boat cruise in the caribbean

The Best Caribbean Cruises 2023—With Stops at Rugged Volcanic Islands, Tropical Forests, and Serene Beaches

By Scott Laird

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Caribbean cruises have long been a favorite with travelers for their picture-postcard attributes. White sand beaches front turquoise waters. But these tropical itineraries have something for every type of traveler. Activities abound—perhaps it’s shopping on one island, hiking through nature reserves and snorkeling among coral reefs on another, or having a beach day on a cruise company’s private retreat. Many Caribbean itineraries skew toward tried-and-true standards, but a number of cruise lines will have a handful of unique sailings put together for particular tastes or the seasoned cruiser who has already tried them all.

Some of these sailings visit offbeat destinations like volcanic Montserrat, while others take a non-traditional southern track from Panama along the northern coast of South America. Others visit sleepier, less-frequented destinations like St. Croix, St. Barts, and Mayreau, in addition to stopping at banner spots like St. Lucia and Aruba for dramatic vistas and spectacular beaches.

Here are some of the best Caribbean cruises to book for 2023.

Seven Seas Splendor ventures to some of the Caribbean's most iconic isles.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Itinerary: Sunny Beaches & Emerald Forests

Departure: March 11, 2023

Experience: This 10-night sailing from Miami embarks on Regent Seven Seas' newest ship, Seven Seas Splendor , for a leisurely sail through the Caribbean’s windward isles. Hike to waterfalls in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, explore Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest, or relax on a sailboat excursion off minute St. Barts , which Splendor is right-sized to visit. Take an aerial tram through the rainforest canopy on St. Lucia or snorkel Champagne Reef on Dominica, watching bubbles and warmth rise from geothermal activity beneath the ocean floor. Excursions are included in the cruise fare with Regent—as are beverages, gratuities, transfers, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and laundry service.

Itinerary: Panama, Colombia, & Caribbean Islands

Departure: March 9 and 17, 2023

Experience: Voyage from the gates of the Panama Canal to the French West Indies, with a wealth of diversity in between. Experience Afro-Caribbean heritage in Portobelo, Panama, and Indigenous Kuna fishing communities in the San Blas Islands. Next, it’s on to Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, and then the coral reefs of Bonaire for diving. The spices of Grenada and St. Lucia’s volcanic pitons round out the itinerary before the intimately appointed ship Le Bellot (with fewer than 92 staterooms and suites) anchors in the turquoise waters of Fort-de-France for a fond farewell.

Celebrity Beyond 's Luminae Restaurant

Celebrity Cruises

Itinerary: Southern Caribbean

Departure: December 11, 2023

Experience: Offering a little of everything, this 11-night roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale includes calls at cobblestoned Cartagena, Colombia, the white-sand beaches of Aruba, and the famous colonial houses and swinging drawbridge of Curaçao. As an added bonus, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica, also appear as ports to help break up the long journey south from Florida. The sailing takes place onboard the brand-new Celebrity Beyond , packed full of original art, Infinite Veranda staterooms—so-named for the floor-to-ceiling windows that open into a private balcony at the push of a button—and ocean-going gastronomy at Le Voyage, Chef Daniel Boulud’s first signature restaurant at sea.

Windstar Cruises

Itinerary: Windward Ways & Tobago Cays

Departure: January, February, November, and December 2023

Experience: Almost purpose-designed for cruisers who prefer their shore excursions to be on or in the water, this seven-day sailing onboard Windstar's Star Legend starts in the Dutch islands, offering up serene Aruba’s white-sand beaches and tranquil Bonaire’s 50 species of coral. “Isle of Spice” Grenada is next (nutmeg ice cream is a must-try), followed by spectacular vistas of the Grand Pitons on “seven times French; seven times British” St. Lucia. Mayreau is the smallest of the Grenadines—here cruisers can enter the water directly from Star Legend’s water-sports platform, then wind up the day with a private beach barbecue.

Valiant Lady will operate Caribbean cruises in spring and winter 2023.

Virgin Voyages

Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean Antilles

Olivia Morelli

Gianluca Longo

Charlie Hobbs

Departure: January, February, March, November, and December 2023

Experience: St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands is a less-trafficked port of call known as the “Garden of the Antilles” and Valiant Lady drops in during her Eastern Caribbean sailings, in addition to San Juan , Puerto Plata, and a day at Virgin’s lounge-y Beach Club at Bimini private island. Onboard, Wi-Fi and “essential” non-alcoholic drinks and gratuities are included on the adults-only ship, which touts over 20 eateries and a number of inventive ways to find a glass of champagne.

Holland America Line

Itinerary: 11 Day Panama Canal Sunfarer

Departure: March 14, 2023

Experience: Part Caribbean surf, part jungle excursion, this 11-day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale onboard Eurodam calls first at Aruba and Curaçao for a taste of Holland America Line’s namesake Dutch culture before skirting the coast of South America for several days of scenic cruising the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake, taking in the maximum biodiversity (over 500 species of birds) of the Canal Zone, juxtaposed with the engineering wonders of the lock system.

A Signature Suite on board Evrima

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Itinerary: Bridgetown Roundtrip 7 Nights

Departure: March 19 and November 19, 2023

Experience: Ritz-Carlton has drawn on their vaunted properties to design everything from onboard dining to shore excursions on board the all-suite Evrima . Guests can visit Grenada’s Tower Estate to sample their famous blue tea, made from estate-grown butterfly peaflower, with cucumber sandwiches, cupcakes, and fresh fruit picked onsite. On Bequia, in the Grenadines, it might be a windjammer excursion to nearby Mustique for a seaside lunch, or a private car and driver arranged at one of the ports.

Silversea Cruises

Itinerary: 9 Day Bridgetown to San Juan

Departure: February 18, 2023

Experience: When not luxuriating onboard Silversea’s newest ship, the all-suite Silver Dawn , passengers might explore this itinerary’s most unique destination: Montserrat. Once a favored haunt of the jet-set, volcanic activity that earned it the nickname “The Pompeii of the Caribbean” has kept tourism development low-key, and visitors few, but cruisers on this itinerary will discover an Emerald Isle reminiscent of Ireland, and some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful, secluded beaches. Unspoiled Deshaies, on Guadeloupe, is another under-the-radar call for this spectacular ship boasting butler service in every suite and a guest-to-crew ratio of nearly one-to-one.

A suite onboard Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Cruise Line

Itinerary: Caribbean: Harvest Caye, Cozumel, & Roatan from Galeveston

Departure: December 15, 22, and 29, 2023

Experience: In December 2023, the new Norwegian Prima begins sailing the Riviera Maya from Galveston, also including port calls at resort-like Harvest Caye in Belize , where guests can rent private cabanas, and Roatan, in Honduras’s Bay Islands, home to a large Gumbalimba eco-preserve and animal sanctuary. Onboard, Norwegian has enhanced The Haven, the VIP suite area on this ship, with some the largest suite accommodations in the fleet, and all public areas in the suite enclave now have ocean views.

Princess Cruises

Itinerary: 5 Day Caribbean Getaway with Grand Turk

Departure: October 31, 2023

Experience: Not all Caribbean cruises need to be a week or two in duration. Princess Cruises offers a Halloween weekend getaway onboard Caribbean Princess that’s just five nights in duration, with two unbeatable ports—Grand Turk, and Princess Cays, the line’s private island in the Bahamas. A highlight of this seasonal sailing can be sitting in the ship’s piazza, watching festive passengers promenade their inventive costumes for spooky onboard revelry—a Princess tradition dating back to the days of the original “Love Boat” series.

Booking tips for Caribbean cruises

What are the best months to take a caribbean cruise.

Although some cruise lines operate in the Caribbean year-round, the widest selection of sailing dates and itineraries can be found between November and March.

What part of the Caribbean is best for a cruise?

The best Caribbean cruise is a matter of personal taste. Many cruises focus on a region, like the Southern, Eastern, or Western Caribbean, and itineraries, regardless of destination, often feature stops at cruise line operated private islands in the Bahamas.

What are the cheapest months to cruise in the Caribbean?

Generally, the beginning and end of the November-to-March season can be affordable—any time when North American schools are widely in session are also good times to cruise for lower fares.

Do you need a passport to go to on a Caribbean cruise?

Check with the cruise line before booking. U.S. citizens traveling on cruises calling at most Caribbean countries can do so with both an enhanced state ID and an original birth certificate in lieu of a passport, but a passport is by far the easiest form of identification (and most strongly recommended by both the U.S. State Department and most cruise lines) for U.S. citizens outside the country. It’s also important to note that documentation requirements can change, and passengers are ultimately responsible for having the required documents at embarkation or they may be denied boarding.

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Explore the Caribbean With Us

When you cruise to the Caribbean with us, you’ll experience breathtaking beaches, natural wonders, UNESCO sites, and more. Explore a never-ending parade of verdant mountain peaks, tropical rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife, hidden waterfalls and alcoves designed only for you, and dazzling coral reefs bustling with fish of every size, shape, color, and stripe. An escape to the Caribbean promises new experiences at every turn—both on board and off.

Featured Caribbean Cruises

Western caribbean.

Choose from 3 to 12-night cruises with stops in Costa Maya, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. A Western Caribbean cruise means an array of experiences—from sun-bleached sandy strands, ancient ruins, or scuba dives on a coral-encrusted wall. 

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Southern & Eastern Caribbean

With a host of off-the-beaten-path islands, our Southern and Eastern Caribbean sailings deliver ample time for exploring. Highlights include Antigua, Barbados, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Thomas and St. Kitts.  

Bahamas & Key West

Relax on beaches or shop in bustling markets in The Bahamas. Key West is filled with colorful characters and quirky bars. In Perfect Day at CocoCay, you can whizz down North America’s tallest water slide or chill out in a private Overwater Cabana.

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Why Cruise to the Caribbean with Celebrity Cruises

The Caribbean offers endless ways to escape the everyday. We have them covered with a fleet of nine award-winning ships, including our revolutionary Edge® Series, and reimagined itineraries visiting more than 80 ports in over 32 countries. Experience more of the tropics with immersive excursions and Private Journeys at every destination. There’s never been a better time to get on island time with us. 

On board our Caribbean cruises, you’ll be surrounded by our famous personalized touches that make every Celebrity vacation a special sailing. Embrace bliss with open arms during a Caribbean-inspired spa treatment. Indulge from globally inspired menus across up to 12 specialty restaurants, so you can dine somewhere unique every night. When it’s time to raise a toast to the setting sun, your certified sommelier can pour you the perfect vintage to match the moment—uncorked from a selection that’s won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 10 years in a row. 

Curated sailings range from fun-filled 3-night weekend getaways to 12-night journeys where you’ll relish in an in-depth Caribbean escape. Whether you choose the Eastern, Southern, Western Caribbean, or The Bahamas for your vacation, we have the best Caribbean cruises with adventure-filled itineraries to satisfy every island-hopping traveler. 

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37 of the Best Beaches in the Caribbean

Vacationers from all over the world flock to the best beaches in the Caribbean for their famed white sand, dazzling multi-hued sea, and laid-back vibe.

10 Best Caribbean Islands for Couples

Picture you and your sweetheart lounging on the white-sand beaches of the Caribbean, sipping rum cocktails in beachy bars, and exploring historic pastel cityscapes at your own pace.

10 Best Caribbean Islands for First Timers

If you’ve never been to the Caribbean before, the choice of destinations can be intimidating. So which is the best Caribbean island for first-timers?

14 Best Places to Visit in Aruba

Shimmering in the southern Caribbean Sea, Aruba’s crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches are arguably the island’s main draw.

One Day in Key West

Over the course of one day in Key West, you can experience the joie de vie of the southernmost city in the continental United States.

The Ultimate Virgin Islands Food Guide

By trying the food of the Virgin Islands, you taste the region’s history.

St. Croix or St. Thomas: Which Should You Visit?

Scattered like emeralds across the Caribbean Sea, the U.S. Virgin Islands are encircled by gorgeous beaches and teeming coral reefs.

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Top Caribbean FAQs

How long are Caribbean cruises?

Celebrity offers a wide range of cruises all over the Caribbean, from  three-night getaways  to 12-night voyages. Relax and rejuvenate in The Bahamas and CocoCay, or over a week visiting Mexico and Grand Cayman, or San Juan, the British Virgin Islands, and St. Kitts. On our longer Caribbean itineraries, we visit the Southern Caribbean, Central America, and South America, crossing the Panama Canal.  

Can I cruise during hurricane season?

Yes! Celebrity’s ships sail, between June and November, which is regarded as hurricane season. 

Only a very small portion of cruises that sail to the Caribbean during a storm season are actually affected by these storms. Though you may encounter slightly rougher water on a cruise during hurricane season, there are many systems in place to detect any hurricane weather along your cruise route, ensuring your ship’s captain and crew will be able to chart a path around any bad weather or make modifications to the itinerary to keep you safe. Celebrity’s state-of-the-art ships are built for stability, keeping movement in rough seas to a minimum.

See our blog post about  cruising during hurricane season.

Where are the best beaches in the Caribbean?

Every island in the Caribbean has beautiful beaches, from rocky coves to long sweeps of white sand lined with umbrellas and buzzing beach bars. Naming the  Caribbean's best beaches  is a purely subjective topic, as everybody has their favorite. Some of the most famous, though, include Grand Cayman’s gorgeous Seven Mile Beach, and the dazzling white sand of Eagle Beach on Aruba. Dickenson Beach in Antigua is a picturesque paradise, while Crane Beach on Barbados boasts pale pink sand. 

Honeymoon Beach on St. John is home to one of the most romantic settings in the Caribbean, while The Baths on Virgin Gorda is a day full of adventure, where you can hike through caves that lead you straight down to secret rock pools. Rent an overwater cabana for the day at  the Coco Beach Club on CocoCay in the Bahamas, or relax with a cocktail in hand on this natural coral island at any of the island's white sandy beaches. Deciding which beach is your personal favorite is all part of the fun.

What can I do besides go to the beach?

