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Caribbean Small Ship Cruises

Wade into the warm water, feeling the sand squish gently beneath your toes as you lower yourself into the sea, knowing you’re blessed to be here, in the world’s best sandbox, on the ideal beach vacation for sun-worshippers from around the world. The Caribbean islands may be diverse, but what they all have in common is screen-saver worthy landscapes washed in glorious shades of blue.

Look for frothy turquoise sea, strands of soft sand, clear skies, and palm trees that wave in the salty breeze. Of course, the natural beauty doesn’t stop there — the Caribbean is also known for unspoiled rainforests, fascinating rock formations, and spectacular black- and pink-sand shorelines, and you can seek out these unforgettable sights on your adventure, if you know where to go. Let the coconut-laced sea air and the ocean’s horizon line soothe your soul as you dive into the endless summer of your dreams

Speak to the Expert

Small ship cruises to the Caribbean offer incredible variety, allowing passengers to visit multiple islands with distinct characteristics. From the volcanic landscape of Montserrat to the glamor of St. Barts. There are a large range of different itineraries and destinations available depending on what you’re after from a cruising vacation. Make sure you look out for those itineraries with special beach day experiences such as Seabourn’s ‘Caviar in the Surf’ or SeaDream’s ‘Champagne and Caviar Splash’.

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Muno

Cruise Specialist
Muno 257 246

The Best Caribbean Small Ship Cruises

The best small ship cruises in the Caribbean take you to off-the-beaten-path beaches on lesser-known islands

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Why We Love Luxury Small Ship Caribbean Cruises

Muno 184x184 1

Muno

Caribbean Specialist

This famously warm region is made up of 33 different sovereign states and a whopping 7,000 isles, all with their own personality. As a result, the islands celebrate global influences, and these variations in culture unfold as your cruise progresses. Look out for daily discoveries as you explore diverse music, art, and culinary scenes. From Jamaica’s reggae rhythms and jerk spice to Anguilla’s driftwood sculptures and grilled spiny lobsters with peanut sauce, there are new flavors, sights, and sounds around every corner. For those who haven’t been before, this introduction will help you decide where to return. Those who already know the region will quickly see how calling on less-frequented isles makes all the difference. As you explore, snorkeling through fish-filled reefs and hiking up mountains for views of waterfalls crashing into tranquil pools, nobody would blame you for planning your return to paradise before you even head home.

emerald caribbean
seabourn pool deck
emerald pitons
encore penthouse suite

Cruise Lines

star breeze ship

Windstar

Emerald Sakara

Emerald

seabourn ovation

Seabourn

seadream cruise

SeaDream

Best places to visit on a Caribbean Cruise

  • barbados turquoise beach

    Barbados

    This former British colony gained independence in 1966 and became a republic in 2021. Still, you can see English influence in everything from village cricket matches to stone Anglican churches.

  • st lucia piton

    St Lucia

    Lush and green, this island’s volcanic origins are evident in its twin lava plugs — named Gros Piton and Petit Piton — and in its dramatic black-sand beaches and steamy hot springs.

  • antigua view

    Antigua

    Only 13 miles across, Antigua is home to 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. Some of them — including bustling Dickenson Bay — routinely top world’s best lists.

  • bahamas piglet

    The Bahamas

    These delightful isles — which are actually located in the Atlantic Ocean — are known for pink-sand beaches, colorful Junkanoo parades, conch fritters, and swimming pigs who make the shore their home.

  • san juan puerto rico

    Puerto Rico

    Celebrated for music — including merengue, salsa, and reggaeton — Puerto Rico is also home to flavorful dishes such as mofongo (fried, mashed green plantains), rich pork “pernil,” and “pasteles” (yuca-based tamales).

  • virgin islands turtle

    The Virgin Islands

    Divided into the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, this part of the Caribbean is known for some of the most stunning white-sand beaches you’ll ever see.

  • kingstown St Vincent and The Grenadines

    St. Vincent and The Grenadines

    These smaller islands are lesser-known gems with quiet beaches to call your own, and water so calm and clear you can watch a crab walk right up to your feet.

  • Martinique

    Martinique

    Named the “island of flowers,” lush Martinique is home to 300 types of palms. Explore them on a visit to the botanical garden, or hiking the trails around Mount Pelée.

  • sandy island Grenada

    Grenada

    Known as the “spice island” for its many plantations, the island grows nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. You can buy them in local markets, and taste them in the renowned cuisine.

seadream st croix docked

Best time for a Caribbean Cruise

The best time to take a Caribbean cruise is November to April, the dry season. That’s when you’ll find sunshine, monthly average temperatures in the low 80℉s, and calm water. However, because this is peak season it’s also the most expensive time to visit (in terms of flights, pre-cruise accommodations, and activities) and a time when the larger islands tend to see the most crowding on beaches and at popular sites and restaurants. That’s especially true around the confluence of schools’ spring breaks and spring holidays (such as Easter and Passover), when you’ll want to make plans well in advance.

Insider Tips

 

caribbean rum

Caribbean Rum

The ideal souvenir is different for everyone, but we can never pass on locally distilled rum when we’re in the Caribbean. Not sure which bottle to choose? Rivers Royale rum from Grenada has a cult following and is made from local hand-cut sugarcane with a water wheel instead of electricity. Another popular choice is St. Nicholas Abbey’s 25 year old single-cask rum, which is made in Barbados.

caribbean lobster grill

Public Fish Fry

Many Caribbean islands have a public fish fry, which is usually held on Fridays and is both an opportunity to celebrate the local fishermen and a chance to enjoy local seafood. Visit one on your Caribbean vacation — whether in St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados or somewhere else — and you may get to sample local seafood delicacies such as fried snapper or flying fish, grilled lobster, coconut shrimp, and conch fritters.

Junkanoo parades

Christmas in the Caribbean

Heading to the Caribbean during the holidays? Look for molasses-laden fruit cakes soaked in local rum, Christmas markets (such as the memorable one in St. Bart’s), and light displays that go way beyond palm trees wrapped in twinkle lights — St. Lucia’s is especially popular. In the Bahamas, you may also get to see Junkanoo parades with feathered headdresses, elaborate costumes, dancing, and music made with cowbells and goombay drums.

bahamas pigs

Meet the Swimming Pigs of the Bahamas

The Bahamas and the crystal-clear turquoise water that surround the islands, have become famous for their wild swimming pigs, located on Eleuthra, Abaco, and uninhabited Big Major Cay in Exuma, home to the original colony. In between relaxing on the pristine, white sandy beach, visitors enjoy swimming right alongside the friendly animals.

st barths

Stay Overnight on the Exclusive Island of St. Barths

Chic St. Barths is renowned for its tropical beauty and for attracting the rich and famous, providing an exclusive experience with only very select cruise ships able to stay overnight. There are no berths for massive vessels making a luxury small-ship cruise the best way to stay, allowing for anchorage in the harbor.

Quadirikiri Cave Arikok National Park

Visit National Parks of the Caribbean

There’s a lot more than unspoiled white sands in the Caribbean. Virgin Islands National Park boasts everything from ancient petroglyphs to centuries-old plantation sites while Aruba’s Arikok National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica features hot springs, volcanoes, and Boiling Lake, the world’s second-largest hot lake.

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