The best Caribbean cruises for a 2024/2025 holiday on the water

The Caribbean, with unmistakable white sands, twinkling turquoise waters and a tropical local weather that screams “winter sun” from December to April, is well-known as the place to be for cruise liners. And it’s not laborious to see why.

Getting to know the Caribbean Sea’s sheer density of palm-fringed islands on a multi-port journey maximises your experiences and opens up quite a few sun-drenched locations, together with Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia.

Once onboard, huge floating inns – usually all-inclusive havens of laid-back luxurious with every little thing thrown in – promise decadent wonderful eating, enrichment for all ages with theatre exhibits and waterparks, and a liberating alternative of excursions resembling volcano hikes, scuba diving and zip lining when docked at any considered one of the Caribbean’s serene tropics.

Here’s our information to the best Caribbean cruise holidays to e-book now, from epic transatlantic voyages at Christmas to adults-only adventures and short-haul island-hopping breaks, whether or not a last-minute getaway to bag a winter solar discount for 2024 or to look forward to summer season 2025.

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Best for: Classic cruising

Caribbean Transatlantic, P&O Cruises

Departs: Bridgetown, Barbados

Arrives: Southampton, UK

P&O Cruises presents a 13-night transatlantic cruise to take pleasure in the Caribbean sunshine, transporting you straight into the holiday spirit from the second you board. Guests onboard the family-friendly Britannia (capability 3,647) will arrive in Bridgetown, the beating coronary heart of Barbados, make snorkelling stops in St Lucia, stroll Georgian buildings in Basseterre, and sip rum punch in Antigua, earlier than crusing dwelling to Southampton.

Comfortable and sensible inside cabins are priced from £2,098 when reserving the saver fare, which incorporates allotted eating at over 13 eating places and bars, leisure, 4 swimming pools and port to airport transfers for the outbound flight to Bridgetown.

Departing 23 March 2024

Best for: UK departures

Island Hopping in the Caribbean, Fred Olsen

Departs: Portsmouth, UK

Arrives: Portsmouth, UK

A return journey from the Caribbean may be daunting for fearful flyers, however with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines these trying to depart and return dwelling by boat are in luck. Their island hopping journey – a spherical journey from Portsmouth – options a cocktail of historic landmarks, dramatic volcano-scapes and winter solar that can take you from Antigua to Dominica and St Lucia.

Two cruisers in an all-inclusive inside room can spend 28 nights in considered one of the Borealis’ 702 cabins from £3,699pp, with upgrades to all-inclusive wine and spirits accessible for £24.99pp per night time. Rum excursions of Mount Gay Distillery, waterfall excursions to the Emerald Pool in Roseau and sugar plantations in St John are cruise staples on shore earlier than travellers retreat to considered one of the ship’s elegant lounges.

Departing 4 January 2025

Best for: A Caribbean Christmas

Caribbean Celebration, Cunard

Departs: Southampton, UK

Arrives: New York, USA

Ring in the New Year with Cunard on this 20-night “Caribbean Celebration” crusing over Christmas and into January. Escape the chilly to spend time ashore with family members in sunny St Lucia, Dominica and St Marteen on the nearly three week lengthy journey to the azure waters of the Caribbean.

For £2,579pp, board considered one of Cunard’s Queen ships and go to the grand foyer – full with a dazzling Christmas tree – to embrace the festive spirit at sea. Imaginative meals at a number of eating places, dwell music evenings and sporting actions are all included in the value.

Departing 14 December 2024

Best for: Floating household enjoyable

Western Caribbean Cruise with Pixar Day at Sea, Disney Cruise Lines

Departs: Port Canaveral, Florida

Arrives: Port Canaveral, Florida

No cruise ship does floating enjoyable palace fairly like the Disney Fantasy, and with a devoted day for Pixar characters, its Western Caribbean Cruise is a dream for households. Think seven nights spent at interactive breakfasts, deck events and film screenings sandwiched between Moana-style days on the sand in George Town and Disney’s non-public island, Castaway Cay.

Once the children are worn out from scuba diving, kayaking and dolphin recognizing on land, adult-exclusive nightclubs, whirlpool spas and a health centre are on provide to relax on board whereas the little ones take pleasure in children membership. Prices begin from £3,617 together with breakfast, lunch, dinner and 24-hour snacks.

Departing 10 February 2024

Best for: Long-term holidaying

Gems of the Caribbean Sea, Ambassador Cruise Line

Departs: Tilbury, London

Arrives: Tilbury, London

Ambassador Cruise Line gives a mammoth 39-night cruise onboard the Ambience to the gems of the Caribbean through Madeira. Sink your toes into the pink sands of Bermuda and the turquoise sea of the Cayman Islands and dance to reggae music in vigorous Montego Bay, Jamaica – simply a few of the highlights of the Caribbean voyage.

Traditional afternoon teas and gala dinners pepper the eating menus and with a library, cabaret exhibits in The Observatory and 11 completely different lounges and bars, there’s lots to entertain on board. Set sail with Ambassador from £2,099pp for an inside en-suite cabin, with 50 per cent off for the second visitor.

Departing 5 January 2025

Best for: Short and candy retreats

Evrima to U.S. Virgin Islands, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Departs: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Arrives: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Fancy dipping your toe into the world of cruising? Try Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collections’ four-night return journey from San Juan for a style of Caribbean luxurious. Anchoring amid the granite boulders and tidal swimming pools of Virgin Gorda and stretches of palm-fringed white sand in St John, the Evrima ship has the capability for simply 298 friends for an intimate and decadent expertise on the water.