The Caribbean has a rich culture that extends beyond beach life. Explore colorful streets and colonial-era forts in Old San Juan, and ride the St. Kitts Scenic Railway across verdant countryside with beautiful ocean views. Take a day off from sunbathing and join a horseback riding tour along St. Maarten’s stunning coastline. Explore Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua or climb the Pitons in St. Lucia, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Join a gourmet walking tour of Charlotte Amalie in the U.S. Virgin Islands to learn about its culinary culture, or stroll through the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park on Grand Cayman. Learn about spice cultivation in Grenada or join a nature walk in Barbados. It doesn’t matter how many times you visit the Caribbean—you will never run out of things to do.

Do I need a passport to cruise to the Caribbean? 

It is the responsibility of each guest to identify and obtain all required travel documents and have them available at the pier when necessary. Before leaving home, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the required travel documents you will be asked to provide prior to boarding the ship. You’ll find more information  here . 

Not all Caribbean cruises require a passport. If you are an American citizen traveling from the U.S. to the Bahamas or Mexico on a closed-loop cruise, starting and ending at the same U.S. port, a state-issued ID and an original U.S. birth certificate is sufficient. 

On other Caribbean cruises, you can enter with your U.S. passport book, passport card, Trusted Traveler card (Nexus, SENTRI, or FAST), or an enhanced driver’s license. See our  blog post  for more information.

When’s the best time to cruise?

You can now cruise the Caribbean year round on one of our newest Edge series ships, Celebrity Beyond, starting in 2024. The Caribbean is a cruiser’s dream vacation in every season, but the best time to cruise the Caribbean can depend on your schedule, your travel budget and your travel desires. Discover the  best times to cruise the Caribbean  on our blog. 

Where do Caribbean cruises depart from?

Celebrity’s Caribbean cruises depart from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

What should I pack for a Caribean Cruise?

When  packing for a cruise to the Caribbean , you’ll need clothing for a warm, sometimes humid climate. Bring plenty of beachwear, a sun hat, sunglasses, coverups, water shoes if you’re visiting coral beaches, and reef-friendly sunblock. 

If you book a snorkeling excursion, all gear will be provided, but where there are places that you may want to snorkel independently, consider bringing your own equipment. 

Throughout the ship, casual resort wear, sundresses, shorts, polos, or button-downs are appropriate, paired with sandals, low heels, and loafers. In main and specialty dining, we ask guests to refrain from wearing swimsuits, see-through cover ups or robes, bare feet, tank tops, T-shirts, and baseball caps. 

Smart Casual attire is required for entry to main dining, specialty dining, and the Celebrity Theatre. Smart Casual means you look comfortable yet tasteful in a dress, skirt, long pants, or jeans with a stylish top or button-down. Shorts and flip flops are not considered Smart Casual. 

Each itinerary features one to two “formal” nights that we call Evening Chic. Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jeans, an elegant dress top, or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos. 

The daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening. If you do not wish to participate in Evening Chic, Smart Casual attire is acceptable for dining and attending the theater.

Is it easy to get around the Caribbean islands? 

The easiest way to get around each island is to  book a shore excursion . 

What language is spoken in the Caribbean?

English is the main language spoken in the Caribbean. However, there are many other languages spoken within the region. On the ABC Islands and St. Maarten (on the Dutch side), Dutch is the official language, but locals also speak Papamiento, a hybrid of Dutch, Spanish, and various West African languages. In the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, it’s Spanish. On the French side of St. Maarten/St. Martin, it’s French. Across the Caribbean, you’ll hear Creole spoken, or patois, which varies from island to island.

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We don’t have proof, but evidence suggests that the Caribbean was made for cruising. This evidence is all around you — you’ll find in the Caribbean air, the sand and the water. And with more than 5,000 islands and cays spread across this amazing region, there’s a lot of paradise to see. So how do you choose where to visit on a Caribbean cruise? We recommend you just go and see for yourself! Best of all, the mild climate means it doesn’t even matter what time of year you go. A Carnival Caribbean cruise takes you to some of the coolest little hotspots… stretching across the world’s designated hotspot.

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• Take in the beach view on horseback… or beach chair.

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If you’re looking for a sailing vacation ruled by the sun, moon, and tides, you’ve found it!

Island Windjammers offers six, ten, and twelve-night sailings aboard our classic clipper ship Vela, schooner Diamant, and sailing yacht Lyra! Vela hosts twenty-six guests, Diamant accommodates ten guests, while our new addition Lyra has room for eight. This is small ship cruising at its finest.

Our Island Girls are fully-crewed and feature air-conditioned cabins, private bathrooms, portholes, and all modern comforts.

Your Captain sets the course. Each day is a new adventure. Free your mind from schedules, and savor each moment as the crew hoists the sails, the trade winds fill the canvas, and you set off to your next secret island destination.

There’s no rush. You’ll have plenty of time ashore to explore vibrant villages, sip rum at quirky beach bars, or laze the days away on pristine beaches.

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Live in the now, and breathe it all in. This is island life--and you’re living it!

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Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

When choosing to cruise to the Caribbean, images of white sand beaches, cerulean water and plenty of sun often come to

When choosing to cruise to the Caribbean, images of white sand beaches, cerulean water and plenty of sun often come to mind. But how do you know which cruise line offers the best Caribbean experience? To find out, U.S. News used a methodology that factors in each cruise line's variety, number and percentage of Caribbean itineraries, along with approval ratings among experts and travelers, to compile this list of the best cruise lines sailing in the Caribbean. In addition to offering a great Caribbean cruising experience, these cruise lines offer plenty of  deals on their voyages that can be found year-round.

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Disney Cruise Line

Disney's ships sail to ports across the Caribbean, including Barbados, Jamaica and St. Lucia. Most of Disney's Caribbean cruises stop at Castaway Cay – the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas. In addition to offering character greetings and waterslides, the island boasts less-congested beaches and prime snorkeling.

• 4.46 Overall Rating
• 5 Ships in Fleet

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's diverse Caribbean itineraries make it a star in the eyes of many cruisers. You can sail to spots like the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, or boat around St. Lucia and other islands. Wherever you choose, you'll find a bevy of exciting shore excursions, ranging from swimming with stingrays to rum tasting adventures.

• 4.36 Overall Rating
• 13 Ships in Fleet

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is a well-designed, adults-only cruise line. Ships feature upscale dining, wellness activities and plenty of live entertainment, plus free Wi-Fi access. Caribbean itineraries make stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico. Virgin also boasts a private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas.

• 4.39 Overall Rating
• 3 Ships in Fleet

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean is known for its varied island itineraries – stops include Jamaica, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten. What's more, shore activities arranged through the cruise line cater to all types of travelers. Cruisers can zip line through the jungle, strap on scuba equipment and scour the deep-blue sea or just relax on the beach.

• 4.17 Overall Rating
• 25 Ships in Fleet

Holland America Line

Sailing to destinations like Bonaire, the Bahamas and Honduras, Holland America's ships offer a host of onboard amenities and activities to keep you entertained at sea. Once you dock, you'll be able to participate in fun excursions like sea trek helmet diving, catamaran sailing adventures and rainforest drives.

• 4.14 Overall Rating
• 11 Ships in Fleet

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival brings the party to the Caribbean with its "Fun Ships," cruising to a handful of hot spots like Turks and Caicos and the Dominican Republic. Families in particular enjoy Carnival's affordable and flexible itineraries: Caribbean cruises range from four to 14 days, and you can find trips for less than $300 per person.

• 3.90 Overall Rating

Princess Cruises

Princess caters to all kinds of cruisers, from families to couples to solo travelers. The cruise line also entices passengers with its variety of itineraries, covering popular eastern, western and southern Caribbean destinations like the U.S. Virgin Islands and St. Maarten, as well as smaller spots such as Dominica and Grenada.

• 4.02 Overall Rating
• 15 Ships in Fleet

Norwegian Cruise Line

With 15 of Norwegian's ships sailing to dozens of popular isles in the Caribbean – from Aruba to Curacao to the Cayman Islands – the cruise line boasts a variety of itineraries to suit your fancy. Plus, Norwegian's extensive list of excursions includes offerings like parasailing, swimming with dolphins and snorkeling.

• 3.97 Overall Rating
• 19 Ships in Fleet

MSC Cruises

MSC doesn't tout as many Caribbean itineraries as other lines in this ranking; just seven of its 23 ships (Divina, Magnifica, Meraviglia, Seascape, Seashore, Seaside and Virtuosa) sail to the region in 2024. However, its routes stop in popular ports of call like Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Aruba.

• 3.79 Overall Rating
• 22 Ships in Fleet

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DISCOVER THE BEST CRUISE SHIPS

There are so many reasons to get excited about a Royal Caribbean® cruise. Choose from itineraries that take you to top-rated vacation destinations, from sun-soaked Caribbean isles to ancient temples in Asia and everywhere in between. Make the most out of every moment at sea while traveling onboard the world’s best cruise ships, loaded from bow to stern with game-changing thrills, dazzling entertainment, as well as next-level dining and unmatched activities for all kinds of adventure-seekers. No matter which ship you choose to sail on, this is a fleet filled with incredible feats.

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These engineering wonders take home awards every year for their cutting-edge design, first-of-their-kind attractions, world class dining and accommodations, and unforgettable experiences. From the tallest slide at sea, to culinary concepts that take guests from Japan to Italy to Wonderland, the world’s largest cruise ships are full of adventures guaranteed to wow every kind of explorer.

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There's more to explore

If you’re ready to learn more about the incredible adventures you can have on Royal Caribbean, check out our 2024-2026 sailings — they’re all open to book right now. Dive into our deck plans and become an expert on the fleet. Or discover why our Oasis Class and Amplified ships are rated among the best cruise ships in the world.

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Caribbean Princess ®

Savor carefree moments at sea with enticing cuisine, engaging entertainment and venues to match every mood.

Best Cruise Ship for First Timers

Cruisers' Choice Awards Cruise Critic UK

Exciting adventures await aboard Caribbean Princess following her multi-million-dollar array of luxurious enhancements. From staterooms that offer a more restful sleep, to endless tempting new dining options, the newly reimagined Reef Splash Zone for kids and families plus other upgrades, you’ll find Caribbean Princess herself has come back new.

Inaugural Cruise:  April 3, 2004

Christener:  Jill Whelan (“Vicki” from The Love Boat)

Guest Cabins:  1,556

Number of Decks:  19

Tonnage:  112,894

Length:  952 feet

Height:  193 feet

Your vacation – effortless. Personalized.

Make your vacation truly yours on a Princess MedallionClass® cruise that features next-level technology, now on all ships. Enjoy fast, reliable Wi-Fi, TrulyTouchless™ experiences, food and drinks delivered wherever you are and so much more.

Accommodations

From the moment you step aboard, we want you to feel welcomed and right at home. And with attentive service from a friendly staff that knows what hospitality means, you’ll find your Princess® ship truly is your home away from home.

Photos, floor plan diagrams, amenities, and furnishings represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship and stateroom.

• Reserve Collection
• Two Bedroom Family Suite
• Wheelchair-Accessible

• Virtual Tour
• Panoramic Tour

Truly Luxurious Accommodations at Sea

Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Suite with balcony* includes all the amenities of a Reserve Collection Mini-Suite^^, plus incredible premiums. Enjoy more living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas, and wonderfully enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite and so much more.

*Some suites have windows rather than balconies and are labeled as Window Suites.

Includes all the fine amenities of a spacious Reserve Collection Mini-Suite plus:

• Approx. 460 to 932 sq. ft., including balcony
• Luxury balcony furniture including 2 loungers, 4 chairs, table and ottoman
• 2 floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Separate sitting area with sofa bed, chair and 2 tables
• One complimentary mini-bar setup and free daily bottled water
• Spacious closet
• Complimentary laundry and professional cleaning services
• Complimentary Specialty Dining Dinner on embarkation evening ^
• Priority specialty dining and shore excursion reservation
• Priority disembarkation at tender ports
• Comfortable queen or two twin beds ▲
• Refrigerator
• Two flat-panel televisions
• Private bathroom with tub and separate shower
• 100% cotton, high-thread count linens
• 24-hour room service †
• Desk with chair
• Hair dryer & fine bathroom amenities
• Digital security safe

▲ 3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. ^ Applicable on cruises six days or longer. Reservations can be made once onboard your ship. † Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply. ^^ Full suite guests enjoy a complimentary mini-bar setup and do not receive the 750ml bottle of wine.

Mini-Suite with Exclusive VIP Touches

A premium stateroom category featuring our best located Mini-Suite staterooms, as well as the great amenities found in all Mini-Suites — plus premier dining benefits and luxurious perks. Each night, enjoy Reserve Dining, an exclusive dining area featuring expedited seating with no wait, additional menu options, dedicated wait staff and tableside preparations. Other amenities include priority embarkation and disembarkation, a complimentary one-time wine set-up and so much more!^

^Includes one 750 ml bottle of wine on embarkation day^^. ^^For mini-suite guests only: A one-time set-up for a 750ml bottle of wine on embarkation day. Full-suite guests enjoy a complimentary mini-bar setup and do not receive additional bottles of wine.

Standard Amenities:

• Balcony with 2-4 chairs, table and ottoman
• Bathroom tub and massage shower head with upgraded amenities
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Separate sitting area with sofa bed & coffee table
• Approximately 323 sq. ft., including balcony
• Complimentary welcome glass of bubbly on embarkation day
• Luxury mattress topper and pillows

Upgraded Amenities & Services:

• The Princess Luxury Bed
• Priority embarkation and disembarkation at the beginning and end of your cruise
• One-time complimentary wine set-up ^
• Evening canapés, upon request
• Luxurious terry shawl bathrobes

Reserve Dining: *

• Exclusive area of the Main Dining Room
• Expedited seating with minimal to no wait
• Additional menu options
• Dedicated waitstaff
• Uniquely-styled décor (Premium table linens only)
• Table-side preparations

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. ^Includes one 750 ml bottle of wine on embarkation day. †Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply. *Open every evening for dinner. Open for breakfast and lunch on sea days.

