The Bahamas and the Antilles peninsulas form the eastern border, the Dutch Antilles the southern border, and Mexico and Belize form the western border. The West Indies include over 7000 islands, reefs, and cays. This group consists of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Several Caribbean island ports, as well as mainland USA ports, operate year-round cruise ships. Ships relocating from the Mediterranean join them in the northern Winter.
A small-ship cruise allows visitors to explore lesser-known islands with their histories and cultures and relax at all-inclusive resorts owned by cruise lines. To cover the East and West Caribbean, it may take up to fourteen days to visit one or two ports. Trans-Atlantic voyages involving the Caribbean should allow two weeks.
Take a cruise around the Caribbean and experience an unforgettable adventure. It's no wonder these islands are the ultimate tropical playground with their white sandy beaches, sparkling turquoise waters, and vivid landscapes. You'll always find a friendly atmosphere, exceptional service, and a warm welcome in the Caribbean. Take time out of your busy schedule to enjoy delicious food, great music, lively parties, fascinating history, and some of the world's best rum!
Caribbean beaches boast white, fine sand and turquoise waters. At the same time, lush green mountains, cloudless skies, and swaying palm trees create an idyllic outdoor playground. As you soak up the tropical sun, you can enjoy a wide selection of delicious food and drinks and exciting excursions. Plus, with so many smaller islands in the Caribbean, a cruise is a great way to experience as much as possible without having to fly back and forth.
Caribbean cruises are also ideal for families, singles, couples, and even luxury cruises, as the landscapes are diverse, from the beaches to the lush green mountains and authentic, bustling towns.
Almost every cruise line offers itineraries across the Caribbean -- from the world's most giant ships to small sailing yachts -- and it is perhaps the most popular cruise destination. There are a number of cruise lines go to Caribbean, including MSC Cruises, Norwegian, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Viking Ocean, and Princess.
Caribbean islands have something to appeal to every taste. The Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico feature white sand and turquoise water. Tropical rainforests and mountain trails can be found on some islands. In contrast, coral beaches and desert climates can be found on others. Get out on the water with snorkeling and sailing excursions anywhere you go and enjoy regional specialties like conch fritters.
With more ports to sail to than the big boys, you'll deliver more--no question. With its sugar-sand beaches in Jamaica and the exciting shores of San Juan, Azamara® takes you to more local hotspots, more hidden gems, and more immersive cultures. Enjoy island time with our crew as you sail the ocean blue with us. Discover more than postcard-perfect views of palm-lined beaches when you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorers like Columbus. Discover the culture, history, and beauty of this chain of islands. Eat Jerk Chicken, explore Old World ports, and discover the beauty of this chain of islands.
You can cruise the southern, eastern, and western Caribbean all year round with Carnival's family-friendly ships. Puerto Rico, Barbados, and mainland ports in Florida are also available, making it easy to link to a land-based stay in the Sunshine State. Mardi Gras sails from Port Canaveral to all parts of the Caribbean and is soon joined by Carnival Celebration, the first roller coaster at sea.
Also, Check: Where does Carnival Cruise Line go to?
With departure ports in Fort Lauderdale cruise port, Miami cruise port, and Tampa cruise port, Celebrity Cruises offers Caribbean cruises for all kinds of travelers. Fresh pineapple, mangos, papayas, guavas, and coconuts combined with mahi-mahi, grouper, kingfish, red and yellowtail snapper, and conch will delight foodies. Take a tour of a rum distillery, cocoa, or coffee farm in the Caribbean for a taste of the region. Explore ancient forts, museums, old churchyards, and UNESCO World Heritage sites in St. Kitt's and Nevis, Curacao, Barbados, and Puerto Rico. Explore Bonaire's salt flats, climb waterfalls, explore caves, and tee off on a lush green golf course.
Castaway Cay is a private island owned by Disney Cruise Line. The island's Serenity Bay, aptly named, is reserved for adults. A Disney Caribbean cruise offers Broadway-quality performances onboard, deck parties, thrilling shore excursions, fun onboard activities, and character experiences. Western Caribbean ports of call include Cozumel, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Progreso; Eastern Caribbean ports of call include Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Virgin Islands, and St. Kitts. Southern Caribbean ports of call include Aruba, Barbados, and St. Kitts.
Whether you're interested in a week-long sailing, a shorter taster cruise, or a more extended voyage, Holland America Line offers cruises that suit your schedule. One of the cruise line's award-winning private islands, Half Moon Cay, is included on its itinerary. There are many activities to choose from here, including riding in the surf, cycling, hiking, and more. Aruba offers beginner classes for those new to diving in the Caribbean, which is renowned for its world-class diving. This is Holland America Line's seventh vessel, Rotterdam, which carries 2,668 passengers. In the Caribbean, cruises range from five to ten nights long. The line's award-winning private island Half Moon Cay is included in many itineraries in the Bahamas. The island offers a wide range of activities for both four-legged and two-legged creatures, including surfing, cycling, and hiking.
