Royal Caribbean has posted more cruises to book around the Caribbean through April 2028.

As part of its scheduled deployment release, we now have new sailings that encompass 7-night and Short Caribbean year round sailings.

These are new sailings on ships that spend all year sailing from a Florida homeport, including 3, 4, and 7-night cruises.

A total of five cruise ships are included in this week's deployment release, and they are arguably the bread and butter of the cruise industry.  The ships and itineraries new cruisers and vacationers look typically look for first because they are the quintessential tropical cruise.

Here's a closer look at what's been posted, and what we can expect next.

Star of the Seas will sail 7-night Caribbean cruises from the family vacation magnet

The world's newest cruise ship (today), Star of the Seas, will continue offering 7-night cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral.

Having debuted in summer 2025, Star of the Seas is arguably the best cruise ship in the world.  Not only is she the biggest, but she offers an approach to cruising that out classes the rest.

You can book 7-night cruises to Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Select itineraries will also visit Labadee, Jamaica, Samaná, Dominican Republic, or Roatan.

A majority of the sailings are eastern Caribbean voyages that visit CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

Utopia of the Seas is still doing short cruises only

Royal Caribbean isn't messing with what works, and will keep Utopia of the Seas offering short 3- and 4-night cruises from the Orlando area.

The ship debuted in 2024 and it's been marketed as the best ship for first timers because of how many parties and things to do are packed in there.

Utopia will sail to just two places: Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The short distance is perfect for getaway cruises and those that simply want to try a cruise to see if it's the vacation for them.

Utopia of the Seas broke the mold when she became the first Royal Caribbean ship to ever enter service with just short sailings. Typically new ships sail weeklong cruises.

Wonder of the Seas is also back to short cruises

Royal Caribbean's formula will retain Wonder of the Seas doing exactly what Utopia is doing, but from Miami, Florida.

Wonder's itineraries match Utopia with visits to CocoCay or Nassau and sailing just 3- and 4-night cruises.

Each cruise begins on either Monday or Friday, meaning you can take a weekend cruise and be back on Monday morning.

Harmony of the Seas will offer mostly 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral

An Oasis Class ship will be based in Orlando (Port Canaveral) to offer weeklong cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean.

There are also a smattering of 2- and 5-night cruises thrown in as well, but the 7-nighters are the norm.

Harmony of the Seas is getting a makeover in early 2026 when she gets a Royal Amplification.

The ship will get a pool deck upgrade, new specialty restaurants, and even a few new suites and cabins.

Radiance of the Seas will sail from Tampa

It's not just megaships in this week's deployment, as Radiance of the Seas will be homeporting in Tampa.

This is a Radiance Class ship, accommodating a little over 2,000 passengers. However, it's a fan-favorite because of quaint and well-laid out it is.

Radiance will offer 4-, 5-, and 7-night cruises to destinations in the western Caribbean.

Most of the sailings visit either Cozumel or Costa Maya, or both.  Costa Maya will be transformed in late 2027 to become Perfect Day Mexico, adding a lot of value to these sailings.

Icon is missing from this week's deployment

For those keeping score at home, Icon of the Seas isn't included in this week's deployment and that could be because Royal Caribbean has bigger plans for it.

In fact, there's no ship listed yet to be sailing 7-night cruises from Miami.

That means Icon of the Seas is likely not sailing from Miami beyond April 2027. Since we know all the ships sailing from Florida year-round through early 2028, it's likely Icon is headed to another homeport.

Moreover, there's a new spot open in Miami.

We're expecting a new unnamed Icon Class ship to be delivered in 2028. Icon 4 just began construction, but the cruise line hasn't announced any details yet about this ship.

Since Legend of the Seas will be in Europe for summer 2027, that likely means Legend won't be taking up the 7-night cruises from Miami.

Let the rumor mill swirl!

More deployments next week

Royal Caribbean will continue releasing new sailings next week when we get cruises from the Northeast US, Texas, and California.

The new sailings are coming the week of November 10, and could be any day that week.

• Week of October 20, 2025: Alaska
• Week of October 27, 2025: Europe
• Week of November 3, 2025: 7-night & Short Caribbean Year-Round
• Week of November 10, 2025: Northeast, California & Texas
• Week of December 8, 2025: Seasonal Caribbean

With each deployment, we get a clearer picture of where all of the ships will be based in the coming years.

A draft of a U.S. government list with over 40 countries facing travel bans was recently made public. Among those on the list are four popular Eastern Caribbean cruise destinations: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. 

