Caribbean & Bahamas Cruises
Year-round sunshine, from three-night getaways to two-week island hops.
Get Free Cruise QuotesThe Caribbean is the world’s busiest cruise region for good reason: warm water, short flights from much of North America and a sailing for almost every budget and length.
When to Go
There are Caribbean cruises every week of the year. Winter and spring bring the driest, most comfortable weather and the busiest school-holiday weeks. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30; ships sail throughout it and steer around storms, but itineraries can change. The NOAA National Hurricane Center publishes forecasts for anyone who wants to watch the tropics before departure.
How Long and From Where
3–5 nights
Bahamas and short western Caribbean getaways, mostly from Florida ports. Ideal for a first taste of cruising.
7 nights
The classic Eastern or Western Caribbean loop, from Florida, Texas, other Gulf ports and the U.S. East Coast.
8–14 nights
Southern Caribbean routes, longer sailings from the U.S., and cruises that start in Puerto Rico or Barbados.
Who the Caribbean Suits
Families, first-time cruisers, friends’ getaways and anyone who wants sun with minimal planning. Many cruise lines also own private islands or beach destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean, which make for very easy beach days.
The Caribbean is less suited to travelers who want deep cultural immersion at every stop, or who dislike busy ports: the most popular islands can see several large ships on the same day. Southern Caribbean and small-ship itineraries are quieter alternatives.
Planning Port Days
Our sister site Caribbean Cruise Ports has guides to the main Caribbean cruise ports and their shore excursions, and Cruise Caribbean covers Caribbean cruise itineraries in more depth.
Caribbean Cruise Questions
What is the difference between Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean cruises?
Eastern routes usually visit islands such as St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico. Western routes head for Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Belize, Honduras, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Southern routes reach islands farther south, such as Aruba, Curaçao, Barbados and St. Lucia, and are usually longer or start from a Caribbean port.
Can I cruise the Caribbean during hurricane season?
Yes, and many people do. Ships change course to avoid storms, so itineraries may change. Buy travel insurance early and fly in a day before departure.
Choosing a Homeport
Florida’s ports offer the widest choice of Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, but they are not the only option. Ships also sail from Texas and other Gulf ports, from the U.S. East Coast as far north as New York, and from San Juan in Puerto Rico, which puts the Southern Caribbean within a week’s reach. Sailing from a port you can drive to saves airfare and removes the risk of a missed flight; flying to a Caribbean homeport gets you to the farther islands without long sea passages.
Find Your Caribbean Cruise
Tell us your dates, homeport and how long you want to sail. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will line up the best-fitting Caribbean sailings with free quotes.
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