Top Cruise Itineraries in the Caribbean & Hawaii

Best Caribbean Cruises & Beyond

Ahoy! Craving the cool blues of the Caribbean all around you? What about Hawaii’s volcanic landscapes dotting the horizon? Cruising is the way to go! To help you plan your dream island adventure, here are some of our top cruise itineraries in the Caribbean and Hawaii.

Our Best-Seller: 7-Night Eastern Caribbean

Offered by most of our top Caribbean cruise partners, this popular itinerary usually leaves from ports in Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral in Orlando) and takes passengers to tropical islands scattered across the eastern Caribbean.

Embark on a 7-day sea voyage venturing to exciting ports of call, like St. Thomas. Part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s a paradise for diving, dining, and adventure-seeking. Hop on the Skyride gondola to rise 700-feet above the island and spot your cruise ship from high above the island! Another stop we love on this itinerary is Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten and its fabulous harbour in the capital of Philipsburg. Split between France and the Netherlands, this dual-nation island invites you to soak in European culture while basking under the hot Caribbean sun.

Off the Beaten Path: 7-Night Southern Caribbean

Set your own course to a corner of the Caribbean well worth exploring! Book a southern Caribbean cruise departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico and you’ll navigate towards warmer waters and weather. If you love Sint Maarten’s clash of cultures, then Puerto Rico is a must-see, influenced by American, Indigenous, and Spanish traditions and defined by jungles, beaches, and historical architecture.

From there, your ship will dip south to islands like the Spice of the Caribbean: Grenada, where the fragrant aroma of nutmeg crops and dense forests overwhelms the senses. Southern Caribbean cruises carry on to the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. All three are colourful Dutch Caribbean marvels that should be as high on your bucket list as they are in the alphabet.

Family-Friendly: 7-Night Western Caribbean

The whole family jumping aboard? Choose a western Caribbean cruise for all-age adventures at sea. This sailing awakens the imagination by stopping along Mexico’s mystical Caribbean coast, where mysterious Mayan ruins dot the shoreline. The Yucatan peninsula is especially rich in ancient history—wow your little ones around the magical sites of Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Tulum.

Royal Caribbean International’s western Caribbean cruises are guaranteed to make a splash with the kiddos. They stop at a place called Perfect Day® at CocoCay® in The Bahamas, a private island you’ll never forget. At Thrill Waterpark, drop down North America’s tallest water slide or get swept away in a massive wave pool. Don’t worry grown-ups, a swim-up bar can be enjoyed at the Oasis Lagoon and floating cabanas can be rented at the Coco Beach Club for a lil’ time-out.

Adventure: Hawaii

Yes, days spent on-board can be tranquil and calm, but some nautical travellers need to interrupt serenity at sea with some exploration. On your horizon: Hawaii! Don’t let the laid-back lifestyle, aloha shirts and ukulele jams fool you—these islands are rife with adventure.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival CruiseLine, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises all offer different itinerary options that vary in Hawaiian destinations and days, departing from Vancouver or California. Choose time on Oahu to learn Hawaiian history and hit Waikiki beach, pick Maui or Big Island for epic hikes and volcanic views, or immerse yourself in nature’s best on Kauai. You could even visit them all with Norwegian Cruise Line’s award-winning itineraries from Honolulu!

Rest & Relaxation: 10 or 11-Day Itineraries

Who’s in a rush? Definitely not you. Longer cruises mean more time at sea to kick back and more destinations to discover. Indulge in all of the ship’s amenities or simply sizzle on deck—it’s all about your leisure and pleasure when you book a 10 or 11-day cruise.

Extended cruise itineraries lead to more Caribbean discoveries. MSC Cruises runs a tight ship with their 11-night Bahamas Cruise taking you from Miami beyond the Caribbean to Central American gems like Belize. Opt for cruises with stops in Antigua with its 365 beaches and sailing yacht-lined harbour, or zip around small, but sublime St. Kitts. Venture beyond the Caribbean to Central American gems like Costa Rica or Belize, or explore the length of the legendary Panama Canal. Why not? You’ve got the time.

What’s next

If you’ve got a cruise itinerary in mind, sail on over to our cruise deals for our latest seafaring savings. Still need a little help getting started? Read our first-timer’s guide to make your own checklist of what you need to book a cruise!