8:45am – 12:15pm. Tour of Veragua, tram, hike, and lunch.

12:15pm. Bus to canal dock.

1:15pm. Tortuguero Canal Cruise.

2:30pm. Return drive to ship.

3:00pm. Back on board.

Veragua Rainforest Aerial Tram and the Tortuguero Canal Excursion Excursion FAQ

Availability of Food: lunch is provided at Veragua and fresh fruit is served after the canal cruise.

Availability of toilets: there are restrooms at the entrance to Veragua, in the butterfly garden building, and at the bottom of the tram. There were also restrooms at the canal dock. All restrooms were large, clean, and had flush toilets (use the provided garbage cans for toilet paper.)

Transportation mode: large, modern coach bus. And canal boat.

Travel times: two 50-minute bus rides and one 10-minute bus ride.

Activity level: moderate yet accessible, depending upon the trail you choose at Veragua.

Ocean Cay, Bahamas (MSC’s Marine Reserve and Private Island)

The final day of this 10-day cruise was spent on Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island and marine reserve. It is a small island that is part of the Bahamas but rather close to the port of Miami–it lies only 65 miles east of Miami Beach and The Port of Miami. As such, it is very often the last port of call before returning to Florida. And it is absolutely beautiful.

For only a little bit more about Ocean Cay–and for some additional photos…

Click HERE to visit my Destination Guide for Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

If you have any questions about any of these ports, please let me know in the comments. I will always respond to questions from people working to plan their own adventures. Happy travels!