Southern Caribbean Cruises: Your Island Vacation

Set sail for a sun-soaked, wind-swept, salty and sandy adventure.

Ease into island time on a Southern Caribbean cruise: Surrounded by warm, green-blue waters and sugar-soft sand. Grab a lounger at Simpson Bay in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and watch the yachts pass by. When you're feeling ready to turn up the thrill, lace up your sneakers and scale Mount Liamuiga in St. Kitts and Nevis — at the summit, soak in the view of the dense jungle and volcanic black rocks on the shoreline below. Cruise to the Southern Caribbean to see sugar plantations in Antigua before hopping on a sailboat at Nelson's Dockyard. Or explore the rainforest in style in St. Lucia on an open-air gondola ride.

Southern Caribbean Beach with Palm Trees.

SUN-SEEKING FUN

Splash in the crystalline Caribbean Sea or rove through rainforests.

Viva La Village Life

Grab a bicycle and ride on one of the eight trails of Christoffel National Park in Curacao. The 4,450-acre wildlife preserve is home to animals like white-tailed deer and blue iguanas. See how many you can spot during your vacation.

Stingray and Marine Life in the Southern Caribbean

SUBMARINE SIGHTSEEING

Explore the sea floor in style aboard a high-tech submarine in Aruba. Get up close and personal with colorful coral reefs, shipwrecks and schools of fish as you descend 150 feet below sea level for adventure-filled fun.

THE THRILL OF THE CLIMB

Suit up and explore 86 stunning dive sites at Bonaire Marine Park, a quick boat ride from Curacao on Bonaire. The island is an attraction known for its scuba diving opportunities — and you'll soon learn why, as you swim with frogfish, seahorses, spotted eagle rays and more.

Historic Site in the Southern Caribbean.

SPICE OF HISTORY

Explore the kaleidoscope of cultural influences that make up the Southern Caribbean.

BIG DIG

When you dock in Martinique, make your way to the Chateau Dubuc. The ruins date back to the 17th century and have a colorful history. Rumor has it, the master of the estate was a thief who would lure ships into the cove where they would slam against the rocks, leaving the wreckage fresh for looting.

SUGAR, SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE

During your day in Grenada, head to the Dougaldston Estate and learn all about nutmeg. The spice trade was a prominent part of Caribbean history, and here you can see how the spice is harvested, processed and then exported.

MAKE IT SNAPPY

With beauty stretching from coast to coast in the Dominican Republic, there's no shortage of photo ops. Perhaps the best one is at Montana Redonda, where you can snap a sweeping panoramic view of the mountains and the sea. Ask your local guide to tell you about the region while you take it all in.

Natural wonders and varied history

await you in the Southern Caribbean

Journey through jungles and rainforests and find yourself atop volcanoes and peaks with sweeping views of the sea below you.

SHORT AND SWEET

Want to pack maximum adventure into your time in the Southern Caribbean? A shorter, 7-day cruise lets you get the best of the region's exotic rainforests, historic towns and picturesque beaches.

Southern Caribbean Woman Relaxing in Hammock

MAKE IT LAST

On a long cruise, you can really soak in all the Southern Caribbean has to offer. Sit back, relax and absorb the sunshine as your ship makes its way the warm Atlantic waters. Find plenty of time on slow-paced beaches, and relish that cool breeze as you listen to the waves crashing onto the sand.

Sun-Seeking Fun

Set sail for a sun-soaked, wind-swept, salty and sandy adventure on a Southern Caribbean cruise

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WHAT TO KNOW

BEFORE YOU GO

Adventure, Relax, Repeat

The great thing about a Southern Caribbean cruise is that you aren't limited by the seasons. Plan your adventure for the summer, fall, winter or spring, and experience the seasonal changes in the landscape.

Although Aruba is best-known for its beaches, a 4x4 trek through along the rugged coastline is an island thrill ride. You can get off the beaten path in Curacao, too, and explore underground lakes and caves.

Balance out the excitement by relaxing on a beach in St. Croix where the sand is soft and white. Or grab a glass of rum in Martinique and sip as the buoyant sound of steel drums sets the scene.

Beautiful Panoramic of Bottom Bay in Barbados.

Insider Tips

1 Check out the shopping options in port cities. Some cities have local shops where you can find homemade souvenirs, while others have duty-free shops where you can score a bargain.

2 If you want to bring rum back on the boat, learn the cruise policy before you buy. There's a limit to the amount of alcohol you can carry onto the boat from a port.

3 Spend your first at sea day planning your excursions. Book ahead so you have a better chance of doing your top activities.

WHERE CUISINES COLLIDE

Southern Caribbean cuisine reflects the region's diverse cultural influences, from hearty Latin American dishes based on plantains and rice to east Indian curries and island-inspired takes on British favorites. Look for locally owned spots serving humble, authentic dishes — this is where you'll find the region's most distinctive flavors.

Island Fusion BBQ

St. Maarten is known for its mix of Caribbean flavors. The French, east Indian and island influences are the perfect combination for a delicious roadside BBQ stop. Visit a lolo — the local term for a barbecue joint — and enjoy freshly grilled lobster. Wash it all down with some guavaberry liqueur.

The Melting Pot

Aruba is a melting pot when it comes to cuisine. Enjoy a mix of Argentinian meat dishes, Dutch cheeses or gumbo with pan bati, which is a pancake made from wheat and corn flour. The fusion of flavors and cultures has created a food mecca in the Caribbean.

Rum Cocktail Offered in Caribbean Rum Distilleries

Drink With Captain Morgan

Grab a glass of rum to sip your way through the distilleries in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Home to both Captain Morgan and Cruzan Rum distilleries, you can spend the day learning about the famed Caribbean beverage while tasting it right from the source. Rum tasting is one of the best things to do when you visit a Southern Caribbean island.

RELATED PORTS

Explore an underground world of beauty at Harrison's Cave in Barbados. Visit natural hot springs in St. Lucia and give yourself a spa day in nature. If you're seeking something more active, head to Loterie Farm in St. Maarten for a day of hiking and zip-lining.