Caribbean Cruise Guide — Routes, Costs & Best Time of Year

Caribbean Cruise Guide — Everything you need to know before your first cruise

In February 2026, I took my first Caribbean cruise. I admit: As someone who usually travels with a backpack and a drone, I was skeptical. A cruise? That sounds like buffet battles and bingo nights. But after 12 days on the Norwegian Epic with stops in St. Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, Dominica, the Grenadines, and Antigua, I have to say: I was completely wrong. A Caribbean cruise is one of the most efficient ways to discover several islands in a short amount of time—and with the right planning, anything but boring.

In this guide, I share my complete experiences: which route I chose, how much the cruise cost, which islands are really worth visiting, and whether it's even possible to produce good content as a content creator on a cruise ship. Spoiler alert: Yes, definitely.

Which route? The Southern Caribbean is the sweet spot.

There are roughly three Caribbean routes: Western Caribbean (Mexico, Belize, Honduras), Eastern Caribbean (Bahamas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands), and Southern Caribbean (Lesser Antilles — St. Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, etc.). I deliberately chose the Southern Caribbean for three reasons:

First, the islands of the Lesser Antilles are the most diverse in terms of landscape. St. Lucia has the iconic Pitons (two volcanic peaks rising directly from the sea), Barbados has the most Caribbean culture, Dominica has rainforests and hot springs, and Antigua has 365 beaches. No two days were the same.

Secondly, these islands are less crowded than the Bahamas or Cozumel. On Dominica, I was sometimes the only tourist at a waterfall. For drone footage, that's invaluable—no people in the frame, no flight restrictions due to crowds.

Thirdly, the South Caribbean route departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico — which means an interesting starting point with its own character, instead of the faceless Miami.

My itinerary — 12 days, 7 islands

Day 1-2: San Juan, Puerto Rico

I arrived a day before embarkation—I highly recommend doing this. San Juan is one of the most colorful cities in the Caribbean. The Old Town (Viejo San Juan) has cobblestone streets, pastel-colored colonial buildings, and the massive El Morro fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My drone highlight: the view over the entire Old Town and the coastline from El Morro. Legally, drone flying is permitted in Puerto Rico according to FAA rules (US law), but not over national parks and historical sites. I launched from a nearby beach.

Day 3: St. Lucia — The Pitons and the volcano

St. Lucia was the absolute highlight of my entire cruise. The Pitons—Gros Piton and Petit Piton—are the most iconic sight in the Caribbean. Two steep, rainforest-covered volcanic cones rising directly from the sea. For the drone footage, I took a water taxi to Sugar Beach (15 USD) and hiked up from there. The result: my most-liked Instagram reel of the whole year.

The drive-in volcano in Soufrière is also worth a visit—you literally drive your car into a volcanic crater. It reeks of sulfur, steam rises everywhere, and the colors of the mineral deposits are surreal. Admission: $7.

Tip: Don't book the excursion through the cruise ship. Ship excursions cost $80-120 per person. I arranged a local guide via WhatsApp (recommended by the port taxi stand) — $40 for half a day, including the Pitons viewpoint, volcano, and beach.

Day 4: Barbados — Rum, beach and cricket

Barbados is the most culturally rich island in the southern Caribbean. The Bajans (as the inhabitants call themselves) are incredibly proud of their island—and rightly so. Barbados declared its independence from the British Crown in 2021 and has been a republic ever since.

The capital city, Bridgetown, boasts charming colonial architecture and the famous Boatyard Beach Club, where for $15 you get a lounge chair, a drink, and beach access. For drone footage, I traveled to the east coast, where the Atlantic waves crash spectacularly against the cliffs—Bathsheba Beach looks like another planet from above.

Mount Gay Rum Distillery is a must-see (tours from $25). Mount Gay is the oldest rum distillery in the world (since 1703). The premium tour, including a tasting of six different rums, lasts 90 minutes and is worth every penny.

