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Giant granite boulders around a clear, shallow sea pool at The Baths on Virgin Gorda, under a bright blue sky with white clouds

Region guide · Cruising region

The Caribbean & the Bahamas: Our Cruise Guide

From PortMiami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral and Galveston to Nassau, San Juan, St Maarten, Bridgetown and Castries, and the small-ship harbours of St Barts and the British Virgin Islands.

Plan your trip:Official source Our Miami guide Our Florida guide Our Bahamas guide Our Barbados guide Our St Lucia guide

The back story

Season: Main season October–April at Castries (slaspa.com, Oct 2026); Caribbean sailings all year from Florida · Home ports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Port Canaveral, Galveston, San Juan · Ports of call: Nassau, Philipsburg, Bridgetown, Castries, Gustavia, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda · Busiest port: PortMiami: 8,564,225 cruise passengers in its latest fiscal year (miamidade.gov/portmiami) · Gateway airports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Houston, San Juan, Barbados · Our guides: Miami, Florida, Bahamas, Barbados, St Lucia

  1. The back story

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas: the back story

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·In depth

    From the great Florida home ports to Bridgetown, Castries and the yacht harbours of St Barts and the BVI: how to choose your Caribbean by the ship and the season.

    Explore View on map

The ports

Who it suits. On a budget: Three- and four-night Bahamas getaways from Florida with a private-island day, or a week from Galveston or Port Canaveral, booked for the shoulder months. Mid-range: A premium week from Fort Lauderdale or San Juan to the southern islands, with a night at the Omni on the port or in Condado. Luxury: Yacht-style voyages to St Barts, the BVI and the Grenadines, and a suite at Sandy Lane or the Condado Vanderbilt either side.

  1. The Cruise Capital of the World®

    PortMiami

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Home port · Florida

    Miami’s cruise port on Dodge Island in Biscayne Bay, The Cruise Capital of the World® in its own words: 8,564,225 cruise passengers in its latest fiscal year, the highest in its history.

    PortMiami, Dodge Island, Miami, FL, USAExplore View on map

  2. Fort Lauderdale’s cruise port

    Port Everglades

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Home port · Florida

    Greater Fort Lauderdale’s cruise port, with Caribbean cruises, world voyages and fast ferries, and the Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel on the port itself.

    Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USAExplore View on map

  3. Beside the Space Coast

    Port Canaveral

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Home port · Florida

    Florida’s Space Coast cruise port, a short drive from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, with garages and surface lots at every terminal.

    445 Challenger Road, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920, USAExplore View on map

  4. Four cruise terminals

    Port of Galveston

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Home port · Texas

    The Texas home port at the entrance to Galveston Bay, the fourth most popular cruise home port in the United States in its own words, with almost 4 million passengers a year.

    Port of Galveston, Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX, USAExplore View on map

  5. A $300 million transformation

    Nassau Cruise Port

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Port of call · The Bahamas

    Nassau’s cruise port on the harbour downtown, transformed by a $300 million redevelopment, with forts and the Queen’s Staircase within a short walk.

    Nassau Cruise Port, Nassau, The BahamasExplore View on map

  6. Old San Juan and the Panamerican piers

    San Juan Cruise Port

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Home port · Puerto Rico

    San Juan’s cruise port, in two districts: Piers 3 and 4 in Old San Juan, a walk from the forts, and the Panamerican piers across the bay for large homeport ships.

    Old San Juan, San Juan, Puerto RicoExplore View on map

  7. Two nations, one island

    Philipsburg: Port St. Maarten

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Port of call · Sint Maarten

    The cruise port of Philipsburg, capital of Sint Maarten, on an island shared by two nations, the Dutch and the French.

    Philipsburg, Sint MaartenExplore View on map

  8. About 800,000 cruise visitors a year

    Bridgetown: the Port of Bridgetown

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Port of call · Barbados

    The deep-water port in the heart of Barbados’ capital, which welcomes about 800,000 cruise visitors a year.

    Port of Bridgetown, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map

  9. Up to five ships a day in season

    Castries: Pointe Seraphine

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Port of call · St Lucia

    St Lucia’s cruise berths at Pointe Seraphine, within walking distance of Castries; from October to April as many as five ships can call in a day.

    Pointe Seraphine, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map

  10. A harbour of yachts

    Gustavia, St Barts

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Port of call · Saint-Barthélemy

    The capital of St Barts, shaped by its harbour of boats and sailing yachts, with French and Swedish heritage in its streets.

    Gustavia, Saint-BarthélemyExplore View on map

  11. Beach bars and White Bay

    Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Port of call · BVI

    One of the smallest of the British Virgin Islands, in the tourist board’s words perhaps the BVI’s most colourful island, ‘both in terms of vegetation, and history’: a favourite of yacht-style ships.

    Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin IslandsExplore View on map

  12. The Greater Baths National Park

    Virgin Gorda: The Baths

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Port of call · BVI

    Virgin Gorda’s famous beach of giant granite boulders, sea pools and grottoes, protected by the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands.

    The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin IslandsExplore View on map

What to see ashore

  1. Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    San Juan National Historic Site

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Old San Juan

    The forts of Old San Juan, among them Castillo San Felipe del Morro, protected by the US National Park Service: a walk from the Old San Juan piers.

    San Juan, Puerto RicoExplore View on map

  2. The spaceport next door

    Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Port Canaveral

    The visitor complex of NASA’s spaceport, with a bus tour behind the gates and launch viewing when the schedule allows; the classic pre-cruise day from Port Canaveral.

    Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USAExplore View on map

  3. A family day on the island

    Moody Gardens

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Galveston

    Galveston’s attraction park on the island, with a hotel and theme parks: a family day before or after a Galveston cruise.

    Hope Blvd., Galveston, TX 77554, USAExplore View on map

  4. A walk from the cruise port

    Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Nassau

    Nassau’s fort on the hill above the town and the 66 limestone steps of the Queen’s Staircase below it, cut between 1793 and 1794 by enslaved people, as the cruise port records; a 15-minute walk from the ships.

    Nassau, The BahamasExplore View on map

  5. UNESCO World Heritage Site

    Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Bridgetown

    The old colonial town and the Garrison of Bridgetown, together on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, close to the cruise port.

    Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map

  6. Down to the reef

    Atlantis Submarines Barbados

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Bridgetown

    Dives in a passenger submarine to the reefs and wrecks off Barbados’ west coast, from The Shallow Draught in Bridgetown.

    The Shallow Draught, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map

  7. A national landmark

    Pigeon Island National Landmark

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Gros Islet, St Lucia

    A historic national landmark at the north end of St Lucia, where calm waters and history meet, as the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority describes it.

    Gros Islet, Saint LuciaExplore View on map

  8. Volcanic springs

    Sulphur Springs

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Soufrière, St Lucia

    The volcanic springs near Soufrière, with black-water pools at different temperatures, as the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority describes them.

    Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map

  9. Boulders and sea pools

    The Baths National Park

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Virgin Gorda

    The granite boulders, pools and grottoes of Virgin Gorda’s Greater Baths National Park, managed by the BVI National Parks Trust.

    The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin IslandsExplore View on map

  10. Views over the bay

    Fort Gustav and Fort Karl

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shore highlight · Gustavia

    The two old forts above Gustavia, with panoramic views over the bay and the harbour, as Saint Barth Tourism recommends.

    Gustavia, Saint-BarthélemyExplore View on map

Where to eat

  1. Izakaya on the Miami River

    Zuma Miami

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Restaurant · Miami·€€€€

    The Miami outpost of the Japanese izakaya group, at the mouth of the Miami River on Biscayne Boulevard Way, a short drive from PortMiami.

    270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL 33131, USAExplore View on map

  2. Lobster on Bay Street

    Lobster Alive

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Restaurant · Bridgetown·€€€

    A beachfront lobster restaurant at Wesley House on Bay Street in Bridgetown, with live jazz.

    Wesley House, Bay Street, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map

  3. Bajan cooking in an old home

    Brown Sugar

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Restaurant · Bridgetown·€€

    A Bajan restaurant in an old Barbadian home just south of Bridgetown, famous for its planter’s buffet lunch.

    Bay Street, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map

  4. Between the Pitons

    Dasheene at Ladera

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Restaurant · Soufrière, St Lucia·€€€€

    Ladera’s open-air restaurant, high on the ridge between the two Pitons: a long day from Castries, best on a Soufrière excursion.

    Ladera Resort, Soufrière, Saint LuciaExplore View on map

  5. Jost Van Dyke’s famous bar

    Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and Restaurant

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Restaurant · Jost Van Dyke·€€

    The bar and restaurant that made Jost Van Dyke famous among sailors.

    Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin IslandsExplore View on map

  6. On White Bay

    Soggy Dollar Bar

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Restaurant · Jost Van Dyke·€€

    The beach bar of the Sandcastle Hotel on White Bay, Jost Van Dyke.

    White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin IslandsExplore View on map

Where to stay before or after

  1. On Brickell Avenue

    Four Seasons Hotel Miami

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Hotel · Miami·€€€€

    A Four Seasons on Brickell Avenue, in the heart of Miami’s financial district, a short drive from PortMiami.