Add an Element of Luxury to Your Stay

Choose a luxurious Mini-Suite with balcony* which is substantially larger than a Balcony stateroom and receive a complimentary welcome glass of bubbly. Mini-Suites include a separate sitting area with sofa bed and two flat-panel televisions. For families or groups needing a little extra space, Mini-Suites offer an appealing and affordable option.

*Some suites have windows rather than balconies and are labeled as Mini-Suite No Balcony.

• Bathroom tub and massage shower head
• Complimentary welcome glass of bubbly on embarkation day
• Hair dryer & bathroom amenities

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. †Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply.

Front Row Seat for Beautiful Scenery

This impressive stateroom offers the added indulgence of a balcony and gives you more space than a standard stateroom. Enjoy your own private outdoor space with a table, two chairs, and a relaxing view of the inspiring scenery surrounding you, whether a beautiful sunset over the ocean or a new city to explore. It’s also perfect to enjoy cocktails before dinner or a leisurely breakfast.

• Approx. 214 to 222 sq. ft., including balcony
• Balcony with 2 chairs and table
• Refrigerator.
• Flat-panel television
• Private bathroom with shower
• Hair dryer & bathroom amenities

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. †Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply.

A Room with a View

Enjoy the added benefit of a view of the ocean from either a picture window or porthole that brings in natural light. This stateroom includes all the amenities of an interior room.

• Approx. 146 to 206 sq. ft.
• A spacious picture window for memorable views

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. Note: Some categories have portholes versus picture windows. Some stateroom views are partially to fully obstructed. †Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply.

Our Most Affordable Option

These staterooms are the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Our most affordable option, featuring two twin beds or a queen-size bed. Other amenities include a refrigerator, hair dryer, TV, closet and bathroom with shower.

• Approx. 158 to 162 sq ft.

Perfect for Large Groups

These suites are for larger families or groups traveling together and include special suite-only benefits and two bathrooms — connected by a large living room, which leads to an expansive private balcony. Each suite sleeps up to eight people.

Note: Diamond Princess® and Sapphire Princess® can sleep up to six people.

• Mini-Suite stateroom connected to an inside cabin via a shared lounge
• 2 bathrooms, one with bath tub the other with a walk-in shower
• Complimentary welcome glass of champagne on embarkation day
• Flat-panel televisions

For Guests with Limited Mobility

Princess offers a selection of staterooms that provide full wheelchair-turning space. In addition, these staterooms include a roll-in shower equipped with grab bars and a fold-down bench seat, an easy access closet and accessible writing desk.

Note: ADA accessible stateroom shown is on board Caribbean Princess®. Amenities and stateroom arrangements vary by ship. Certain stateroom categories may vary in size and configuration by ship. Call Princess for more information or send inquiries to the Access Office via email at  [email protected] .

Included Dining

Indulge your appetite whenever you wish on board Princess®. Every hour, our chefs are busy baking, grilling and sautéing great-tasting fare from scratch. Princess offers unparalleled inclusive dining options throughout the ship with a wide range of culinary delights to suit any palate, from endless buffet choice to gourmet pizza, frosty treats, decadent desserts and much more. 1

Dining Reservations

Dine when, how and where you like

With this new offering, you can customize every aspect of mealtime. Make reservations for the main dining room or specialty restaurants at your preferred time each day. Fit in a formal dinner before a show, or order food and drinks to your poolside perch with OceanNow®. The choice really is up to you.

The Salty Dog Grill

While you're enjoying the fresh air on the top deck, treat yourself to one of our 100% handmade gourmet burgers, including our Princess Burger or Triple Smoked Burger.

 WORLD FRESH MARKETPLACE

Whenever you visit, you’ll find plenty of well-balanced options to choose from. Stop by for breakfast and visit our gourmet pancake station, or enjoy one of our unique hot cereal offerings. At lunch, look for handcrafted sandwiches, regionally inspired dishes and soups, as well as our carvery selections. For dinner, there’s everything from international favorites, comfort foods, customized stir-fry or pasta, plus a multitude of fresh fruit and salad choices.

Slice Pizzeria

Our top-deck pizzeria features a bold new look that sets the stage for tempting toppings and classic favorites. Try a slice of our award-winning signature Neapolitan-style pizza. Go simple and delicious with just cheese, or mix it up with a variety of toppings that change daily.

International Café

Sip and snack around the clock

Open 24-hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of specialty espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.

Coffee & Cones

Complimentary ice cream cones await you at our top-deck creamery venue. Pick up a chocolate cone, a vanilla, or a combination. Or treat yourself to an ice cream sandwich, with a tempting choice of flavors. We’ve added specialty New Grounds Crafted Coffee, too. Energize with an Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte or Chai Tea. If you want to cool down, opt for a refreshing Frappe.

Specialty Dining

Dining on board a Princess® cruise ship is a joyful celebration and our specialty restaurants always deliver an extraordinary experience. They are among the best at sea – or anywhere. We serve dishes made with the freshest ingredients, and our menus reflect regional flavors from around the world. You'll find our specialty restaurants are the perfect place to celebrate any occasion. 1

• Sabatini's Italian Trattoria
• Crown Grill{SM}
• Vines Wine Bar
• Ultimate Balcony Dining
• Chef's Table Experience

Unique, handmade pasta courses, prepared fresh daily and treasured family recipes curated by our Italian chefs across the fleet inspire the menu at our acclaimed Italian specialty restaurant. 

Timeless Steakhouse Traditions

With a rich wood décor and a theater-style kitchen, it’s no wonder Crown Grill was named among the “Best Cruise Ship Steakhouses” by  USA TODAY . Featuring premium aged beef and fresh seafood items, this specialty restaurant offers an intimate dining experience in a classically elegant setting and an open kitchen where chefs prepare and cook to order top-quality cuts of beef, chops and seafood.

Additional charge applies.

Wines from Around the World

Voted one of the “Best Wine Bars at Sea,” by  USA TODAY  and located in a charming corner of the Atrium, Vines boasts an extensive collection of wines, fine Champagne and sparkling wines and regional offerings for purchase. The menu also includes wine flights and a selection of unique wines by the glass. Gourmet delicacies, such as antipasti and tapas, are complimentary with any wine purchase.

Charges apply. Menu items may vary by ship and are subject to change.

A Private Breakfast with a View

A luxurious breakfast experience at sea all served right on the privacy of your own balcony by our dedicated waitstaff. Treat yourself to this unparalleled indulgence and savor food, views, and memories that will never be forgotten.

Additional charges apply.

Exclusive Glimpse into the Princess Kitchen

An extraordinary treat for both gastronomes and gourmet novices. The Chef’s Table is a perfect culinary journey for any special occasion. Indulge in an extravagant multi-course dinner created and hosted by the ship’s executive chef. Perfect for celebrating an anniversary or milestone, or just making your cruise vacation even more amazing. To remember the occasion a photo with the executive chef and a handwritten copy of the special menu is included.

Limited capacity, reservations required. Additional charge applies.

On every Princess ship, you'll find so many ways to play, day or night. Explore The Shops of Princess, celebrate cultures at our Festivals of the World or learn a new talent — our onboard activities will keep you engaged every moment of your cruise vacation. 1

Discovery at SEA Programs

Discover even more with Discovery™

Our exclusive partnership with Discovery™ lets you come back captivated with Stargazing on our top deck; activities featuring Discovery™ hit shows such as  Shark Week  and  Finding Bigfoot ; plus our new Encounters with Discovery at SEA speaker series. Get more out of your travels with shore excursions recommended by two of the most trusted names in world travel—Discovery™ and Animal Planet™.

Vegas Style Casino

For novices, casual players, or high rollers

From gaming lessons to the latest slot machines to prize tournaments, our Casinos offer fun and excitement. If you enjoy blackjack, or “21,” and Texas Hold 'Em, our tables play by Vegas rules and if you relish the challenge of roulette, we offer the American version.

Take a stroll into the European-style piazza

Discover Old World charm as you stroll through our breathtaking Piazza—a hub of activity, inspired by the vibrant squares of Europe. Roving street performers, quaint boutiques, a spiral staircase and several glass-walled lifts provide panoramic views. Visit the International Café for gourmet coffees, or marvel at the wine selection at Vines, voted one of the “Best Wine Bars at Sea,” by USA Today.

The Shops of Princess

Tax and duty-free shopping

It’s no surprise The Shops are awarded “Best Onboard Shopping” from  Porthole  magazine year after year. On board, you’ll find a fabulous range of fine merchandise from brands like Swarovski, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Lancôme, Calvin Klein, Citizen and Tissot, plus local crafts, keepsakes and souvenirs. And everyday tax- and duty-free savings can add up to as much as 30% off suggested U.S. retail prices.

Art Gallery & Auctions

Art lovers rejoice—enjoy exquisite art aboard

Great art, like the destinations we visit, can be awe-inspiring. Peruse our extensive art gallery, or attend an art history lecture highlighting some of the world’s greatest masters. And don’t miss our exciting Champagne Art Auctions, which give you the chance to view and bid on a wide range of fine art, including pieces by famous artists like Thomas Kinkade, Peter Max, and Michael Godard. There is no charge to attend these lively events.

Photo Gallery

Take home a unique photo keepsake

Our staff of digital photographers helps capture the highlights of your cruise including onboard events, ports and scenery for lasting memories of your trip. Our studio locations are set up in the Atrium each evening and all formal and casual portraits are on display in the gallery the following day. Please ask our staff about portrait packages, reprints and canvas reproductions of your favorite photos!

Freshwater Pools & Hot Tubs

Soak in a world of relaxation

Take a dip in our sparkling freshwater pools and leave your everyday world behind. Unwind on a padded lounger and soak up the sun, catch up on reading, listen to music or dream of your next adventure on board or ashore. And what better way to relax and revitalize after a day exploring the world than a long soak in one of our whirling hot tubs. And don’t forget, there is always a server nearby to bring you a refreshing cocktail or favorite beverage.

Sports Court

Get in the game with a variety of activities

Feel the court under your feet and the thrill of victory as you sink the ball in for two points. No matter your athletic ability, there’s nothing like shooting a few hoops out in the middle of the ocean as you watch the sun set and the stars come out. Our Sports Court is not only set up for basketball but also for volleyball. Pick up a game, compete against fellow guests for bragging rights, or start your own dream team.

Princess Links

Practice your putt and play like a champion

Imagine playing on the green while surrounded by a beautiful blue ocean. Whether you’re a dabbler or a devoted disciple of the game, our nine-hole miniature putting course will put your finer golfing skills to the test. After you play a round, step inside to try your hand at our golf simulator, which recreates some of the world’s greatest golf courses like St. Andrews and Pebble Beach so you can play and practice like a pro.

Venues vary by ship and are subject to change

MedallionNet® Wi-Fi

The best Wi-Fi at sea

MedallionNet Wi-Fi is fast, reliable and wherever you are. Stream your favorite shows, movies, music and sports. Stay connected to the internet anywhere on board so you can text, post photos, video chat and more.

Afternoon Tea

Celebration of tasty teas and divine desserts

Afternoon tea is a treasured tradition whether it’s a special occasion, an intimate moment for two, a mother-daughter tea party or just quiet time for reflection. Enjoy a wide selection of teas, or coffee if you prefer, served by attentive waiters in our dining room. The setting is elegant, with a delicious selection of tasty treats: freshly prepared finger sandwiches, cookies and cakes.

Entertainment

Original musicals, dazzling magic shows, feature films, top comedians and nightclubs that get your feet movin’ and groovin’. There’s something happening around every corner; luckily, you have a whole cruise of days and nights to experience it all. 1

Movies Under the Stars®

A reel treat day or night

Throughout the day and night, our exclusive open-air poolside amphitheater is the go-to destination for feature films, thrilling concerts and exciting sporting events such as live football games. Cozy up under a fleece blanket in the comfortable lounger and feast on complimentary fresh-popped popcorn in the evening or delicious cookies and milk during the day, and enjoy that exciting car chase or mystery thriller on the giant screen.

Original Musical Productions

Great venues large and small

Crafted by some of the world’s top directors and choreographers, our remarkable and dynamic Princess productions transport you to realms as exotic as the destinations we visit. Imaginative shows created in-house feature dazzling stage sets, Broadway classics, popular hits and original numbers performed by some of the largest and most talented casts at sea.

Music & Dancing

Dazzling entertainment every day and night

When it comes to music and dancing we’ve got everything that your musical palette may desire. Whether it’s tapping your toes to cover bands, singing along in the piano bar, relaxing to classical strings or dancing the night away in the nightclub, you’ll be satisfied!

Featured Guest Entertainers

At night, the stars shine bright on our stages

Grab a seat, order a cocktail and be prepared to be entertained by our lineup of world class entertainers. From magic to comedy, singers to instrumentalists, jugglers to balancing acts and much, much more, we search the globe for top talent to be featured on our ships. So get ready to be amazed, entertained, mesmerized or just laugh the night away!

Princess Theater

Broadway-style productions at sea

With dazzling stage sets, artists from around the globe, modern hits and timeless classics, the Princess Theater, our largest theater yet, showcases lavish, original productions with dynamic cast members in sumptuous surroundings. In this ultramodern theater, relax in a plush seat with unobstructed sight lines as the velvet curtain goes up, a state-of-the-art lighting system illuminates the stage, and it’s on with the show!

Skywalkers Nightclub

Reach for the sky and dance

Hot music and cool cocktails set to a DJ spinning popular club tunes is the ideal setting for a night of dancing. Gleaming, ultra modern and ultra cool, this hot spot invites a little stargazing while the colorful neon dance floor invites everyone to get up and boogie down. Boasting panoramic views from its vantage point 15 decks above the sea, it’s the perfect place for dancing and socializing.

Club Fusion

One of our most popular nightspots

When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, it’s time to get your feet movin’ and your heart pumpin’ at Club Fusion. A little eclectic and a whole lot of fun, the dance floor lights and booming sound system invite you to get up and show off your moves and grooves. Karaoke contests, live performances and theme-parties like “60s British Invasion” are just a few of the nightly events that will have you on your feet.

