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Few places in the world are more synonymous with paradise than the Caribbean. Known for blissful beaches, turquoise waters, and a relaxed pace of life, these idyllic islands are a dream destination if you’re looking for sun, sea and sand. And, if you’re thinking about visiting, the best way to explore is arguably on a cruise.
To shine a light on the joys of cruising the Caribbean, we’ve partnered with the award-winning P&O Cruises. Britain’s favourite cruise line takes you to many of the Caribbean’s most captivating countries, from Barbados to Guadeloupe. Sailing from Southampton on a roundtrip cruise, you can look forward to experiencing a sense of freedom and adventure like no other.
As you cruise, you can take advantage of your ship’s amenities, and enjoy sunbathing on deck, reading in the library, or soaking up the exciting nightlife. Cruises also allow you to visit multiple destinations, so you can immerse yourself in all kinds of different and diverse cultures, learning about the history, savouring the cuisine, and strolling around bustling port towns.
So, if you’re tempted by the Caribbean, here are nine irresistible reasons to book a long and leisurely cruise.
1. Island hopping is made easy
Home to 13 sovereign island nations, 12 dependent territories, and 7,000 individual islands, exploring the Caribbean is always an adventure. But picking which islands to visit can be tricky, while booking flights or boat trips between destinations can be expensive. On a cruise, however, island hopping becomes a joy.
P&O Cruises holidays can take you to destinations including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bonaire, Curaçao, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St Kitts, and St Lucia – all in a single trip. Each country has its own appeal, and as you hop from island to island, you’ll get a sense of the different cultures, landscapes, cuisines, wildlife, and people. But, while there’s plenty of opportunity for adventure, the pace is always slow and relaxed.
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P&O Cruises Caribbean Winter Warmth*
Spain, Portugal, Barbados & 10 more | 35 nights
Departs from Southampton, UK 03 Jan 2026. Sailing on Ventura.
2. More time for rest and relaxation
While P&O Cruises also offers fly-cruises, if you’re looking to maximise your relaxation time, a round-trip cruise from Southampton makes sense. There’s more time at sea – and these are the days you can really kick back. As you cruise across the Atlantic, you’ll have plenty of time to focus on recharging your batteries, whether that’s lounging in the sun, reading in your cabin, or admiring the sensational sea views.
If you set sail from Southampton in January, February or November on one of P&O Cruises longer Caribbean cruises, you’ll experience the liberation of escaping the worst of the British winter. Sometimes, a week or two away isn’t enough, and heading off for a month-long, sun-drenched ocean adventure when it’s cold and dark at home feels extra special. Goodbye winter blues, hello sunny Caribbean views!
Goodbye winter blues, hello sunny Caribbean views
Next January, soak up 35 nights of tropical vibes. Sail effortlessly from Southampton and island-hop exotic spots like Martinique and Guadeloupe. Experience it all from £2,399 per person. †
†Early Saver price based on Inside cabin cruise N601. T&Cs apply.
3. Discover off-the-beaten-track destinations
P&O Cruises holidays from Southampton visit the Caribbean’s dreamiest destinations. Travel to hidden gems like Bonaire, a beacon of sustainability and haven for nature lovers, and cosmopolitan Curaçao, with its vibrant port and proud cultural heritage. Go whale watching in Dominica, and sample delicious Creole cuisine in Guadeloupe.
Other itineraries from Southampton take you to Bermuda, where you can explore pastel-hued Hamilton, bustling Freeport in the Bahamas, tropical Roatán in Honduras, and laid-back Belize. If you’re looking for a classic Caribbean route, other P&O Cruises holidays take you to Barbados, St Kitts, Antigua, Grenada and the British Virgin Islands. It all depends on which places are calling to you the most.
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P&O Cruises Grand Caribbean And USA Adventure*
Spain, Portugal, United States & 6 more | 35 nights
Departs from Southampton, UK 27 Feb 2026. Sailing on Ventura.
4. Kick back on the world’s best beaches
Walking across powder white sand, swimming in shimmering azure waters, and watching palm trees sway in the breeze is the stuff dreams are made of – and on a P&O Cruises holiday, those dreams become reality. The Caribbean is home to some of the world’s best beaches and, on a cruise, you’ll get to visit many of them. What’s more, the dazzling diversity of these stretches of sand may surprise you.
In Guadeloupe, kick back on black-, gold- and white-sand beaches; in Barbados, pale pink sands give way to clear blue seas; and, in Antigua, there are 365 sparkling bays scattered along the spectacular coastline. Some beaches are ideal for watersports, some for swimming, and others for simply relaxing in the sun. With so many gorgeous beaches, why visit just one when you can visit many?
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P&O Cruises Caribbean Discovery*
Spain, Portugal, Barbados & 4 more | 24 nights
Departs from Southampton, UK 02 Nov 2025. Sailing on Aurora.
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P&O Cruises Caribbean Winter Warmth*
Spain, Barbados, Grenada & 6 more | 35 nights
Departs from Southampton, UK 04 Jan 2027. Sailing on Iona.
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P&O Cruises Caribbean Winter Warmth*
Spain, Barbados, Grenada & 6 more | 35 nights
Departs from Southampton, UK 03 Jan 2026. Sailing on Iona.
