The Caribbean is one of the most popular regions for cruising, and Royal Caribbean offers a wide variety of itineraries designed to showcase its beaches, islands, historic towns, coral reefs and tropical landscapes. Depending on the itinerary, ship and sailing date, passengers can visit destinations across the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, as well as The Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean currently promotes Caribbean itineraries covering destinations such as Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda and different parts of the Caribbean, with specific itineraries varying by ship and sailing date.
If you are wondering which Caribbean islands Royal Caribbean visits, the answer includes popular destinations such as St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao, St. Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Grand Cayman, along with Royal Caribbean's private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean generally divides its Caribbean cruises into three main regions:
There are also itineraries combining the Caribbean with The Bahamas and Royal Caribbean's private destinations.
Each region offers a different type of vacation. Eastern Caribbean cruises are particularly popular for beaches and island culture, Western Caribbean itineraries combine beaches with Mayan history and adventure, while Southern Caribbean cruises are ideal for travelers looking for longer island stays and destinations such as Aruba and Curaçao. Royal Caribbean's current destination information highlights all three regions.
Eastern Caribbean cruises are among Royal Caribbean's most popular itineraries. They commonly feature destinations in the northeastern Caribbean, including St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico.
St. Thomas is one of the best-known Caribbean cruise destinations. Royal Caribbean itineraries can give passengers the opportunity to explore Charlotte Amalie, relax on beautiful beaches or take excursions around the island.
Magens Bay is particularly famous for its scenic beach, while other activities include snorkeling, sailing, shopping and sightseeing.
St. Thomas is also convenient for travelers who want a combination of beaches and shopping. Because it is a U.S. territory, U.S. travelers may find certain aspects of visiting easier than traveling to an independent foreign country.
St. Maarten is another signature Eastern Caribbean destination.
The island is famous for its combination of Caribbean beaches, shopping, restaurants and spectacular aircraft-watching opportunities near Maho Beach.
Royal Caribbean's Eastern Caribbean cruises frequently pair St. Maarten with other popular ports such as St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. Royal Caribbean itself identifies Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten among the highlights of Eastern Caribbean cruising.
Visitors can spend the day relaxing at the beach, exploring Philipsburg, shopping for souvenirs or taking an island tour.
Puerto Rico is a major Caribbean cruise destination and is frequently included on Eastern Caribbean itineraries.
San Juan is particularly attractive because it combines beaches with historic architecture, restaurants, shopping and cultural attractions.
Cruise passengers can walk through Old San Juan, visit historic forts, enjoy local cuisine or simply explore the colorful streets before returning to the ship.
Royal Caribbean currently lists Puerto Rico among its Caribbean destinations.
Some Royal Caribbean itineraries also feature St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
St. Croix offers a more relaxed Caribbean atmosphere, with opportunities for beach activities, snorkeling, sightseeing and exploring historic areas.
Because Royal Caribbean itineraries can change between seasons and ships, travelers should always check the exact itinerary for their sailing before assuming that a particular island is included.
Western Caribbean cruises typically focus on destinations around Mexico, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Belize and Honduras.
Royal Caribbean describes Western Caribbean cruising as an opportunity to combine Caribbean beaches with destinations such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman and Jamaica.
Cozumel is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Western Caribbean.
The island is famous for snorkeling and scuba diving because of its coral reefs and clear water. Passengers can also explore beaches, restaurants, shops and cultural attractions.
Cozumel is particularly appealing to travelers who want an active port day.
Royal Caribbean also has a new private destination planned for Cozumel. Its Royal Beach Club Cozumel is scheduled to open in 2026, adding another beach-focused experience for eligible Royal Caribbean guests.
Grand Cayman is known for its beautiful beaches, clear water and marine activities.
Seven Mile Beach is one of the island's most famous attractions. Visitors can also enjoy snorkeling, diving and boat excursions.
Royal Caribbean identifies Grand Cayman as one of the principal Western Caribbean destinations.
Jamaica is another major destination on Royal Caribbean's Western Caribbean itineraries.
Depending on the sailing, passengers may visit ports such as Falmouth or other Jamaican destinations.
Jamaica offers something for almost every type of traveler, from beaches and waterfalls to local food, music and cultural experiences.
Falmouth, for example, is known for its historic architecture, beaches and food scene. Royal Caribbean's Caribbean destination material highlights Jamaica as part of its island-hopping itineraries.
Roatán is an island off the Caribbean coast of Honduras and is an excellent choice for travelers interested in marine life and tropical scenery.
