What Is a Caribbean Cruise?
A Caribbean cruise visits tropical islands across three main regions: Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Most sailings depart from Florida ports year-round, lasting 4 to 10 nights. Eastern routes feature St. Thomas and St. Maarten, Western routes stop at Cozumel and Grand Cayman, and Southern routes reach Aruba, Barbados, and St. Lucia.
Lounge on the top deck as you sail through the region's bevy of islands, then make your way onto the white sand beaches for more relaxation and fun. Book your Caribbean cruise now.
Caribbean Cruise Quick Facts
| Best Time to Cruise | December through April for dry weather. Hurricane season June through November. November and April offer lower fares (from $209-$249). |
| Typical Duration | 4-7 nights (Eastern/Western). 7-10+ nights (Southern Caribbean). |
| Popular Ports | Eastern: St. Thomas, St. Maarten, San Juan. Western: Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman. Southern: Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, St. Lucia. |
| Departure Cities | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Galveston, New Orleans, San Juan |
| Cruise Lines | Disney, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, plus most major lines. 7,500+ sailings on iCruise. |
| Ideal For | First-timers (Eastern), families and adventure seekers (Western), experienced cruisers (Southern) |
What Does a Caribbean Cruise Cost?
| Season | Months | From Price (per person) | Sailings/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Winter | December-March | From $259 | ~400-594 sailings/month |
| Shoulder | April-May, November | From $209 | ~178-481 sailings/month |
| Summer/Hurricane | June-October | From $252 | ~154-268 sailings/month |
Prices are per person, double occupancy, cruise only, and subject to change.
When do you want to cruise?
| Month | Number of Cruises | From Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | 426 cruises | $179 |
| Dec 2026 | 544 cruises | $274 |
| Jan 2027 | 562 cruises | $240 |
| Feb 2027 | 464 cruises | $279 |
| Mar 2027 | 437 cruises | $289 |
| Apr 2027 | 258 cruises | $229 |
| May 2027 | 182 cruises | $342 |
| Jun 2027 | 160 cruises | $507 |
| Jul 2027 | 181 cruises | $492 |
| Aug 2027 | 177 cruises | $312 |
| Sep 2027 | 166 cruises | $282 |
| Oct 2027 | 256 cruises | $294 |
| Nov 2027 | 435 cruises | $210 |
| Dec 2027 | 555 cruises | $341 |
| Jan 2028 | 567 cruises | $305 |
| Feb 2028 | 474 cruises | $332 |
| Mar 2028 | 440 cruises | $368 |
| Apr 2028 | 258 cruises | $369 |
| May 2028 | 79 cruises | $502 |
| Jun 2028 | 78 cruises | $722 |
| Jul 2028 | 88 cruises | $609 |
| Aug 2028 | 74 cruises | $429 |
| Sep 2028 | 83 cruises | $409 |
| Oct 2028 | 89 cruises | $420 |
| Nov 2028 | 109 cruises | $369 |
| Dec 2028 | 158 cruises | $420 |
| Jan 2029 | 135 cruises | $400 |
| Feb 2029 | 96 cruises | $404 |
| Mar 2029 | 89 cruises | $489 |
| Apr 2029 | 28 cruises | $489 |
| Nov 2029 | 1 cruise | $5,669 |
Caribbean Cruise Highlights
Made up of more than 7,000 islands, the Caribbean is full of places and ports to explore - from the Cayman Islands to Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, St. Kitts, the U.S. Virgin Islands and more. The islands are filled with cathedrals, forts, museums, and markets, as well as the gorgeous sandy beaches and crystal blue water so often seen in pictures. Visitors can swim, snorkel and kayak - water sports abound in the Caribbean. Visit the Catedral Primada de America in Santo Domingo, sip something refreshing at the Pelican Bar in Jamaica, or ride dune buggies in Punta Cana.
Popular Caribbean Cruise Ports
The Caribbean has dozens of ports to uncover; here are a few of the most visited:
- Cozumel, Mexico: Famous for its scuba diving, Cozumel is a popular port with lagoons, diving reefs, a national park and animal sanctuaries. Favorite activities include swimming with dolphins and visiting the Mayan ruins.
- San Juan, Puerto Rico: Discover two worlds: Old San Juan, a charming, colonial town with cobblestone streets, candy colored homes, and vibrant culture; and New San Juan, a growing metropolis with luxurious beachfront hotels, bustling nightlife and world-class dining.
- Belize City, Belize: The former capital of Belize is brimming with adventure, from hikes in the rainforest to cave and river tubing to a climb up El Castillo, one of the tallest Mayan structures in Belize. Stroll through markets and taste some of the local produce or purchase homemade arts and crafts.
- Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas: Shop your heart out in St. Thomas, often called the "duty-free shopping capital of the world." Beyond the shop-lined streets lies beautiful scenery; take a skyride 700 feet above the ocean to Paradise Point, or drive along Skyline Drive and enjoy the magnificent views of Magens Bay.
When is the Best Time to Go to the Caribbean?
With a desirable climate year round, there's never a bad time to go to the Caribbean. However, December to April is typically the most popular time to travel, when it's drier, less humid and slightly cooler, though still a warm escape from winter temperatures elsewhere. Departure ports are available across the country - from Florida to Texas to California.
What Cruise Lines Go to the Caribbean?
The Caribbean is a popular destination on most major cruise lines. Here are a few to check out:
- Disney Cruise Line: Discover the wonder of beautiful locales aboard a Disney Cruise to the Caribbean. Stop in Grand Cayman, Cozumel, St. Maarten, or Disney's own private island, Castaway Cay.
- Royal Caribbean: The cruise line's namesake destination is one of its biggest. Sail away from Maryland, New Jersey, Texas or Florida onboard ships just as fun as their ports of call.
- Celebrity Cruises: On a Celebrity cruise to the Caribbean, you can choose from an astounding 920 shore excursions. Sail in style and return to luxurious amenities like the Canyon Ranch SpaClub after long days in the sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean cruises?
Eastern routes visit beach destinations like St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Western routes feature active excursions at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Roatan. Southern Caribbean reaches Aruba, Curacao, and Barbados on longer 7-10+ night itineraries.
When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?
June through November, with highest risk August through October. Winter months (December through April) offer the most reliable weather. Southern Caribbean sits below the main hurricane belt.
Which Caribbean cruise is best for first-time cruisers?
Eastern Caribbean routes offer shorter sailing distances, fewer sea days, and well-established ports like St. Thomas and St. Maarten with easy-to-navigate beaches and excursions.
Can I cruise the Caribbean from Texas?
Yes. Galveston is a popular departure port for Western Caribbean cruises to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Roatan. Multiple lines sail from Galveston year-round.
What is the best Caribbean cruise for families?
Western Caribbean cruises offer beach days, snorkeling, zip-lining, and Mayan ruins at ports like Cozumel and Roatan. Royal Caribbean and Disney both offer strong family programming on Caribbean itineraries.
Explore More Caribbean Cruise Options
- Eastern Caribbean Cruises | Western Caribbean Cruises | Southern Caribbean Cruises
- Caribbean Cruises Calendar
- Cruises from Miami | Cruises from Fort Lauderdale | Cruises from Tampa | Cruises from Galveston
- Bahamas Cruises (for shorter tropical getaways)