5. Skip the fuss of flying and start your holiday sooner
Maximising relaxation time isn’t the only reason you might like to sail from Southampton. Avoiding the fuss of flying is a real perk; rather than airport boarding lounges and long flights, your break begins the moment you board the ship. While the Caribbean is far away, sailing there is part of the fun: you don’t travel by air, but by sun lounger! Plus, you’ll stop in Tenerife, La Coruña or the Azores on the way, giving you lots of chances to explore.
Plus, on a P&O Cruises holiday from Southampton, there are no strict luggage rules – unlike flying. Many of us struggle to pack light (particularly when we’re travelling for more than a month), so if you want to pack 15 bathing suits and 20 pairs of shoes, you can. Southampton is easily accessible by car, coach, train, or taxi, so once you’ve got there, you can step right into holiday mode.
6. Soak up the Caribbean culture
The Caribbean is incredibly diverse, and each island has its own identity. On a P&O Cruises holiday, you can immerse yourself in Caribbean culture and get an understanding of what makes each island unique. You’ll feel the vibrant spirit of the islands as you sail, too, as destinations are brought to life on board with authentic sounds, locally-inspired cuisine, thrilling entertainment, and lively Sail Away parties.
When in port, every island you visit on a cruise from Southampton has something special to offer. In Barbados, why not visit the Mount Gay Rum Distilleries and learn how this iconic drink is made? In St Maarten, experience the differences between the French and Dutch sides of the island while, in Antigua, you can visit historic forts, pick up souvenirs at bustling markets, and tour the ruins of sugar plantations.
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P&O Cruises Caribbean Discovery*
Spain, Portugal, Barbados & 5 more | 24 nights
Departs from Southampton, UK 03 Nov 2026. Sailing on Aurora.
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P&O Cruises Caribbean Winter Warmth*
Spain, Portugal, Mexico & 9 more | 35 nights
Departs from Southampton, UK 04 Jan 2027. Sailing on Ventura.
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P&O Cruises America And Caribbean Discovery*
Portugal, United States, Mexico & 23 more | 75 nights
Departs from Southampton, UK 03 Jan 2027. Sailing on Aurora.
7. Enjoy fabulous food
If you’re a foodie, you’ll be glad to know that a P&O Cruises holiday to the Caribbean will allow you to discover the diversity of the local cuisine both on shore and on board. Tuck into conch chowder and fried jack fish, savour perfectly spiced rice and beans, and feast on unbelievably fresh fruits…then wash it down with a chilled glass of local rum.
On board, there’s just as much to offer. Whether you’re sailing on Aurora, Iona, or Ventura, you’ll have all kinds of cuisines to choose from, and, with so many different restaurants to try, there’s something for every palate. You can eat somewhere different every day.
8. Make the most of the fabulous ships
On a P&O Cruises holiday, you’ll be travelling in style. Their ships have many entertainment options, from theatre shows and live music to comedy and quizzes, as well as spa and wellness facilities. While it’s easy to relax, there are many ways to keep busy and expand your mind at sea. You can enrich your cruise with engaging classes, arts and crafts, and captivating talks from guest speakers. And then there’s the P&O Cruises signature service.
Whether you choose to stay active or take it easy, the focus is always a stress-free holiday. The P&O Cruises crew will take care of everything, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the ship’s amenities, and the destinations you’re visiting. Whether it’s your cabin steward or the restaurant staff, everyone’s working to make sure you have a fantastic holiday. And tipping isn’t needed; good service is part and parcel of your holiday.
Goodbye winter blues, hello sunny Caribbean views
Next January, soak up 35 nights of tropical vibes. Sail effortlessly from Southampton and island-hop exotic spots like Martinique and Guadeloupe. Experience it all from £2,399 per person. †
†Early Saver price based on Inside cabin cruise N601. T&Cs apply.
9. Discover the incredible marine life
The Caribbean might be most famous for its beautiful beaches, but beneath the blue waves lies an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem. If you enjoy diving or snorkelling, there are numerous chances to enjoy an ocean adventure on your cruise. The Caribbean is home to 10% of the world’s coral reefs, and there are around 1,400 species of fish and marine mammals to spot in these clear, warm waters.
The island of Curaçao offers some of the Caribbean’s best snorkelling, and you can discover secret sea caves and admire colourful coral reefs. Some of your most impressive wildlife encounters, however, may be witnessed from the deck of your ship, and, in deeper waters, you can often spot whales, whale sharks, and all kinds of dolphin species.
Final thoughts…
The Caribbean is one of the most common bucket-list destinations, and if you’ve always dreamed of going, you might want to think about exploring on a cruise. A P&O Cruises holiday allows you to see much more of this region than you would on a land-based holiday, and you’ll return home with a deeper appreciation of what makes the Caribbean so special – and unique.
Plus, a long and leisurely cruise from Southampton means you can enjoy much more relaxation time. All the fuss and stress of travel are removed, and your holiday will begin from the moment you board your ship. Days at sea are often just as exciting as those spent exploring ashore, and you can look forward to fabulous dining, extraordinary service, exceptional amenities, and diverse, exciting entertainment.
To find out more about Caribbean holidays with P&O Cruises, you can visit their website below.
Have you been on a P&O Cruises holiday before? Are you tempted by the idea of a long and leisurely Caribbean cruise? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.
* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.
Goodbye winter blues, hello sunny Caribbean views
Next January, soak up 35 nights of tropical vibes. Sail effortlessly from Southampton and island-hop exotic spots like Martinique and Guadeloupe. Experience it all from £2,399 per person. †
†Early Saver price based on Inside cabin cruise N601. T&Cs apply.