Search for a Caribbean cruise and you’ll quickly discover that “Caribbean” doesn’t narrow things down very much. One itinerary may have you walking the blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan and shopping in St. Thomas, another could revolve around Cozumel and Costa Maya, while a Southern Caribbean cruise may take you all the way to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.
They’re all Caribbean cruises, but they can be three very different vacations.
I’ve been sailing the Caribbean since my first Eastern Caribbean cruise back in 1994, and after enough trips through all three regions, I definitely have my preferences. San Juan remains one of my favorite ports anywhere in the Caribbean, particularly when a cruise line gives you a late departure. Western Caribbean itineraries are generally my least favorite of the three, while a Southern Caribbean run to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao is the one I’d choose first – hands down.
That doesn’t mean everyone should make the same choice. Beaches, snorkeling, history, sea days, the number of ports and even how much you enjoy the ship itself can all change which region is best for you.
So before booking a cruise simply because the itinerary says “Caribbean,” here’s what you’re actually signing up for.
Eastern Caribbean Cruises
Eastern Caribbean itineraries are among the most common cruises departing from Florida, particularly from Miami, Port Everglades and Port Canaveral.
Typical ports can include San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Tortola, Puerto Plata, Grand Turk and cruise line private destinations. Nassau and Freeport also turn up on some Eastern Caribbean itineraries, particularly when the cruise line mixes Bahamas stops into the schedule.
Of the three regions, I think the Eastern Caribbean offers one of the best all-around combinations for someone taking their first Caribbean cruise.
My first Eastern Caribbean sailing was back in 1994, and more than three decades later San Juan is still one of the ports I look forward to seeing on an itinerary.
San Juan Is the Standout for Me
San Juan is one of those rare Caribbean ports where you don’t need an excursion to have a great day.
Walk off the ship and you’re essentially in Old San Juan, surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops, historic buildings and streets that are enjoyable just to wander. You can visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, stop for lunch, have a few drinks and spend hours exploring without getting into a taxi.
A late departure makes San Juan even better.
I’ve always preferred itineraries that give passengers enough time to stay ashore for dinner and experience Old San Juan after dark. There’s a big difference between having to start heading back to the ship in the late afternoon and having a departure closer to 10 or 11 p.m. Those longer calls are something I specifically look for when comparing Eastern Caribbean itineraries.
St. Thomas is another Eastern Caribbean staple and one I first visited on that 1994 cruise. It’s a very different experience from San Juan. The immediate port area is much more shopping-focused, and if you want to see the best of the island, you’re usually better off heading to Magens Bay, taking the Skyride for the views or going farther afield to places such as St. John and Trunk Bay.
Then there are Nassau and Freeport.
Personally, these are at the bottom of my Caribbean port list, and I’m certainly not alone in hearing cruisers say the same thing. For frequent Caribbean cruisers, either one can easily become a “stay on the ship” day, especially if you’ve visited multiple times already.
That’s worth keeping in mind when comparing two Eastern Caribbean itineraries. A sailing with San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten is a very different proposition from one where two of the advertised stops are Nassau and Freeport.
Western Caribbean Cruises
Western Caribbean itineraries generally focus on Mexico and Central America, with some sailings also including Grand Cayman or Jamaica.
Common ports include:
- Cozumel, Mexico
- Costa Maya, Mexico
- Roatán, Honduras
- Belize
- Grand Cayman
- Falmouth or Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Western Caribbean cruises are particularly common from Florida, Galveston and New Orleans. As Galveston continues to grow as a cruise port, you’re going to see even more Western Caribbean options originating in Texas.
For snorkeling and diving, there’s plenty to like here. Cozumel and Roatán are both excellent choices, Belize provides access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and several ports offer trips to Mayan ruins.
But taken as an entire itinerary, the Western Caribbean is probably my least favorite of the three regions.
Why Western Caribbean Isn’t My Favorite
A lot of that comes down to the individual ports.
Cozumel is easy. Depending on which cruise pier your ship uses, there are restaurants, shops and other options nearby, and there’s a huge selection of beach clubs, snorkeling trips and excursions if you want to venture farther out.
It’s one of those Caribbean ports where you can make the day as simple or as involved as you want.
Costa Maya is a different story for me.
The cruise port itself is huge, busy and can become extremely crowded when several ships are in at the same time. There are pools, bars, restaurants and shops inside the complex, but once you get beyond that purpose-built cruise area, there isn’t nearly as much to do independently compared with a port such as San Juan or Cozumel.
You can head to nearby Mahahual for a beach day or book an excursion to Mayan ruins, and those can make for a very good day. But if you’re someone who likes stepping off the ship and simply wandering around a destination, Costa Maya isn’t high on my list.
Western Caribbean cruises can also include tender ports.