The Caribbean countries face potential travel restrictions if their governments don't address unspecific "deficiencies" within 60 days as part of what appears to be President Donald Trump's latest crackdown on migration. 

However, leaders from the listed nations have said they haven't received communication from the United States about the travel ban or their country's governing issues, catching the Caribbean nationals by surprise.

“There’s nothing we’re not afraid to answer to. We have been very transparent. We engage governments in transparency. People know us. What we say in the night, is what we say in the day; our word is our bond,” Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Monday during a press conference, as reported by the Miami Herald. 

“We are prepared to engage everyone, including the United States, in this matter. So whatever concerns the United States may have, which I do not know of yet, we are prepared to respond.” 

The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis also sent diplomatic notes to the State Department requesting confirmation of the reports and seeking clarification.

St. Kitts' government emphasized it has upheld “consistent and open dialogue with the U.S. government" since 2022, particularly about the country's Citizenship By Investment Program, which allows foreign nationals to buy a second citizenship for as little as $100,000, allowing them visa-free access to more than 100 countries. 

St. Kitts isn't the only country that has faced scrutiny over its Citizenship By Investment Program. Other Caribbean nations, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, offer similar programs that have received negative attention under the assumption that they're exploited by criminals who wish to launder their money or hide their identity and assets.

Haiti was also included on the travel ban list, facing potential restrictions due to ongoing political instability and security concerns because of the devastating gang conflict that has forced over 1 million locals from their homes. 

Last year, Royal Caribbean even halted cruises to its private destination in Labadee, Haiti, as a precaution due to the escalating violence. 

Though they restarted cruises to Haiti in late 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned flights to Port-au-Prince through at least Sept. 2025. 

That said, while the reasoning is unclear, one future Celebrity cruise departing on April 28, 2025, had its scheduled visit to Labadee changed to Grand Turk over a month in advance. It's possible the stop was switched due to the dire situation in Haiti. 

"To provide you with a better guest experience, we have made the decision to cancel our visit to Labadee, Haiti. Instead, we'll visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, from 8:00am - 6:00pm on Friday, May 2nd," reads an email shared to the r/cruise Reddit thread. 

If Haiti's travel ban goes into effect, it will affect certain visas for tourists and students entering the United States.

An anonymous U.S. official warned that the list is not set in stone and could be subject to changes after further review by the administration.

Should you be worried about your cruise itinerary?

If you have a cruise planned to St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, or Antigua and Barbuda, the proposed bans are unlikely to have an immediate impact. 

In terms of safety, these Caribbean nations are generally considered safe for tourists. That said, as with any destination, it's always good to stay aware of your surroundings and not let your guard down. 

Tourism is a major part of the local economy, and cruise ports are typically well-monitored. Plus, excursions are designed with safety in mind. However, if you are worried about going off your own, consider booking a tour through Royal Caribbean. 

Existing travel advisories 

Another smart way to stay informed about your travel destination is by checking the U.S. State Department's travel advisories.

For example, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Lucia all currently have a Level 1 Advisory, which means travelers should exercise normal precautions. This indicates that these destinations are generally safe for tourists, and there are no major safety concerns at the moment. 

Haiti, however, has a Level 4 Advisory, indicating that Americans shouldn't travel to the country due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care. That said, Labadee is generally considered safer because it is a private destination operated by Royal Caribbean, with heightened security measures in place. 

One of the top reasons people book a cruise are the places you can visit, including some truly hidden gems.

The Caribbean is a year-round cruise destination that attracts millions of cruise ship passengers, and while most are content with the usual spots, there are unique and less popular Caribbean ports that seasoned cruisers love to visit.

Part of the appeal is these spots are less busy than other ports, and they also offer a more authentic or down to earth stay. While exciting tours that involve an adrenaline rush or busy cities is quite popular, some cruisers prefer a quaint tropical island vibe.

It's also fair to say the more you cruise, the greater your appetite for something different. While I enjoy going to Cozumel, Mexico over and over, it's always a pleasure to mix things up and try somewhere new or different.

In fact, many people that cruise a lot will search Royal Caribbean's deployments for unique itineraries that include a visit to an uncommon port.  Or, they'll opt to take an excursion that brings them to a less busy spot.

Here are three ports that are worth a visit over the usual tourist spots when you take a cruise.

St. John

If your ship visits St. Thomas, you could take a short ferry ride over to neighboring St. John for an unspoiled beach day.

While there are beautiful beaches all around the Caribbean, none can compare to St. John's beaches in my opinion. Between the water color and clarity, it's exactly the look you'd expect from a beach when imagining the Caribbean.

