The overview
Choosing a Caribbean route
"The Caribbean" is really three broad route families, and which one you pick matters more than the cruise line. Eastern routes lean toward beaches and shopping, Western routes toward reefs, ruins and adventure, and Southern routes head farther out to drier, less-crowded islands on longer sailings.
Most departures are from Florida, with more from Galveston, New Orleans and San Juan. ClariSail doesn't book the cruise or set the price; we explain what an offer includes, flag what tends to cost extra, review your request by hand, and refer you to a cruise-selling partner to finalize details.
The three routes
Eastern, Western and Southern
Here's the quick way to tell them apart when you're comparing itineraries.
Eastern Caribbean
Shorter hops to islands like St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico. Beaches, duty-free shopping and a private-island day are the typical mix.
Western Caribbean
Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Roatan and Belize. The route to pick for reef snorkeling, cave tubing and Maya ruins.
Southern Caribbean
Farther south to Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Barbados. Drier weather, fewer crowds, and usually longer sailings out of San Juan or Florida.
No surprises at checkout
What's included vs. what usually costs extra
This is the kind of thing ClariSail spells out before you talk to anyone. On most mainstream lines the split looks like this, though it varies by ship and fare.
Typically included
- Your cabin for the full sailing
- Main dining rooms and buffet meals
- Most onboard entertainment and activities
- Pools, hot tubs and the fitness center
Usually extra
- Shore excursions and island tours
- Alcohol, specialty coffee and soda
- Specialty restaurants
- Gratuities, Wi-Fi and spa services
Timing your trip
The best time to cruise the Caribbean
The water is warm year-round, so the calendar is really about weather risk and price. December through April is peak season: the driest, most reliable weather and the highest fares. June through November is hurricane season, which brings lower prices and a real but manageable chance of an itinerary change for weather.
Most Caribbean cruises run 7 nights, with shorter 3 to 5 night options and longer 10-plus night Southern sailings also available.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean cruises?
Eastern routes focus on beaches and shopping (St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico); Western routes on reefs, ruins and adventure (Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Belize); Southern routes reach drier, less-crowded islands like Aruba and Curacao on longer sailings.
How long are Caribbean cruises?
Seven nights is the most common length, with shorter 3 to 5 night sailings and longer 10-plus night Southern itineraries also available.
When is the best time to cruise the Caribbean?
December through April is the driest, most reliable, and priciest. June through November is hurricane season, which means lower fares and a manageable chance of weather routing changes.
What's included in the fare?
Your cabin, main dining and buffet meals, most entertainment, and pool and fitness areas. Shore excursions, alcohol, specialty dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi and spa are usually extra.
Where do Caribbean cruises depart from?
Mostly Florida ports (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa), plus Galveston, New Orleans and San Juan.
Is ClariSail the cruise line?
No. ClariSail is a no-cost informational matching service that explains offers and pricing, reviews each request manually, and refers interested travelers to a cruise-selling partner who handles booking.
Request pricing
Get clear Caribbean Sun pricing
Tell us a little about your trip and we'll review your request and follow up with clear pricing, what's generally included, and what to expect before you decide. There's no cost to use ClariSail.