For a Caribbean cruise, the season runs from November-December to April: this is the dry season, outside the hurricane period. From the French Antilles (Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France), 7-night itineraries call at a different island each day: St Kitts, Antigua, Tortola, St Martin, St Lucia or Dominica. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, with a peak from mid-August to mid-October.
A Caribbean cruise is almost always planned around a flight, to Guadeloupe or Martinique, or to Florida and the Dominican Republic. This guide compares the main areas, the ports of call and the time spent in each, the climate month by month and the costs to expect. For the basics common to all cruises, see our guide to choosing a cruise.
Caribbean cruise: the essentials
- Best time: December to April
- Avoid: August to October, the core of the hurricane season
- Departure ports in the French Antilles: Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Fort-de-France (Martinique), both French overseas departments
- Typical length: 7 nights, with packages from 4 to 14 nights
- Port calls: most often 8 to 10 hours; longer calls (12 to 14 hours) in the departure ports
- Documents: a passport is recommended as soon as the itinerary leaves French territory; US entry rules apply for a call at or departure from a US port
Typical Caribbean itineraries
The Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe and Martinique
This is the simplest option from Europe: a flight to Pointe-à-Pitre or Fort-de-France, then 7 nights around the island arc. In Costa Cruises’ 2026-2027 programme, a typical loop links Pointe-à-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Basseterre (St Kitts), St John’s (Antigua), Road Town (Tortola) and Santo Domingo, with variants through St Martin, Dominica, St Lucia or Barbados. For winter 2026-2027, MSC Cruises has also announced 7- and 14-night cruises on MSC World Europa, from Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre and Bridgetown (Barbados), with calls at St Lucia, Grenada, St Martin, Antigua, St Kitts, Dominica and St Vincent. Among these ports, the island of the Pitons can also be visited as a stay: our guide to what to do in St Lucia covers beaches, hikes and budget.
- Strengths: a different island every day, short sailings at sea, the chance to extend your stay in Guadeloupe or Martinique
- Limits: some ports are quieter than lively; you come mainly for the beaches and nature
The Greater Antilles from the Dominican Republic
Costa also offers cruises from La Romana and Santo Domingo, with Catalina, Samaná, Puerto Plata (Amber Cove), Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos Islands), St Lucia or Barbados. They combine well with a beach stay in the Dominican Republic.
The Western Caribbean and the Bahamas from Florida
Miami and Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) are two of the region’s major cruise ports. Itineraries go to the Bahamas, Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula), Jamaica or the Cayman Islands. For travellers coming from outside the US, this choice means the entry rules for the United States (an ESTA or visa for most UK citizens), often a hotel night before boarding, and longer flights.
The main ports of call and time in port
| Port | What to see | Typical time in port |
|---|---|---|
| Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) | Mémorial ACTe, markets, Grande-Terre beaches | Departure port; call of about 14 h |
| Fort-de-France (Martinique) | Schœlcher Library, Fort Saint-Louis, Balata garden | Departure port; call of 12 to 14 h |
| Basseterre (St Kitts) | Brimstone Hill, scenic railway, beaches | About 9 to 10 h |
| St John’s (Antigua) | Nelson’s Dockyard, beaches | About 9 to 10 h |
| Road Town (Tortola, British Virgin Islands) | The Baths (Virgin Gorda), beaches | About 8 to 9 h |
| Philipsburg (St Martin) | Beaches, Marigot, Maho Beach | About 7 to 10 h |
| Castries (St Lucia) | Pitons, Soufrière, beaches | About 10 h |
| Bridgetown (Barbados) | Historic centre, west-coast beaches | About 11 h |
| Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) | Colonial city | About 11.5 to 14 h |
| Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos Islands) | Beaches, snorkelling | About 9.5 h |
At several ports the beach is the main activity: a shuttle or shared taxi is often enough. For longer excursions (the Pitons in St Lucia, Virgin Gorda from Tortola), the cruise line’s own excursion guarantees your return on board if there is a delay, which a tour booked locally does not. To place the Pitons and the town of Soufrière, see our map of St Lucia.