Nearly all of St. John is a protected national park, and that means there's very few people on the island. The beaches are pristine and lack many of the amenities you'd find at a beach in St. Thomas.

There are many beaches to consider around St. John, but the top two for cruise ship visitors tend to be Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay Beach. There are more facilities at Trunk Bay, and it's closer to the ferry station.

The chief downside to St. John is getting there.  Because it requires a ferry ride, you need to time your visits properly to ensure you can get back and forth without being late to the cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean usually offers a few excursions to St. John that include the ferry ride, and it's the simplest way to make a day there. 

If you wanted to get there on your own, you could take a taxi to Red Hook and buy a round-trip ferry ticket.

If a ride over to St. John seems too much, you could take a water taxi to Water Island, which is even closer to St. Thomas, and also quite beautiful.

Nevis

Another "do this, not that" island combination is when visiting St. Kitts and Nevis.

Some cruisers elect to take a ferry over to Nevis, where you can enjoy time at one of the beautiful beaches there.

The ferry ride to Nevis takes about 45 minutes each way, and Royal Caribbean offers excursions that visit Nevis.

You can reach the ferry port on your own by walking downtown. It's about a third of a mile walk from Port Zante, or you could take a taxi.

Once you get to Nevis, a popular choice is to visit Oualie Beach for its black-sand beach.

A non-beach idea for a day in Nevis is to visit Alexander Hamilton's birthplace. The famous founding father of the United States grew up on Nevis until he was about 7 years old.

There's actually a museum dedicated to Hamilton, and it's a popular spot for fans of the musical.

The catamaran excursions that take you to Nevis are probably the simplest way to reach the island. Plus, many end the tour at Sunshine's on Nevis. Try a killer bee cocktail (you won't regret it).

Antigua

Among the Southern Caribbean ports you can visit, my favorite has to be Antigua. It features the idyllic beaches you expect, plus unlike the other islands in this article, no ferry ride!

Antigua claims there are 365 beaches around the island, which means there is one beach every day of the year. I'm not sure that statistic has been fact checked, but they do have a lot of pristine beaches to try.

The benefit of having so many beaches is it spreads people around.  Rather than one or two well-known beaches, you can find a great beach that is less crowded.

Royal Caribbean almost built a beach club in Antigua, but even without that distinction, it's a great beach day visit.

My go-to spot in Antigua is Valley Church Beach because it has powdery white sand, smooth aquamarine water, and fantastic views.

Honorable mentions

There are two other islands I wanted to include, but they're pretty rare to be able to visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Nonetheless, if you do have the chance, I would jump at giving it a try.

Anguilla

From St. Maarten, you can take a ferry or catamaran to Anguilla. 

Royal Caribbean offers a "Anguilla Sun, Sand and Sea" shore excursion that will take you to Meads Bay. 

Dominica

Select Southern Caribbean cruises stop at Roseau, Dominica where you can explore the nicknamed "Nature Island".

Instead of beaches, there is a rainforest, tall mountains, and majestic waterfalls to explore.

There are thermal springs, river tubing, rainforests and more to explore.

Antigua is found on only a handful of Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries, so you'll want to dig to find a sailing that goes here.

When you pick a Caribbean cruise, the islands you visit are probably just as important a consideration as the ship or cabin you choose.

Caribbean cruises have been a popular choice for decades, due to in large part the beautiful ports you can visit.

Royal Caribbean's internal research shows the top two reasons people go on a cruise are for the food and destination, and that may lead you to wonder where are the best cruise ports in the Caribbean.

It can be difficult to choose a cruise because of how many different ports are available to visit.

In considering all the Caribbean ports our team has been to, I wanted to help narrow down the choices if you are looking for the top cruise ports on a Caribbean cruise.

1. Cozumel, Mexico

Of all the cruise ports in Eastern Mexico, Cozumel is the top choice given the breadth of choices available and beautiful beaches.

Cozumel is an island just off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula, and it has just about everything someone might want to do in a Caribbean cruise port.

There are beaches, historical sights, a city to explore, and plenty of great food too. It became famous thanks to a documentary by Jacques Cousteau, and it's only become more popular ever since.

Given the natural beauty of Cozumel, it's one of the most authentic ports of call you'll find in the Caribbean.  Sure, it has plenty of touristy spots, but you can easily find untouched areas of the island too.

What I really enjoy about Cozumel is how much variety of activities there are along with excellent food.  Mexican food is so popular to begin with, and when you get the real thing while visiting, it makes just about any tour that much better.

