A cruise in the Southern Caribbean will allow you to discover lesser-known and less-frequented islands, each with its own personality.
The islands of the southern Caribbean, located east and south of St Maarten / St Martin, have always been a little more exotic than those of the western and eastern Caribbean. Many of these islands are still territories of France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
– See all Caribbean ports
When to go on a cruise to the Southern Caribbean?
The high season is the period that extends from the Christmas holidays to the spring break.
The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. August, September and October are particularly at risk for many storms. If you don’t get seasick and you don’t have any objections to your itinerary being changed completely, you can save money during this time.
Departure ports for cruises in the southern Caribbean
The home ports for cruises in the southern Caribbean are very easily accessible. Very popular, the ports of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and San Juan are the most frequent home ports for itineraries in the southern Caribbean. Costa offers departures from La Romana.
Ports visited
The islands visited by cruises in the South Caribbean are Aruba, St. Barts, Curacao, Martinique, Dominica, Barbados, the Grenada, Guadeloupe, Antigua, St Kitts, St. Lucia and Nevis (to name a few).
The islands can be categorized into a few categories. For example, Aruba and Antigua are knowned for their beaches. Martinique, St Lucia and Guadeloupe offer varied landscapes (from tropical forests to volcanoes), and an immersion in French and Caribbean culture.
Curacao, under Dutch influence, and Bonaire are fabulous destinations for snorkelling and scuba diving. Saint-Barth can denied it’s French legacy, it feels like the shores of the Mediterranean with its terraces, cafes, beautiful beaches, prestigious shops and fabulous gourmet restaurants. Dominica and Granada are more picturesque and less developed. Dominica is considered a “Garden of Eden” in the southern Caribbean while Grenada is laid back, with a real small-town atmosphere.
Cruise lines and itineraries
Most major cruise lines offer southern Caribbean itineraries. Options on larger ships include Carnival, Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, NCL, Princess and Royal Caribbean and visit the most popular ports.
On smaller (and often more luxurious and expensive) ships such as Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Windstar and Star Clippers you will think outside the box and visit more exotic places.
– See all Caribbean ports
More information on the Southern Caribbean - Lesser Antilles.
