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For many, the Caribbean is the first destination that springs to mind when we hear the word ‘cruise’.
Sparkling sapphire seas, endless ribbons of sugar-white sand, and year-round sun make this tropical paradise the perfect vacation spot. And with hundreds of islands to explore – each with a distinctive vibe – what better way to visit than by cruise ship?
But there’s plenty more to this idyllic corner of the world than beaches and balmy bays. From cultural opportunities and wildlife spotting to marvelling at natural and man-made wonders, the Caribbean offers endless unique experiences for anyone who voyages here.
To give you an idea of what awaits in this astounding archipelago, we’ve teamed up with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to bring you some of the best things to see and do on a Caribbean cruise.
1. Discover stunning natural water features
While the Caribbean is often heralded for its gin-clear seas, some of its most wonderful water features can be found inland. Amongst the verdant, primordial forests of Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park, travellers can discover the Boiling Lake, a steaming natural cauldron set into the side of a mountain. Also nearby are the luminous Emerald Pool and the thundering Trafalgar Falls.
There are plenty of unique water features dotted along the coast too. Devil’s Bridge in Antigua is an extraordinary limestone arch surrounded by blowholes, which blast jets of seawater into the air.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Explore the Sunkissed islands of the Canaries and Caribbean*
Cádiz - Santo Domingo - Road Town, Tortola - Philipsburg - Las Palmas - Arrecife - Cartagena de Indias - Puerto Limón
Spain, Colombia, Costa Rica & 4 more | 22 nights
Departs on 15 Feb 2025 from Southampton on the ship Balmoral.
2. Visit some of the world’s finest rum distilleries
Whether you’re a rum connoisseur or simply partial to a piña colada, the Caribbean is the best place to enjoy a splash of this soulful spirit. Rum has been produced here since the mid-1600s and plays a part in many traditions, from christenings to funerals. With this in mind, a visit to a rum distillery is a great way to better understand Caribbean culture.
In Barbados, cruisers can stop at the world’s oldest rum producer: Mount Gay Rum Distillery, where you can take a tour, treat yourself to guided tastings, or improve your mixology skills with a cocktail masterclass. Alternatively, take a trip back in time with a visit to River Antoine Distillery in Grenada, which offers a glimpse into how rum was produced back in the 18th century.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Rainforests and Ruins of Central America*
Cádiz - Santo Domingo - Roatan Island - Road Town, Tortola - Belize City - Philipsburg - Cozumel - Ponta Delgada - Arrecife - Cartagena de Indias and 4 more
Spain, Portugal, Mexico & 10 more | 45 nights
Departs on 15 Feb 2025 from Southampton on the ship Balmoral. Solo traveller offer available. FREE On Board Spend up to £300pp AND Transfers*.
3. Spot colourful, one-of-a-kind birdlife
The Caribbean is known for its kaleidoscopic colour – and the birdlife is no different. Hidden in the jungle treetops, wheeling in the endless blue sky, and bobbing along on the glassy surf, visitors can spot over 700 bird species (180 of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world) in every shade under the sun.
In Dominica, wander through rainforest trails searching the leafy canopies for the island’s national bird, the sisserou parrot. Or head to St Lucia’s Millet Bird Sanctuary to spot endemic species like the St Lucia warbler and St. Lucia parrot. Alternatively, drop anchor on the Caribbean coasts of Belize and Costa Rica where exotic species like scarlet macaws, keel-billed toucans, and resplendent quetzals await.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Island-Hopping in the Caribbean*
Basseterre - St George's - Philipsburg - Bridgetown - Ponta Delgada - Kingstown - Praia da Vitória - Castries - Roseau - Cruising by Pitons and 1 more
Portugal, Barbados, Dominica & 5 more | 28 nights
Departs on 04 Jan 2025 from Portsmouth on the ship Borealis.
4. Uncover the Caribbean’s storied past
The history of the Caribbean is as complicated as it is fascinating – and an island-hopping cruise is the perfect way to discover each chapter. In Dominica, stop in at Touna Auté, a village where the island’s Indigenous way of life has been preserved. Here, visitors can find out how modern Kalinago people live, taste some of their food, and learn about traditional handicrafts.