2. San Juan, Puerto Rico

When you combine hundreds of years of history along with a vibrant culture, you get San Juan.

Cruise ships come right into the heart of Old San Juan, making exploring the city super easy. And there's quite a lot to explore.

Puerto Rico's history goes back to the earliest European settlements in North America, and between the history, culture, and natural beauty the island possesses, you get lots to do on a visit here.

You can visit Spanish fortifications, sample local cuisine, or head to one of the many lovely beaches.

The other thing that makes exploring Puerto Rico easier is that it's part of the United States, so there's a certain familiarity that comes with it.

You don't find many large cities in the Caribbean like you do in Europe, but San Juan is the exception.

3. Philipsburg, St. Maarten

St. Maarten is split in two: a Dutch side and French side, and the result is a dichotomy of choice.

Both sides of the island offer a beautiful beach day, along with a touch of Europe.

The Dutch side is within walking distance of your cruise ship, and it has a lovely boardwalk along the water and lots of shopping. Front Street in Philipsburg is a great place to stroll.

If you venture to the French side, you'll find the capital of Marigot and Grand Case, and it's similar to traveling in Europe on a smaller scale.

The beaches are really lovely as well, with Mullet Bay, Orient Beach, and Friar's Bay Beach well known for their stunning beauty.

Read more: Top things to do in St. Maarten on your Royal Caribbean cruise

4. Oranjestad, Aruba

The Southern Caribbean is truly remarkable when contrasted against other islands in the region.  Aruba wasn't worthy of becoming a lyric in a Beach Boys song for no reason, when you see it, you'll understand why.

A desert island, Aruba is just 20 miles large, but you'll find beach after beach that you'll not want to leave. Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are the idyllic places that draw tourists back time and and time again.

The beach is likely the top draw in Aruba, and its bright blue waters are exactly what you'd look for in a day here.

In Oranjestad, you'll find lots of cultures intermingled together. Aruba’s traditions are influenced by the cultures of other countries, such as Holland, Venezuela, America, and other Caribbean islands.

Sasakiweg Street has many shops to explore on your way back to the ship.

5. St. John's, Antigua

At one time, Royal Caribbean had plans to open a beach club in Antigua, and it's not hard to see why.

Antigua boasts it has 365 beaches, one for each day of the year, and while that might be a good marketing slogan, it's indicative of how beautiful this island is.

When you measure Caribbean island beaches, you're essentially talking about how much more beautiful one is from the other.  Antigua has the white sand and clear ocean water that you imagine with a Caribbean cruise.

There's hidden coves, and coral reefs bustling with tropical fish to see as well.

If you'd like to do something beyond the beach, Antigua has historical attractions you can see. Shirley Heights Lookout the Nelson's Dockyard (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) or the Betty’s Hope sugar plantation are a must see.

6. Willemstad, Curacao

Curacao may be another Southern Caribbean island to make this list, but it differs from Aruba in a few notable ways.

Of course, Curacao has beautiful beaches to visit, but it's more than just beaches. You'll find cliffs, the desert, and a vibrant city scene.

Walking around Willemstad is easy, and a short walk from the cruise ship. Similar to San Juan, your ship docks nearby to the downtown area that are filled with shops, markets, and restaurants.  When you add in the Dutch architecture, you find a very intriguing city to explore.

Curacao has 38 beaches, many of which are secluded.

Shete Boka Park is known for being a rocky inlet where waves crash into underground caverns to create a profound natural effect.

If nature is your thing, be sure to walk, hike, or bike into Christoffel Park National Curacao.

7. St. John (via St. Thomas)

Of all the islands I've visited in the Caribbean, St. John is my favorite and it's not even an island your ship docks at.

St. John is a short ferry ride away from St. Thomas.  Both islands are part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and it's perfect for cruise ships to come into St. Thomas for the day and hop over to St. John.

St. John is almost entirely a national park, and it has the prettiest beaches I've ever seen. 

Between the white sand and clear turquoise blue water, it's the perfect beach every time I visit. Cruz Bay, Trunk Bay, and Cinnamon Beach are just a few of the stunning white sand beaches to explore.

Because it's so uncrowded and underdeveloped, St. John feels like you've discovered an untouched oasis.

There will not be any Caribbean cruises until at least May, but that doesn't mean you can't swim in the blue turquoise waters of the tropics until then.

While the cruise industry remains shutdown, many Caribbean islands will allow you to visit on your own.

Certainly the current global health crisis means there may be additional rules or tests required, nonetheless, there is no bad time for a Caribbean escape.