The island is particularly famous for coral reefs and snorkeling. Royal Caribbean has previously highlighted Roatán as an important Caribbean island-hopping destination, including West Bay Beach and its coral reefs.
Costa Maya is located on Mexico's Caribbean coast rather than being an island itself, but it is commonly included in Western Caribbean cruise discussions.
The destination is especially popular with travelers interested in Mayan history and archaeological sites.
Passengers can combine a beach day with a visit to ancient ruins, making Costa Maya different from purely beach-focused cruise ports.
Belize is another Western Caribbean destination featured on Royal Caribbean itineraries.
The country is known for coral reefs, marine activities, tropical landscapes and ancient Mayan sites.
Although Belize itself is a mainland country, its Caribbean coastline makes it a common stop on Caribbean cruises.
Southern Caribbean cruises are particularly attractive to travelers who want to visit some of the region's famous island destinations.
Royal Caribbean's Southern Caribbean itineraries can include Aruba, Curaçao, St. Lucia and Barbados.
Aruba is one of the most popular Southern Caribbean destinations.
The island is famous for its dry climate, white-sand beaches, turquoise water and dramatic landscapes.
Eagle Beach and Palm Beach are among the best-known areas for visitors.
Aruba is also popular with travelers who enjoy water sports, sightseeing, shopping and nightlife.
Because of its location outside the main hurricane belt compared with some other Caribbean destinations, Aruba is often considered attractive for travelers seeking relatively dependable warm-weather conditions.
Curaçao is another major Southern Caribbean destination.
The island combines colorful architecture, beautiful beaches, snorkeling, diving and a distinctive Dutch-Caribbean cultural influence.
Willemstad, the capital, is particularly famous for its colorful waterfront buildings.
Royal Caribbean specifically highlights Curaçao among its Southern Caribbean destinations.
St. Lucia is famous for its dramatic volcanic landscape and the Pitons.
Unlike destinations that are primarily known for beaches, St. Lucia offers opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, waterfalls, rainforest adventures and scenic drives.
It is an excellent choice for couples and adventure-loving travelers.
A shore excursion can make a major difference here because many of the island's best attractions are spread across different areas.
Barbados is another popular Southern Caribbean island.
Visitors can enjoy beaches, snorkeling, historic attractions, local cuisine and island tours.
Barbados tends to appeal to travelers who want a mixture of traditional Caribbean culture and relaxing beach experiences.
Royal Caribbean lists Barbados among the Southern Caribbean destinations highlighted in its Caribbean cruise information.
No discussion of Royal Caribbean's Caribbean destinations would be complete without Perfect Day at CocoCay.
CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas. It is not an independent Caribbean country, but it is one of the most important stops on Royal Caribbean's Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
Royal Caribbean describes Perfect Day at CocoCay as an award-winning private destination with beaches, pools, dining and activities. The island includes seven beaches, multiple pools and attractions such as Thrill Waterpark and Hideaway Beach.
One of its biggest attractions is the ability to choose between adventure and relaxation.
Families can spend the day at the waterpark, while couples or adults can relax at one of the island's quieter beach areas.
Many Royal Caribbean itineraries combine CocoCay with other destinations in the Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean.
Nassau is another frequently visited destination on Royal Caribbean itineraries.
The capital of The Bahamas offers beaches, shopping, restaurants, historic attractions and water activities.
Passengers can choose between spending the day at a beach, exploring Nassau's downtown area or booking a shore excursion.
Royal Caribbean also has Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, as part of its portfolio of Ultimate Destinations.
Labadee is a private destination on Haiti's northern coast associated with Royal Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean describes Labadee as a Royal Exclusive Destination featuring beaches, coral reefs and jungle-covered hills.
Because cruise itineraries can change, travelers should verify whether Labadee is included in their specific sailing.
There isn't one permanent number because Royal Caribbean's itinerary network changes according to ship deployment, season, cruise length and sailing date.
The cruise line currently promotes more than 300 places worldwide and divides its Caribbean offerings into Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean regions, along with Bahamas itineraries.
Therefore, it is more useful to think of Royal Caribbean as offering a broad network of Caribbean destinations rather than a fixed list of islands.
Some cruises may visit only one or two destinations, while longer itineraries can combine several islands and countries.
The best itinerary depends on what you want to experience.
Eastern Caribbean cruises are especially suitable for first-time Caribbean cruisers who want to experience several classic Caribbean destinations.
