Setting sail on a cruise is a guaranteed good time no matter where you go. But, if we had to suggest a destination, the Eastern Caribbean would be high on the list.With endless sunshine, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and delicious foods, it’s a corner of the world worth visiting on your next cruise getaway.
There are dozens of cruise lines that visit this region, so all you need to do is figure out how long you can travel and find the itinerary that best fits your interests. Need a little more help? We've covered the basics and rounded up 10 Eastern Caribbean cruises to check out for your next tropical getaway.
What's the difference between an Eastern Caribbean cruise and a Western Caribbean cruise?
Many beautiful Caribbean islands are worth visiting at one point or another. However, if you’re particularly interested in exploring the Eastern Caribbean, it’s important to know which islands that region includes. The exact places you visit on an Eastern Caribbean cruise will vary depending on the cruise line and itinerary you choose, but Eastern Caribbean cruises tend to include destinations like the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. A Western Caribbean cruise itinerary might include stops in Jamaica, Mexico, or Belize, to name just a few destinations.
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When is the best time to go on an Eastern Caribbean cruise?
Weather is warm all year long in the Eastern Caribbean, so the main thing to consider is hurricane season, which could derail your cruise trip with cancellations and last-minute itinerary changes. Hurricane season typically falls between early June and late November, so winter is a great time to take a cruise and trade chilly temperatures at home for balmy Caribbean weather.
10 Eastern Caribbean Cruises for Your Next Getaway
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian’s Caribbean: Curacao, Aruba & St. Kitts voyage takes guests from Puerto Rico to Aruba, Curacao, St. Lucia, and more on a seven-day getaway. The trip includes onboard entertainment, dining, and more, and this itinerary offers 87 different shore excursions so you can get to know the islands any way you please.
Princess Cruises
This seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing from Princess Cruises offers guests the chance to get to know four unique ports of call, including those in the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. The round-trip journey departs from the super-convenient port in Fort Lauderdale.
Holland America
For a weeklong getaway, hop aboard thisseven-day Eastern Caribbeantrip from Holland America. The multi-island jaunt takes you through Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas for a little getaway in the sun.
Celebrity Cruises
Spend a little more time at sea with this nine-night Eastern Caribbean trip with Celebrity. The trip includes stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and St. John's, Antigua, making sure you have all your “saint” stops covered.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Have one full week to spare? Check out theseven-night San Juan to San Juan tripwith Regent Seven Seas. The cruise brings passengers to favorites like St. Lucia, and St. Barts, and includes unlimited shore excursions, beverages, and even onboard specialty restaurants.
Oceania Cruises
Get to know more of the Eastern Caribbean on this 12-day voyage with Oceania. The sailing stops atAruba, St. Kitts, Grenada, and more, and includes six shore excursions, a beverage package, and a $600 onboard credit.
Royal Caribbean
Take a quick jaunt through the area with this five-night Eastern Caribbean trip with Royal Caribbean. The cruise takes guests from Miami to Haiti and back again on an affordable getaway that is short but sweet.
Azamara
Spend more than a week in crystal-clear waters with this12-night Caribbean Breezes voyagewith Azamara. The itinerary includes stops in Virgin Gorda, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, and more. It also offers various culturally focused shore excursions so you can leave with a deeper appreciation for each and every port.
Cunard
Set sail on the Queen Mary 2 with this 12-night Eastern Caribbean trip with Cunard. The voyage travels to St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, and beyond, and does so in the elegant style this vessel is so loved for in the cruising community.
Windstar Cruises
Finally, for a more personalized sailing (with a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1.5), try this St. Maarten to St. Maarten seven-day getaway. The trip stops at destinations like St. Maarten, Virgin Gorda, and St. Barts for a positively delightful and sun-filled getaway.
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