Cruising To The Caribbean: The Best Cruise Lines

• Mega-Ship Thrills: Royal Caribbean continues to dominate the region with its game-changing Icon Class ships, offering unparalleled family fun and the new "Perfect Day" experiences.

• Luxury & Immersion: Regent Seven Seas raises the bar with new "Immersive Overnight" itineraries, allowing guests to explore Caribbean nightlife with all-inclusive luxury.

• Solo & Family Options: Whether it's Disney's new Disney Destiny or Norwegian's expanded solo staterooms on Norwegian Aqua, there has never been a better time to book a tailored Caribbean getaway.

If you’re lucid dreaming of a Caribbean cruise, where white powder sands and sparkling turquoise waters brush your feet, and the sounds of local music from a vibrant culture greets your ears, then there’s an abundance of options especially for you.

Many of the leading, and also more boutique cruise lines, offer various itineraries around these glorious islands, but which is the best option? The answer: it very much depends on exactly what sort of cruise you are looking for.

To help you narrow the choices down, below, we provide a breakdown of the most popular types of Caribbean cruises and reveal which cruise lines do it best.

Royal Caribbean Cruises: Big, bustling and brilliant

If you’re seeking a cruise that can keep you and your travelling companions amused from dawn till dusk (and beyond!), then Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships are for you. Royal Caribbean cruises are the leader in creating mega-ships, so when at sea, you’ll be able to enjoy an incredible array of activities for all ages and interests.

There’s the biggest aqua park at sea, the latest glow-in-the-dark laser tag and Mission Control: Apollo 18 escape room challenge, to name a few. Not forgetting the numerous bars, speciality restaurants and thrilling entertainment venues on offer.

If you're not looking for an adrenaline rush at sea, seek a relaxing treatment in the spa, or indulge in some retail therapy by shopping the biggest designer brands in the on-board boutiques available on their ships.

In fact, the features onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises may be so enthralling that you may not want to get off!

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: A luxury lifestyle

Cruise ships focusing on exceptional luxury are found more frequently in the Mediterranean or exploring Far East Asia. However, Regent Seven Seas Cruises do send vessels to the Caribbean during the winter months.

Its ships focus on ultimate indulgence and are renowned for their impressive 1 to 1.5 staff-to-guest ratio and all-inclusive packages, which include everything from fine dining and premium spirits to unlimited excursions, included gratuities and even unlimited Wi-Fi - so you are able to keep in touch with the rest of the world while discovering this beautiful destination!

Their suites are unrivalled in space, offering a private butler service, luxury bathing products and a high-tech entertainment system. And what's more, every suite across their fleet of five delivers incredible ocean views; 99% of which include their own private balcony to soak up the stunning seascape. 

Itineraries often take in Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Barts and Antigua, where the idyllic scenery, captivating history and laid-back vibe only add to the sense of opulence this cruise line seeks to deliver.

Disney Cruise Line: Family fun and festivities

Disney Cruise Line brings the magic to your holiday and combines it with the white paradise sands, historical sites and pirate haunts of the Caribbean. Onboard, there’s an array of Disney-exclusive entertainment and activities, including Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, Marvel Super Hero Academy for kids and Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant, all of which will delight young hearts and evoke a smile from adults alike.

Not cruising with kids? Disney cruises aren't just for the young! Their ships also have a variety of features curated just for adults: relax in the luxurious spa; take a splash in the adults-only pools or let your hair down in the uniquely-themed lounges and clubs.

Itineraries visit Disney’s private island paradise, Disney Castaway Cay, in the Bahamas, where sea turtles and coral reefs feature beneath the surrounding turquoise waters. Other destinations include Jamaica. Grand Cayman, St. Maarten and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

However, it’s worth mentioning that for families where Disney is not such a draw, cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Lines also offer plenty of fun-filled family action in the Caribbean, often at a lower cost.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Solo sightseeing

Norwegian Cruise Line leads the way in dedicated solo cruising, having zones onboard and activities specifically targeted for this market. As well as grouping together single cabins, they have a private lounge for solo socialising during happy hour and also host dedicated meet-ups and bar crawls - making it hard not to meet new people on board!

Tailored shore excursions and onboard activities provide further great ways to meet up with fellow cruisers and share your experiences. The solo-specific designed cabins make cruising more affordable when travelling alone, removing the need for single supplements, while still offering all the space and amenities needed for your room.

There’s a wide variety of ships and itineraries to choose from when selecting a Caribbean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Getaway, Escape, Bliss, Encore, Prima and Viva all sail on a variety of Caribbean itineraries, visiting ports in various stunning locations, including the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Bahamas and St. Lucia.

Finding Your Paradise

The Caribbean is a region of endless variety, and choosing the right cruise line is the key to unlocking its magic.

Whether you are racing down water slides on the world's largest ships, enjoying a quiet sunset from a luxury balcony, or sharing stories with fellow solo travellers, there is a perfect island itinerary waiting for you.

Ready to book your island escape? Whether you want the non-stop action of Royal Caribbean or the quiet luxury of Regent, our expert cruise consultants can help you find the perfect itinerary for your next getaway.