CRUISES
Caribbean cruises: Eastern, Western or Southern, and when to go
Compare Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean cruises, the ports each one visits, the best months, hurricane season and how to choose your sailing.
The Caribbean is the most popular cruise region in the world. Dozens of ships sail it every week, from short trips to long ones, from simple ships to luxury ones. The region is split into three itineraries, and the one you choose decides the ports, the number of sea days and who the trip suits.
Eastern, Western and Southern compared
| Itinerary | Typical stops | Usually sails from | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Caribbean | The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico | Florida ports and Puerto Rico | Beaches and shopping, first cruises |
| Western Caribbean | Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Roatán, Belize | Florida, Galveston and New Orleans | Snorkelling, ruins and Mexico |
| Southern Caribbean | Aruba, Curaçao, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua | Puerto Rico and Florida, often longer trips | Travellers with a week or more, and fewer crowds |
Ports and routes change between ships and seasons, so check the exact stops before booking.
When to go
The driest and most popular months run roughly from December to April, and prices are highest around Christmas, New Year and spring break. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June to November, with the peak usually in late summer and early autumn. Ships can change the route to avoid storms, and prices are often lower, but delays and changes are more likely. If you cruise in those months, consider insurance with weather cover. See our travel insurance guide.
Choosing the right sailing
- Length. Three to five nights is a taste. A week is the standard. Ten days or more suits Southern routes.
- Port. Pick the one you can reach easily. See cruises from Florida and cruises from Galveston.
- Sea days. If you like the ship, pick more sea days. If you like the islands, pick more port days.
- Cabin. A balcony helps on warm itineraries, but interior cabins work if you are rarely there.
- Cruise line. Lines differ in style, from lively and family-focused to quieter and more premium. Browse the list on CruiseDirect's cruise lines page.
Cruising from Mexico and Central America
Some itineraries include Mexico or Central America, such as Cozumel and Costa Maya. CruiseDirect has pages for Mexico cruises and Central America cruises. If you plan to spend time on land, read our Cancún and Riviera Maya guide.
Staying connected and saving money
Roaming charges in port can be high. A travel eSIM can help, and most travellers switch off data at sea. To keep the whole bill low, read cheap cruises, cruise deals and how much a cruise costs. Royal Caribbean fans can browse CruiseDirect's Royal Caribbean Caribbean deals.
Frequently asked questions
Which Caribbean cruise is best for a first cruise?
The Eastern Caribbean or a short Bahamas sailing from Florida is the usual choice, because there are many ships and dates and the trips are short.
What is the difference between Eastern and Western?
Eastern routes call at islands such as the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Western routes call at places such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica, and often include Mexico.
Is hurricane season a bad time to cruise?
Not necessarily, but the risk of route changes and delays is higher. Consider insurance and flexible plans, and arrive the day before.
How long is a Caribbean cruise?
From three nights to two weeks or more. Seven nights is the most common.
Do I need a passport?
US citizens on a round trip from a US port can sometimes use other proof of citizenship, but a passport is strongly recommended, and it is needed if you fly home from a foreign port or miss the ship.
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