Beginning January 26, the CDC will require all travelers, including U.S. citizens, flying to or through the U.S. from international destinations to provide proof of either a negative test or documentation of recovery.

The test must:

• Be a viral test (molecular or antigen)
• Be taken within the 3 calendar days prior to departure
• Show written proof of the traveler’s negative laboratory test result

Documentation of recovery must include:

• Proof of a positive test result
• A letter from a licensed health care provider or public health official clearing them for travel

Many Caribbean islands are welcoming tourists to return, albeit with their own testing requirements and protocols. Here are my picks for the top Caribbean beaches you can visit without too much hassle this winter.

St. John

When I visited St. John for the first time, I knew instantly it was the most beautiful beach I had ever been to.

Much of St. John is a national park, and that means it is very undeveloped and among the most natural and quiet beach you will find in the Caribbean.

Many tourists hit Trunk Bay, but nearby Cinnamon Bay Beach is a bit less crowded and equally stunning.  

Health rules: St. John is part of the USVI, which means you must provide a negative PCR test within five days of arrival. Otherwise, you must self-quarantine until the test results arrive.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia may be known for the two ancient volcanoes, the Pitons, but it has a great beach scene as well.

Locals love the not-so-well-known black sand beach of Anse Mamin.  It is idyllic as it is scenic, with a beautiful backdrop against the Caribbean blue water. It is located near Anse Chastanet and the two beaches are linked by a rocky path below the cliffs.

If you prefer to get out and do some exploring, the Pitons are a world-renowned hiking destination.

Health rules: All arrivals over age 5 must have a negative PCR test within seven days of arrival. You must also complete a travel authorization form and submit to screening, which includes temperature checks.

Aruba

Aruba has been one island that has been welcoming tourists for many months, and features some absolutely stunning beaches to see.

Oranjestad offers plenty to do, including Palm and Eagle Beach.  These are well-known and stunning beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see.

If you want a lesser-known beach, hit up the black-pebbled Andicuri Beach on Aruba's east coast.

The island sees little rain throughout the year, so no matter when you arrive, you’re likely to enjoy warm temperatures and sunny skies all day long. 

Health rules: You must answer health questions and upload a negative test result, along with purchasing Aruba Visitors Insurance.

Barbados

You might have just heard Royal Caribbean will offer cruises from Barbados in December 2021, but if that is not soon enough, you can visit now and get a head start on what the island as to offer.

Barbados is home to Bathsheba Beach on the easy coast, which you will quickly notice the massive rock formations (which are actually remnants of ancient coral).  Bathsheba Beach is also famous for drawing surfers from all over the world, who come to participate in local and international surfing competitions.

Barbados is known for many things, including at one time being the largest producer of sugar cane, and with that came a famous rum-production industry. You can visit the Mount Gay distillery if you need a break from the stunning beaches of the island.

Health rules: Persons traveling to Barbados from High and Medium-Risk countries must have a negative test result in order to enter the country. These tests must be taken at an accredited or certified facility/laboratory within 3 days prior to arrival. 

Cozumel

One of the most famous Caribbean cruise ports is still open and welcoming to tourists.

Cozumel is home to many beautiful beaches, including some well-known all-inclusive beach day spots. You will find many different beaches to visit on the island's west coast. There are iconic spots like Paradise Beach or Mr. Sanchos, as well as more secluded beaches.

Another popular option is to stay at a resort on the island, such as Cozumel Palace Resort or Allegro resort. In fact, many of the resorts offer their own on-site antigen (rapid) testing.

Health rules: Mexico does not require any test results upon arrival, but you must fill out a health form.

Caribbean cruises are some of the most popular types of cruises available, so how do you choose the right sailing for your family?

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to every corner of the Caribbean, and that means a lot of choices to consider. Eastern, Western, Southern or even Bahamas sailings are available year round on Royal Caribbean.

Regardless of which region of the Caribbean you pick, you will find beautiful beaches and warm temperatures. The region enjoys fantastic weather for an escape during all months of the year.

Before you book a Caribbean cruise, here is what you need to know about what each region is known for and what you should look for in a cruise.

Eastern Caribbean

Cruises to the Eastern Caribbean will take you to a wide variety of beautiful places to visit.

In fact, the Eastern Caribbean ports are best known for their beaches, with many cruises visiting different Virgin Islands, as well as the far reaches of the East Indies. 

The Eastern Caribbean is also home to very popular cruise ports, such as San Juan which offers rich culture and history among many different types of shore excursions.

