The Best Caribbean Cruises
White sand beaches. Teal waters. On-shore adventures. And the best part? You get to enjoy all of this while sailing on some of the most majestic cruises in the world. What isn’t there to like about a Caribbean cruise?
With so many options out there, we’ve narrowed down some of the best Caribbean cruises available, regardless if you’re traveling on a romantic trip for two or are bringing the whole family on board. Start packing, and bring lots of sunscreen, we’re confident we’ve got something for everybody!
1. Best Family-Friendly Cruises
Is there anything more quintessentially family-friendly than Disney? The Disney Cruise Line offers Caribbean cruises up to 10 days long with departures from multiple ports. Visit destinations like Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Aruba; for a memorable Disney-only experience, the cruise will dock at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. While onboard, take part in extravagant live Disney shows, sign up kids for the Oceaneer Club, and enjoy breakfast with different Disney characters.
Carnival offers a great family-friendly cruise with ports of call in Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Freeport, just to name a few. Get ready for fun on and off the boat as Carnival cruise ships are so well stocked you may not want to leave! Kids will enjoy the waterslides, mini-golf, and Dr. Seuss activities, while parents can take their time at the onboard casino, piano bars, and nightclubs.
2. Best Romantic Cruises
Couples looking for a private getaway should start with Princess Cruises. Enjoy The Sanctuary during the day, complete with waiter service and couples cabana massages. At night, explore Adagio, a private lounge made for conversation and reconnecting. The ship’s many restaurants offer countless options for a table for two, but the Ultimate Balcony Dining experience will have you sharing lobster with champagne on your balcony. Try their Western Caribbean cruise for historic shore adventures and natural beauty, or a Bahamas cruise for pristine beaches and crystal clear water, including a stop at their private Princess Cays Island.
Younger cruisers will enjoy Virgin Voyages’ Caribbean itinerary. Starting in Miami, Virgin Voyages begins as it means to continue: with a vibrant, energetic vibe. St.Croix, San Juan, and Roatan are only some of the stops as the cruise ship winds through the Caribbean. Indulge at one (or all!) of the 20 onboard dining venues like vegetable-focused Razzle Dazzle or savory Korean BBQ Gunbae. Bring comfortable shoes for an all-night dance party at Virgin Voyages’ private beach club, Bimini, or onboard dance clubs like The Manor or poolside Aquatic Club.
3. Best Megaship Cruises
Travelers who are all about the cruise ship itself need look no further than the Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships. With ships up to 18 decks high and enough room for 6,800 passengers, these ships are up to 20% bigger than other cruise ships. And Royal Caribbean has packed every inch of their Oasis Class ships with amenities for all ages. Multiple pools, waterslides, rock climbing, and ziplines are all available on the outer decks. Inside find casinos, theaters, and even ice rinks to help pass your time at sea. The on-shore attractions, including pink sand beaches and UNESCO Heritage Sites, will be tempting draws away from the ship as it docks at destinations like St.Maarten, Puerto Rico, and St.Thomas.
Norwegian Cruise Line also offers ships that have more amenities and activities than some major cities! At 20 decks tall, this ship offers activities you never knew you needed. An electric go-kart track? Check! Multi-story water slides? Check! Broadway-worthy shows? Check! With dozens of eateries and bars, Norwegian Cruise Lines offers onboard amenities to rival large resorts. With multiple itineraries available, travelers can choose between adventure-packed Curacao and Aruba, or walk the Mayan Ruins in Costa Maya before docking in Belize’s Harvest Caye.
4. Best Luxury Cruises
Silversea Cruises offers bespoke Caribbean experiences to its small number of passengers who get to explore ports that larger ships can’t reach. Each suite comes with butler service, and 24-hour dining service. Their small luxury ships only offer ocean-view suites, most with private verandas. With a staff-to-guest ratio of nearly 1:1 (most ships are 3:1), Silversea offers unparalleled, personal service. The culinary experience on board Silversea ships rival those found in metropolises the world over; La Dame, Kaiseki and La Terrazza have each perfected international cuisine. S.a.l.t. Kitchen mirrors the local cuisine of the ship’s next destination. Whether it’s a 27-day from Barbados to Peru, or an 11-day journey from Fort Lauderdale through St.Kitts, Roseau, and Gustavia, Silversea welcomes each passenger with the highest level of service.
Travelers looking for unrivaled opulence aboard a cruise ship should book a room on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Splendor. The Regent Suite is a whopping 4,443 square feet, and comes with its own piano, steam room, and unlimited massages. With a 270-degree view over the ship’s bow, the $11,000 a night suite is the most extravagant on a commercial cruise ship line. Only one of Regent’s luxury cruise ships, the Seven Seas Splendor winds through the Caribbean with stops in the Dominican Republic, St.Barts, St.Lucia, and Antigua. Regent’s offerings are unique as they include unlimited shore excursions, fine wines, and specialty restaurants. Personal butler service is included for penthouse suites and higher.
Caribbean cruises are a great way to explore the sun, sand and surf of a beautiful area that also has many cultural and historical attractions. With so many Caribbean cruise options, there is a cruise for every kind of traveler, regardless of budget, traveling style, or destination preference. Get ready to make memories on and off the ship as you sail into the Caribbean sunset and into new adventures.