Grand Cayman is the most obvious example. Ships anchor offshore and passengers are transported to Georgetown aboard smaller tender boats. That can make getting ashore a little more involved, and rough seas occasionally cause tender operations to be canceled entirely.
Belize has also traditionally relied heavily on tender operations.
None of that makes the Western Caribbean bad. If your priorities are snorkeling, diving, beach clubs and organized excursions, it may actually be the best of the three.
It’s just not the route I personally get most excited about.
Southern Caribbean Cruises
Now we get to my favorite.
Southern Caribbean cruises frequently include the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, although longer itineraries may also visit Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, Martinique, Dominica and other islands farther south.
If I’m choosing strictly by itinerary, give me Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.
The catch is that reaching the Southern Caribbean from Florida takes time. While you can occasionally find seven-night options depending on the departure port and itinerary, Southern Caribbean cruises from South Florida frequently require eight, nine, ten or more nights.
Not every cruise line offers them regularly, either. Some have limited seasonal departures, while others may only schedule a handful of ABC Island cruises during certain parts of the year.
If you can swing the extra day or two, I think it’s absolutely worth doing.
Why I Like the ABC Islands So Much
One of the things I enjoy about the ABC route is that the islands don’t all feel interchangeable.
Aruba has its famous beaches, resorts and a dry landscape that looks noticeably different from the lush Caribbean island stereotype.
Bonaire is quieter and is an especially strong stop for diving and snorkeling. You don’t necessarily have to travel far to find excellent underwater experiences, which is one reason divers love the island.
Then there’s Curaçao, where Willemstad gives you colorful Dutch Caribbean architecture, restaurants, shopping and plenty to explore without the day revolving entirely around a beach.
I recently sailed the ABC route aboard Carnival Horizon, visiting Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao from Miami. It also reinforced one of the major tradeoffs with Southern Caribbean cruising: getting there and back means more time at sea.
For me, that’s not necessarily a problem.
If you enjoy the ship, sea days can be part of the attraction. If you’re booking a ship with restaurants, bars, entertainment and other things you actually want to experience, an extra day at sea gives you the opportunity to use them.
But if you get bored halfway through your first sea day, take a very close look at the itinerary before booking an eight-night or longer Southern Caribbean cruise.
Still, of the three major Caribbean regions, the ABC Islands are the route I think cruisers should try at least once.
How Many Sea Days Should You Expect?
The exact number depends on where you embark and which ports are included, but geography matters.
A seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise from Florida will commonly include two or three sea days, particularly when traveling as far east as San Juan, St. Thomas or St. Maarten.
Western Caribbean itineraries frequently have around two sea days, although there are plenty of exceptions. Cozumel and Costa Maya are relatively convenient from both Florida and Galveston, which is one reason those ports appear on so many itineraries.
Southern Caribbean cruises usually involve more sailing.
Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are simply much farther from Florida. Those extra miles are one reason you often see ABC itineraries of eight nights or more.
This is where choosing the itinerary and choosing the ship become equally important. If you’re going to have three or four sea days, make sure you’re booking a ship where you’ll actually enjoy spending those days.
Private Islands and Private Destinations
Private destinations have become a much bigger part of Caribbean cruising, especially on Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas-heavy itineraries.
Perfect Day at CocoCay, Castaway Cay, Celebration Key and other cruise-line-controlled destinations can make for incredibly easy port days. Transportation is easy, food may be included, your drink package may work ashore and there’s little concern about figuring out how to get back to the ship.
They can also blur the lines between a Bahamas cruise and an Eastern Caribbean itinerary.
The tradeoff is that you’re visiting a purpose-built resort experience rather than exploring a traditional Caribbean destination.
Some cruisers love that. Others would rather have a long day wandering through San Juan.
I’ll take the long day in San Juan.
Tender Ports Can Change Your Plans
Tendering is another thing worth checking before you book.
At a tender port, your ship doesn’t pull alongside a pier. Instead, it anchors offshore and smaller boats transport passengers back and forth.
Grand Cayman is one of the most familiar examples on Western Caribbean itineraries, and Belize also commonly involves tendering.
Usually everything works just fine. But when wind or sea conditions become too rough, tender operations can be delayed or canceled altogether.
If there is one port on an itinerary that you absolutely have to visit, check whether it’s a tender port before booking.
Then remind yourself that no cruise port is guaranteed anyway.
Hurricane Season Can Completely Change the Itinerary
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, and late summer into fall is when tropical activity becomes a much bigger consideration for Caribbean cruising.
The advantage cruise ships have is that they can move.
Cruise lines monitor storms constantly and can reverse itineraries, substitute ports, add sea days or move a ship into a different part of the Caribbean altogether.