There are also plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites dotted throughout the Caribbean, like Brimstone Hill Fortress. Here, you can unravel the complex tapestry of European colonialism and uncover unsung stories of African slaves. Or stop in at Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, to learn about the region’s seafaring traditions, before hiking up to Shirley Heights look out for unrivalled views over the picturesque English Harbour.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Explore the Sunkissed islands of the Canaries and Caribbean*
Cádiz - Santo Domingo - Road Town, Tortola - Philipsburg - Las Palmas - Arrecife - Cartagena de Indias - Puerto Limón
Spain, Colombia, Costa Rica & 4 more | 22 nights
Departs on 15 Feb 2025 from Southampton on the ship Balmoral.
5. Wander through world-class botanical gardens
If you’re a nature lover, you might be pleased to learn that the Caribbean is home to plenty of tremendous botanical gardens. From admiring vibrant floral blooms of hibiscus and heliconia to discovering the lifesaving effects of medicinal species, there’s something for everyone at each of these bucolic oases.
Though plant life isn’t all you’ll see. At Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden in St. Kitts, visitors can spot cheeky vervet monkeys playing amongst the gorgeous colonial buildings. The gardens in Kingstown (capital of St. Vincent and the Grenadines) also double as a conservation site for the colourful St. Vincent Parrot. At the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens in St Lucia, you can even take a dip in therapeutic mineral baths.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Rainforests and Ruins of Central America*
Cádiz - Santo Domingo - Roatan Island - Road Town, Tortola - Belize City - Philipsburg - Cozumel - Ponta Delgada - Arrecife - Cartagena de Indias and 4 more
Spain, Portugal, Mexico & 10 more | 45 nights
Departs on 15 Feb 2025 from Southampton on the ship Balmoral. Solo traveller offer available. FREE On Board Spend up to £300pp AND Transfers*.
6. Savour sumptuous Caribbean flavours
The Caribbean is a true melting pot of culinary traditions. Here, influences from every corner of the world – from Africa to Asia to Europe – are stirred and simmered to create something delicious and unmistakably Caribbean. Plus, with each island serving up a different spin on regional cuisine, every port you stop at will offer a new gastronomical adventure.
As you might expect, the Caribbean is a slice of heaven for seafood lovers – highlights include flying fish, saltfish, and conch, which can be enjoyed in fritter form from roadside stands or the St. Maarten way (with dumplings). Also on the menu are fragrant pepperpot stews with melt-in-your-mouth beef and plenty of satisfying sides like subtly sweet breadfruit and cassava bread. And everything tastes even better washed down with a glass of rum punch.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Island-Hopping in the Caribbean*
Basseterre - St George's - Philipsburg - Bridgetown - Ponta Delgada - Kingstown - Praia da Vitória - Castries - Roseau - Cruising by Pitons and 1 more
Portugal, Barbados, Dominica & 5 more | 28 nights
Departs on 04 Jan 2025 from Portsmouth on the ship Borealis.
7. Snorkel and scuba to your heart’s content
While there’s plenty to see and do on dry land in the Caribbean, some of its most unforgettable sights are found beneath the waves. With hundreds of haunting shipwrecks, kaleidoscopic coral reefs home to thousands of marine species, and crystal-clear waters that are warm year-round, it’s one of the best places in the world for snorkelling and scuba diving.
If shipwrecks are what you seek, Carlisle Bay Marine Park in Barbados is home to six – including the Berwyn, which was supposedly sunk by its French crew so they didn’t have to return to fight in World War One. For stunning views above and below, check out Jalousie Beach in St. Lucia, which sits at the bottom of the Piton mountains. And, wherever you go, keep an eye out for rainbow-coloured fish, gliding rays, majestic turtles, and more.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Explore the Sunkissed islands of the Canaries and Caribbean*
Cádiz - Santo Domingo - Road Town, Tortola - Philipsburg - Las Palmas - Arrecife - Cartagena de Indias - Puerto Limón
Spain, Colombia, Costa Rica & 4 more | 22 nights
Departs on 15 Feb 2025 from Southampton on the ship Balmoral.
8. Admire amazing architecture
Visitors to the Caribbean may be surprised by the eclectic architecture. From Georgian houses in St. Kitts, which look like they’ve been transplanted from the English countryside to colourful colonial buildings standing proud on St. John’s seafront promenade, there’s something to delight everyone here.
In the Dominican capital of Roseau, age-old cathedrals rub shoulders with ultramodern hotels, and architecture lovers won’t want to miss the stunning, candy-pink Parliament Building. And while in Grenada, why not visit the regal Tower Estate and its century-old Great House, where you can take a guided tour and enjoy tea on the terrace?