If your cruise happens to visit some of the further out ports in the Eastern Caribbean, you will have the opportunity to see some of the more exotic cruise ports in the region. Usually cruises to this area require a longer sailing, but the scenery is among exquisite.

Top Eastern Caribbean ports

• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Philipsburg, St. Martin
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Read more: Things to do in Old San Juan

Western Caribbean

The Western Caribbean is filled with some of the friendliest people you will find, with some lovely ports of call.

Many Western Caribbean cruises will visit at least one port in Central America.  Cozumel, Progreso, Costa Maya, Belize or Roatan are very popular cruise ports and offer some the widest variety of things to do.

Not only do Western Caribbean cruises have beautiful beaches, they rich history and cuisine of the area stand out as favorites. The Western Caribbean is also where you will find the rich history of Maya, with Mayan ruins available to tour in the mainland ports.

In addition to the mainland, ports in Jamaica and Grand Cayman round out a good variety of port visit options.

Whereas the Eastern Caribbean tends to be a bit more "beach day" heavy than the Western Caribbean, you will find a great deal of fun activities for all ages (including going to the beach).

Top Western Caribbean ports

• Cozumel, Mexico
• George Town, Grand Cayman
• Roatan, Honduras

Read more: Fun things to do on a cruise to Mexico

Southern Caribbean

If your goal is to find the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, look no further than the Southern Caribbean.

Islands in the Southern Caribbean have some of the best variety of water color, temperature, and clarity that you will find in the entire region.  Moreover, the Southern Caribbean is almost always quite warm, with temperatures dropping rarely below the 80s Fahrenheit.

Since the Southern Caribbean islands are a bit further away from the United States than other parts of the Caribbean, the ports you visit will seem a little less built up and less crowded.

The Southern Caribbean ports also tend to retain more of their European influences than other Caribbean islands.

Cruises to the Southern Caribbean tend to mostly sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico, although Royal Caribbean does sometimes offer longer sailings from Miami.

Top Southern Caribbean ports

• Oranjestad, Aruba
• St. John's, Antigua
• Willemstad, Curacao

Private destinations

In addition to the different Caribbean islands you will visit on any of these cruises, Royal Caribbean will also mix in visits to one of its private destinations.

These ports are only open to Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and it offers a relaxing and fun beach day where the cruise line takes care of just about everything.

Most of each destination is included in your cruise cost, although there are some extras you can opt to purchase to enhance your visit.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

The crown jewel of Royal Caribbean's private islands is Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Royal Caribbean recently upgraded the entire island and enhanced the offerings from end to end.

Guests can choose between a variety of beaches, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, water park and even a private beach club.

In short, CocoCay stands out because of the variety of choices that appeals to just about anyone and any age.

Available on Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

Labadee

Located in Haiti, Labadee is a private enclave where you can kick back with a relaxing beach day.

While Labadee does not have all the bells and whistles of CocoCay, it delivers exactly what most cruisers want: a slice of paradise with relaxing beach choices, coupled with add-on excursions if you wish.

Labadee is best known for the Dragon's Breath zip line, which is a 2,600 foot zip down a flight line at speeds that reach 40-50 mph.

Available on Western Caribbean cruises.

Which Caribbean cruise should you choose?

Ultimately, there is no bad choice to be made, and the decision boils down to what type of vacation you are leaning towards.

Any of the regions of the Caribbean offers its fair share of beautiful Caribbean beaches, and you are splitting hairs about which beach looks more pristine than the other.

The Western Caribbean offers more history and Mayan culture in Mexico and surrounding areas.

You might pick the Eastern Caribbean if you prefer beaches over port exploring, as well as if you are looking for a Caribbean cruise longer than a week.

The Southern Caribbean is stunning, but it will almost certainly require you to fly to Puerto Rico to begin your cruise, which can be a dealbreaker for some people.

More Caribbean planning articles:

• What is the best time to cruise to the Caribbean?
• Eight Southern Caribbean Cruise Tips & Secrets
• What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?

Royal Caribbean announced some new changes to its winter 2021-2022 cruise schedule for the Caribbean and Australia regions.

The changes encompass six ships, which offer new ships, as well as new itineraries, from a few different ports. Royal Caribbean says, "we’ve listened to our guests and valued travel partners, and are ready to share some Winter 2021 – 2022 deployment updates."

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service announced the changes during a webinar with travel advisors, "We've modified our schedule to make room for some incredible new itineraries."

Royal Caribbean issued a statement that elaborated on the changes, "Our new deployment line-up provides guests with greater variety, including new itineraries in the Caribbean and Australia that will help strengthen the cruise line’s footprint globally."

