What countries are included in a Caribbean cruise?
The Western Caribbean consists of destinations due south of Florida, as well as ports in Mexico and Central America. You can visit Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya, Progreso), Belize, Honduras, Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Cuba.
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Eastern Caribbean Cruise ItinerariesWhile The Bahamas is not considered part of the Caribbean, ports like Nassau and Freeport are often added to Eastern Caribbean itineraries. These islands, which are among the most developed for tourism, also offer a wide variety of water sports, land tours and duty-free shopping.
Entry, Exit and Visa RequirementsU.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.
The best time for a Caribbean cruise is from December to April when the weather is dry, sunny, and clear skies on most days. The ideal cruising conditions of mild temperatures and calm waters typically last throughout winter and spring, making it the prime Caribbean sailing season and very traveler-friendly.
It depends on the territory you want to visit, as the Caribbean entry requirements are not standard. Some allow U.S. citizens to enter as tourists, provided they have valid travel documents. Others require visitors to have valid passports and visas.
But for the most part, the best time to cruise the Caribbean is January through April during the dry season, especially in April when temperatures are warmer. The worst time is September and October during the peak months of the Caribbean hurricane season. May is a brief rainy season for some destinations.
Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean cruise ships aren't all-inclusive – at least not in the true sense. While they may not be fully all-inclusive, they do offer guests exceptional value. The pricing model allows cruisers to receive a base experience and pay for any add-ons they may want to enjoy.
The largest Caribbean islands are Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, known as the Greater Antilles. Trinidad, the larger island of Trinidad and Tobago, is situated just north of the Venezuelan coast.
A Bahamas cruise itinerary usually only visits Nassau, the island's capital city, while a Caribbean cruise generally visits multiple islands across the region. Of course, this all depends on which itinerary you ultimately choose for your getaway.
Aside from the prices, summer is the worst time for most people to visit the Caribbean. The weather can be uncomfortably hot and muggy at the best of times. More important, summer is also the hurricane season. The risk of hurricanes is especially high in August and September.
The cheapest months to cruise to the Caribbean are May, September and October. The peak season for the Caribbean is December to April when it is driest – cheaper months tend to experience more rainfall and the risk of hurricanes causing changes to itineraries.
September is the cheapest time to book a Caribbean holiday as it falls in the middle of hurricane season. However, don't let that put you off, as this usually just means there's a greater chance of showers at that time. Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 to November 30.
U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to Jamaica, as well as proof of anticipated departure from Jamaica. If you are traveling to Jamaica on a cruise, you may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.
Carnival offers many Caribbean cruise options including sailings that depart and return to U.S. ports like Baltimore, Norfolk and New Orleans. These don't require a passport as they are closed-loop sailings.