The new flagship ship, the MSC Seashore, visits Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a standout private island. A sand mine strewn with scrap metal was abandoned on this island 65 miles off Miami in 2015. MSC Cruises transformed the island into an eco-friendly destination after a four-year, £134 million regeneration project. Passengers can stay overnight or spend a day on the island, which features a vibrant Bahamian Junkanoo parade and a light show at the lighthouse. MSC Seashore is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, including an all-new waterpark and a huge kids' club.
With a wide selection of ships, 10 convenient departure ports, and itineraries that offer plenty of time in paradise, it's no wonder Norwegian Cruise Line is so famous. The Caribbean has many cruise ports, such as St. Kitts, Jamaica, Belize, Grand Cayman, Aruba, Honduras, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico. Jamaica's Ocho Rios offers dolphin swimming and waterfall climbing. In Puerto Plata, Costa Rica, you can ride horses along the white sand beaches. With spacious, modern staterooms and award-winning dining and entertainment, Norwegian is a beautiful choice for a vacation. Kinky Boots, Jersey Boys, and Footloose are on stage in the current season. Two private islands are owned by Norwegian: Harvest Caye and Great Stirrup Cay. There are also extensive aqua parks and a go-kart track onboard, making it one of the best cruise lines for families.
Also, Read: What ports does norwegian cruise lines sail from?
Oceania Cruises offers destinations, ports, and coastlines less well-known in the Caribbean. From Miami, small designer-inspired ships depart for Caribbean islands such as St. Vincent, Bonaire, Guadeloupe, and Dominica. Known for its expertly crafted travel experiences, this cruise line focuses on culinary and destination experiences. Authentic Caribean dishes can be found at the vibrant Castries open-air market in Saint Lucia, and rum punch can be made in Barbados.
As the third-most-popular Caribbean cruise line, this line offers award-winning shore excursions and immersive destination experiences. During a Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruise Lines, you'll explore ancient Mayan ruins and exciting national parks on Cozumel; participate in watersports on Princess Cays' private island in the Bahamas; swim with stingrays in Grand Cayman; snorkel the second-largest barrier reef in Belize; or ride a catamaran in Antigua. A second part of Princess' "More Ashore" program is its late-night departures for overnight stays in ports such as Aruba, Curacao, St. Thomas, and Cozumel after dark. Enjoy seafood dinners, live music, and shopping at the island's street fairs. With freshly baked bread and ice cream made from scratch, Princess prepares regional cuisine. Furthermore, the cruise line provides comfortable accommodations, an onboard spa, and a variety of entertainment.
Best Caribbean Cruise Line 2022 also goes to Royal Caribbean International, holder of the world's largest cruise ship. Surprised? After all, the name implies the Caribbean! As you cruise the Caribbean, you'll see towering mountains like Petit Piton in St. Lucia, rich rainforests in Belize, Jamaican waterfalls, and coral reefs in Bonaire. Royal Caribbean's private island CocoCay is also a great place to soak up the sun.
This luxury cruise line offers a variety of shore excursions at every port, including an exhilarating sky ride over St Maarten. One of the island's tallest peaks, Sentry Hill, offers visitors a view of Crow's Nest from a chairlift. An interactive cooking class with Antiguan chef Nicole Arthurton Dennis will appeal to foodies. The Regent Seven Seas Caribbean program includes sailings through the Panama Canal to less-visited islands such as Martinique and Guadeloupe.
The Seabourn luxury line offers small ships for exploring the "uncommon Caribbean," able to reach harbors inaccessible to larger vessels. Frenchman's Cay, an infamous pirate haunt, is one of the yacht havens that tenders can reach. There is an equal intimacy to shore excursions. Enjoy a beach barbecue in the warm, waist-deep surf, or head out to a local market with one of the chefs.
A variety of all-inclusive Caribbean voyages are available on Silver Dawn, the newest ship in Silversea's fleet. A small ship carrying only 596 guests, SALT features dishes from destinations the ship visits through its Sea and Land Taste program. Each port offers several shore excursions, including a jeep safari and chocolate-making workshop in St Lucia alone. The world's first underwater sculpture park is on Grenada, an island filled with spices.
The new kid on the block is Sir Richard Branson's cruise line. A tattoo parlor, a lab-like Test Kitchen, and a veggie-friendly Razzle Dazzle to enjoy. The Scarlet Lady stands out for its Insta-friendly backdrops, hammocks on the balcony, sexy shows, and new takes on dining. Virgin passengers known as sailors are invited to the Beach Club in Bimini for late-night dance parties on its four- and five-night itineraries out of Miami. Its identical twin sister, Valiant Lady, will join the ship in the Caribbean in winter.
Also, Read: Which cruise ship goes to the Caribbean?
A Caribbean cruise vacation is one of the best ways to relax in the sun and explore deserted islands. The Caribbean's top destinations include Jamaica, Barbados, Cozumel, St Kitts, St Lucia, and several privately owned islands, such as Cococay, owned by Royal Caribbean, and Bimini Island, owned by Virgin Voyage, which are easily accessible from Florida's ports such as Fort Lauderdale and Miami, or by a non-fly cruise direct from the homeport. To book your Caribbean cruise holiday, visit us today at cruisebooking.com.