These changes are in addition to five other Royal Caribbean ships that were redeployed for summer 2021.

Caribbean

Explorer of the Seas will sail 7-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Explorer will replace previously scheduled sailings on Freedom of the Seas.

Freedom of the Seas will offer 3- and 4-night Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay cruises from Miami, Florida.

Radiance of the Seas will offer 5- and 9-night Caribbean cruises from Miami, Florida.  Radiance will replace Explorer of the Seas.

Australia

Royal Caribbean will offer new sailings from Brisbane and Sydney, including 25 itineraries sailing from Brisbane to 18 destinations across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Ovation of the Seas will sail from Sydney, Australia and offer guests a variety of sailings, including:

• 9/12 night New Zealand cruises
• 5/7 night Queensland cruises
• 6/8 night Tasmania cruises

Quantum of the Seas will sail from Brisbane and offer 3-night Weekend Getaway cruises along with 7/9 night South Pacific sailings. Quantum of the Seas will be the newest and biggest ship to ever call Brisbane home

Serenade of the Seas will also sail from Sydney and offer 7-night Australia cruises.

These new itineraries are currently open and available to book immediately.

Guests who may have been booked on the previous sailings should be hearing from Royal Caribbean soon with their rebooking options.

Individual reservations will be moved to the new ship/sailing on-or-before October 30, 2020.

The re-accommodation of Groups with at least one (1) named reservation will be completed on-or-before November 18, 2020.

More helpful resources

• What is the best time to cruise to the Caribbean?
• Should I take a short or a long cruise?
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley revealed on Thursday he is the co-chair of a task force that is working on the safe return of cruising to the Caribbean.

At a meeting of the Miami-Dade County Tourism and the Ports Committee, Mr. Bayley spoke of the work everyone in Royal Caribbean is doing to get back to cruising, including this Caribbean island task force.

Made up of over 40 different Caribbean countries, the Americas Cruise Tourism Task Force is co-chaired with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley.

According to Ms. Mottley, the ultimate goal of this effort is to ensure that the Caribbean region can prepare to reopen the borders for cruise tourism in a safe way.

Mr. Bayley spoke of the task force's work as being in conjunction with the Royal Caribbean Healthy Sail Panel work to prepare a new set of guidelines and protocols for the cruise line to employ once it resumes service.

"We have been working over the past several months on the creation of a universal set of guidelines that dovetail and fit into the work that's being created by our panel, and ultimately our collective submission to the CDC."

Ms. Mottley spoke of the group's work in July, noting the need for a firm set of new guidelines to ensure cruise lines will want to return to the islands.

"... That allows those people within our community to be able to see economic activity again, from vendors, to taxi drivers, to tourism attractions, etc. But they will not benefit if the cruise ships are not coming in, and the cruise ships cannot come unless there are safe protocols that we are satisfied on and that they are too, as owners of companies are satisfied can work for us."

Part of the work Royal Caribbean has outlined in its Healthy Sail Panel work has been to coordinate its efforts with the ports they visit.

Earlier this summer, Mr. Bayley outlined the four major areas of work for the Healthy Sail Panel, with the ports of call being one the top priorities.

• Upgraded screening prior to boarding
• Enhanced processes on board
• A special focus on addressing the destinations
• Procedures for addressing any reports of exceptions

Other cruise lines that have restarted operations in Europe have instituted strict rules for guests who go on shore excursions, such as MSC Cruises requiring guests only go on cruise line approved tours.

Taking a cruise to the Southern Caribbean offers the opportunity to visit some of the most exotic and beautiful islands. While all Caribbean islands share a common theme when it comes to tackling itinerary planning, there are some unique elements to a Southern Caribbean cruise.

When planning a visit to this region, you will often find less developed islands that are far more unique than other Caribbean destinations.

Before hitting the Southern Caribbean, here are some good tips having a great vacation.

It is going to be hot

When you see photos of islands such as Aruba, Bonaire, St. Kitts or Barbados, they look incredibly beautiful, but what you do not see in these photos are the high temperatures.

The Southern Caribbean is going to be hot year-round, and unlike more northerly islands, cold fronts do not make it down to impact the temperatures. This means you can expect temperatures routinely above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

With high temperatures comes the need to pack plenty of sunscreen, UV Sun Protection Clothing, sunglasses and drink plenty of water. I would also recommend packing extra outfits so when you return from a sweaty shore excursion, you can change into something else.

Islands are more specialized

Unlike other Caribbean islands, you will find smaller and less developed islands in the Southern Caribbean. This means there is not an overwhelming amount of choices of shore excursions, and places a greater emphasis on the importance of planning your shore activities.