Local culinary delights dot 9 eating places and fares begin from £4,178pp based mostly on double terrace mid suites that includes spacious balconies, comfy king beds and 24-hour in-suite eating.

Departing 7 March 2024.

Best for: Setting sail

Caribbean Vibes and 80’s Spirit, SeaCloud Cruises

Departs: Philipsburg, St Maarten

Arrives: Philipsburg, St Maarten

Onboard Sea Cloud Spirit’s Eighties-themed crusing cruise the Caribbean vibes are excessive and the music is basic. The “songs n’ sail” journey round the Lesser Antilles options on-deck discos and laidback sundowner live shows from St Maarten to Jost Van Dyke below the majestic full white sails.

With house for simply 136 passengers onboard, costs begin from €4,495pp (£3,839) for seven nights in double cabin lodging. Gratuities, all meals together with a five-course gala dinner, home wine and beer and use of watersports amenities are included in the value.

Departing 4 December 2024

Best for: Bargain boat journeys

Bahamas Getaway, Celebrity Cruises

Departs: Port Canaveral, Florida

Arrives: Port Canaveral, Florida

If you’re trying for a cruise at a value that gained’t make you seasick, fares for Celebrity Cruises’ four-night “Bahamas Getaway” begin at simply £327pp. The spherical journey from Port Canaveral calls at Bimini and Nassau in the Bahamas for the final indulgence in watersports, sun-kissed sands and snorkelling over vigorous corals teeming with turtles, dolphins and technicolour colleges of fish.

Guests will really feel really spoiled on board the elegant Celebrity Equinox with a martini bar, on line casino and galleria of stylish boutiques.

Departing 3 December 2024

Best for: Adults-only adventures

Fire & Sunset Soirées, Virgin Voyages

Departs: Miami, Florida

Arrives: Miami, Florida

Drag queens, DJs and outside yoga await on Virgin Voyages “Fire & Sunset Soirées”, a four-night spherical journey from Miami to Bimini. The adults-only voyage on the luxurious Scarlet Lady is aimed toward millennials lusting for vibrant days spent at non-public seashore golf equipment with bonfires, cabanas and pool events.

Prices to splash in the cerulean Caribbean waters begin from £1,320pp for a sea terrace room together with suggestions, meals from over 20 eateries, health courses and world-class leisure.

Departing 7 Feburary 2024

Best for: Solo cruising

Silver Shadow to Aruba, Silversea

Departs: New York, New York

Arrives: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

After leaving the hovering skyline of New York City behind, Silversea’s Silver Shadow has a four-day stint in balmy Bermuda earlier than transferring on to the stylish St. Bart’s and beachy Aruba. Single solos on board needn’t fear about a lack of firm; Silversea’s “Gentlemen Hosts” are the excellent dance and dinner companions for older travellers trying to socialise.

Spacious oceanview suites profit from butler service, walk-in wardrobes and champagne on arrival with door-to-door costs ranging from £6,100pp together with airport transfers, worldwide flights and an all-inclusive onboard expertise.

Departing 28 October 2024

Best for: Eastern Caribbean cruises

Eastern Caribbean with Turks & Caicos, Princess Cruises

Departs: Port Canaveral, Florida

Arrives: Port Canaveral, Florida

Discover the Eastern Caribbean with Princess Cruises on a voyage to the Turks and Caicos islands from Port Canaveral in Orlando. With further port stops in Nassau and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, a wealth of craft, dancing and watersports excursions can be found to create unforgettable moments on shore.

An inside room on the Caribbean Princess for the six-day cruise will set you again £449pp – this customary fare consists of Broadway-style leisure, multicourse eating, health amenities and youth golf equipment, with alcohol and spa packages accessible to buy individually.

Departing 9 December 2024

Best for: Caribbean tradition

A Journey to Southern Charms and European Flavours, Explora Journeys

Departs: Colón, Panama

Arrives: Bridgetown, Barbados

This one is for the historical past buffs – Explora Journeys is providing a cruise expedition from Colón, Panama, to the wonders of the Caribbean above and beneath the floor. Find Unesco-listed hotspots resembling the Dutch colonial metropolis and harbour of Willemstad, Mount Pelée and the azure dive websites of the Saint Pierre on Martinique, earlier than savouring a legendary blue curacao cocktail on board the Explora I.

The six-night cruise is priced from £1,657.50pp together with lodging in a roomy ocean terrace suite, onboard gratuities, limitless drinks and all meals at considered one of the ship’s 9 eating places.

Departing 24 February 2024

Best for: Island-hopping

Pearls of the Caribbean, Ponant

Departs: Fort-de-France, Martinique

Arrives: Fort-de-France, Martinique

Longing to island hop in the compelling firm of zen professionals? Ponant could have simply the cruise for you. White sand seashores meet Creole delicacies and the enchanting Grenadines on this decadent drift between Martinique and Saint Lucia. And crusing on the Caribbean Sea wouldn’t be full with out scuba diving – take the plunge in off-grid coves below the watchful eye of the onboard teacher.

Ponant presents a “Pearls of the Caribbean” cruise onboard the Le Champlain from £3,860pp for eight nights staying in a deluxe stateroom. Guests of honour Elodie Garamond, and Helen Haynes, a yoga teacher and pilates professor, will advise the our bodies and minds of 184 friends and two formal gala evenings are organised onboard throughout the crusing.

Departing 4 November 2024

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