A Caribbean cruise is the easiest way to see several islands in one holiday: white-sand beaches, rum shacks, rainforest and a new island most days. From the UK you can fly to Barbados or Miami to join the ship, or sail all the way on a longer no-fly voyage.
Here are the best Caribbean cruise lines for UK travellers.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Fly-cruises for UK travellers
- Big ships and private islands
- Small ships and luxury
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marella Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 5 Ships in the fleet | All-inclusive | Flights & transfers, All drinks, All dining |
| P&O Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 7 Ships in the fleet | British atmosphere | Main dining, Sterling onboard, Reef kids’ clubs |
| Ambassador Cruise Line | Mainstream ocean | 3 Ships in the fleet | Smaller ships | Main dining, Sterling onboard, Entertainment |
| Saga Cruises | River and ocean | 7 Ships — 2 ocean + 4 river | Over-50s | Chauffeur from home, Travel insurance, All drinks |
| Royal Caribbean | Mainstream ocean | 31 Ships in the fleet | Families | Main dining, Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs, Theatre & shows |
| Virgin Voyages | Premium ocean | 4 Lady ships | Adults-only | WiFi, All dining, Soft drinks |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Mainstream ocean | 20 Ships in the fleet | Private beaches | Main dining, Splash Academy, Theatre & shows |
| Windstar Cruises | Small ship and sailing | 6 Small yachts | Smaller islands | All dining, Watersports platform, Sail Away ceremony |
| SeaDream Yacht Club | Luxury ocean | 2 Twin yachts | Yacht luxury | All dining, All drinks, Marina watersports |
| Star Clippers | Small ship and sailing | 3 Tall ships | Sailing | All meals, Watersports, Mast climbs |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Fly-cruises for UK travellers
Marella Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 5 Ships in the fleet
All-inclusive Caribbean cruises from Barbados and Antigua with flights, transfers, drinks and gratuities included, plus Cruise & Stay hotels.
Best for: All-inclusive
P&O Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 7 Ships in the fleet
Caribbean fly-cruises alongside its year-round Southampton programme, with sterling on board.
Best for: British atmosphere
Ambassador Cruise Line
- Mainstream ocean
- 3 Ships in the fleet
ATOL-protected Caribbean fly-cruises on smaller classic ships.
Best for: Smaller ships
Saga Cruises
- River and ocean
- 7 Ships — 2 ocean + 4 river
Caribbean fly-cruises for over-50s with flights and a chauffeur included.
Best for: Over-50s
Big ships and private islands
Royal Caribbean
- Mainstream ocean
- 31 Ships in the fleet
Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, the Bahamas and the private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Best for: Families
Virgin Voyages
- Premium ocean
- 4 Lady ships
Adults-only, sailing from Miami and San Juan, with most Caribbean voyages calling at Virgin’s beach club in Bimini.
Best for: Adults-only
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Mainstream ocean
- 20 Ships in the fleet
Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize on Caribbean itineraries, with Freestyle Cruising.
Best for: Private beaches
Small ships and luxury
Windstar Cruises
- Small ship and sailing
- 6 Small yachts
- 342 Max guests
Motor-sailing yachts focusing on the smaller Caribbean islands, from Barbados.
Best for: Smaller islands
SeaDream Yacht Club
- Luxury ocean
- 2 Twin yachts
- 112 Max guests
Caribbean in winter on two 112-guest yachts with all drinks included.
Best for: Yacht luxury
Star Clippers
- Small ship and sailing
- 3 Tall ships
- 227 Max guests (Royal Clipper)
Tall-ship sailing in the Caribbean from Barbados.
Best for: Sailing
When to go
The Caribbean cruise season peaks from December to April, when the weather is driest. June to November is hurricane season; cruises still sail and itineraries can change at short notice, but prices are often lower. Flights to Barbados or Antigua take around eight to nine hours from the UK.
How we chose these cruise lines
We featured lines whose own information includes Caribbean sailings, with a focus on options for UK travellers. Itineraries and seasons change every year, so check the sailings available for your dates, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which Caribbean cruises include flights from the UK?
Marella includes flights; P&O, Ambassador and Saga offer fly-cruises.
When is the best time for a Caribbean cruise?
December to April.
Can you sail to the Caribbean from the UK?
Yes, on longer no-fly voyages from Southampton, usually in autumn and winter.
Which Caribbean cruise is adults-only?
Virgin Voyages.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
