Long-haul
Caribbean cruise: the routes, the season and where to stay before you sail
The ship glides out of Miami as the sun sets, and tomorrow you wake up at a new island. How to choose a Caribbean cruise, when to go and where to stay before and after.
The ship glides out of Miami as the sun sets behind the skyline. A band plays on deck, and some have already found the pool. Tomorrow you wake up off a new island, with turquoise water and a beach waiting. A cruise is the easiest way to see several Caribbean islands in one trip, without packing your suitcase more than once.
Here are the routes, seasons and ports, and where to stay before you board.
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How to choose your Caribbean route
Eastern Caribbean: the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and St Maarten. Often from Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral.
Western Caribbean: Cozumel in Mexico, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Belize or Honduras. Great for snorkelling, Mayan ruins and cenotes.
Southern Caribbean: Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and the ABC islands. Often from Barbados or Puerto Rico, saving several days at sea.
For a first cruise, seven nights from Florida is the easiest. If you have cruised before, the southern Caribbean has the most beautiful islands and shorter hops between them.
Book the experience: See things to do in Miami before your cruise
Arrive the day before: hotels near the ports
Flights from Europe usually involve a connection, and delays happen. The ship will not wait, so arrive at least a day early. It also gives you an evening in Miami or on the beach.
Miami Beach
1 Hotel South Beach sits on the beach in Miami Beach.
Miami: 1 Hotel South Beach
1 Hotel sits right on the beach in South Beach, with several pools, one of them on the roof with ocean views. The cruise port in Miami is a short taxi ride away.
Guests praise the staff, and the hotel has a relaxed, green style with lots of wood and plants.
Book your stay: See rooms at 1 Hotel South Beach
Mid-Beach
Faena sits on the beach in Mid-Beach.
Miami: Faena Miami Beach
Faena is one of Miami’s most dramatic hotels, with red and gold interiors, art and its own theatre. The rooms look out over the Atlantic.
It suits those who want to start or end their cruise with something special.
Book your stay: See rooms at Faena Miami Beach
Fort Lauderdale: The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
Many ships sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, just north of Miami. The Ritz-Carlton sits on the beach, with a terrace pool and a short drive to the port and airport.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale
Barbados
Colony Club sits on the west coast of Barbados.
Barbados: Colony Club
If you sail from Barbados, stay on the west coast, where the sea is calmest. Colony Club sits in gardens with palms and lagoon pools leading down to the beach, and breakfast is included.
Bridgetown and the cruise port are a short drive away.
Book your stay: See rooms at Colony Club
When is the best time for a Caribbean cruise?
December to April is high season, with dry, settled weather. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with most activity from August to October. Cruise lines change the route if a storm approaches, which can mean different ports than planned.
When should you book?
Christmas, New Year and February half-term: book the cruise and hotel six to twelve months ahead.
Pre-cruise hotel: book at the same time as the cruise, with free cancellation.
Entering the US: check the rules and electronic travel authorisation well in advance.
Caribbean cruise FAQ
When is the best time for a Caribbean cruise?
December to April is high season with settled, dry weather. June to November is hurricane season, with most activity from August to October.
Where do Caribbean cruises depart from?
Most sail from Florida, especially Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral. For the southern Caribbean, many depart from Barbados or Puerto Rico.
Which route is best for a first cruise?
Seven nights in the eastern or western Caribbean from Florida is the easiest. The southern Caribbean from Barbados offers more islands and shorter crossings.
Should you arrive the day before a cruise?
Yes. Long-haul flights usually involve a connection, and the ship will not wait. Arrive at least a day early and stay close to the port.
Where should I stay before a cruise from Miami?
Stay in Miami Beach, for example at 1 Hotel South Beach or Faena, or at The Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale if you sail from Port Everglades.