Best Caribbean Cruises

A cruise ship in the sea by Karl Callwood – Unsplash

Best Caribbean Cruises

The Caribbean is a region of the America that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands, and the surrounding coasts. The region is southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, and north of South America islets, reefs, and cays.

There is no shortage of choices for a cruise to the Caribbean the most popular place in the world for cruising. More than 200 cruise ships spend at least part of every year in the region. The welcome on the islands is as warm as the sunshine and each one has its own characteristics and heritage. Here are 10 of the best Caribbean Cruises.

1. Silversea 

Silver Dawn, the newest ship in luxury cruise line Silversea’s fleet, is sailing on a variety of all-inclusive Caribbean voyages from Fort Lauderdale, San Juan, and Bridgetown. With a maximum capacity of just 728 guests, only Silversea can access ports where larger ships simply cannot go. 

Also included in the cruise are diversified, hand-picked itineraries which have the perfect balance of iconic destinations and hidden gems.

Get under the skin of the patchwork of cultures, history, beliefs, and religions that make the Caribbean so extraordinary. From St. Barts to Bequia, Little Bay to Les Saintes, Silversea’s fleet of small ships not only takes you to the best islands in the archipelago but with a staff-to-guest ratio of almost 1:1, it takes you there in style.

2. Holland America Line

Sunrise on the cruise ship MSC Seaside during a drive through the Caribbean in January 2018 by id23 – Unsplash

See the Caribbean your way with Holland America Line, which offers week-long sailings along with shorter taster cruises and longer voyages sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. Itineraries include a day at Half Moon Cay. 

In a region renowned for tropical beauty, Half Moon Cay rises to the top. See for yourself why it’s won “Best Private Island,” for 20 consecutive years. Choose from a variety of itineraries that combine our exclusive oasis with favorite ports and seldom-seen gems.

From here, passengers can enjoy all manner of four-legged and two-legged activities, from riding in the surf to cycling and hiking around the island. The Caribbean is renowned for its world-class diving and on the island of Aruba newcomers can sign up for a beginners class. 

3. Star Clippers

For a Pirates of the Caribbean experience, Star Clippers recreates the golden age of sailing with its tall ships, propelled by wind power wherever possible. Set sail on the 227-passenger five-masted flagship Royal Clipper,  the 42 creamy sails billowing in the breeze are a sight to behold.

Traditional shining brass and wood interiors incorporate modern comforts and amenities including swimming pools. Ports of call include St Lucia, with the chance to explore the Pitons, the landmark pair of volcanic cones that rise up from the sea.

4. Royal Caribbean

A cruise ship by Robert Linder – Unsplash

Royal Caribbean explores every corner of the region, with eastern, western, and southern Caribbean itineraries on its fun-loving ships. They include the line’s newly launched 5,448-passenger Wonder of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, which will be exploring Caribbean shores on sailings from Port Canaveral. 

The excitement continues on dry land with Perfect Day at CocoCay. This is Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas, which includes Thrill Waterpark and adrenaline-fueled activities such as zip lining.

5. MSC Cruises

 MSC Cruises offer the best Caribbean cruise deals, including family cruises, weekend cruises, all-inclusive cruises, last-minute cruises, and more. No matter what Caribbean cruise you choose, you will become immersed in an atmosphere where the clocks seem to have stopped long ago, plunging travelers into an ancient world of colonial villages, rum plantations, pirates’ coves, and ecological magic.

On the MSC cruises, you get to enjoy Caribbean delicacies from their food trucks and a tropical cocktail from one of their tiki bars, each situated perfectly next to a food truck, so you don’t have to venture too far to quench your thirst. Enjoy endless activities day and night on the award-winning island. 

6. Virgin Voyages

The back of a cruise ship. Recorded on a trip with the MSC seaside through the Caribbean in January 2018 by id23 – Unsplash

Head-turning Scarlet Lady turns traditional cruising on its head with its Instagram friendly backdrops, hammocks on the balcony, sexy shows, a tattoo parlor, and new takes on dining including the lab-like Test Kitchen and veggie-friendly Razzle Dazzle.

From quiet beach mornings to exhilarating afternoons spent exploring, our Miami voyages feature a stop at our private beach club experience in Bimini, Bahamas, the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini.

Four and five-night itineraries out of Miami see the ship head to Bimini for lazy days in the sun and late-night dance parties at the Beach Club, which is a hip enclave for Virgin passengers, who are known as sailors. In winter the ship will be joined in the Caribbean by its new identical twin sister, Valiant Lady.

7. Disney Cruise Line

Cast off on a Caribbean cruise with Disney for an unforgettable adventure at some of the most breathtakingly beautiful locales under the sun while experiencing the unique family entertainment, exquisite dining, and legendary service that makes a Disney cruise unlike any other.

The all-new Disney Wish has sprinkled some magical stardust at sea since joining the four other ships in the fleet. It raised the curtain on the first Disney attraction at sea: a water experience that twists around the ship before splashing down into a lazy river. 

Ships sail to the Caribbean from Galveston, New Orleans, San Juan, Miami, and Port Canaveral, making it easy for families, and the young at heart to add a fun-filled cruise to a US holiday.

8. Regent Seven Seas 

Symphony of the Seas in Haiti by Fernando Jorge – Unsplash

Regent Seven Seas offers an exhilarating sky ride above St Maarten which is just one of the many shore tours to choose from with this luxury line, with a selection of included excursions at every port.

A chairlift transports visitors to reach the Crow’s Nest lookout point perched on Sentry Hill, one of the island’s tallest peaks. Foodies will want to check out a hands-on cookery class with leading Antiguan chef Nicole Arthurton Dennis.

Regent Seven Seas has an extensive Caribbean program that covers less visited islands such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, along with sailings featuring Panama Canal transits.

9. Carnival Cruise Line

A Carnival Caribbean cruise takes you to some of the coolest little hotspots stretching across the world’s designated hotspot. Cruise the entire length and breadth of the region with family-friendly Carnival, which sails year-round to the southern, eastern, and western Caribbean. 

The line also has a wide range of departure points including the island of Puerto Rico and Barbados or mainland ports in Florida, which are ideal for linking to a land-based stay in the Sunshine State.

10. Princess Cruises

Catering for every type of cruiser, including families, couples, and solo travelers, Princess is among the lines that have its own private beach resort. The 40-acre Princess Cays, on the southern tip of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, features a free beach barbecue and a host of bookable options from energetic watersports to a private beach bungalow. 

Princess also has a wide range of sailings covering the whole of the Caribbean, from short three-night breaks that can be added to a land-stay holiday or 20-night itineraries taking in 12 islands and Princess Cays.