It’s wave season, which means it’s time to book great deals on cruises — including seven-night Caribbean sailings for a little as $429 per person and itineraries on the newest ships — for a last-minute getaway this winter or a pre-holiday escape later in the year. But, the Caribbean is a big place, so that means having to choose a cruise that visits one of three regions: The Eastern, Western, or Southern Caribbean.
We’ve scouted four terrific itineraries in each region based on ship size (large, medium, and small), and one that’s just a great value overall. Nab these 12 Caribbean cruise deals (plus a special bonus) while they last — they won’t be around for long.
Best Eastern Caribbean Cruises
Visit some of the region’s best-known islands, including Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Antigua.
1. Large Ship: 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Edge
It’s Celebrity’s newest, most-talked about ship so book super-fast (by Jan. 16, 2019) to snag a deal that includes up to four free onboard perks (beverage package, wifi, pre-paid tips, and $150 onboard credit) as you experience the cool design of the 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge. The itinerary, available on three sailings in February and March, embarks in Fort Lauderdale and visits Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten. Fares start at $1,299 per person.
2. Medium Ship: 10-Night Sunny Charms on Oceania Marina
Book now to cruise round-trip from Miami on March 16, 2019 aboard the 1,250-passenger Oceania Marina and enjoy six free shore excursions, a free beverage package, and a $600 credit per stateroom as you spend 10 days cruising Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Barths, and the Bahamas. Fares start at $2,099 per person.
3. Small Ship: 7-Night Classic Yachtsman’s Caribbean on Seabourn Odyssey
With two February 2019 sailings on this itinerary, the 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey makes an elegant base for cruising from St. Maarten to St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines, before disembarking in Barbados. Fares start at $2,699 per person for an ocean view suite.
4. Great Value: 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Nieuw Statendam
This cruise on Holland America’s newest ship, 2,666-passenger Nieuw Statendam, departs Feb. 17, 2019 from Fort Lauderdale and calls on Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Half Moon Caye, Bahamas. Inside cabins start at $599 per person — or, for $1,099 per person, you can stay aboard for 14 nights and visit the Western Caribbean, too.
Best Western Caribbean Cruises
Visit popular islands such as Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Key West — along with coastal ports in Mexico and Central America.
5. Large Ship: 7-Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas
If you’re looking for an amazing family vacation, book now for November or early December 2019 sailings aboard the 5,518-passenger Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis-class ship. This itinerary, roundtrip from Miami, calls on Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean’s new amenity-packed private island). Fares start at $832 per person.
6. Medium Ship: 7-Night Caribbean Cornucopia on Crystal Symphony
Take a post-Thanksgiving vacation and book this Nov. 24, 2019 Fort Lauderdale roundtrip itinerary aboard the 848-passenger Crystal Symphony. It visits Grand Turk, Grand Cayman, and Key West. What’s more, the elegant ambience and all-inclusive pricing (except for excursions) make this a super deal, with fares starting at $1,715 per person for an ocean view stateroom.
7. Small Ship: 6-Night Havana & Cozumel on Azamara Journey
Departing March 15, 2019 from Miami, this Western Caribbean itinerary aboard the 690-passenger Azamara Journey visits the sunny Mexican island of Cozumel before overnighting in lively Havana, Cuba. Fares start at $1,599 for an ocean view stateroom.
8. Great Value: 7-Night Western Caribbean on Norwegian Getaway
This cruise, departing Miami weekly in February and March 2019, calls on Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. Plus, the 3,963-passenger Norwegian Getaway offers onboard fun that’s perfect for the whole family. Book during the “Free at Sea” promotion to choose from an included beverage package, specialty dining, or other perks. Inside cabins start at $579 per person, while balcony cabins start at $799 per person.
Best Southern Caribbean Cruise
Visit distinctive islands stretched along the coast of South America and the edge of the Atlantic — including Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, and St. Lucia.
9. Large Ship: 10-Night Southern Caribbean Medley on Crown Princess
Book now to enjoy a pre-Christmas Caribbean getaway aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess. This Dec. 7, 2019 roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale visits St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, Curacao, and Princess Cays (Bahamas). Fares start at $1,109 for an inside stateroom (ocean view is $1,229), with free specialty dining and onboard credit.
10. Medium Ship: 7-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise on Carnival Fascination
Although this itinerary – available on three sailings in March 2019 on the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fascination – is a Southern-Eastern Caribbean hybrid, it’s a great value. Cruise roundtrip from Barbados and visit St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas for fares starting at just $429 for an interior cabin, and $549 for an ocean views.
11. Small Ship: 7-Night Grenadine Islands Cruise on Royal Clipper
Book now to enjoy “Choose Your Wave” perks that include $200 onboard credit or a cabin upgrade and prepaid gratuities on this March 16, 2019 cruise that sails roundtrip from Barbados aboard the 227-passenger Royal Clipper, a tall sailing ship that visits Grenadines, Grenada, Martinique, and St. Lucia. Fares start at $2,260 per person.
12. Great Value: 7-Night on MSC Preziosa
Fly to the Southern Caribbean (either Martinique or Guadeloupe) in February, March, or early December and board the 3,502-passenger MSC Preziosa which makes stops in Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Saint Vincent, and The Grenadines. Fares start at $649 per person for interior cabins.
Bonus: 50-Night Caribbean Cruise on Holland America’s Veendam
You know you’ll be sick of winter by mid-February, so why not escape the cold from Feb. 4 - March 26, 2019 aboard the 1,350-passenger Veendam? The ship embarks in Fort Lauderdale and visits 10 Caribbean islands, along with the entire eastern coast of Brazil. And, it may be within reach – fares start at $3,399 per person for inside cabins, and $3,799 for ocean views.