Caribbean cruises 2028

Where do Caribbean cruises sail in 2028?

The Caribbean is the dominant destination across all 2028 sailings, with the broadest spread of itineraries concentrated in the wider Caribbean basin. Within that, the Western Caribbean draws strong interest — think lush, reef-fringed coastlines and sheltered anchorages — while the Southern Caribbean offers a contrasting mix of smaller, less-visited islands further down the arc. Eastern Caribbean options are also available for those who want a particular route. The vast majority of sailings run as round trips, so you board and disembark at the same Florida or Puerto Rico port, which makes the logistics of a fly-cruise from Australia considerably simpler. A small number of one-way itineraries also sail, where the ship moves between 2 different ports — our team can help you piece together a return connection when that happens.

Which ports do these sailings leave from?

Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) together account for the largest share of embarkations — and they are only about half an hour apart by road, so a Florida trip can often sail from either, making it worth checking both for dates and prices. Port Canaveral is a strong third option on Florida’s Atlantic coast. San Juan, Puerto Rico suits travellers who want to spend a few days in a historic city before boarding. On the western side, Galveston, Texas and Tampa, Florida serve those who prefer a departure on the edge of the western Caribbean.

From Australia, every one of these embarkation ports requires a flight — which is what you would expect for a Caribbean holiday. CruiseAway can book that flight for you, along with a hotel for the night before you board and any transfers in between, so nothing is left for you to arrange separately.

Which cruise lines sail the Caribbean in 2028?

Royal Caribbean leads the field with more Caribbean sailings than any other line, covering a wide range of ship sizes and itinerary lengths. MSC Cruises brings its European style and large-ship entertainment to the Caribbean, while Carnival Cruise Lines fields a big programme of shorter, more casual sailings that work well for a first Caribbean cruise or a quick break. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a relaxed, flexible approach to dining and scheduling. Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises round out the leading lines, both leaning towards a slightly more refined experience with a wide range of included and upgradeable fare options. Beyond these six, lines such as Oceania Cruises and Holland America Line add further variety for those after a smaller-ship or more destination-focused sailing. All of these lines are available through CruiseAway’s full cruises search.

Ships worth knowing about

The Caribbean in 2028 spans an impressive range of ships — from vast resort-at-sea vessels to intimate luxury yachts. Here are the standout ships sailing these itineraries.

MSC World Asia — MSC Cruises

MSC World Asia entered service in December 2026 and is one of the largest ships ever built. What that size makes possible is striking: a 12-metre dragon sculpture soars above the World Promenade, and a spiral slide drops 12 decks through the heart of the ship. Up on deck, the Cliffhanger swings you 50 metres above the ocean, while free-fall waterslides and 7 pools give you every reason to stay up there all day. If you’re choosing a cabin, MSC World Asia offers a wide range of grades:

• Deluxe Inside Cabin Fantastica — 15 m², sleeping up to 4. Fifty per cent more space than a standard inside cabin, giving noticeably more room to move.
• Infinite Ocean View Fantastica — 20 m² with a window, sleeping up to 4. Twice the size of a standard ocean-view cabin.
• Balcony Aurea — 17 m² with a private balcony, sleeping up to 4. Direct access to fresh air and sea views that interior guests don’t have.
• Grand Suite Aurea — 35 m² balcony suite, sleeping up to 4. Around 40% larger than standard suites, with a separate seating area.
• MSC Yacht Club Owner’s Suite — 104 m², sleeping up to 4. The largest suite on board, with the full Yacht Club private enclave experience.

See the full layout on the MSC World Asia cabins and deck plans page.

Emerald Princess — Princess Cruises

Emerald Princess is a well-loved mid-size ship with a loyal following, and it’s easy to see why. Movies Under the Stars on the pool deck — free popcorn and blankets included — is one of those touches that turns a sea day into something genuinely enjoyable. Anytime Dining across 13 restaurant options means no fixed sittings and no set schedules, just eating when and where you feel like it. After a day ashore, 4 pools and 7 hot tubs are waiting. Cabin options run from:

• Inside cabin GTY — 15.1 m², sleeping up to 4. On middle decks, with quieter ship motion and easy lift access to the main areas.
• Sea-view cabin OB — 16.6 m², sleeping up to 4. Panoramic window with an unobstructed sea view and natural daylight.
• Premium Balcony cabin B1 — 25.2 m², sleeping up to 4. Private outdoor space with your own chair and table.
• Owner’s Suite S2 — 63.8 m², sleeping up to 4. More than twice the space of a mini-suite, and among the most spacious categories on board.

Browse the full range on the Emerald Princess cabins and deck plans page. If you’re planning ahead, the Princess 2027–2028 season launch covers the full programme.

Seabourn Ovation — Seabourn

For those who want the Caribbean at a slower, quieter pace, Seabourn Ovation is a small-ship luxury option with complimentary elegant dining included across every sailing. The ship’s standout cabin category is the Grand Wintergarden Suite — a 115 m² balcony suite with a private hot tub, a separate bedroom, a generous living area and a full kitchen with bar. It is nearly twice the size of the ship’s Owner’s Suites, and one of the most considered cabin spaces you will find at sea.

