UK passport holders don't need a visa or a waiver if you are going on a Caribbean cruise unless you are embarking or disembarking in a US port.

Whether you need a visa for a Caribbean cruise departing from the UK (or involving UK citizens) in 2026 depends on the specific islands on the itinerary and your nationality. For British Citizen passport holders, most major Caribbean destinations—such as Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and the British Virgin Islands—do not require a visa for short-term tourism. However, if your cruise stops in the United States (such as a departure from Florida or a stop in the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico), you will likely need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) or a visa. Furthermore, as of 2026, some islands may have updated their entry requirements to include digital "Travel Authorization" forms (like those used by Turks and Caicos or Bermuda). Always remember that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your return. If you are a non-UK citizen living in the UK, the rules can be much more complex, and you may need multiple visas for different stops. The cruise line is legally required to check your documents at the terminal, so it is your responsibility to verify the requirements for every single port on your route via the official government websites.