You may have booked an Eastern Caribbean cruise and end up heading west. A Western itinerary could suddenly pick up Eastern ports. And occasionally a port simply disappears and becomes another sea day.
This is why I wouldn’t book a hurricane-season cruise if visiting one particular island is the sole reason you’re taking the trip.
The ABC Islands are geographically farther south and tend to see fewer direct hurricane impacts than many islands farther north, which is another advantage of Southern Caribbean itineraries, although they certainly aren’t immune from weather or itinerary changes.
So, Which Caribbean Itinerary Would I Choose?
If someone taking their first Caribbean cruise asked me where to start, I’d probably steer them toward the Eastern Caribbean. There’s enough variety that you can figure out what kind of Caribbean port you actually enjoy, and a good itinerary that includes San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten is difficult to beat.
Just pay attention to exactly which ports are included. An “Eastern Caribbean” label alone doesn’t tell the whole story.
If snorkeling, diving, Mayan ruins and excursion-heavy days are your priorities, the Western Caribbean may fit you better. It happens to be my least favorite of the three, but that has much more to do with the way I like to spend my time in port than anything inherently wrong with the region.
And if you ask which one I’d book for myself?
Southern Caribbean. Give me Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.
If you can swing the extra day or two these itineraries often require and find a cruise line offering the route when you want to travel, it’s one Caribbean itinerary I don’t think you should miss.
After more than 30 years of Caribbean cruising, it’s still the route I’d pick first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caribbean Cruise Itineraries
Which Caribbean cruise region is best for first-time cruisers?
For most first-time cruisers, I’d recommend the Eastern Caribbean. Ports such as San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten provide a good combination of beaches, sightseeing, shopping and history, while many itineraries also include a cruise line private destination. It’s a good way to experience several different types of Caribbean ports on one cruise.
Which Caribbean itinerary is best for beaches?
The Eastern Caribbean gets a slight edge because so many itineraries provide easy access to good beaches in places such as St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Grand Turk, along with cruise line private destinations. The Southern Caribbean is another excellent choice, particularly Aruba and Curaçao.
Which Caribbean cruise is best for snorkeling and diving?
The Western and Southern Caribbean are generally the strongest choices. Cozumel and Roatán are major snorkeling and diving destinations, while Belize offers access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. In the Southern Caribbean, Bonaire is particularly well known for shore diving and snorkeling.
Which Caribbean cruise is best for history and sightseeing?
I’d give the Eastern Caribbean the advantage, largely because of San Juan. You can walk directly from the ship into Old San Juan and spend hours exploring historic forts, streets, restaurants and shops without booking an excursion. Western Caribbean cruises also offer access to Mayan ruins from ports including Cozumel, Costa Maya and Belize.
Which Caribbean cruise has the fewest sea days?
Western Caribbean itineraries can have fewer sea days, particularly when sailing from Galveston or visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya. Eastern Caribbean seven-night cruises commonly have two or three sea days, while Southern Caribbean cruises generally require more sailing time because Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are farther from Florida.
Which Caribbean itinerary is best if I like sea days?
The Southern Caribbean is often the best fit. Roundtrip cruises from Florida to the ABC Islands frequently run eight nights or longer and include several sea days. Just make sure you choose a ship you’ll enjoy, because you’re going to be spending plenty of time aboard it.
Are Nassau and Freeport considered Eastern Caribbean ports?
They can be. Nassau and Freeport are in the Bahamas, but cruise lines sometimes include them on itineraries marketed as Eastern Caribbean cruises. They are also frequent stops on Bahamas-specific itineraries, so always look at the actual ports rather than relying solely on the itinerary label.
Which Caribbean cruise ports require tenders?
Grand Cayman is one of the best-known tender ports, meaning the ship anchors offshore and passengers travel to land aboard smaller boats. Belize also commonly uses tender operations. Other destinations may require tenders depending on the port, ship and available infrastructure.
Can a Caribbean cruise port be canceled because of rough seas?
Yes. Tender ports are particularly vulnerable because high winds or rough seas can make transferring passengers between the ship and tender boats unsafe. Cruise lines may delay operations or cancel the port entirely if conditions don’t improve.
Can a cruise line change an Eastern Caribbean cruise into a Western Caribbean cruise?
Yes. During hurricanes and other significant weather events, cruise lines can make major itinerary changes. An Eastern Caribbean cruise may be rerouted west, a Western itinerary could head east, scheduled ports can be substituted and a port day can become another sea day. Cruise itineraries are never guaranteed.
Which Caribbean cruise itinerary is my personal favorite?
After sailing all three regions, my favorite is the Southern Caribbean ABC Islands route to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. These cruises often require an extra day or two and aren’t offered as frequently by every cruise line, but if you can make the schedule work, it’s one Caribbean itinerary I think is absolutely worth doing.