Good Spirits At Sea

Good spirits, good stories

Good Spirits takes viewers around the globe in search of extraordinary everyday people, sharing stories of spirits and collecting farm-fresh, local ingredients to inspire one-of-a-kind cocktail creations. Immerse yourself in the region as skilled bartenders lead you through an immersive cocktail experience.

Joyful Rejuvenation

Revitalize and refresh body, mind and soul with Princess®. From rejuvenating spa treatments and the tranquility of a top-deck retreat reserved just for adults to our state-of-the-art fitness centers, you’ll find all the elements to come back new.

• The Sanctuary
• Lotus Spa® Fitness Center

Experience the Ultimate Night of Sleep at Sea

With your overall wellness in mind, we’ve collaborated with a board-certified sleep expert to create the ultimate in blissful comfort. Our luxurious new beds feature a scientifically engineered mattress and bed springs, a plush two-inch pillow top, European-inspired duvets and 100% luxurious Jacquard-woven linens-to assure that at the end of your voyage, you come home feeling refreshed and renewed.

The Princess Luxury Bed is available across the fleet except for Regal Princess, where most staterooms have been updated. On Regal Princess all Full Suites and Reserve Collection staterooms have been updated and we are continuing to convert the few remaining beds.

Relax in a Tranquil Retreat Just for Adults

Take a break and indulge in a private getaway at The Sanctuary, our exclusive adults-only retreat offering a relaxing alternative to the myriad outdoor activities and entertainment available elsewhere on the ship. With signature beverages, light meals, and al fresco massages, Serenity Stewards attend to your every need, whether it’s to be on hand to provide chilled face towels or Evian water atomizers.

Go Ahead, Be Pampered – You Deserve It

Named "Best Spa on a Cruise Ship" by Spafinder Wellness 365™, the Lotus Spa® offers a variety of relaxing treatments, such as facials, aroma stone therapy massages, detoxifying ocean wraps and an aromatherapy thermal suite. Or get ready for a night on the town at the salon which features women’s styling color, men’s haircuts and shaves, manicure and pedicure choices and teeth whitening.

A Host of Ways to Get an Energizing Workout

The Lotus Spa Fitness Center offers fitness programs designed to help you maximize your wellness with Tour de Cycle, personal training and classes such as Pilates, Yoga, Body Sculpt Boot Camp, Results Based Training and TRX suspension training. The Lotus Spa Fitness Center also features state-of-the-art equipment so you can tone on your own.

Kids, Teens & Family

• The Reef Splash Zone
• Just For Kids 3-7
• Just For Kids 8-12
• Just For Teens 13-17

Splash into the Reef

The Reef Splash Zone is the ultimate spot for families of all ages! The newly reimagined space features an interactive water playground with a splash pool, water showers and a whale feature that “rains” from its fluke. Plus a new Game Zone with oversized backyard games, comfy lounge sectionals and a kid-friendly bar setting so families can enjoy cocktails and mocktails during a day of splashing, laughing and playing.

Explore the Treehouse

Even the littlest guests will delight in this whimsical, forest-themed world that inspires playtime and invites exploration. Kids, ages 3 to 7, can dance, enjoy pajama movie nights, create art projects like Animal Planet™ puppets and masks or compete in a Lego® boat-building contest.

Step into the Lodge

Inspired by the great outdoors, this cozy center keeps kids busy with games, dancing and kid-sized Olympic competitions. Their minds stay busy, too, with California Science Center programs like rocket building, or they can explore outer space with Stargazing and learning how to build a model roller coaster. Exciting events like talent shows, theme nights, and treasure hunts encourage new friendships and family togetherness.

Hang Out in the Beach House

This contemporary lounge is "the place" for teens — perfect for hanging out and socializing with late-night movie viewing, hip hop dance classes, video game tournaments and sports competitions like dodgeball and basketball. But that’s just the beginning. They’ll dazzle on the red carpet with our Rock the Boat teens-only party, complete with awards and "mocktails."

Quality Time Together

Princess makes it easy to sail together in comfort. There is a wide selection of staterooms accommodating up to four guests, and you’ll enjoy substantial savings on your third and fourth guests. There are also connecting stateroom options, as well as Two Bedroom Family Suites, with room for up to eight guests, which offer more living space, a balcony and two bathrooms, including a full bath tub.

1 Activities, dining and entertainment options vary by ship and are subject to change. Photos represent typical arrangements and may vary in detail or configuration.

Caribbean Small Ship Cruises

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Caribbean Small Ship Cruising Guide & Travel Tips

Caribbean island overview, our favorite caribbean cruise ports for small ships, caribbean cruise: when to go, top sites to visit in the caribbean.

• The Blue Hole of Belize: Nestled in the Lighthouse Reef, the Great Blue Hole is a massive underwater sinkhole. This natural wonder, over 300 meters in diameter and 125 meters deep, showcases stunning marine life and geological formations, making it a world-renowned dive site.
• Piton Mountains in Saint Lucia: The iconic Pitons, two volcanic spires rising dramatically from the Caribbean Sea, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gros Piton and Petit Piton offer breathtaking views and hiking opportunities, showcasing the unique geological features of the region.
• Pristine Tobago Cays Marine Park: This protected marine reserve in the Grenadines is a haven for marine life. Snorkelers and divers can explore vibrant coral reefs, swim with sea turtles, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters of this idyllic Caribbean destination.
• Historic Sites of San Juan, Puerto Rico : San Juan's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts colorful Spanish colonial architecture. El Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, historic fortresses, reflect the city's strategic importance in the region's history.
• Dominican Republic 's Pico Duarte: As the highest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte stands at 3,087 meters above sea level. Hikers can embark on an adventure through dense forests to reach the summit, where panoramic views of the island await.
• The Baths, Virgin Gorda : This geological wonder in the British Virgin Islands features colossal granite boulders creating stunning grottoes and pools along the beach. It's a natural playground for exploration, swimming, and photography.
• Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica : Dominica's UNESCO-listed national park is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Boiling Lake, the second-largest hot spring in the world, and Trafalgar Falls, with its twin cascades, highlight the island's geothermal activity.
• Cuba's Viñales Valley : Known for its picturesque tobacco fields and limestone karst formations, Viñales Valley is a UNESCO site. The vibrant landscapes and traditional agricultural practices offer a glimpse into rural Cuban life.

WindJammer Cruises in the Caribbean

Fun facts about the caribbean.

• Diverse Coral Reefs: The Caribbean is home to some of the most diverse coral reefs globally, with an array of marine life inhabiting its crystal-clear waters.
• Multilingual Region: The Caribbean is a linguistically diverse region, with English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and various Creole languages spoken across its islands.
• Pirates' Haven: The Caribbean was a notorious haven for pirates during the 17th and 18th centuries, with legendary figures like Blackbeard and Calico Jack roaming its waters.
• World's First Rum Distillery: Mount Gay Rum Distillery in Barbados claims to be the world's oldest, dating back to 1703, showcasing the region's historical ties to the production of rum.
• Birthplace of Salsa and Merengue: The Caribbean has played a pivotal role in the development of music genres, including the birthplace of salsa in Cuba and merengue in the Dominican Republic.
• Blue Flag Beaches: The Caribbean hosts numerous Blue Flag beaches, recognized for their environmental management, cleanliness, and safety standards.
• Hurricane Alley: The Caribbean experiences a hurricane season from June to November, with a higher likelihood of hurricanes and tropical storms during these months.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: The Caribbean is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting a vast array of plant and animal species, including the endangered Hawksbill turtle and the colorful Queen Angelfish.
• Cricket Craze: Cricket is a popular sport in the Caribbean, and the West Indies cricket team is one of the most successful in international competitions.
• Arawak and Taino Indigenous Peoples: The Caribbean was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Arawak and Taino, whose influences are still visible in the region's culture and traditions.
• Cayman Islands' Stingray City: Grand Cayman's Stingray City allows visitors to interact with friendly southern stingrays in their natural habitat, creating a unique and unforgettable experience.
• Jamaica's Blue Mountain Coffee: Jamaica is renowned for its Blue Mountain Coffee, one of the most sought-after and expensive coffees globally, grown in the Blue Mountains region.

Caribbean Cruises

Wildside of the virgin islands, top tips to know when traveling to the caribbean.

• Diverse Currency: Be aware that the Caribbean is a region with diverse currencies. While some islands use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), others, like Jamaica, use the Jamaican Dollar (JMD), and some, including Puerto Rico, use the United States Dollar (USD).
• Hurricane Preparedness: During the hurricane season (June to November), stay informed about weather conditions and consider travel insurance that covers unforeseen disruptions. Check local advisories and be flexible with your plans. Prices tend to be lower during this season.
• Island Time: Embrace the laid-back lifestyle known as "island time." Things may move at a slower pace, so plan accordingly and savor the relaxed atmosphere.
• Water Safety: Exercise caution with water activities. While the Caribbean boasts stunning beaches, currents and tides can be strong. Pay attention to warning flags, and only swim in designated safe areas.
• Local Cuisine Exploration: Dive into the local cuisine. Each island offers unique flavors, so try traditional dishes and street food. Don't miss specialties like jerk chicken in Jamaica or conch fritters in The Bahamas.
• Bargaining Skills: Brush up on your bargaining skills, especially in local markets. Haggling is common, and you may score better deals on souvenirs or goods by negotiating with local vendors.
• Transportation Options: Explore various transportation options. Some islands have well-developed public transportation, while others may require renting a car. Consider your destination's infrastructure for the best travel experience.
• Language Variation: English is widely spoken, but many islands have their own dialects or languages. Familiarize yourself with local phrases, especially if English is not the primary language spoken.
• Health Precautions: Be cautious about food and water hygiene. Stick to bottled water, avoid consuming raw or undercooked seafood, and use insect repellent to guard against mosquito-borne illnesses.
• Sun Protection: The Caribbean sun can be intense. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and lightweight clothing to protect yourself from sunburn. Stay hydrated, especially in warmer months.
• Cash vs. Cards: While larger establishments accept credit cards, it's advisable to carry some cash for smaller businesses or markets. ATMs are available, but check for fees and notify your bank of your travel plans.

Video: Sailing the Caribbean on a Small Ship Cruise

Caribbean Adventure Cruise Stories

Sailing the bahamas on the liberty clipper, our spanish virgin islands cruise, top caribbean travel destinations, caribbean trips by departure date.

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The Best Boat for Caribbean Island Hopping (Type and Size)

When you're planning to get out cruising and you've decided on a season (or more) in the Caribbean, the question always comes down to "what's the best boat?" And the answer isn't just "it depends," even though everyone's situation, finances and skills are different. There are a few important things to consider about this lifestyle and journey.

The best boat for Caribbean island-hopping has space for you and your crew, good storage for food and water, is seaworthy, and comfortable at anchor. Some good monohulls include the Bavaria 32, Beneteau 331, and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS. For catamarans, consider the PDQ 36, Manta 40, and Leopard 44.

On this page:

Criteria for caribbean island hopping boats, island hopping vs. bluewater cruising, what you want in your island hopper, a few good island boats.

This is a broad list, and there are many boats that could meet these criteria. Read on for a few examples of some great boats, while we get into more detail about what you do and don’t need to bounce up and down the Windward and Leeward islands and through the Bahamas.

The best boat for Caribbean island-hopping meets the following criteria:

• It has adequate space for you and all the people and pets you plan to have on board.
• There is plenty of storage for food and water (storing it or making it) to carry you through islands with fewer services.
• It is seaworthy, comfortable, and safe. Note that speed is not a top priority, nor is the ruggedness you'd look for crossing oceans.
• It is comfortable to live on at anchor, including the stability and airflow through the boat.
• You can afford to buy, operate, own and maintain it.

What size boat do you need to sail the Caribbean?

There's no hard and fast rule about size, it comes down more to personal preference and budget. You can meet the above criteria with a thirty-foot boat or a sixty-foot boat. Practically speaking, there isn't much below thirty-two feet with the space and comfort for long term living, even for one. A couple should start looking around thirty-six feet. You can get away with less, but it may be tight living with your gear and stores.

What's the best boat type to travel the Caribbean?

You want something that is comfortable and sea-kindly, the specific type - catamaran or monohull - is less important than the boat's handling and living characteristics. Sailing "down island" is often into the trades, so there can be upwind days and bumps and lumps. You want something with enough comfort and protection to handle that. If your budget is tight, a smaller monohull will get you more boat and carrying capacity than a catamaran.

What size sailboat to sail to Bahamas?

The same general guidelines apply for the Bahamas as the Caribbean, with one general exception - draft. Much of the Bahamas is quite shallow, with many reefs flats. If your primary sailing time will be in the Bahamas, you want something which is comfortable at anchor and offshore, but also which doesn't draw too much. When you start looking for shallow draft boats over forty feet, most of what you find are swing/lifting keels, full keels, or catamarans.

If you read our article Sailing Time Between All Caribbean Islands , you'll see that there are no passages between islands in the Windward and Leeward chains that are more than a single overnight. Many of them are day sails. So if you buy your boat in the Caribbean and never leave the eastern Caribbean, you won't need to do any passages longer than an overnight.

Bluewater Toughness

Contrast that with blue water sailing and passage making. If you're headed across the Pacific or sailing back to the continental U.S., you will be offshore for a week or two at a time, even a month or more at a stretch for some slower boats crossing the vast Pacific.

You can't wait for a break in the weather on those trips, you leave and get the weather that happens. The boat needs to be tougher, and it needs more safety gear and equipment. A lightly built boat won't be happy pounding into chop for days on end or riding out a massive storm.

And you also need supplies, provisions, and spares for months, including fresh water if you don't have a water maker or a good catchment setup.

Island Hopping Comfort

Your island hopping needs are a lot less. With short trips, you can wait for not only good weather, but near perfect weather to move. Why put up with bad weather at all when you only need to wait a few days when your next stop is only six or eight hours down island?

