Choosing the right Caribbean cruise can seem overwhelming, especially if you aren't a seasoned traveler or haven’t taken many cruises before. To help start your Caribbean cruise planning, we’ve listed some cruise lines that are better suited for different types of travelers.
Best for Wellness and Spa Travel
Seabourn Cruises rolls out the red carpet for travelers booking the Penthouse Spa Suites, which include exclusive concierge access and a separate minifridge reserved specifically for juice, water and healthy snacks. Guests also receive a wellness bag that contains workout gear for your cruise.
When it comes to cruise line spas, Celebrity Cruises has earned the reputation as one of the best spa experiences at sea, while Norwegian Cruise Line ships that feature the Mandara Spa have pools with massaging waterfalls, sauna grottos and spa menus that feature more than 50 treatments.
Best for Luxury Travelers
High-end travelers can choose to book a luxury stateroom on a variety of standard cruise lines, or opt for a line that primarily caters to luxury clientele. Two of Seabourn Cruise Line’s ships include Caribbean ports. This means you can enjoy destinations like the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico while taking advantage of Seabourn’s luxurious onboard amenities, which earned them the top spot for best luxury cruise line from Cruise Critic Editors in 2018. Another option is Silversea Cruises, which includes destinations like St. Barts, Aruba and St. Lucia and is renowned for its high-end onboard atmosphere.
Best for Adventure
If you’re an adventure traveler who is concerned that you might get bored on the ship in between ports, book a cruise on Royal Caribbean. Their Oasis Class ships include everything from surf simulators to the tallest slide on a ship and the first zip line at sea. With itineraries packed with adventurous add-ons and excursions, you'll wonder how anyone could claim a cruise is boring.
Best for Foodies
For 2019, Cruise Critic reviewers ranked three of Celebrity Cruises ships as the best ships for onboard dining. You’ll find Celebrity’s ships have up to a dozen specialty restaurants, menus created by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher and ingredients locally sourced from destinations the ship visits.
Food travelers seeking high-end dining experiences at sea will be interested in Silversea Cruises, which features menus created by Relais & Châteaux chefs, while Seabourn has a partnership with world-renowned American restaurateur and chef, Thomas Keller.
Best for Budget Travel
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck on your Caribbean cruise, U.S. News ranked the best cruise lines for the money. Their top pick is Celebrity Cruises with its cost-saving packages for specialty restaurants and a large number of included kids’ activities on board.
Best for Solo Travelers
Norwegian Cruise Line considers the solo traveler with some ships equipped with single occupancy cabins so solo travelers can enjoy a cruise too, sans the higher single person supplement. Norwegian was the first cruise line to implement studio cabins, and even has singles meet-ups scheduled on board for those traveling alone.
Best for Adults-Only
While some cruise lines may cater to older crowds, Viking Ocean Cruises is truly an adults-only cruise experience, with a minimum age to sail of 18. Viking may not offer as many Caribbean itineraries as some other cruise lines, but you can choose a variety of destinations like Cuba, Puerto Rico and itineraries that visit South America in addition to the Caribbean.
Best for Families
If you’re a Disney fan and traveling with kids, consider a Disney Cruise Line itinerary that includes a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island in the Bahamas. Complete with Disney character greetings, Castaway Cay is less crowded than other Caribbean destinations. If you’re nervous about safety, you can even choose a short itinerary that cruises just to Castaway Cay and returns back to Florida.
If you’re traveling with teenagers, reviews show that Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line thanks to its large number of activities and targeted teen programs.