Day 5: Martinique — France in the Caribbean

Martinique belongs to France — which means excellent food, European prices, and a completely different atmosphere than the other islands. Fort-de-France has a lively market hall with fresh fruit, spices, and accras (deep-fried cod balls, the national dish). The volcanic landscape in the north around Mont Pelée is impressive — the volcano destroyed the entire city of Saint-Pierre in 1902. The ruins are now an open-air museum.

Day 6: Dominica — Nature Island

Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) was the biggest surprise. This island is pure, untouched rainforest. No mass tourism resorts, no high-rise hotels. The Boiling Lake hike is one of the most challenging day hikes in the Caribbean (6-7 hours), but the reward of seeing the second largest boiling lake in the world is truly unique.

Instead, I visited Trafalgar Falls—two waterfalls side by side, one with hot water and one with cold. Entrance fee: $5. Drones: officially prohibited in national parks, but you can film the falls from the side outside the park.

Days 7-8: Grenadines and Antigua

The Grenadines are what most people imagine when they think of the "Caribbean": tiny islands with palm trees, turquoise water, and yachts. Bequia, the largest inhabited Grenadine, has a relaxed charm—no cars, no hustle and bustle. Princess Margaret Beach is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Antigua, with its 365 beaches (one for every day of the year, as the locals like to say), was our last stop. Nelson's Dockyard, the only remaining working Georgian naval port in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Shirley Heights Lookout offers the best panoramic views of the island and English Harbour—perfect for drone footage at sunset.

Costs — What does a Caribbean cruise really cost?

Here's my honest cost breakdown for 12 days in the Southern Caribbean:

| Items | Costs |
|——–|——–|
| Cruise (inside cabin, 2 people) | €1,400 |
| Flight Frankfurt — San Juan Round Trip | €550 |
Hotel San Juan (1 night) | €95 |
| Island excursions (self-organized) | €220 |
| Beverage package (on board) | €380 |
| Tips (ship, automatic) | €170 |
| Shopping and souvenirs | €80 |
| Total per person | ~1.450 € |

The drinks package is optional, but buying individual drinks on a cruise ship is expensive ($8-15 per cocktail). The package for €380 / 12 days pays for itself after the third drink per day.

The inside cabin was perfectly adequate for me — you hardly spend any time in the cabin. Balcony cabins cost 500-1,000 euros more and are only worth it if you really want to enjoy the view.

Content creators on cruise ships — does that work?

Short answer: Yes, very good indeed. The combination of drone footage on the islands and lifestyle content on the ship has given me some of my best reels.

Tips for creators on cruises: The Wi-Fi on board is slow and expensive ($10-15 per day). Use it only for uploading stories, not for editing. Edit offline on your laptop. Flying drones on the ship itself is prohibited. Local drone regulations apply on the islands. You'll disembark early in the morning at each port—use the first hour, before the tourist crowds from other ships arrive, for the best shots.

FAQ — Caribbean Cruise

When is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

December to April is the dry season and peak season. Prices are higher, but the weather is perfect. May and November are affordable and still acceptable. June to October is hurricane season—cheaper, but risky.

Do I need vaccinations for the Caribbean?

No mandatory vaccinations for most islands. Recommended: Hepatitis A and tetanus booster. Yellow fever vaccination only recommended for arrivals from endemic areas.

How much cash do I need on the islands?

Most islands accept USD. The currency used on the French islands (Martinique, Guadeloupe) is the Euro. Credit cards are accepted in restaurants and tourist shops. You'll need cash for street vendors and local guides—50-100 USD per island stop is sufficient.

Is a balcony cabin worth it?

For the Southern Caribbean route, yes, because entering the ports at sunrise is breathtaking. For the Western Caribbean route (open sea, little to see), an inside cabin is sufficient.

Can I bring my drone on board?

Yes. Most cruise lines allow drones in hand luggage (due to the LiPo batteries). Flying them on the ship itself is prohibited. Local rules apply on the islands. Check the specific regulations for each island beforehand.

About the author: Max Haase is Germany's most influential travel influencer with over 4.2 million followers. He specializes in drone footage and luxury travel. Cooperation requests here.