Caribbean Cruises

The Best Time to Cruise

The most popular months to visit the Caribbean are, generally speaking, December to April because:

• The air is less humid than in the other months
• The temperatures are cooler
• Those living in the Northern Hemisphere want to escape their winter

However, we would recommend booking your Caribbean cruise holiday around May, June and November. Even though there is a chance of an odd shower, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks:

• The peak season is over, thus the prices are lower
• The weather is still comfortable
• The beaches are less crowded
• These months are all outside the rain season

Top Cruise Lines

The Caribbean is sailed by, seemingly, every cruise line under the Sun. There are so many cruise lines to choose from, you are bound to find your perfect cruising style and itinerary:

• Royal Caribbean cruises around the Caribbean
• MSC cruises around the Caribbean
• Norwegian cruises around the Caribbean

Caribbean cruises that depart from Australia are a rare occurrence, unless you are looking to go on a world voyage that includes these stunning islands.

Ask your CruiseAway cruise expert about our DreamAway Packages. These are tailor-made to suit your particular needs and include flights, hotel stays and transfers - let us take all the stress out of your cruise holiday!

Top Ports

Bridgetown, Barbados

Bridgetown is the capital of Barbados and is also one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean Sea. There is heaps to see and do in the city, here are some of our favourites:

• - Make sure you visit the Cricket Legends of Barbados Museum, large groups can opt for a tour guided by one of the legends themselves
• - Explore the Kensington Oval that was home to the World Cup in 2007
• - Visit the Pelican Craft Village and shop around for local souvenirs and other arts crafted by local artists
• - Try deliciously fresh seafood and other local dishes at the Lobster Alive joint that is located right on the beach and features live music

Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas is not as laid-back and relaxed as the rest of the country. There is always something going on, so it is perfect for a cruise holiday stop-over to get your dose of urban excitement.

• - Discover how cigars are made at the Graycliff Cigar Co Factory, its like being back in the 1920s, plus wandering through is free, unless you want a guided tour
• - Walk through the Pirates of Nassau exhibition space just off George Street, it'll be fascinating for adults and kids alike
• - Visit the most popular of them all, the Cable Beach that is five kilometres long of white sand and beautiful turquoise water
• - Try unpretentious and authentic Bahamian food at the Bahamian Cookin' restaurant

Oranjestad, Aruba, Netherlands Antilles

Oranjestad is a charming town that is the capital of the island of Aruba. It is well-loved by cruise passengers and Americans trying to escape the Northern Hemisphere winter. Oranjestad is the place to be if you are looking for fun, sun and an opportunity to spend money.

• - Make sure you visit the Surfside Beach, there are great bars for adults and an inflatable water park for kids
• - If you are there in the evening, pop by the Renaissance Marketplace for various entertainment options, like live music, bars and a casino
• - Climb up the island's second-highest peak, Hooiberg and you can look all the way to Venezuela, if the sky is clear enough on the day

San Juan, Puerto Rico

The capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, is a must-visit on a cruise around the Caribbean. The city if full of historic authenticity and modern vibes alike. San Juan boasts colonial-era artefacts alongside modern street art and exquisite restaurants.

• - Chill on one of the best city beaches of all time, the Balneario El Escambrón, the best thing is that its often uncrowded, unlike San Juan's other city beaches
• - Climb up the ramparts of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the must-visit and the oldest Spanish fort of the New World
• - Shop at Moni & Coli if you are looking for something different, the shop features clothes, bags and jewellery produced by up-and-coming designers from New York, LA and, of course, Puerto Rico
• - Stop by the La Respuesta for live music of all sorts, alternative poetry readings and exhibits from local artists

Highlights

A Patchwork of Islands

The Caribbean consists of over 7000 islands, less than 10% of which are inhabited. All of these islands have heaps in common:

• - Paradise-like nature
• - Pristine beaches
• - Giant palm trees
• - Laid-back welcoming locals
• - Sounds of music on every corner

However, if you look deeper, every island is also unique and is a complete contrast to the next. Look at the Cayman Islands that are a trusted international financial centre and its neighbour, the revolutionary Cuba. There is Barbados that's full of hustle and bustle and then there is St. Vincent that stands seemingly unchanged since the colonial times.

Colourful Landscapes

There is a splash of colour everywhere you look in the Caribbean: birds, flowers, water, sand, fish. The region's biodiversity makes the Caribbean perfect for nature lovers:

• - Go diving to discover the exotic underwater world with colourful darting fish and stunning corals
• - Climb up the grand peaks of the volcanic Piton Mountains on St. Lucia
• - Hike around the unspoilt Dominica and discover natural hot springs and the Boiling Lake
• - Relax on one of the thousands of pristine, picture-perfect beaches

Vivid Culture

There are so many different cultures in the Caribbean and all of them are alive with colour, music and wonderful traditions. There is a beautiful mixture of customs brought in by the European colonizers, native heritage and influences of the later immigrants.

• - Enjoy a colourful, costume-filled Carnival in Trinidad
• - Dance the night (and the day) away to reggae in Jamaica
• - Witness a voodoo ritual in Haiti