7 Black-Friendly Cruise Destinations

Close-up of a young couple embracing each other in front of a cruise ship, Bermuda

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With summer travel ramping back up following increased COVID-19 vaccine numbers and lower cases, cruise ships are preparing to welcome guests again. Cruises can be an excellent way to visit several destinations in a short period of time. Many are all-inclusive, providing drinks, meals and even entertainment all for one price. Some ships offer gorgeous suite-style rooms with large balconies. Others are known for budget-friendly packages. There’s a lot to love about a cruise. In fact, Cruise Critic reports that 76 percent of travelers plan on booking a trip on the great seas.

It is important to note that, due to COVID-19 still being a risk, cruise ships do come with special concerns. The CDC has created a system for assessing the safety levels of different cruise ships and cruise lines. This system can help travelers understand which precautions ships are taking – but it’s always a good idea to call a cruise line yourself to ask what safety measures are in place. In addition to COVID-19, Black travelers face additional concerns. A survey conducted by Mandala Research found that 15 percent of Black travelers worry about racial profiling when traveling, and 13 percent feel safer visiting a place where there will be other Black people. For these reasons, we’ve compiled a list of the most Black-friendly cruise destinations below.

Anguilla

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Part of the archipelago encircling St. Maarten, Anguilla is made for beach bums. If your idea of a good vacation is parking yourself down in some white sand and soaking up the sun, there is no shortage of gorgeous coast to do that on in Anguilla. Its beaches are also dotted with great restaurants and shopping. It’s certainly the spot for travelers looking for a leisurely trip of sunbathing, dining and enjoying some boutiques. Its port currently welcomes mostly smaller ships of around 500 people or less. Windstar Cruises is one line offering trips to Anguilla – you’ll need to get yourself to St. Maarten first to board the ship.

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Portugal

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Portugal is known as one of the friendliest destinations in the world to travelers from all over. It’s also home to some of the most delicious port in the world, because this is where authentic port is made. High-end restaurants boast affordable menu prices and charming street markets are found throughout. A cruise around Portugal can take you to a variety of landscapes, from sprawling vineyard areas to charming beach towns to some of the most famous surf spots in the world – not to mention the breathtaking castles in Portugal. Celebrity Cruises currently offers trips that stop at the major metropolitan city of Lisbon, the wine region of Porto and the remote island of Madeira.

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Trinidad

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Trinidad is for partiers. Known for its Carnival parades that attract travelers from around the world every Spring, this is a destination that is full of energy and is very welcoming to Black travelers – in fact, nearly 40 percent of its residents are African American, says Nations Encyclopedia. Those up for a vacation that’s more about turning up than calming down will like this vibrant destination. Most ships will dock at the Port of Spain, which is a downtown region with a metropolitan feel. Should you want a break from the city and party life, there are incredible places to hike and check out waterfalls outside of the urban center. Or you can pop over to Maracas Bay for sandy beaches. Rhapsody of the Seas is a major cruise line visiting Trinidad at the moment.

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Barbados

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Barbados is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches with pearly white sand and clear waters in the world. Once a British territory, it attracts a large number of British tourists each year (and has drivers using the left side of the road). It is known to be welcoming to visitors from all over the world, of all races and ethnicities. Rent a car here and drive along the gorgeous coastline for hours or simply relax in the sand. Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas ship currently offers Barbados trips, as does Celebrity Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises.

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St. Barts

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Those looking for an upscale experience that feels VIP and exclusive might enjoy St. Barts. With a distinctly French atmosphere, it’s known for stunning hotels and restaurants, and many visitors like to watch the impressive yachts circling the bay. If you want to get out and enjoy the ocean, there are plenty of water sports to try here from jet-skiing to scuba diving. Plus, this place is known as a destination for celebrities so you never know who you might see. In fact, Kimora Lee Simmons married Russell Simmons here. The St. Barts people are diverse in background and welcoming to travelers from all over. Star Cruises, Star Clippers and St. Lawrence Cruise Lines all visit this glitzy spot.

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The Bahamas

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Cruises to the Bahamas tend to be affordable and many leave from Florida and New York regularly. There are many famous cruise stops on a Bahamas cruise, like Paradise Island with its lively Straw Market and white sandy beaches and gorgeous marine habitats, or Port Lucaya, with its colorful marketplace boasting over 70 boutiques. Those looking to enjoy some gambling can stop over to the Isle of Capri Casino. There are also countless private islands to fairy a boat to. The Bahamas are historically welcoming to Black travelers – in fact, the population of the Bahamas is 85 percent African, says World Population Review.

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6 Black-Friendly Cruise Destinations