Some islands, such as Antigua, Bonaire or St. Lucia have limited choices in what to do, so be sure to book shore excursions ahead of time, rather than walking off the ship to discover something to do.

Many cruisers who are used to ports that offer expansive downtown areas and an army of locals offering things to do, are surprised to discover limited activities and popular choices selling out.

Flying to San Juan 101

Many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, offer the bulk of their Southern Caribbean sailings from the homeport of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Here are some basics to know about sailing from San Juan.

• Book airfare early: Prices for flights to San Juan are far more limited than other homeports in the United States, so plan to book airfare early and jump on a good deal. While some low-cost carriers may offer deals later, flights sell out quickly (especially for convenient times).
• Airfare prices wont be cheap: If you are expecting bargain prices for your flights, think again. Due to the airlines not offering as many flights to Puerto Rico as in the past, and the lack of direct flights to the island, you will not find bargain basement prices on airfare. Quite often the cheaper cruise fares from San Juan are offset by the higher airfare prices.
• Hotels cheaper outside Old San Juan: Since you will likely (and should) fly into San Juan at least a day before the cruise, you should know that prices for hotels are significantly cheaper if you are willing to stay outside of Old San Juan.

Port intensive itineraries that feature longer stays

It is not uncommon to go on a seven night Southern Caribbean cruise that features just one or two sea days, and that means a lot of port stops in a row. Moreover, since the islands are so close to each other, many Royal Caribbean cruises tend to offer later stays in port.

While having more time in a port of call is almost always a good thing, the added time to enjoy all there is to see and do can make dinner back on the ship tough to schedule. With departure times regularly past 7pm, you may find dinner in the main dining room or specialty restaurants difficult to plan.

Before booking dinner at any restaurant onboard your ship, look at your itinerary times and cross reference that with what your plans are for each island. If you are going to be spending time enjoying the evening hours on shore, you will either have to eat dinner on the island, or plan on a late dinner back onboard.

It is okay to stay onboard

Following up on the port intensive itinerary tip earlier, you should know it is okay to skip an island visit and stay onboard the ship to enjoy a relaxed day.

With the possibility of four or five island stops in one sailing, it is easy to become exhausted from running around each port in consecutive days.  If none of the activities stand out, or the idea of your third beach day in a row seems like overkill, sleep-in and then enjoy having the ship seemingly to yourself while others are out exploring.

Take advantage of shopping opportunities

Despite the internet offering the ease to buy pretty much anything, Southern Caribbean islands do offer certain accoutrements otherwise unavailable.

The islands of Curaçao, St. Maarten or Bonaire, are well-known for Dutch goods, such as cheese or Dutch tin-glazed earthenware.

French islands, including Martinique or St. Martin, offer luxury goods as well.

Book excursions early

Since Southern Caribbean islands lack the variety of activities found elsewhere in the Caribbean, excursions tend to sell out quicker than usual.

Rather than waiting to book something onboard your ship, be sure to reserve a shore excursion as early as you can before the cruise. This is especially true to all-inclusive day passes, as well as guided tours.

When booking any excursion, be certain you can cancel and get a full refund if you change your mind later. All Royal Caribbean excursions are fully refundable up until 48 hours prior to the activity.

Royal Beach Club in Antigua

Something to keep an eye on for the future is Royal Caribbean's first Royal Beach Club, which will open in Antigua in 2021.

The Royal Beach Club at Fort James will combine Antigua's famous beaches with the cruise line’s signature service and amenities. Guests can take in the island’s exceptional views from private cabanas or plunge into a stunning pool and swim up to the bar to order a classic rum punch.

Though Royal does not expect to release specific designs for the Antigua destination for several months, the company expects to offer regional fare, island-style BBQs and live music, along with unforgettable experiences, including such thrills as wave runners, paddle boarding, snorkeling, a family splash pad and stunning pool with swim-up bar.         

Your thoughts

What are your tips for someone cruising to the Southern Caribbean? Any questions for those taking or considering a Southern Caribbean cruise? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Royal Caribbean released a map of the Caribbean, with an updated look at which ports are open, closed, or ready for departures.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc on many Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, and recovery efforts are in-progress at all ports.  Understandably, many Royal Caribbean guests are curious about when these ports will re-open and if there will be any impact to their scheduled cruises in the meantime.

This update was released on October 2, 2017.  The status of any port listed as closed could change at anytime.  If/when there is an impact to your cruise itinerary, Royal Caribbean will contact you with changes.