In short
A Caribbean cruise is the classic winter escape: warm, dry, sunny days and a new island every couple of days. Most last 7 nights, often from Miami or Fort Lauderdale. December to April is the dry season; July to November is hurricane season. If your route touches the United States, even to change planes, check the US entry rules early.
Destination at a glance
Caribbean
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Weather in season
- Warm, about 27–30 °C, dry season
- Typical duration
- 7 nights
- Departs from
- Miami, Fort Lauderdale or the islands
- Flight from the Netherlands
- About 9–10 hours
Good to know: July to November is hurricane season; if the route touches the United States, check the US entry rules early.
It's the most straightforward answer to "I just need to see the sun" — and it's usually the first cruise people book.
Why Winter Specifically
Winter is Caribbean cruising's peak season for a reason: it's dry season across most of the region, so you get consistently warm, low-humidity days — a sharp contrast to a grey European winter.
A Typical Itinerary
Most Caribbean cruises last 7 nights. Many start in Florida — Miami or Fort Lauderdale — while others sail round trip from the islands themselves, such as Barbados, Aruba, Curaçao, Guadeloupe or Martinique. Here is what a typical Eastern Caribbean week from Florida can look like. It is an illustration, not a specific sailing: the ports and their order depend on the ship and the season.
- Day 1Miami or Fort Lauderdale Board in the afternoon and sail out at sunset.
- Day 2The Bahamas A beach island or Nassau — the first swim of the trip.
- Day 3At sea Pools, sun and a first full day to enjoy the ship.
- Day 4St Thomas Magens Bay, one of the best-known beaches in the Caribbean, and the duty-free town of Charlotte Amalie.
- Day 5St Maarten An island shared by the Netherlands and France, with Maho Beach next to the runway.
- Day 6At sea A quiet day on the way back.
- Day 7At sea or a second beach island Some routes add another stop in the Bahamas.
- Day 8Miami or Fort Lauderdale Back in the port where you started, usually in the morning.
Best Months to Go
Caribbean cruises run all year, but the seasons are very different:
| Month | Weather | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| December–January | Warm, about 27–30 °C | Dry season begins; summer in the middle of the European winter | Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks |
| February–April | Warm, about 27–30 °C | The most reliable weather: dry and sunny | A popular period, around Easter too |
| May–June | Hot, about 28–31 °C | Fewer people, often lower prices | More humid, more chance of showers |
| July–November | Hot, about 29–32 °C | The quietest and usually the cheapest period | Hurricane season: routes can change at short notice; the peak is August to October |
Temperatures are approximate daytime values. A sea breeze makes the heat easier to bear on the coast and on deck.
All winter cruise options compared →
What to Pack
- Light summer clothes — the one route where you can leave the layers at home
- Reef-safe sunscreen: some islands restrict sunscreens that harm coral
- A hat and sunglasses
- Swimwear, and water shoes for rocky beaches
- A snorkel mask if you have one that fits well
- Insect repellent for the evening
- A light rain jacket for short tropical showers
- Your passport, and US travel authorisation if the route passes through the United States
Who It Is For — and Who It Is Not
A good fit if you
- simply want sun and warm sea in winter
- are planning your first cruise
- travel with family and want an easy, reliable trip
- love beaches, swimming and snorkelling
- want to escape the cold without organising everything yourself
Probably not for you if you
- are mainly interested in history, museums and city life
- do not cope well with heat and humidity
- do not like long flights and jet lag
- would rather avoid any risk of a route change in hurricane season
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the hurricane season?
From 1 June to 30 November, with the peak from August to October. Ships change route to avoid storms, so the itinerary may change, but the cruise itself usually goes ahead.
How long is the flight from the Netherlands?
About nine to ten hours to Miami or to the islands. The time difference is five to six hours, depending on the season.
Which currency do I need?
US dollars are accepted on most islands. The French islands use the euro, and other islands have their own currencies. Cards work almost everywhere.
Is it too hot?
In winter it is about 27–30 °C with a sea breeze — warm, but pleasant for most people. In summer it is hotter and more humid.
Is the Caribbean a good choice for a first cruise?
Yes. Calm seas in winter, easy beach days and a lot of time to enjoy the ship make it the route many people start with.
Booking It Through the Club
Because this is such a popular route, booking early pays off — if you book 270 days or more before departure, Reward Points can cover up to 100% of the cruise price instead of up to 50%.