When to go on a Caribbean cruise
It is hot all year: the differences lie in rainfall and hurricane risk. The table gives the normals for Fort-de-France, Martinique, the departure port of many Lesser Antilles cruises.
| Month | Max | Min | Rainfall | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.7 °C (82 °F) | 22.2 °C (72 °F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | Busy | ✅ Dry season (carême), trade winds |
| February | 27.9 °C (82 °F) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 77 mm (3.0 in) | Very busy (winter holidays) | ✅ Dry, peak cruise season |
| March | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 22.3 °C (72 °F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | Busy | ✅ The driest month |
| April | 29.3 °C (85 °F) | 23.1 °C (74 °F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | Busy (Easter) | ✅ End of the dry season |
| May | 29.8 °C (86 °F) | 23.6 °C (74 °F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | Medium | ⚠️ Transition, showers more frequent, few departures |
| June | 29.6 °C (85 °F) | 24.3 °C (76 °F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) | Low | ⚠️ Start of the hurricane season |
| July | 29.7 °C (85 °F) | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | Medium | ⚠️ Humid, hurricane risk |
| August | 30.2 °C (86 °F) | 24.4 °C (76 °F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) | Medium | ❌ Very rainy, core of the hurricane season |
| September | 30.5 °C (87 °F) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) | Low | ❌ Peak of the hurricane season |
| October | 30.2 °C (86 °F) | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | Low | ❌ Very rainy, hurricanes still frequent |
| November | 29.2 °C (85 °F) | 23.7 °C (75 °F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | Low | ⚠️ End of the hurricane season, cruises resume |
| December | 28.2 °C (83 °F) | 23 °C (73 °F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | Medium, then very busy (holidays) | ✅ Start of the high season |
Comparison of four ports in the region (average maximum temperature / rainfall):
| Month | Fort-de-France | Pointe-à-Pitre | Punta Cana | Cancún |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.7 °C (82 °F) / 114 mm (4.5 in) | 29.2 °C (85 °F) / 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28.5 °C (83 °F) / 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28.5 °C (83 °F) / 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| March | 28.5 °C (83 °F) / 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29.7 °C (85 °F) / 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29 °C (84 °F) / 50 mm (2.0 in) | 30.6 °C (87 °F) / 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 29.8 °C (86 °F) / 133 mm (5.2 in) | 30.9 °C (88 °F) / 134 mm (5.3 in) | 30.3 °C (87 °F) / 129 mm (5.1 in) | 33.3 °C (92 °F) / 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| July | 29.7 °C (85 °F) / 206 mm (8.1 in) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 130 mm (5.1 in) | 31.8 °C (89 °F) / 85 mm (3.3 in) | 34 °C (93 °F) / 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| September | 30.5 °C (87 °F) / 214 mm (8.4 in) | 31.7 °C (89 °F) / 206 mm (8.1 in) | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 135 mm (5.3 in) | 33.3 °C (92 °F) / 223 mm (8.8 in) |
| October | 30.2 °C (86 °F) / 243 mm (9.6 in) | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 215 mm (8.5 in) | 31.5 °C (89 °F) / 124 mm (4.9 in) | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 242 mm (9.5 in) |
| December | 28.2 °C (83 °F) / 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29.7 °C (85 °F) / 134 mm (5.3 in) | 29.4 °C (85 °F) / 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28.9 °C (84 °F) / 80 mm (3.1 in) |
December to April: high season
This is the dry season, known as carême in the French Antilles: less rain, steady trade winds and bearable heat (28 to 29 °C, or 82 to 84 °F, in the afternoon in Fort-de-France). Almost all cruises from the French Antilles are concentrated in this period: in the Costa programme we consulted, departures run from late November to February. Christmas and February holidays are the most expensive.
May to July: the shoulder season
Showers become more frequent and the hurricane season officially begins on 1 June. Cruises from the French Antilles are rare; the offer shifts to Florida and the Greater Antilles. Prices for land stays fall. With the offer moving to Florida and the Greater Antilles, look at the best time to visit Florida before boarding.
August to November: the hurricane season
According to the National Hurricane Center, the peak of the hurricane season is around 10 September, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. A cruise is still possible, especially from Florida, but the itinerary can be changed at short notice to avoid a storm: ports replaced, extra days at sea. Insurance covering cancellation and trip interruption is then useful. For a stay on the islands, see also when to go to Guadeloupe and when to go to Martinique.
Which cruise line for the Caribbean?