Arvia — P&O Cruises

One of the world’s biggest cruise ships, Arvia still manages to feel designed around the people on it rather than the numbers. The SkyDome is the centrepiece: a glass roof that opens to the night sky, turning the pool area into an open-air concert venue when the weather is right. Dining ranges from the casual Keel & Cow gastropub to The Epicurean’s formal fine dining, so every evening can feel quite different. Arvia’s cabins and deck plans cover the full range of grades from inside to suite.

MSC Seashore — MSC Cruises

MSC Seashore is built to make you feel close to the ocean in a very literal sense — its outdoor decks extend over the waterline, and a glass walkway puts you 22 metres above the sea. On deck there is a waterpark with zip lines, a race simulator and a fountain island, alongside a New York-inspired promenade district lit by a large LED wall with a four-deck glass sculpture at its centre. MSC Seashore cabins and deck plans are available to browse ahead of booking.

Iona — P&O Cruises

Iona was built with British tastes firmly in mind — vast, comfortable and refreshingly unpretentious. Its 970 m² glass dome covers the main pool and opens to the sky, serving as a swimming venue by day and a performance space in the evenings. Dining runs to 17 options, from the Anderson’s gin bar to Sindhu Indian cuisine and The Epicurean. The Iona cabins and deck plans page covers everything from inside cabins to suite grades.

What do the different fares include?

Fare names vary between cruise lines, but the principle is the same: some tiers cover the cabin only, while others bundle in drinks, dining, Wi-Fi and more. Here is what the main lines offer on their 2028 Caribbean sailings.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers several fare types. The standard Cruise Fare covers the sailing itself. Solo travellers can book a Single / Solo Fare for single occupancy of a stateroom. Promotional fare types such as last-minute offers and third- and fourth-guest promotions also appear on select sailings — our cruise experts can tell you what is available on the dates you’re considering. You can explore the full Royal Caribbean programme and see other Royal Caribbean sailings from Sydney or from Brisbane to compare.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line gives you a genuine choice of what to include. The base brochure fare is the cruise only — no packages, just the sailing. Their bundled fare adds a premium beverage package, a speciality dining package, a Wi-Fi package and shore excursion credits of US$50 per port for guests 1 and 2. A further upgraded tier extends those inclusions to all guests in the cabin and increases the number of speciality dining meals based on the length of the voyage. If you want everything sorted before you travel, the inclusive tiers are worth pricing up against adding items individually.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises uses a tiered structure. Princess Standard is the base fare — the cruise itself, with packages available to add. The Princess Plus package includes 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 per drink with a daily limit of 15 drinks, MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photos plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. It is a solid mid-tier for those who want drinks and Wi-Fi sorted without paying for a full premium package. Princess Cruises 2028 has the full programme, and the 2027–2028 season launch covers what is new.

Make it a complete holiday

Every Caribbean sailing in 2028 departs from ports in the United States or Puerto Rico, which means a long-haul flight from Australia is part of the trip for every traveller. CruiseAway can take that off your plate entirely. Our DreamAway Packages bring together your cruise, return flights, pre- or post-cruise hotel nights, transfers and tours into a single booking — so nothing slips through the gaps between providers. If you’d rather build it yourself, we can still add individual components around your chosen sailing: a night in a Florida hotel before you board, a transfer from the terminal at the end, or a tour on a sea day.

Our cruise experts know these ships and itineraries well, and they can help you weigh up cabin grades, fare inclusions and departure dates before you commit. The Best Price Guarantee means that if you find the same sailing cheaper elsewhere after booking, we’ll match it. Call or book online — either way, one of our specialists will make sure you have the right cabin for your needs and the right fare for your budget.

Also worth considering in 2028

If you’re planning an extended trip around your Caribbean cruise, 2028 is a strong year across several destinations. All 2028 cruises covers the full global programme. For the Pacific, the Princess Cruises around Australia 2028 programme is a natural companion for those splitting a longer holiday between local and international sailings. The Queen Mary 2 Caribbean and South America season 2028 is also worth a look if a more classic ocean voyage appeals. For those considering other regions entirely, Alaska cruises 2028 and the all-inclusive cruises 2028 page are useful next steps. Closer to home, Princess Cruises from Brisbane in 2027 and Princess Cruises to Tasmania in 2027 show what is available for an Australian sailing before or after your Caribbean trip. The Royal Caribbean Christmas cruise 2026 Australia page is worth bookmarking for those planning around the festive season.

For those interested in other 2028 programmes, the Carnival Luminosa cruises 2028 page covers that ship’s dedicated schedule, and Norwegian Cruise Line Europe 2028 is a useful comparison if you are weighing up a Caribbean versus a European sailing for the same year.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.