Carnival Cruise Destinations from New Jersey: Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda & Beyond
Expert guide to all Carnival cruise destinations accessible from Newark, NJ and Essex County
Quick Answer: Best Carnival Destinations from NJ
#1 Eastern Caribbean (St. Thomas, St. Maarten) - Best beaches & snorkeling, 7-8 days, $799-1,499
#2 Bahamas (Nassau, Half Moon Cay) - Best value, 3-5 days, $399-799
#3 Bermuda (King's Wharf) - No flight needed from Cape Liberty, 7 days, $899-1,299
How to Access Carnival Destinations from Newark
Option 1: Sail from Cape Liberty (NO FLIGHT)
Carnival Liberty departs seasonally (May-October):
- Bermuda: 7-day cruises with extended port stays
- Caribbean: Select 7-8 day itineraries
- Canada/New England: Fall foliage cruises (Sept-Oct)
Advantage: Save $400-800 per couple on airfare
Option 2: Fly from Newark Airport (EWR)
Most Carnival ships depart from:
- Miami: 2.5 hours, $180-300 round trip
- Port Canaveral: 2.5 hours, $200-350 RT
- Fort Lauderdale: 2.5 hours, $180-300 RT
- Galveston: 3.5 hours, $250-450 RT
Advantage: Access to newest ships (Celebration, Mardi Gras)
Caribbean Cruises: The Most Popular Choice
Eastern Caribbean (7-8 Days)
Typical Itinerary:
- Day 1: Miami departure
- Day 2: Sea day (enjoy the ship)
- Day 3: St. Thomas, USVI
- Day 4: St. Maarten
- Day 5: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Day 6-7: Sea days
- Day 8: Return to Miami
Price Range: $799-1,499 per person (cruise only)
What to Expect:
- St. Thomas: World-class duty-free shopping, Magens Bay, snorkeling, zip-lining
- St. Maarten: Two countries in one (Dutch/French), Orient Bay, Maho Beach (planes overhead)
- San Juan: Historic Old San Juan, El Morro fortress, Puerto Rican cuisine
Pro Tips for NJ Travelers:
- Book ship excursions for St. Thomas snorkeling (guaranteed return)
- Explore Old San Juan independently (very walkable, free)
- Try French pastries in St. Maarten's Marigot
- Peak Season: Dec-April (book 9 months ahead)
Western Caribbean (5-8 Days)
Price Range: $699-1,299 per person
What to Expect:
- Cozumel: Ancient Mayan ruins (Tulum), world-renowned diving, authentic Mexican cuisine
- Grand Cayman: Seven Mile Beach, Stingray City (swim with stingrays!), crystal-clear water
- Jamaica: Dunn's River Falls climbing, Bob Marley Museum, jerk chicken
- Roatan: Pristine diving/snorkeling, zip-lining, less crowded than other ports
Best For: Adventure seekers, history buffs, divers, foodies
Bahamas Cruises: Best Value for Money
3-5 Day Quick Getaways
Price Range: $399-799 per person (often under $100/night!)
Nassau Highlights:
- Atlantis Resort day pass ($150)
- Straw Market shopping
- Queen's Staircase
- Swimming with pigs excursion
Half Moon Cay (Carnival's Private Island):
- Pristine white sand beaches
- Crystal-clear turquoise water
- Complimentary beach chairs/umbrellas
- BBQ lunch included
- NO crowds, NO vendors
Pro Tip: Half Moon Cay is the REAL gem - skip Nassau tours, enjoy private island paradise
Bermuda Cruises: The Hidden Gem from NJ
7-Day Bermuda from Cape Liberty (NO FLIGHT!)
Why Bermuda is Special:
- Closest tropical destination to NJ (630 miles offshore)
- British charm meets Caribbean beauty
- Multi-day port stays (2-3 days docked, explore thoroughly)
- Pink sand beaches (volcanic origin)
- No flight required (sail from Bayonne)
Price Range: $899-1,299 per person
What to Do in Bermuda (2-3 days docked!):
Day 1:
- Royal Naval Dockyard
- Dolphin Quest
- Rent scooters
- Horseshoe Bay (pink sand!)
Day 2:
- St. George's (UNESCO site)
- Crystal Caves
- Swizzle Inn (Rum Swizzle)
- Hamilton shopping
Why Book from Cape Liberty:
- No airfare = save $400-800 per couple
- No TSA, no baggage fees
- Drive from Essex County (20 minutes)
- Parking: $20/day on-site
- Less stressful vacation start
Season: May-October only | Best Months: June & September
How to Choose Your Destination
By Trip Length
- 3-5 Days: Bahamas
- 5-7 Days: Eastern/Western Caribbean
- 7 Days: Bermuda (from NJ)
- 8-11 Days: Southern Caribbean
By Budget
- Budget ($399-799): Bahamas 3-5 day
- Mid ($799-1,299): Caribbean 7-day, Bermuda
- Splurge ($1,299+): Southern Caribbean
By Interests
- Beaches: Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas
- Adventure: Western Caribbean
- Romance: Bermuda
- Diving: Cozumel, Roatan, Grand Cayman
Ready to Choose Your Destination?
Call 833-874-1019 to speak with our Carnival cruise experts
We'll help you:
- Choose the perfect destination for your interests
- Find the best time to sail for weather + price
- Select the right ship for your itinerary
- Book shore excursions at the best value
- Plan logistics (flights, transfers, parking)