- Costa Cruises: winter cruises from Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort-de-France (Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa in the 2026-2027 programme), and from La Romana or Santo Domingo
- MSC Cruises: MSC World Europa from Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre and Bridgetown for winter 2026-2027, according to the line’s press release
- American and international lines: most schedule the Caribbean from Florida, with very large ships and private islands
Budget and costs to plan for
On the Costa Cruises site, a 7-night cruise from Guadeloupe or Martinique was listed from about €450 per person in an inside cabin, cruise only (prices noted on 5 October 2026, depending on dates). Add:
- Service charges: €11 per adult per night with Costa
- Flights, if you do not take a package, and possibly a hotel night before boarding
- Day trips and transfers to the beaches
- Drinks, unless you choose an all-inclusive package
- ESTA if you are a UK citizen and board or call at a US port or Puerto Rico
Entry requirements and practical tips
US citizens
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, French West Indies page, last updated 9 September 2026), US citizens need a US passport valid for at least 6 months to enter the French West Indies. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days if you have an onward or return ticket, confirmation of accommodation and evidence that you can support yourself. The same page notes that closed-loop Caribbean cruises that begin and end in the United States do not require a passport, but that you may have difficulty if you need to leave the ship in an emergency without one: it recommends always travelling with a valid passport. Other ports of call set their own rules, so check each country’s page on travel.state.gov.
UK citizens
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, Guadeloupe entry requirements, updated 22 October 2026), your passport must have an expiry date at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave Guadeloupe, and you can visit without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business, as Guadeloupe is an overseas department of France and part of the EU. For Martinique, check the FCDO’s own Martinique page. For a US port, UK passport holders usually need an ESTA or a visa: apply only on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Practical tips
- Documents: St Kitts, Antigua, Tortola, Dominica and St Lucia are separate countries or territories. The cruise line states the accepted documents for each cruise; a passport is the safest option
- Sun: the UV index is high all year; bring sunscreen, a hat and water for every port
- Arrive the day before: if you fly in, allow a margin; a delayed flight can mean missing the ship
Other cruise ideas: a Nile cruise in the same winter, or a round-the-world cruise, which also calls in the Caribbean and passes through the Panama Canal.
Also read: the Bahamas cruise guide and the biggest cruise ships.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a Caribbean cruise?
December to April, during the dry season. It is also when most cruises from Guadeloupe and Martinique leave. Avoid August to October if you can, the core of the hurricane season.
When is the hurricane season?
In the Atlantic it officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, according to the National Hurricane Center. The peak is around 10 September, and most activity happens between mid-August and mid-October.
Do I need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?
As soon as the itinerary calls at foreign islands (Antigua, St Kitts, St Lucia, Dominican Republic…), a passport is recommended, even from Guadeloupe or Martinique. Check the documents your cruise line requires. For US citizens on a closed-loop cruise from the US, the State Department still recommends carrying a valid passport.
Do I need an ESTA for a Caribbean cruise?
Only if you are travelling on a passport that needs one (for example a UK passport) and you board in the United States (Miami, Port Everglades) or the itinerary calls at US territory such as Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands. US citizens do not need an ESTA.
How much does a Caribbean cruise cost?
With Costa, from about €450 per person for 7 nights in an inside cabin from the Antilles, cruise only (prices noted in October 2026). Service charges, excursions, drinks and flights are extra.
What is the best cruise for the Caribbean?
The simplest is a 7-night loop in the Lesser Antilles from Pointe-à-Pitre or Fort-de-France: one flight, then a different island every day. For the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, departures are from Florida.
Our sources
- Costa Cruises, official site: itineraries, port times, prices and service charges for the 2026-2027 Caribbean season (consulted on 5 October 2026)
- MSC Cruises, press release of 30 March 2026 on the deployment of MSC World Europa in the Antilles for winter 2026-2027
- National Hurricane Center (NOAA): official dates and peak of the Atlantic hurricane season
- Météo-France: normals for Fort-de-France (1991-2020) and Pointe-à-Pitre – Le Raizet (1991-2020)
- ONAMET via the World Meteorological Organization (Punta Cana, 1991-2020); Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Cancún, 1991-2020)
- U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), French West Indies country page, last updated 9 September 2026, read 26 October 2026
- UK FCDO (GOV.UK), Foreign travel advice Guadeloupe: entry requirements, updated 22 October 2026, read 26 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