And you're not that far from provisions or spares. Every populated island has food. Though the specifics of what is cheap and available varies, you will never starve or be far from something.

Spares are similar; while it is best to have a spare on hand to keep from getting stuck, the major sailing centers like St. Martin, Martinique and Grenada can get you most of what you need, and get it to you no matter where you are.

And the sailing distances are short, so you don't need a ton of speed (though speed is always nice), and you do not need an incredible motoring range.

Working from our list in the first section, there are a few things you want in your Caribbean cruising boat.

Living Space & Amenities

Your boat does not have to be big, it just has to be big enough. Cruising couples have different needs than families or solo sailors, and this is one of those "it depends" answers that is unique to each captain and crew. Living on a boat for months or permanently is a big change from land-bound life, and there is a tendency to think you need more boat than you do. We're used to space in houses, and having basements, attics and great big pantries.

You won't have the storage you were used to, but you need storage for:

• Food and supplies for a while. You won't need months, but it is wise to stock up on something when you find it, because you never know what the next island won't have. A separate freezer is very handy for this.
• Clothing...but not as much as you think. You'll be living in t-shirts, shorts and sandals most of the time. Most of those are pretty small, and you can pack a lot more clothing when you don't have to worry about bulky coats or dressy clothes.
• Water toys and fun. Snorkels, fins and masks for everyone on the boat, and diving gear if you are into it. But you may want to have a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) or a kayak, especially if you have kids.

Fresh water is available everywhere, but it's not always free and it's not always good quality. A water maker is expensive and finicky, but a big convenience since you won't have to pay for water or move the boat to top up. If you don't have a water maker, lots of tankage and a good filter is nice to have.

Living systems like hot water and a shower make a big difference to your daily quality of life. While you'll be in the water a lot, you need to get the salt off. If you're not in a marina, it's not so easy to get a freshwater shower unless you have your own.

Comfort and Seaworthiness

Although you don't need a doughty passage maker to pop between islands, you still want something that is safe and comfortable to move. If you don't like the way your boat feels and handles at sea, you will be much less likely to move around. You don't want that.

Comfort and safety are more important than speed, and there's no need to get a rocket ship of a boat unless you have the money to burn on it.

Comfort at Anchor is Key

Three primary factors go into being happy at anchor in your boat.

• How she moves at anchor
• Airflow through the boat
• Confidence in your ground tackle

A light boat which rocks and rolls with every passing wake will not be a happy boat to spend lots of time at anchor, and there are a lot of open roadstead anchorages which are unprotected from some wind shifts. Monohulls with deeper drafts, fuller keels, or larger beams will not snap and roll in waves like light boats with low ballast. And catamarans barely move at all until it gets pretty lumpy.

The airflow on most boats is optimal when the boat is facing straight into it, as you will be in most anchored or moored situations. This is one reason we prefer to be at anchor; tied to a dock you don't get the same breezes.

But a boat with poor ventilation in the tropics will not be a comfortable boat. You won't want to rely on air conditioning for several reasons (the biggest is that you need to run a generator or be on shore power), so you will need on breezes to keep you comfortable. This applies inside your boat and in the cockpit.

Our blue water cruiser was comfortable enough in the islands, but her hatches opened aft for safety, hampering air flow, and we have a hard dodger. Neither of these were great features for an island-hopping only boat and I'd think twice about them if I wasn't planning a lot of blue water sailing.

Ground tackle is something you can upgrade. So it's not mandatory that the boat you pick has great ground tackle, as long as you can upgrade it if needed. You should have an all chain rode, and with that you’ll want a powered windlass if your boat is larger. That is a pretty big upgrade if a boat doesn't have one already, and not every boat has capacity (space, wiring, power) for the upgrade

Affordability

The cost of buying a boat and owning a boat are two different things. A boat may be cheap to buy, but expensive to own, or it could be the opposite. Or worse...it could be both expensive to buy AND expensive to own and operate.

Older boats and ex-charters have the advantage on purchase price. They will be cheapest to buy, and there are usually lots available. But there is always a risk they will be more expensive to own, at least initially if you have to do upgrades, modernizations and repairs. If you look at one, make sure you get a thorough survey and factor in the work you will need to bring the boat to the standard you want.

Newer boats will have a higher cost of entry, but require fewer upgrades and lower maintenance the first few years. But being newer or brand new is not a guarantee against problems.

But the most important thing to remember is that most boat services are charged by the foot, and those charges are not affected by what you paid for the boat or how old it is. It costs the same to haul and put bottom paint on a thirty-year-old boat as it does for a two-year-old boat the same size. So avoid the temptation to buy a lot more boat because it's older and cheap.

The charter companies get a few things right about the boats they pick for their fleets. They choose newer production boats which cost less up front, and they keep them simple to use and maintain. Production monohulls like Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria, and Dufour (among others) are great solutions for this type of sailing. On the catamaran side, Lagoon, Fontaine Pajot and Leopard are popular choices.

When thinking of budgets, remember there are three factors that go into the price: the age , size , and condition of the boat. Expensive boats are new, big, and in great shape. If your budget is more limited, you'll need to consider something older, smaller, or in need of a bit of work.

And a word of caution on buying boats that are in the Caribbean. There are good deals to be had, but there are lots of storm-damaged boats at aggressive prices. They are project boats, and you will need to do a lot of work on them and they may have hidden flaws. There are also many boats sold out of charter fleets. These are mostly solid boats, but they may have more wear and tear for their age compared to privately owned boats, and many have deferred maintenance you will need to look for.

• Beneteau 331
• Beneteau Oceanis 390
• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 DS
• Dufour 500 Grand Large
• Fontaine Pajot Orana

This list is just a starting point; there are so many good boats to choose from. And you may also find many perfect boats from smaller builders and less well-known designs. If it's in your budget, you can even head to the islands and charter a similar boat to see for yourself how good it will be.

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Destinations, inspiration, caribbean catamaran cruises, take the scenic route, explore exotic caribbean coastlines on an island routes catamaran cruise, what's included.

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Open your palette to enjoy delicious made-to-order exotic cocktails from the bar, made with premium brand liquors and caribbean-inspired hors d’oeuvres to tantalize your taste buds.

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Our catamarans are up to 65-foot, equipped with air conditioned, spacious bathrooms, and a high-tech, eco-friendly engine for a fast and smooth ride.

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Delight in sightseeing as you explore Jamaica by sea and take in the astounding views. Snorkel and see what exotic marine life is there for you to uncover in the great, open waters.

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Why Choose a Caribbean Small Ship Cruise

The Caribbean features uninhabited islets populated by hundreds of animal and bird species, crystal-clear waters rich with spectacular coral reefs and gorgeous vistas that unfold onto deserted shores. Aboard small cruise ships in the Caribbean, come face to face with rich biodiversity while swimming in tropical waters and learn about the enchanting ruins and history of the region.

Selecting a Caribbean cruise vacation with AdventureSmith safeguards your adventure as it’s backed by a fully insured, U.S.-based company. We also gain you access to remote, off-the-beaten path islands, away from tourist crowds. Relish the sense of seclusion only a small ship can bestow. The expert guides traveling alongside you are often from the region, ensuring each unspoiled stop is both special and fascinating.

Experience the best of Belize in a customized and exclusive way on your own Belize charter cruise. Choose from a fleet of private, 6- to 10-guest catamarans, each equipped with a captain, gourmet chef and activity gear including options for fishing and diving.

Spend 8 days discovering natural and cultural treasures of Panama and Colombia's Caribbean aboard 100-guest National Geographic Quest. Hike through dense rainforests, explore inlets by kayak, snorkel in blue water and explore age-old traditions that remain part of everyday life.

Aboard a luxury small ship, cruise round-trip from Belize City to discover the lush landscapes and hypnotic shores of Honduras and Belize. Enjoy opportunities to dive, interact with locals, and seek wildlife in mangroves, rainforest, along beaches and under water.

Caribbean Small Ship Cruises

AdventureSmith’s Caribbean sailing vacations feature colorful flora and fauna, unique history, global cuisine and multicultural locals. Find your own paradise on Caribbean tall ship sailing cruises, Caribbean catamaran charters and more. Explore mangroves by skiff, kayak and stand-up paddleboard, right from your expedition ship. Cruise among more than 700 islands, visiting secluded bays only accessible by small cruise lines in the Caribbean.

With expert guides and historians, learn why this geographical nexus point has long been desirable for trading and military advantage; and why this unique region attracted seafaring Amerindians and cannibalistic Caribs, famous explorers such as Columbus and Drake, and infamous pirates including Captain Morgan and Blackbeard.

A Caribbean cruise vacation reveals the abundant sea life of hotspots like the Belize Barrier Reef—the largest reef system in the Northern Hemisphere—with inland explorations of Maya culture. Find your quintessential Caribbean sailing vacation with the solid guidance of the small ship experts at AdventureSmith Explorations.

Caribbean Small Ship Cruises with AdventureSmith

Small cruise lines in the Caribbean offer up-close, off-ship exploration of vibrant barrier reef, peaceful beaches, wildlife-filled jungles, mythical ruins and welcoming indigenous communities. Why book your Caribbean cruise vacation with AdventureSmith? 

Enjoy a Caribbean cruise with snorkeling, diving, swimming, paddling, hiking & more.

On your Caribbean cruise vacation, explore lush jungle, idyllic bays & private islands. 

Choose from a wide variety of itineraries, locales & small cruise ships in the Caribbean.

Our Caribbean cruise vacation deals offer discounts for cruises to the Caribbean in 2024.

Find Your Luxury Caribbean Cruise

Our luxury Caribbean cruise options offer top-notch guides and five-star onboard service. Consider one of our Caribbean tall ship sailing cruises aboard the historic Sea Cloud . Revel in French-inspired opulence aboard modern expedition ship Le Dumont D’Urville . Enjoy the luxury-meets-active feel of Le Ponant on her romantic cruises by small ship . Or opt for the luxury of an exclusive Caribbean catamaran charter aboard your private Belize charter yacht . Our experts are ready to help you find the best luxury Caribbean cruise based on your timeline and interests.

Make Memories On A Caribbean Catamaran Charter

Caribbean sailing vacations with family or friends are a popular way to experience the region’s dependable tradewinds. Honeymooners, families and small groups can experience the Caribbean in an exclusive way featuring your own agenda, via our popular Caribbean catamaran charter option: Belize Catamaran Charter Cruise . If Barbados, Colombia, or Costa Rica and Panama are calling, then view all of our Caribbean cruise vacation options ; any of our small cruise ships in the Caribbean are available for charter cruises .

“On your Caribbean cruise vacation, explore lush jungle, idyllic bays & private islands.”

Temperature & Rainfall

Year-Round Cruises To The Caribbean In 2024

Our Caribbean sailing vacations are offered year-round, with some itineraries focusing on the North American winter, when the weather is ideal and there are dependable tradewinds. Conversely, the North American summer months offer the best diving during a luxury Caribbean cruise or Caribbean catamaran charter. Note that the climate data referenced above is for Placencia, Belize, with even warmer temps encountered farther south on small cruise ships in the Caribbean.

When Should You Plan Your Caribbean Cruise Vacation?

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Unique Caribbean Small Ships

Our Caribbean small ships offer a bright and airy atmosphere, bold colors, elegant decor and plentiful deck space perfect for taking in the sights and sounds of this sun-soaked region. Expedition ships feature sophisticated launch platforms, hydrophones and an underwater camera. Romantic tall ships or a Caribbean charter ship provide an exclusive experience. Caribbean sailing vacations aboard small ships offer opportunities for off-the-boat exploration that typical large Caribbean Sea cruisers can’t provide.

Small ships allow focused groups of likeminded travelers to tuck between unique islands into remote Caribbean resorts and beaches that are yours to savor. Access idyllic bays, hidden coves and white-sand beaches by inflatable skiff, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Spend your Caribbean cruise snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving in pristine waters near precious coral reefs and uninhabited islets.

The 58-guest Sea Cloud: Lindblad is the historic Marjorie Merriweather Post sailing yacht Sea Cloud, chartered by Lindblad Expeditions for select Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. Enjoy the grace and class of an extraordinarily elegant ship while relaxing in the casual atmosphere and informal style of expedition travel.

These 6- to 10-guest catamarans are colorful motorsailors equipped for your all-inclusive, tropical island-hopping Belize sailing vacation. Enjoy your own captain, gourmet chef and activity gear for an exclusive, customizable getaway.

This Relais & Chateaux ship with a crew of 33 treats her 32 guests to authentic and luxurious experiences with refined French touches. Come aboard for 3 decks of open-air spaces, upscale cuisine, onboard activity gear and the feel of a private yacht.

Purpose built to cruise coastal waters, shallow coves and fast-moving channels, the 100-guest National Geographic Quest is a luxurious and state-of-the-art expedition vessel designed for supreme comfort and enhanced wildlife viewing.

The 184-guest Le Bellot is a modern, luxury expedition ship cruising the Arctic and Caribbean. She offers an upscale onboard ambiance, impressive service, and an engaging expedition program of both onboard lectures and off-ship excursions.

Caribbean Small Ship Cruise Reviews

Our Caribbean cruise vacation reviews reveal insights into the experience aboard small cruise ships in the Caribbean. Read these detailed trip reviews and journals written by travelers and our staff to learn about their experiences on small cruise lines in the Caribbean. What’s it like to get away from the crowds? What unique cross-cultural traits stem from the region? What creatures did they discover? These honest stories not only help you learn more about what it’s like but also help you pinpoint the best Caribbean cruise vacation.

Travel with AdventureSmith's Jennifer to Panama's Pearl Islands, Darien Jungle, Gamboa Rainforest and through the Panama Canal aboard the 24-guest Discovery catamaran.

Learn what life is like on board an exclusive sailing yacht in Belize and how it differs from a motor yacht or small cruise ship.

A review of the inaugural Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia Cruise aboard the 72-guest Variety Voyager written by AdventureSmith Explorations' founder.

