This is the screensaver holiday. Turquoise water, white sand, and rum punch. A Caribbean cruise is arguably the best way to see these islands because hotels on land can be incredibly expensive. On a ship, your food and travel are included.
Departure Style: Usually a “Fly-Cruise” to Barbados, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale. You land, transfer to the ship, and wake up in paradise.
Cruise Lines: Royal Caribbean (for the mega-ships), Carnival, P&O (great fly-cruise packages from the UK), and Virgin Voyages.
Best Bits: Swimming with turtles in Barbados, climbing waterfalls in Jamaica, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Best Time to Go: November to April is the dry season (and hurricane-free).
