Why cruising is the best way to see the Caribbean

When you cruise around the Caribbean, all the organising is done for you – your accommodation, the route, transfers, timings and paperwork. As a guest, all you need to do is decide on which tempting itinerary appeals the most. Are you looking for a short but sweet sailing, which can range from four to eight days, or perhaps a longer Caribbean holiday, extending for as many as 20 days onboard. Our Caribbean itineraries take in the western, eastern and southern Caribbean, too, so it’s also possible to pick by region.

If you’re spoilt for choice and are struggling to decide, you can speak to our Personal Cruise Specialists for advice and bespoke recommendations.

Some people plan to visit the Caribbean more than once, but if you’re aiming to tick off lots of the region in one big trip, a cruise is the ideal way to do it. Take in anything from one to 13 different destinations on a Princess Caribbean itinerary, including big-hitters like Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Lucia and Antigua, along with smaller, lesser-travelled spots like Guadeloupe, St. Croix, St. Maarten and Tortola, one of the British Virgin Islands. Whether you’re a newbie to the Caribbean, looking for the quintessential experience, or are coming back to the region for seconds (or more!), we’ve got a cruise itinerary to excite and delight you.

Everyone knows that packing and unpacking (and packing again!) is the least fun part of travelling. But when your base for your Caribbean sojourn is a luxury cruise ship, which sails to an array of different islands as part of one itinerary, you can literally step off and explore every destination with little more than a sunhat, suncream and a sense of adventure. All while your suitcase and important documents are still safely in your stateroom.

Even if you’ve been to the Bahamas before, you haven’t done them properly until you’ve been with Princess! On the breath-taking Bahamian island of Eleuthera, our private beach resort, Princess Cays, sits on more than half a mile of white-sand coast. Brightly coloured beach huts overlook the shoreline, where our guests are invited to relax, play volleyball, and join us for complimentary barbecues and parties. You'll find a selection of tempting beach bars in which you can use your Medallion and continue to enjoy your Princess Plus or Princess Premier all-inclusive package. There’s also a full range of watersports on offer, including kayaking, snorkelling, paddleboarding and banana boat rides, all of which can be booked in advance.

The Caribbean islands are the place for sunbathing and sipping rum punch, but they also boast plenty of other activities and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. When sailing the Caribbean with Princess, you can book onto our exceptional shore excursions, knowing that you’re in safe hands with knowledgeable locals and experts – and that you’ll have the best time possible. So, will you go swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman, sailing to shipwrecks from St. Thomas or tuck into classic Creole cuisine on Martinique? Perhaps do them all…

Even between port stops, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the region’s music, food and traditions thanks to our Rhythm of the Caribbean onboard programme. Learn more about the local distilleries in tutored rum tastings, try your hand at the steel pan drum, meet a rainbow-coloured macaw, or get into the carnival spirit at a Princess deck party.