Caribbean Small Ship Cruise Deals

Contact one of our Adventure Specialists for the latest Caribbean special offers. Our long-term relationships with vetted Caribbean partners translate into discounts and help you select the best option to cruise this incredible place at the optimal price.

Book early to lock in a low fare. AdventureSmith can help refine your options and determine which small boat cruise in the Caribbean is your best fit.

Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more on a variety of 2024 or 2025 National Geographic expeditions worldwide.

Save $500 per kid under 18 when you book your 2024 or 2025 departure from a variety of National Geographic expeditions worldwide.

Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more on select 2024 and 2025 departures of the below-linked National Geographic expeditions.

Offer valid on new bookings only, for a limited time upon availability and may be combined with other select offers. Applicable on voyage fares only, not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from the standard policy. See all  cruise deals  for a comprehensive list of current savings on these and other adventures.

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Crying Myself to Sleep on the Biggest Cruise Ship Ever

Seven agonizing nights aboard the Icon of the Seas

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Updated at 2:44 p.m. ET on April 6, 2024.

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MY FIRST GLIMPSE of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, from the window of an approaching Miami cab, brings on a feeling of vertigo, nausea, amazement, and distress. I shut my eyes in defense, as my brain tells my optic nerve to try again.

The ship makes no sense, vertically or horizontally. It makes no sense on sea, or on land, or in outer space. It looks like a hodgepodge of domes and minarets, tubes and canopies, like Istanbul had it been designed by idiots. Vibrant, oversignifying colors are stacked upon other such colors, decks perched over still more decks; the only comfort is a row of lifeboats ringing its perimeter. There is no imposed order, no cogent thought, and, for those who do not harbor a totalitarian sense of gigantomania, no visual mercy. This is the biggest cruise ship ever built, and I have been tasked with witnessing its inaugural voyage.

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“Author embarks on their first cruise-ship voyage” has been a staple of American essay writing for almost three decades, beginning with David Foster Wallace’s “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again,” which was first published in 1996 under the title “Shipping Out.” Since then, many admirable writers have widened and diversified the genre. Usually the essayist commissioned to take to the sea is in their first or second flush of youth and is ready to sharpen their wit against the hull of the offending vessel. I am 51, old and tired, having seen much of the world as a former travel journalist, and mostly what I do in both life and prose is shrug while muttering to my imaginary dachshund, “This too shall pass.” But the Icon of the Seas will not countenance a shrug. The Icon of the Seas is the Linda Loman of cruise ships, exclaiming that attention must be paid. And here I am in late January with my one piece of luggage and useless gray winter jacket and passport, zipping through the Port of Miami en route to the gangway that will separate me from the bulk of North America for more than seven days, ready to pay it in full.

The aforementioned gangway opens up directly onto a thriving mall (I will soon learn it is imperiously called the “Royal Promenade”), presently filled with yapping passengers beneath a ceiling studded with balloons ready to drop. Crew members from every part of the global South, as well as a few Balkans, are shepherding us along while pressing flutes of champagne into our hands. By a humming Starbucks, I drink as many of these as I can and prepare to find my cabin. I show my blue Suite Sky SeaPass Card (more on this later, much more) to a smiling woman from the Philippines, and she tells me to go “aft.” Which is where, now? As someone who has rarely sailed on a vessel grander than the Staten Island Ferry, I am confused. It turns out that the aft is the stern of the ship, or, for those of us who don’t know what a stern or an aft are, its ass. The nose of the ship, responsible for separating the waves before it, is also called a bow, and is marked for passengers as the FWD , or forward. The part of the contemporary sailing vessel where the malls are clustered is called the midship. I trust that you have enjoyed this nautical lesson.

I ascend via elevator to my suite on Deck 11. This is where I encounter my first terrible surprise. My suite windows and balcony do not face the ocean. Instead, they look out onto another shopping mall. This mall is the one that’s called Central Park, perhaps in homage to the Olmsted-designed bit of greenery in the middle of my hometown. Although on land I would be delighted to own a suite with Central Park views, here I am deeply depressed. To sail on a ship and not wake up to a vast blue carpet of ocean? Unthinkable.

Allow me a brief preamble here. The story you are reading was commissioned at a moment when most staterooms on the Icon were sold out. In fact, so enthralled by the prospect of this voyage were hard-core mariners that the ship’s entire inventory of guest rooms (the Icon can accommodate up to 7,600 passengers, but its inaugural journey was reduced to 5,000 or so for a less crowded experience) was almost immediately sold out. Hence, this publication was faced with the shocking prospect of paying nearly $19,000 to procure for this solitary passenger an entire suite—not including drinking expenses—all for the privilege of bringing you this article. But the suite in question doesn’t even have a view of the ocean! I sit down hard on my soft bed. Nineteen thousand dollars for this .

The viewless suite does have its pluses. In addition to all the Malin+Goetz products in my dual bathrooms, I am granted use of a dedicated Suite Deck lounge; access to Coastal Kitchen, a superior restaurant for Suites passengers; complimentary VOOM SM Surf & Stream (“the fastest Internet at Sea”) “for one device per person for the whole cruise duration”; a pair of bathrobes (one of which comes prestained with what looks like a large expectoration by the greenest lizard on Earth); and use of the Grove Suite Sun, an area on Decks 18 and 19 with food and deck chairs reserved exclusively for Suite passengers. I also get reserved seating for a performance of The Wizard of Oz , an ice-skating tribute to the periodic table, and similar provocations. The very color of my Suite Sky SeaPass Card, an oceanic blue as opposed to the cloying royal purple of the standard non-Suite passenger, will soon provoke envy and admiration. But as high as my status may be, there are those on board who have much higher status still, and I will soon learn to bow before them.

In preparation for sailing, I have “priced in,” as they say on Wall Street, the possibility that I may come from a somewhat different monde than many of the other cruisers. Without falling into stereotypes or preconceptions, I prepare myself for a friendly outspokenness on the part of my fellow seafarers that may not comply with modern DEI standards. I believe in meeting people halfway, and so the day before flying down to Miami, I visited what remains of Little Italy to purchase a popular T-shirt that reads DADDY’S LITTLE MEATBALL across the breast in the colors of the Italian flag. My wife recommended that I bring one of my many T-shirts featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, as all Americans love the beagle and his friends. But I naively thought that my meatball T-shirt would be more suitable for conversation-starting. “Oh, and who is your ‘daddy’?” some might ask upon seeing it. “And how long have you been his ‘little meatball’?” And so on.

I put on my meatball T-shirt and head for one of the dining rooms to get a late lunch. In the elevator, I stick out my chest for all to read the funny legend upon it, but soon I realize that despite its burnished tricolor letters, no one takes note. More to the point, no one takes note of me. Despite my attempts at bridge building, the very sight of me (small, ethnic, without a cap bearing the name of a football team) elicits no reaction from other passengers. Most often, they will small-talk over me as if I don’t exist. This brings to mind the travails of David Foster Wallace , who felt so ostracized by his fellow passengers that he retreated to his cabin for much of his voyage. And Wallace was raised primarily in the Midwest and was a much larger, more American-looking meatball than I am. If he couldn’t talk to these people, how will I? What if I leave this ship without making any friends at all, despite my T-shirt? I am a social creature, and the prospect of seven days alone and apart is saddening. Wallace’s stateroom, at least, had a view of the ocean, a kind of cheap eternity.

Worse awaits me in the dining room. This is a large, multichandeliered room where I attended my safety training (I was shown how to put on a flotation vest; it is a very simple procedure). But the maître d’ politely refuses me entry in an English that seems to verge on another language. “I’m sorry, this is only for pendejos ,” he seems to be saying. I push back politely and he repeats himself. Pendejos ? Piranhas? There’s some kind of P-word to which I am not attuned. Meanwhile elderly passengers stream right past, powered by their limbs, walkers, and electric wheelchairs. “It is only pendejo dining today, sir.” “But I have a suite!” I say, already starting to catch on to the ship’s class system. He examines my card again. “But you are not a pendejo ,” he confirms. I am wearing a DADDY’S LITTLE MEATBALL T-shirt, I want to say to him. I am the essence of pendejo .

Eventually, I give up and head to the plebeian buffet on Deck 15, which has an aquatic-styled name I have now forgotten. Before gaining entry to this endless cornucopia of reheated food, one passes a washing station of many sinks and soap dispensers, and perhaps the most intriguing character on the entire ship. He is Mr. Washy Washy—or, according to his name tag, Nielbert of the Philippines—and he is dressed as a taco (on other occasions, I’ll see him dressed as a burger). Mr. Washy Washy performs an eponymous song in spirited, indeed flamboyant English: “Washy, washy, wash your hands, WASHY WASHY!” The dangers of norovirus and COVID on a cruise ship this size (a giant fellow ship was stricken with the former right after my voyage) makes Mr. Washy Washy an essential member of the crew. The problem lies with the food at the end of Washy’s rainbow. The buffet is groaning with what sounds like sophisticated dishes—marinated octopus, boiled egg with anchovy, chorizo, lobster claws—but every animal tastes tragically the same, as if there was only one creature available at the market, a “cruisipus” bred specifically for Royal Caribbean dining. The “vegetables” are no better. I pick up a tomato slice and look right through it. It tastes like cellophane. I sit alone, apart from the couples and parents with gaggles of children, as “We Are Family” echoes across the buffet space.

I may have failed to mention that all this time, the Icon of the Seas has not left port. As the fiery mango of the subtropical setting sun makes Miami’s condo skyline even more apocalyptic, the ship shoves off beneath a perfunctory display of fireworks. After the sun sets, in the far, dark distance, another circus-lit cruise ship ruptures the waves before us. We glance at it with pity, because it is by definition a smaller ship than our own. I am on Deck 15, outside the buffet and overlooking a bunch of pools (the Icon has seven of them), drinking a frilly drink that I got from one of the bars (the Icon has 15 of them), still too shy to speak to anyone, despite Sister Sledge’s assertion that all on the ship are somehow related.

Kim Brooks: On failing the family vacation

The ship’s passage away from Ron DeSantis’s Florida provides no frisson, no sense of developing “sea legs,” as the ship is too large to register the presence of waves unless a mighty wind adds significant chop. It is time for me to register the presence of the 5,000 passengers around me, even if they refuse to register mine. My fellow travelers have prepared for this trip with personally decorated T-shirts celebrating the importance of this voyage. The simplest ones say ICON INAUGURAL ’24 on the back and the family name on the front. Others attest to an over-the-top love of cruise ships: WARNING! MAY START TALKING ABOUT CRUISING . Still others are artisanally designed and celebrate lifetimes spent married while cruising (on ships, of course). A couple possibly in their 90s are wearing shirts whose backs feature a drawing of a cruise liner, two flamingos with ostensibly male and female characteristics, and the legend “ HUSBAND AND WIFE Cruising Partners FOR LIFE WE MAY NOT HAVE IT All Together BUT TOGETHER WE HAVE IT ALL .” (The words not in all caps have been written in cursive.) A real journalist or a more intrepid conversationalist would have gone up to the couple and asked them to explain the longevity of their marriage vis-à-vis their love of cruising. But instead I head to my mall suite, take off my meatball T-shirt, and allow the first tears of the cruise to roll down my cheeks slowly enough that I briefly fall asleep amid the moisture and salt.

I WAKE UP with a hangover. Oh God. Right. I cannot believe all of that happened last night. A name floats into my cobwebbed, nauseated brain: “Ayn Rand.” Jesus Christ.

I breakfast alone at the Coastal Kitchen. The coffee tastes fine and the eggs came out of a bird. The ship rolls slightly this morning; I can feel it in my thighs and my schlong, the parts of me that are most receptive to danger.

I had a dangerous conversation last night. After the sun set and we were at least 50 miles from shore (most modern cruise ships sail at about 23 miles an hour), I lay in bed softly hiccupping, my arms stretched out exactly like Jesus on the cross, the sound of the distant waves missing from my mall-facing suite, replaced by the hum of air-conditioning and children shouting in Spanish through the vents of my two bathrooms. I decided this passivity was unacceptable. As an immigrant, I feel duty-bound to complete the tasks I am paid for, which means reaching out and trying to understand my fellow cruisers. So I put on a normal James Perse T-shirt and headed for one of the bars on the Royal Promenade—the Schooner Bar, it was called, if memory serves correctly.

I sat at the bar for a martini and two Negronis. An old man with thick, hairy forearms drank next to me, very silent and Hemingwaylike, while a dreadlocked piano player tinkled out a series of excellent Elton John covers. To my right, a young white couple—he in floral shorts, she in a light, summery miniskirt with a fearsome diamond ring, neither of them in football regalia—chatted with an elderly couple. Do it , I commanded myself. Open your mouth. Speak! Speak without being spoken to. Initiate. A sentence fragment caught my ear from the young woman, “Cherry Hill.” This is a suburb of Philadelphia in New Jersey, and I had once been there for a reading at a synagogue. “Excuse me,” I said gently to her. “Did you just mention Cherry Hill? It’s a lovely place.”

As it turned out, the couple now lived in Fort Lauderdale (the number of Floridians on the cruise surprised me, given that Southern Florida is itself a kind of cruise ship, albeit one slowly sinking), but soon they were talking with me exclusively—the man potbellied, with a chin like a hard-boiled egg; the woman as svelte as if she were one of the many Ukrainian members of the crew—the elderly couple next to them forgotten. This felt as groundbreaking as the first time I dared to address an American in his native tongue, as a child on a bus in Queens (“On my foot you are standing, Mister”).

“I don’t want to talk politics,” the man said. “But they’re going to eighty-six Biden and put Michelle in.”

I considered the contradictions of his opening conversational gambit, but decided to play along. “People like Michelle,” I said, testing the waters. The husband sneered, but the wife charitably put forward that the former first lady was “more personable” than Joe Biden. “They’re gonna eighty-six Biden,” the husband repeated. “He can’t put a sentence together.”

