Caribbean cruises are as varied as the sun-drenched islands themselves, from party-ready mega ships to sleek sailing yachts.
Think turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, rum cocktails – and the opportunity to hop between postcard-worthy destinations without ever unpacking more than once.
As UK temperatures dip, the Caribbean’s palm-swaying shores beckon.
And with so many cruise lines plying these warm waters there’s an itinerary to suit every traveller, whether you’re after big-ship thrills, off-grid adventure or pure relaxation.
Here are seven Caribbean cruises worth plotting on your winter escape plan.
Virgin Voyages: Best for adults-only and parties
Virgin Voyages’ ships sail to the Caribbean out of Miami, Florida
All four of Virgin Voyages’ adults-only ships sail the Caribbean (including glitzy newcomer Brilliant Lady, launched this September) with four- and five-night weekenders out of Miami the best way to get a taster of the brand.
Destinations range from Florida, the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos on shorter cruises, to Tortola, Cartagena and St Croix on longer holidays.
Virgin’s private Bahamian destination Beach Club at Bimini (think DJ-led pool parties and watersports) also features for that exclusive touch.
The nine-night itinerary Antigua Waves & Grand Turk Caves from Miami visits St. Kitts & Nevis and San Juan, coming in at under £950pp.
Relish old town tours, rainforest roaming and kayaking excursions in port and make the most of your entertainment-packed ship on sea days (all food, gratuities, fitness classes and Wi-Fi are included on a Virgin cruise).
Marella Cruises: Best for affordable all-inclusive
Caribbean cruises with Marella are seven nights or 14 nights, with prices starting from £1,310pp
Marella makes life even simpler by including absolutely everything in the price (return flights, airport transfers, luggage allowance, onboard dining, drinks, tips and service charges, and entertainment) and providing both adults-only and kid-friendly ships.
Caribbean cruises are seven nights or 14 nights and start from £1,310pp, calling at classic destinations such as Aruba, St Lucia or Guadeloupe for all your turtle-swimming, sandcastle-making, reggae-jiving needs.
The jovially-named seven-night Cocktails and Coconuts itinerary sails from Bridgetown, Barbados.
Passengers can join a forest hike in Tortola, ride on the St Kitts Scenic Railway and take a St Maarten catamaran trip on low-cost day trips. From £1,521pp.
Explora Journeys: Best for ultra luxury
Explora Journeys stops at Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire, known for flamingo frolics and pink sands
For all-inclusive at the other end of the spectrum, there’s new luxury cruise line Explora Journeys.
Caribbean itineraries range from five nights to 21 nights, and prices start from £2,400pp, throwing in nine opulent culinary experiences, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, wellbeing and fitness programmes, tips, and shuttle services from port to city centres.
The solo supplement has been axed across select journeys, too.
Explora’s seven-night itinerary A journey to ABC Isles in the Dutch Caribbean calls at Kralendijk for flamingo frolics and pink sands, Willemstad for Creole cuisine, a thriving art scene and ripe aloe plantations, Oranjestad for powder-white beaches, and Gustavia for snorkelling and bohemian bars.
Expect plenty of champagne along the way. From £3,350pp.
MSC Cruises: Best for families
World America is MSC’s newest cruise ship, with Caribbean holidays visiting Isla De Roatan, Honduras and Mexico as well as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s private Bahamian island
Meanwhile, MSC – Explora’s older sibling – caters to every budget, sailing the Caribbean from New York, Miami, Port Canaveral and Barbados.
The line’s newest ship, MSC World America, traverses these tropical shores – and families are a huge market.
A LEGO partnership has resulted in dedicated play zones, game shows and the first LEGO-themed parade at sea while waterslides grace the top deck alongside the world’s first overwater swing.
Cruise from just £549pp visiting Isla De Roatan, Honduras and Mexico as well as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC’s private Bahamian island.
It’s the ultimate, easy beach day and now boasts a new marine conservation centre for a splash of learning.
Royal Caribbean: Best for big ship firsts
Latest mega ships Icon of the Seas and Star (pictured) of the Seas are the biggest cruise ships in the world
Royal Caribbean also lays claim to a raft of firsts onboard its Caribbean-going vessels.
Latest mega ships Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are the biggest in the world and, alongside visiting such Caribbean hotspots as Trinidad, St Maarten, Jamaica, St Vincent and Dominica, guests can tackle the largest waterpark at sea, the first family raft slides at sea and the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
Innovation continues on land: Royal Caribbean has its own private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, with another docking near Costa Maya, Mexico, in 2027.
Caribbean cruises start as short as two nights and as cheap as £221pp.
On the seven-night Southern Caribbean Cruise you’ll sail round-trip from San Juan and can dive into turtle snorkelling in St Thomas, rainforest hiking in St Croix and a 4×4 safari in Barbados in between onboard thrills.
Seadream Yacht Club: Best for little-known ports
A seven-day Leeward Islands Celebration over Christmas features chic St Barths (pictured) and historical San Juan in Puerto Rico
If you’d rather escape the crowds, Seadream Yacht Club whisks a maximum of 112 guests to some of the most unspoiled and secluded corners of the Caribbean.
The seven-day Leeward Islands Celebration over Christmas features chic St Barths and historical San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as the less-cruised British and US Virgin Islands.
On Seadream shore excursions, passengers can enjoy cruising around the beaches of St John’s in their own private dinghy.
There’s also cooking at a Rastafarian-run farm on Nevis, and snorkelling at the pirate-popular Caves at Norman Island (made famous in Robert Louis Stevenson’s swashbuckling novel, Treasure Island). From £4,205pp.
Windstar Cruises: Best for sailing yacht glamour
The Windstar staff-to-guest ratio is 1:1.5 and Caribbean perks comprise poolside BBQs and a beach party
Windstar is similarly boutique, offering 25 Caribbean itineraries onboard its small, classic yachts (capacity ranges from 148 to 342 guests) – three of which are sailing ships for extra nautical charm.
The Windstar staff-to-guest ratio is 1:1.5 and Caribbean perks comprise poolside BBQs, a signature beach party and schedules allowing for dropping the Watersports Platform, plus daily free laundry.
The 18-day Bridgetown to Puerto Caldera sojourn takes in Colombia’s colonial mansions, floating markets in Curacao and a Panama Canal transit.
Join Windstar shore excursions for a boat trip to celebrity haunt Mustique for lunch or try scuba diving and adventure river tubing on St George’s – the isle of spice.
There’s also fishing in Kralendijk, Bonaire, and horse riding through the rainforest in Quepos, Costa Rica, for further holiday-bragging rights. From $6,499pp (£4,792pp).
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