    1435 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131, USAExplore View on map

  2. The only hotel on the port

    Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Hotel · Fort Lauderdale·€€€

    The only accommodation on Port Everglades itself, in the port’s own words: the easiest night before a Fort Lauderdale embarkation.

    Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USAExplore View on map

  3. Beachfront on Ashford Avenue

    Condado Vanderbilt

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Hotel · San Juan·€€€€

    A luxury beachfront resort on Ashford Avenue in Condado, between Old San Juan and the airport.

    1055 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907Explore View on map

  4. Isla Verde beachfront

    Fairmont El San Juan Hotel

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Hotel · San Juan·€€€

    A Fairmont on the beach at Isla Verde, with pools and cabanas, close to the airport.

    6063 Isla Verde Avenue, Carolina, Puerto Rico 00979Explore View on map

  5. Resort across the harbour

    Atlantis Paradise Island

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Hotel · Nassau·€€€

    The resort on Paradise Island, across the harbour from the Nassau cruise port.

    Paradise Island, The BahamasExplore View on map

  6. The west coast classic

    Sandy Lane

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Hotel · Barbados·€€€€

    The resort opened in 1961 in a mahogany grove above a crescent of coral sand on the west coast of Barbados.

    Sandy Lane, St. James, Barbados BB24024Explore View on map

  7. Beachfront at Hastings

    Coconut Court Beach Hotel

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Hotel · Barbados·€€

    A beach hotel of ocean-facing studios in the Garrison Historic Area at Hastings, close to Bridgetown.

    The Garrison Historic Area, Hastings, Christ Church, BarbadosExplore View on map

  8. Just south of Castries

    Sandals Regency La Toc

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Hotel · St Lucia·€€€

    An adults-only all-inclusive on a hillside estate at La Toc, just south of Castries.

    La Toc, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map

Shopping

  1. Bayside Marketplace

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shopping · Miami

    Miami’s waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment centre on Biscayne Bay, facing PortMiami across the water.

    Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL, USAExplore View on map

  2. Cave Shepherd

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shopping · Bridgetown

    The department store on Broad Street, Bridgetown’s main shopping street, a walk from the cruise port.

    Broad Street, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BarbadosExplore View on map

  3. Pointe Seraphine

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shopping · Castries

    Duty-free shops right at St Lucia’s cruise berths, with local and international goods.

    Pointe Seraphine, Castries, Saint LuciaExplore View on map

  4. Gustavia’s harbour boutiques

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Shopping · Gustavia

    International houses, designers and local artisans along the harbour and the streets of Gustavia, as Saint Barth Tourism describes them.

    Gustavia, Saint-BarthélemyExplore View on map

Getting there

  1. Miami International Airport

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Getting there · Miami

    The main airport for PortMiami embarkations.

    Explore View on map

  2. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Getting there · Fort Lauderdale

    The airport for Port Everglades, run by Broward County.

    Explore View on map

  3. Houston Airport System

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Getting there · Galveston

    Houston Hobby is the closest airport to the Port of Galveston, about a 45-minute drive; George Bush Intercontinental suits international travellers (portofgalveston.com).

    Explore View on map

  4. Grantley Adams International Airport

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Getting there · Barbados

    Barbados’ international airport, for Bridgetown embarkations.

    Explore View on map

The lines that sail here

  1. Royal Caribbean

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Cruise line

    Week-long Caribbean cruises and short Bahamas getaways from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Galveston, with a day at Perfect Day CocoCay.

    Explore View on map

  2. Norwegian Cruise Line

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Cruise line

    Bahamas getaways and Caribbean weeks, most with a day at Great Stirrup Cay.

    Explore View on map

  3. Celebrity Cruises

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Cruise line

    The Caribbean is one of Celebrity’s two great cruising grounds, with short 3- and 4-night trips for a first taste.

    Explore View on map

  4. Holland America Line

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Cruise line

    Caribbean itineraries, nearly all with a day at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

    Explore View on map

  5. Virgin Voyages

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Cruise line

    Adults-only ships from Miami and San Juan, with the Beach Club at Bimini.

    Explore View on map

  6. Orient Express Sailing Yachts

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Cruise line

    Orient Express Corinthian’s Caribbean departures run from 21 November 2026 to 13 March 2027.

    Explore View on map

  7. Aman at Sea

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Cruise line

    Amangati’s debut Caribbean season covers the Dominican Republic, Martinique, Guadeloupe and the Grenadines.

    Explore View on map

  8. The lines’ private islands

    The Caribbean & the Bahamas·Private islands

    Perfect Day CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island (Royal Caribbean), Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian), RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay (Holland America) and the Beach Club at Bimini (Virgin Voyages): each is described, by status, on its line’s guide.

    Explore View on map

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