After I mentioned that I was a writer—though I presented myself as a writer of teleplays instead of novels and articles such as this one—the husband told me his favorite writer was Ayn Rand. “Ayn Rand, she came here with nothing,” the husband said. “I work with a lot of Cubans, so …” I wondered if I should mention what I usually do to ingratiate myself with Republicans or libertarians: the fact that my finances improved after pass-through corporations were taxed differently under Donald Trump. Instead, I ordered another drink and the couple did the same, and I told him that Rand and I were born in the same city, St. Petersburg/Leningrad, and that my family also came here with nothing. Now the bonding and drinking began in earnest, and several more rounds appeared. Until it all fell apart.

Read: Gary Shteyngart on watching Russian television for five days straight

My new friend, whom I will refer to as Ayn, called out to a buddy of his across the bar, and suddenly a young couple, both covered in tattoos, appeared next to us. “He fucking punked me,” Ayn’s frat-boy-like friend called out as he put his arm around Ayn, while his sizable partner sizzled up to Mrs. Rand. Both of them had a look I have never seen on land—their eyes projecting absence and enmity in equal measure. In the ’90s, I drank with Russian soldiers fresh from Chechnya and wandered the streets of wartime Zagreb, but I have never seen such undisguised hostility toward both me and perhaps the universe at large. I was briefly introduced to this psychopathic pair, but neither of them wanted to have anything to do with me, and the tattooed woman would not even reveal her Christian name to me (she pretended to have the same first name as Mrs. Rand). To impress his tattooed friends, Ayn made fun of the fact that as a television writer, I’d worked on the series Succession (which, it would turn out, practically nobody on the ship had watched), instead of the far more palatable, in his eyes, zombie drama of last year. And then my new friends drifted away from me into an angry private conversation—“He punked me!”—as I ordered another drink for myself, scared of the dead-eyed arrivals whose gaze never registered in the dim wattage of the Schooner Bar, whose terrifying voices and hollow laughs grated like unoiled gears against the crooning of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”

But today is a new day for me and my hangover. After breakfast, I explore the ship’s so-called neighborhoods . There’s the AquaDome, where one can find a food hall and an acrobatic sound-and-light aquatic show. Central Park has a premium steak house, a sushi joint, and a used Rolex that can be bought for $8,000 on land here proudly offered at $17,000. There’s the aforementioned Royal Promenade, where I had drunk with the Rands, and where a pair of dueling pianos duel well into the night. There’s Surfside, a kids’ neighborhood full of sugary garbage, which looks out onto the frothy trail that the behemoth leaves behind itself. Thrill Island refers to the collection of tubes that clutter the ass of the ship and offer passengers six waterslides and a surfing simulation. There’s the Hideaway, an adult zone that plays music from a vomit-slathered, Brit-filled Alicante nightclub circa 1996 and proves a big favorite with groups of young Latin American customers. And, most hurtfully, there’s the Suite Neighborhood.

I say hurtfully because as a Suite passenger I should be here, though my particular suite is far from the others. Whereas I am stuck amid the riffraff of Deck 11, this section is on the highborn Decks 16 and 17, and in passing, I peek into the spacious, tall-ceilinged staterooms from the hallway, dazzled by the glint of the waves and sun. For $75,000, one multifloor suite even comes with its own slide between floors, so that a family may enjoy this particular terror in private. There is a quiet splendor to the Suite Neighborhood. I see fewer stickers and signs and drawings than in my own neighborhood—for example, MIKE AND DIANA PROUDLY SERVED U.S. MARINE CORPS RETIRED . No one here needs to announce their branch of service or rank; they are simply Suites, and this is where they belong. Once again, despite my hard work and perseverance, I have been disallowed from the true American elite. Once again, I am “Not our class, dear.” I am reminded of watching The Love Boat on my grandmother’s Zenith, which either was given to her or we found in the trash (I get our many malfunctioning Zeniths confused) and whose tube got so hot, I would put little chunks of government cheese on a thin tissue atop it to give our welfare treat a pleasant, Reagan-era gooeyness. I could not understand English well enough then to catch the nuances of that seafaring program, but I knew that there were differences in the status of the passengers, and that sometimes those differences made them sad. Still, this ship, this plenty—every few steps, there are complimentary nachos or milkshakes or gyros on offer—was the fatty fuel of my childhood dreams. If only I had remained a child.

I walk around the outdoor decks looking for company. There is a middle-aged African American couple who always seem to be asleep in each other’s arms, probably exhausted from the late capitalism they regularly encounter on land. There is far more diversity on this ship than I expected. Many couples are a testament to Loving v. Virginia , and there is a large group of folks whose T-shirts read MELANIN AT SEA / IT’S THE MELANIN FOR ME . I smile when I see them, but then some young kids from the group makes Mr. Washy Washy do a cruel, caricatured “Burger Dance” (today he is in his burger getup), and I think, Well, so much for intersectionality .

At the infinity pool on Deck 17, I spot some elderly women who could be ethnic and from my part of the world, and so I jump in. I am proved correct! Many of them seem to be originally from Queens (“Corona was still great when it was all Italian”), though they are now spread across the tristate area. We bond over the way “Ron-kon-koma” sounds when announced in Penn Station.

“Everyone is here for a different reason,” one of them tells me. She and her ex-husband last sailed together four years ago to prove to themselves that their marriage was truly over. Her 15-year-old son lost his virginity to “an Irish young lady” while their ship was moored in Ravenna, Italy. The gaggle of old-timers competes to tell me their favorite cruising stories and tips. “A guy proposed in Central Park a couple of years ago”—many Royal Caribbean ships apparently have this ridiculous communal area—“and she ran away screaming!” “If you’re diamond-class, you get four drinks for free.” “A different kind of passenger sails out of Bayonne.” (This, perhaps, is racially coded.) “Sometimes, if you tip the bartender $5, your next drink will be free.”

“Everyone’s here for a different reason,” the woman whose marriage ended on a cruise tells me again. “Some people are here for bad reasons—the drinkers and the gamblers. Some people are here for medical reasons.” I have seen more than a few oxygen tanks and at least one woman clearly undergoing very serious chemo. Some T-shirts celebrate good news about a cancer diagnosis. This might be someone’s last cruise or week on Earth. For these women, who have spent months, if not years, at sea, cruising is a ritual as well as a life cycle: first love, last love, marriage, divorce, death.

Read: The last place on Earth any tourist should go

I have talked with these women for so long, tonight I promise myself that after a sad solitary dinner I will not try to seek out company at the bars in the mall or the adult-themed Hideaway. I have enough material to fulfill my duties to this publication. As I approach my orphaned suite, I run into the aggro young people who stole Mr. and Mrs. Rand away from me the night before. The tattooed apparitions pass me without a glance. She is singing something violent about “Stuttering Stanley” (a character in a popular horror movie, as I discover with my complimentary VOOM SM Surf & Stream Internet at Sea) and he’s loudly shouting about “all the money I’ve lost,” presumably at the casino in the bowels of the ship.

So these bent psychos out of a Cormac McCarthy novel are angrily inhabiting my deck. As I mewl myself to sleep, I envision a limited series for HBO or some other streamer, a kind of low-rent White Lotus , where several aggressive couples conspire to throw a shy intellectual interloper overboard. I type the scenario into my phone. As I fall asleep, I think of what the woman who recently divorced her husband and whose son became a man through the good offices of the Irish Republic told me while I was hoisting myself out of the infinity pool. “I’m here because I’m an explorer. I’m here because I’m trying something new.” What if I allowed myself to believe in her fantasy?

“YOU REALLY STARTED AT THE TOP,” they tell me. I’m at the Coastal Kitchen for my eggs and corned-beef hash, and the maître d’ has slotted me in between two couples. Fueled by coffee or perhaps intrigued by my relative youth, they strike up a conversation with me. As always, people are shocked that this is my first cruise. They contrast the Icon favorably with all the preceding liners in the Royal Caribbean fleet, usually commenting on the efficiency of the elevators that hurl us from deck to deck (as in many large corporate buildings, the elevators ask you to choose a floor and then direct you to one of many lifts). The couple to my right, from Palo Alto—he refers to his “porn mustache” and calls his wife “my cougar” because she is two years older—tell me they are “Pandemic Pinnacles.”

This is the day that my eyes will be opened. Pinnacles , it is explained to me over translucent cantaloupe, have sailed with Royal Caribbean for 700 ungodly nights. Pandemic Pinnacles took advantage of the two-for-one accrual rate of Pinnacle points during the pandemic, when sailing on a cruise ship was even more ill-advised, to catapult themselves into Pinnacle status.

Because of the importance of the inaugural voyage of the world’s largest cruise liner, more than 200 Pinnacles are on this ship, a startling number, it seems. Mrs. Palo Alto takes out a golden badge that I have seen affixed over many a breast, which reads CROWN AND ANCHOR SOCIETY along with her name. This is the coveted badge of the Pinnacle. “You should hear all the whining in Guest Services,” her husband tells me. Apparently, the Pinnacles who are not also Suites like us are all trying to use their status to get into Coastal Kitchen, our elite restaurant. Even a Pinnacle needs to be a Suite to access this level of corned-beef hash.

“We’re just baby Pinnacles,” Mrs. Palo Alto tells me, describing a kind of internal class struggle among the Pinnacle elite for ever higher status.

And now I understand what the maître d’ was saying to me on the first day of my cruise. He wasn’t saying “ pendejo .” He was saying “Pinnacle.” The dining room was for Pinnacles only, all those older people rolling in like the tide on their motorized scooters.

And now I understand something else: This whole thing is a cult. And like most cults, it can’t help but mirror the endless American fight for status. Like Keith Raniere’s NXIVM, where different-colored sashes were given out to connote rank among Raniere’s branded acolytes, this is an endless competition among Pinnacles, Suites, Diamond-Plusers, and facing-the-mall, no-balcony purple SeaPass Card peasants, not to mention the many distinctions within each category. The more you cruise, the higher your status. No wonder a section of the Royal Promenade is devoted to getting passengers to book their next cruise during the one they should be enjoying now. No wonder desperate Royal Caribbean offers (“FINAL HOURS”) crowded my email account weeks before I set sail. No wonder the ship’s jewelry store, the Royal Bling, is selling a $100,000 golden chalice that will entitle its owner to drink free on Royal Caribbean cruises for life. (One passenger was already gaming out whether her 28-year-old son was young enough to “just about earn out” on the chalice or if that ship had sailed.) No wonder this ship was sold out months before departure , and we had to pay $19,000 for a horrid suite away from the Suite Neighborhood. No wonder the most mythical hero of Royal Caribbean lore is someone named Super Mario, who has cruised so often, he now has his own working desk on many ships. This whole experience is part cult, part nautical pyramid scheme.

From the June 2014 issue: Ship of wonks

“The toilets are amazing,” the Palo Altos are telling me. “One flush and you’re done.” “They don’t understand how energy-efficient these ships are,” the husband of the other couple is telling me. “They got the LNG”—liquefied natural gas, which is supposed to make the Icon a boon to the environment (a concept widely disputed and sometimes ridiculed by environmentalists).

But I’m thinking along a different line of attack as I spear my last pallid slice of melon. For my streaming limited series, a Pinnacle would have to get killed by either an outright peasant or a Suite without an ocean view. I tell my breakfast companions my idea.

“Oh, for sure a Pinnacle would have to be killed,” Mr. Palo Alto, the Pandemic Pinnacle, says, touching his porn mustache thoughtfully as his wife nods.

“THAT’S RIGHT, IT’S your time, buddy!” Hubert, my fun-loving Panamanian cabin attendant, shouts as I step out of my suite in a robe. “Take it easy, buddy!”

I have come up with a new dressing strategy. Instead of trying to impress with my choice of T-shirts, I have decided to start wearing a robe, as one does at a resort property on land, with a proper spa and hammam. The response among my fellow cruisers has been ecstatic. “Look at you in the robe!” Mr. Rand cries out as we pass each other by the Thrill Island aqua park. “You’re living the cruise life! You know, you really drank me under the table that night.” I laugh as we part ways, but my soul cries out, Please spend more time with me, Mr. and Mrs. Rand; I so need the company .

In my white robe, I am a stately presence, a refugee from a better limited series, a one-man crossover episode. (Only Suites are granted these robes to begin with.) Today, I will try many of the activities these ships have on offer to provide their clientele with a sense of never-ceasing motion. Because I am already at Thrill Island, I decide to climb the staircase to what looks like a mast on an old-fashioned ship (terrified, because I am afraid of heights) to try a ride called “Storm Chasers,” which is part of the “Category 6” water park, named in honor of one of the storms that may someday do away with the Port of Miami entirely. Storm Chasers consists of falling from the “mast” down a long, twisting neon tube filled with water, like being the camera inside your own colonoscopy, as you hold on to the handles of a mat, hoping not to die. The tube then flops you down headfirst into a trough of water, a Royal Caribbean baptism. It both knocks my breath out and makes me sad.

In keeping with the aquatic theme, I attend a show at the AquaDome. To the sound of “Live and Let Die,” a man in a harness gyrates to and fro in the sultry air. I saw something very similar in the back rooms of the famed Berghain club in early-aughts Berlin. Soon another harnessed man is gyrating next to the first. Ja , I think to myself, I know how this ends. Now will come the fisting , natürlich . But the show soon devolves into the usual Marvel-film-grade nonsense, with too much light and sound signifying nichts . If any fisting is happening, it is probably in the Suite Neighborhood, inside a cabin marked with an upside-down pineapple, which I understand means a couple are ready to swing, and I will see none of it.

I go to the ice show, which is a kind of homage—if that’s possible—to the periodic table, done with the style and pomp and masterful precision that would please the likes of Kim Jong Un, if only he could afford Royal Caribbean talent. At one point, the dancers skate to the theme song of Succession . “See that!” I want to say to my fellow Suites—at “cultural” events, we have a special section reserved for us away from the commoners—“ Succession ! It’s even better than the zombie show! Open your minds!”

