Royal Caribbean
Large family-friendly ships packed with entertainment, water parks and waterslides.
Cruise destinations
Caribbean Cruises
White beaches, warm water and a different island most days, with winter sun that makes the long flight worthwhile.
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Caribbean Cruises with Travelisto
The Caribbean is one of the easiest places in the world to cruise. Islands sit close together, the sea is generally calm and the weather is warm all year, so you can spend your days snorkelling, lazing on a beach or exploring colonial towns and rum distilleries. It suits families looking for sunshine and ship activities, couples escaping the British winter, and anyone who wants a relaxed holiday with very little planning between stops.
The most popular time to sail is from December to April, when the weather is dry, sunny and less humid. Summer sailings are often good value and are popular with families during the school holidays. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June to November, and cruise lines adjust routes when storms develop, which is one reason many travellers prefer the winter months.
Itineraries usually last 7 to 14 nights. Eastern Caribbean routes visit islands such as St Maarten, St Thomas and Antigua, western routes head for Mexico, Belize, Honduras and the Cayman Islands, and southern routes reach Aruba, Barbados, St Lucia and Grenada. Many voyages also include a stop at a line's own private island for a beach day.
Florida is the main gateway, with Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral hosting the largest choice of ships. From the UK, Barbados is a popular fly-cruise base for southern Caribbean sailings, and some lines offer seasonal transatlantic voyages from Southampton for travellers who enjoy plenty of sea days. Our Travel Designers can pair your cruise with flights and a hotel stay before or after you sail.
Our Cruise Experts Love
Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
Royal Caribbean
Carnival Cruise Lines
Big-ship fun-led American cruising with broad family appeal and Caribbean strength.
MSC Cruises
European-flavoured family cruising at scale, with Mediterranean and Caribbean coverage year-round.
Celebrity Cruises
Modern premium cruising with stylish ships, world-class dining and global itineraries.
Star Clippers
Tall-ship sailing yachts with Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries — masts you can climb.
SeaDream Yacht Club
Twin small ships with yacht-club-casual luxury — Caribbean and Mediterranean focus.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Families who want the biggest ships, with water parks, climbing walls and big shows. |
| Carnival Cruise Lines | Fun-first holidays with a lively, casual American atmosphere. |
| MSC Cruises | Value-conscious families, with a European feel and modern ships. |
| Celebrity Cruises | Couples who want a stylish ship, good food and a calmer atmosphere. |
| Star Clippers | Sailing-ship fans who want smaller islands and a barefoot, informal feel. |
| SeaDream Yacht Club | Couples after a small, yacht-style ship with a very personal, all-inclusive feel. |
Eastern, western or southern Caribbean?
The Caribbean is not one destination but several, and the route you choose shapes the whole holiday.
- Eastern Caribbean
- Classic beach islands such as St Maarten, St Thomas and Antigua, with plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling. A good first choice.
- Western Caribbean
- Mexico’s coast, Belize, Honduras and the Cayman Islands. More variety ashore, from Mayan ruins to reef diving.
- Southern Caribbean
- Islands such as Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada and Aruba. Many sailings start in Barbados, which means a direct flight from the UK rather than a connection via the USA.
- Bahamas
- Short cruises from Florida, often with a day on a cruise line’s private island. Ideal as a taster or to add to a Florida holiday.
Planning your Caribbean cruise from the UK
For eastern and western routes you will usually fly to Florida, and it is worth arriving at least a day before you sail so a delayed flight does not mean missing the ship. For the southern Caribbean, a fly-cruise from Barbados keeps the journey simple.
Most days ashore are about beaches, snorkelling and island tours. Popular islands can be busy when several ships are in port, so booking excursions or beach clubs in advance is often sensible. A few lines also offer seasonal transatlantic voyages for travellers who would rather sail than fly.
Many guests add a hotel stay before or after the cruise, whether that is Florida theme parks or a week on a Caribbean beach. Our Travel Designers can put the flights, hotels and cruise together as one holiday.
Choosing the right ship for the Caribbean
Ship size shapes a Caribbean cruise more than almost anything else. The largest resort ships are holidays in themselves, with water parks, big shows and plenty of dining choice, and suit families and groups who want lots to do on sea days.
Mid-size premium ships are calmer, with more emphasis on dining, spas and time in port, and suit couples who mainly want sunshine and good food. Small ships, yachts and sailing ships can call at smaller islands and quieter bays that big ships cannot reach.
It is also worth thinking about how many sea days you want. Some itineraries call at a port almost every day, while others include several days at sea, which suits travellers who enjoy the ship as much as the islands.
FAQ
Caribbean Cruises: your questions answered
When is the best time to cruise the Caribbean?
December to April is the most popular period, with dry, sunny weather and lower humidity. It is also the best escape from the British winter. Summer can be good value and suits families tied to school holidays, but it falls within the hurricane season, when lines may change ports at short notice to avoid bad weather.
Which part of the Caribbean should I choose?
The eastern Caribbean is best for classic beaches and duty-free shopping on islands like St Maarten and St Thomas. The western Caribbean suits travellers who want Mayan ruins, reef snorkelling and Mexican coastline. The southern Caribbean reaches quieter, greener islands such as St Lucia, Grenada and Aruba, and often starts from Barbados.
Do I need to fly to the USA for a Caribbean cruise?
Not always. Many sailings start in Florida, but you can also fly directly from the UK to Barbados and join a southern Caribbean cruise there. Some lines also run seasonal repositioning voyages from Southampton across the Atlantic. Our Travel Designers can compare the routes and flight options that work best from your nearest airport.
Is a Caribbean cruise good for families?
Yes, it is one of the most family-friendly cruise regions. Lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and MSC Cruises sail large ships with kids' clubs, water parks and plenty of entertainment, and beach stops keep children busy in port. Calm seas and warm water also make it a gentle introduction to cruising for younger travellers.
Can I combine a Caribbean cruise with a hotel stay?
Yes, and it is a popular way to make the most of the long flight. Many travellers add a few nights in Miami or Orlando before sailing, or extend their trip in Barbados afterwards. We can organise flights, transfers and hotels around your cruise so the whole holiday is arranged in one booking.
Too many options? We'll narrow it down
Tell a Travel Designer where you want to go, when, and what kind of ship suits you. Three honest recommendations, same business day.