Western Caribbean itineraries are a good choice for families and adventure travelers because there are many different types of excursions.
Southern Caribbean cruises are particularly attractive if you have already visited the more common Eastern or Western Caribbean ports.
Perfect Day CocoCay is especially appealing to families because it combines beaches, pools, dining and optional attractions in one cruise destination.
Royal Caribbean offers a range of Caribbean cruise lengths.
Shorter itineraries can focus on The Bahamas and Perfect Day CocoCay, while longer voyages can visit multiple Caribbean islands.
The current cruise schedule highlights Eastern Caribbean cruises of approximately 4–6 nights, Western Caribbean cruises of approximately 4–7 nights and Southern Caribbean cruises of 7 nights or longer.
The exact duration and ports depend on the ship and departure date.
The Caribbean can be visited throughout the year, but cruise demand varies by season.
Royal Caribbean notes that December through April generally offers warm weather and relatively mild humidity, although this is also peak season. May and June can provide another option for travelers seeking good weather with potentially fewer tourists.
Travelers should also consider hurricane-season weather when choosing their sailing dates. Cruise itineraries can sometimes be modified because of weather or operational considerations.
No.
This is one of the most important things to understand when booking a Caribbean cruise.
Royal Caribbean has numerous ships and itineraries, and each sailing has its own port schedule. A cruise advertised as an "Eastern Caribbean cruise" does not necessarily visit every Eastern Caribbean island.
For example, one itinerary might visit St. Thomas and St. Maarten, while another might visit Puerto Rico and another destination.
Similarly, a Southern Caribbean cruise might feature Aruba and Curaçao, while another sailing may include different ports.
Always review the individual itinerary before booking if you have a specific island you want to visit.
Before selecting your Royal Caribbean cruise, consider the following:
1. Your preferred islands:If Aruba or St. Lucia is a priority, choose an itinerary that specifically lists it.
2. Cruise length:Short cruises are convenient for first-time cruisers, while longer cruises allow more island exploration.
3. Activities:Divers and snorkelers may prefer Cozumel, Grand Cayman or Roatán, while travelers interested in culture may enjoy Puerto Rico, Curaçao or Jamaica.
4. Family preferences:CocoCay can be particularly attractive for families looking for pools, beaches and water-based attractions.
5. Departure port:Your overall travel cost may depend heavily on where the cruise begins.
6. Excursions:Research shore excursions before booking if you have particular activities in mind.
Yes. Caribbean cruising is a major part of Royal Caribbean's itinerary network. The cruise line offers Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean cruises, along with Bahamas itineraries and visits to destinations such as Perfect Day CocoCay.
Yes. Aruba is included among the Southern Caribbean destinations featured by Royal Caribbean.
Yes. Curaçao is a Southern Caribbean destination available on selected Royal Caribbean itineraries.
Yes. Jamaica is a popular Western Caribbean destination on Royal Caribbean cruises.
Yes. St. Thomas is one of the key Eastern Caribbean destinations featured by Royal Caribbean.
Yes. St. Maarten is another major Eastern Caribbean destination featured on selected Royal Caribbean itineraries.
Yes. Puerto Rico is included among Royal Caribbean's Caribbean destinations and is commonly visited through San Juan.
Perfect Day CocoCay is a private island in The Bahamas and is one of Royal Caribbean's signature Caribbean-region destinations.
Yes. Royal Caribbean offers Southern Caribbean cruises featuring destinations such as Aruba, Curaçao, St. Lucia and Barbados.
Royal Caribbean gives travelers many ways to explore the Caribbean. Depending on the itinerary, passengers can visit Eastern Caribbean favorites such as St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico; Western Caribbean destinations such as Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Roatán; or Southern Caribbean islands including Aruba, Curaçao, St. Lucia and Barbados.
The Bahamas also play an important role, particularly because of Royal Caribbean's private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The most important thing to remember is that Royal Caribbean does not visit the same islands on every Caribbean cruise. Ports depend on the ship, itinerary, sailing date and cruise length. Before making a reservation, check the exact itinerary and confirm that your preferred island is included.
For travelers who want a classic island-hopping experience, an Eastern Caribbean cruise can be an excellent starting point. Those interested in adventure, diving and ancient history may prefer the Western Caribbean, while Southern Caribbean cruises are ideal for travelers seeking destinations such as Aruba and Curaçao.
With a wide selection of itineraries and cruise lengths, Royal Caribbean makes it possible to explore several Caribbean destinations in one vacation while enjoying the convenience of unpacking only once.
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