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Rainforests and Ruins of Central America*
Cádiz - Santo Domingo - Roatan Island - Road Town, Tortola - Belize City - Philipsburg - Cozumel - Ponta Delgada - Arrecife - Cartagena de Indias and 4 more
Spain, Portugal, Mexico & 10 more | 45 nights
Departs on 15 Feb 2025 from Southampton on the ship Balmoral. Solo traveller offer available. FREE On Board Spend up to £300pp AND Transfers*.
9. Explore astounding landscapes
As we’ve said, there’s much more to discover in the Caribbean than sparkling shorelines. Cruisers willing to day-trip into the lush island hinterlands will be rewarded with vast volcanic craters, criss-crossing hiking trails, chattering rainforests teeming with wildlife, and fertile valleys filled with bountiful farmland.
However, perhaps the most mesmerising landscape in the Caribbean is in St Lucia’s south, where the Pitons rise out of the coastline like giant fangs. Voyagers on Fred. Olsen’s Island-Hopping in the Caribbean Cruise will be treated to unrivalled views of these towering twin peaks as their ship sails past them at sunset. Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious green flash, which pirates say signified a soul escaping from Davy Jones’ Locker.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Island-Hopping in the Caribbean*
Basseterre - St George's - Philipsburg - Bridgetown - Ponta Delgada - Kingstown - Praia da Vitória - Castries - Roseau - Cruising by Pitons and 1 more
Portugal, Barbados, Dominica & 5 more | 28 nights
Departs on 04 Jan 2025 from Portsmouth on the ship Borealis.
10. Lose yourself in smooth island sounds
From iconic reggae beats to the silky sound of steel drums, the Caribbean Islands offer a rich musical tapestry for visitors to get immersed in. Here, mellifluous melodies provide the soundtrack to almost any activity – whether you’re exploring lively seafront promenades or relaxing with a strawberry daiquiri on a beach sun lounger.
Adventurous cruisers can delight in exploring the bars and nightclubs of ports like Barbados’ Bridgetown and Saint Lucia’s Castries. Here, the sounds of calypso, soca, zouk, and merengue mingle with the lively atmosphere and warm night air. Or, for something more low-key, head to a folk music performance in St Lucia, which typically features stringed instruments like the banjo and cuatro.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Explore the Sunkissed islands of the Canaries and Caribbean*
Cádiz - Santo Domingo - Road Town, Tortola - Philipsburg - Las Palmas - Arrecife - Cartagena de Indias - Puerto Limón
Spain, Colombia, Costa Rica & 4 more | 22 nights
Departs on 15 Feb 2025 from Southampton on the ship Balmoral.
11. Kick-back on brilliant beaches
Of course, once you’ve sampled everything else the Caribbean has to offer, its dazzling beaches await. Picture yourself lounging under the dappled shade of a palm, listening to the wind jostling its fronds and gentle waves lapping at the sand. Bathwater shallows beckon swimmers and luminous, unrivalled sunsets make for romantic evening walks.
Scenic spots like Cockleshell Bay in St. Kitts and Anse Chastanet Beach in St. Lucia combine prime relaxation with scenic views, while the pink sands of Barbados’ Crane Beach will live long in the memories of its visitors. The glass-like waters of Pebbles Beach near Bridgetown offer perfect conditions for paddleboarding, while thrill seekers at Maho Beach in St. Maarten can watch jets pass less than 100 feet overhead.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Rainforests and Ruins of Central America*
Cádiz - Santo Domingo - Roatan Island - Road Town, Tortola - Belize City - Philipsburg - Cozumel - Ponta Delgada - Arrecife - Cartagena de Indias and 4 more
Spain, Portugal, Mexico & 10 more | 45 nights
Departs on 15 Feb 2025 from Southampton on the ship Balmoral. Solo traveller offer available. FREE On Board Spend up to £300pp AND Transfers*.
Final thoughts…
As we hope this article has shown, there are plenty of reasons to set sail on a Caribbean cruise. Whether you’re a wildlife lover looking to catch a glimpse of exotic animals, a music buff in search of regional sounds, or a foodie in need of a culinary adventure, there’s something for everyone in this idyllic corner of the world.
If you’re interested in finding out more, why not head over to the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines website? They offer island-hopping voyages through the Caribbean Sea, as well as along the Caribbean coast of Central and South America.
And for something completely different, why not check out our article: 7 spectacular things to do on a Northern Lights cruise?
Have you been on a Caribbean cruise? If so, what was your favourite experience? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.