Finally, I visit a comedy revue in an enormous and too brightly lit version of an “intimate,” per Royal Caribbean literature, “Manhattan comedy club.” Many of the jokes are about the cruising life. “I’ve lived on ships for 20 years,” one of the middle-aged comedians says. “I can only see so many Filipino homosexuals dressed as a taco.” He pauses while the audience laughs. “I am so fired tonight,” he says. He segues into a Trump impression and then Biden falling asleep at the microphone, which gets the most laughs. “Anyone here from Fort Leonard Wood?” another comedian asks. Half the crowd seems to cheer. As I fall asleep that night, I realize another connection I have failed to make, and one that may explain some of the diversity on this vessel—many of its passengers have served in the military.

As a coddled passenger with a suite, I feel like I am starting to understand what it means to have a rank and be constantly reminded of it. There are many espresso makers , I think as I look across the expanse of my officer-grade quarters before closing my eyes, but this one is mine .

A shocking sight greets me beyond the pools of Deck 17 as I saunter over to the Coastal Kitchen for my morning intake of slightly sour Americanos. A tiny city beneath a series of perfectly pressed green mountains. Land! We have docked for a brief respite in Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis. I wolf down my egg scramble to be one of the first passengers off the ship. Once past the gangway, I barely refrain from kissing the ground. I rush into the sights and sounds of this scruffy island city, sampling incredible conch curry and buckets of non-Starbucks coffee. How wonderful it is to be where God intended humans to be: on land. After all, I am neither a fish nor a mall rat. This is my natural environment. Basseterre may not be Havana, but there are signs of human ingenuity and desire everywhere you look. The Black Table Grill Has been Relocated to Soho Village, Market Street, Directly Behind of, Gary’s Fruits and Flower Shop. Signed. THE PORK MAN reads a sign stuck to a wall. Now, that is how you write a sign. A real sign, not the come-ons for overpriced Rolexes that blink across the screens of the Royal Promenade.

“Hey, tie your shoestring!” a pair of laughing ladies shout to me across the street.

“Thank you!” I shout back. Shoestring! “Thank you very much.”

A man in Independence Square Park comes by and asks if I want to play with his monkey. I haven’t heard that pickup line since the Penn Station of the 1980s. But then he pulls a real monkey out of a bag. The monkey is wearing a diaper and looks insane. Wonderful , I think, just wonderful! There is so much life here. I email my editor asking if I can remain on St. Kitts and allow the Icon to sail off into the horizon without me. I have even priced a flight home at less than $300, and I have enough material from the first four days on the cruise to write the entire story. “It would be funny …” my editor replies. “Now get on the boat.”

As I slink back to the ship after my brief jailbreak, the locals stand under umbrellas to gaze at and photograph the boat that towers over their small capital city. The limousines of the prime minister and his lackeys are parked beside the gangway. St. Kitts, I’ve been told, is one of the few islands that would allow a ship of this size to dock.

“We hear about all the waterslides,” a sweet young server in one of the cafés told me. “We wish we could go on the ship, but we have to work.”

“I want to stay on your island,” I replied. “I love it here.”

But she didn’t understand how I could possibly mean that.

“WASHY, WASHY, so you don’t get stinky, stinky!” kids are singing outside the AquaDome, while their adult minders look on in disapproval, perhaps worried that Mr. Washy Washy is grooming them into a life of gayness. I heard a southern couple skip the buffet entirely out of fear of Mr. Washy Washy.

Meanwhile, I have found a new watering hole for myself, the Swim & Tonic, the biggest swim-up bar on any cruise ship in the world. Drinking next to full-size, nearly naked Americans takes away one’s own self-consciousness. The men have curvaceous mom bodies. The women are equally un-shy about their sprawling physiques.

Today I’ve befriended a bald man with many children who tells me that all of the little trinkets that Royal Caribbean has left us in our staterooms and suites are worth a fortune on eBay. “Eighty dollars for the water bottle, 60 for the lanyard,” the man says. “This is a cult.”

“Tell me about it,” I say. There is, however, a clientele for whom this cruise makes perfect sense. For a large middle-class family (he works in “supply chains”), seven days in a lower-tier cabin—which starts at $1,800 a person—allow the parents to drop off their children in Surfside, where I imagine many young Filipina crew members will take care of them, while the parents are free to get drunk at a swim-up bar and maybe even get intimate in their cabin. Cruise ships have become, for a certain kind of hardworking family, a form of subsidized child care.

There is another man I would like to befriend at the Swim & Tonic, a tall, bald fellow who is perpetually inebriated and who wears a necklace studded with little rubber duckies in sunglasses, which, I am told, is a sort of secret handshake for cruise aficionados. Tomorrow, I will spend more time with him, but first the ship docks at St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Charlotte Amalie, the capital, is more charming in name than in presence, but I still all but jump off the ship to score a juicy oxtail and plantains at the well-known Petite Pump Room, overlooking the harbor. From one of the highest points in the small city, the Icon of the Seas appears bigger than the surrounding hills.

I usually tan very evenly, but something about the discombobulation of life at sea makes me forget the regular application of sunscreen. As I walk down the streets of Charlotte Amalie in my fluorescent Icon of the Seas cap, an old Rastafarian stares me down. “Redneck,” he hisses.

“No,” I want to tell him, as I bring a hand up to my red neck, “that’s not who I am at all. On my island, Mannahatta, as Whitman would have it, I am an interesting person living within an engaging artistic milieu. I do not wish to use the Caribbean as a dumping ground for the cruise-ship industry. I love the work of Derek Walcott. You don’t understand. I am not a redneck. And if I am, they did this to me.” They meaning Royal Caribbean? Its passengers? The Rands?

“They did this to me!”

Back on the Icon, some older matrons are muttering about a run-in with passengers from the Celebrity cruise ship docked next to us, the Celebrity Apex. Although Celebrity Cruises is also owned by Royal Caribbean, I am made to understand that there is a deep fratricidal beef between passengers of the two lines. “We met a woman from the Apex,” one matron says, “and she says it was a small ship and there was nothing to do. Her face was as tight as a 19-year-old’s, she had so much surgery.” With those words, and beneath a cloudy sky, humidity shrouding our weathered faces and red necks, we set sail once again, hopefully in the direction of home.

THERE ARE BARELY 48 HOURS LEFT to the cruise, and the Icon of the Seas’ passengers are salty. They know how to work the elevators. They know the Washy Washy song by heart. They understand that the chicken gyro at “Feta Mediterranean,” in the AquaDome Market, is the least problematic form of chicken on the ship.

The passengers have shed their INAUGURAL CRUISE T-shirts and are now starting to evince political opinions. There are caps pledging to make America great again and T-shirts that celebrate words sometimes attributed to Patrick Henry: “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people; it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.” With their preponderance of FAMILY FLAG FAITH FRIENDS FIREARMS T-shirts, the tables by the crepe station sometimes resemble the Capitol Rotunda on January 6. The Real Anthony Fauci , by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appears to be a popular form of literature, especially among young men with very complicated versions of the American flag on their T-shirts. Other opinions blend the personal and the political. “Someone needs to kill Washy guy, right?” a well-dressed man in the elevator tells me, his gray eyes radiating nothing. “Just beat him to death. Am I right?” I overhear the male member of a young couple whisper, “There goes that freak” as I saunter by in my white spa robe, and I decide to retire it for the rest of the cruise.

I visit the Royal Bling to see up close the $100,000 golden chalice that entitles you to free drinks on Royal Caribbean forever. The pleasant Serbian saleslady explains that the chalice is actually gold-plated and covered in white zirconia instead of diamonds, as it would otherwise cost $1 million. “If you already have everything,” she explains, “this is one more thing you can get.”

I believe that anyone who works for Royal Caribbean should be entitled to immediate American citizenship. They already speak English better than most of the passengers and, per the Serbian lady’s sales pitch above, better understand what America is as well. Crew members like my Panamanian cabin attendant seem to work 24 hours a day. A waiter from New Delhi tells me that his contract is six months and three weeks long. After a cruise ends, he says, “in a few hours, we start again for the next cruise.” At the end of the half a year at sea, he is allowed a two-to-three-month stay at home with his family. As of 2019, the median income for crew members was somewhere in the vicinity of $20,000, according to a major business publication. Royal Caribbean would not share the current median salary for its crew members, but I am certain that it amounts to a fraction of the cost of a Royal Bling gold-plated, zirconia-studded chalice.

And because most of the Icon’s hyper-sanitized spaces are just a frittata away from being a Delta lounge, one forgets that there are actual sailors on this ship, charged with the herculean task of docking it in port. “Having driven 100,000-ton aircraft carriers throughout my career,” retired Admiral James G. Stavridis, the former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, writes to me, “I’m not sure I would even know where to begin with trying to control a sea monster like this one nearly three times the size.” (I first met Stavridis while touring Army bases in Germany more than a decade ago.)

Today, I decide to head to the hot tub near Swim & Tonic, where some of the ship’s drunkest reprobates seem to gather (the other tubs are filled with families and couples). The talk here, like everywhere else on the ship, concerns football, a sport about which I know nothing. It is apparent that four teams have recently competed in some kind of finals for the year, and that two of them will now face off in the championship. Often when people on the Icon speak, I will try to repeat the last thing they said with a laugh or a nod of disbelief. “Yes, 20-yard line! Ha!” “Oh my God, of course, scrimmage.”

Soon we are joined in the hot tub by the late-middle-age drunk guy with the duck necklace. He is wearing a bucket hat with the legend HAWKEYES , which, I soon gather, is yet another football team. “All right, who turned me in?” Duck Necklace says as he plops into the tub beside us. “I get a call in the morning,” he says. “It’s security. Can you come down to the dining room by 10 a.m.? You need to stay away from the members of this religious family.” Apparently, the gregarious Duck Necklace had photobombed the wrong people. There are several families who present as evangelical Christians or practicing Muslims on the ship. One man, evidently, was not happy that Duck Necklace had made contact with his relatives. “It’s because of religious stuff; he was offended. I put my arm around 20 people a day.”

Everyone laughs. “They asked me three times if I needed medication,” he says of the security people who apparently interrogated him in full view of others having breakfast.

Another hot-tub denizen suggests that he should have asked for fentanyl. After a few more drinks, Duck Necklace begins to muse about what it would be like to fall off the ship. “I’m 62 and I’m ready to go,” he says. “I just don’t want a shark to eat me. I’m a huge God guy. I’m a Bible guy. There’s some Mayan theory squaring science stuff with religion. There is so much more to life on Earth.” We all nod into our Red Stripes.

“I never get off the ship when we dock,” he says. He tells us he lost $6,000 in the casino the other day. Later, I look him up, and it appears that on land, he’s a financial adviser in a crisp gray suit, probably a pillar of his North Chicago community.

THE OCEAN IS TEEMING with fascinating life, but on the surface it has little to teach us. The waves come and go. The horizon remains ever far away.

I am constantly told by my fellow passengers that “everybody here has a story.” Yes, I want to reply, but everybody everywhere has a story. You, the reader of this essay, have a story, and yet you’re not inclined to jump on a cruise ship and, like Duck Necklace, tell your story to others at great pitch and volume. Maybe what they’re saying is that everybody on this ship wants to have a bigger, more coherent, more interesting story than the one they’ve been given. Maybe that’s why there’s so much signage on the doors around me attesting to marriages spent on the sea. Maybe that’s why the Royal Caribbean newsletter slipped under my door tells me that “this isn’t a vacation day spent—it’s bragging rights earned.” Maybe that’s why I’m so lonely.

Today is a big day for Icon passengers. Today the ship docks at Royal Caribbean’s own Bahamian island, the Perfect Day at CocoCay. (This appears to be the actual name of the island.) A comedian at the nightclub opined on what his perfect day at CocoCay would look like—receiving oral sex while learning that his ex-wife had been killed in a car crash (big laughter). But the reality of the island is far less humorous than that.

One of the ethnic tristate ladies in the infinity pool told me that she loved CocoCay because it had exactly the same things that could be found on the ship itself. This proves to be correct. It is like the Icon, but with sand. The same tired burgers, the same colorful tubes conveying children and water from Point A to B. The same swim-up bar at its Hideaway ($140 for admittance, no children allowed; Royal Caribbean must be printing money off its clientele). “There was almost a fight at The Wizard of Oz ,” I overhear an elderly woman tell her companion on a chaise lounge. Apparently one of the passengers began recording Royal Caribbean’s intellectual property and “three guys came after him.”

I walk down a pathway to the center of the island, where a sign reads DO NOT ENTER: YOU HAVE REACHED THE BOUNDARY OF ADVENTURE . I hear an animal scampering in the bushes. A Royal Caribbean worker in an enormous golf cart soon chases me down and takes me back to the Hideaway, where I run into Mrs. Rand in a bikini. She becomes livid telling me about an altercation she had the other day with a woman over a towel and a deck chair. We Suites have special towel privileges; we do not have to hand over our SeaPass Card to score a towel. But the Rands are not Suites. “People are so entitled here,” Mrs. Rand says. “It’s like the airport with all its classes.” “You see,” I want to say, “this is where your husband’s love of Ayn Rand runs into the cruelties and arbitrary indignities of unbridled capitalism.” Instead we make plans to meet for a final drink in the Schooner Bar tonight (the Rands will stand me up).

Back on the ship, I try to do laps, but the pool (the largest on any cruise ship, naturally) is fully trashed with the detritus of American life: candy wrappers, a slowly dissolving tortilla chip, napkins. I take an extra-long shower in my suite, then walk around the perimeter of the ship on a kind of exercise track, past all the alluring lifeboats in their yellow-and-white livery. Maybe there is a dystopian angle to the HBO series that I will surely end up pitching, one with shades of WALL-E or Snowpiercer . In a collapsed world, a Royal Caribbean–like cruise liner sails from port to port, collecting new shipmates and supplies in exchange for the precious energy it has on board. (The actual Icon features a new technology that converts passengers’ poop into enough energy to power the waterslides . In the series, this shitty technology would be greatly expanded.) A very young woman (18? 19?), smart and lonely, who has only known life on the ship, walks along the same track as I do now, contemplating jumping off into the surf left by its wake. I picture reusing Duck Necklace’s words in the opening shot of the pilot. The girl is walking around the track, her eyes on the horizon; maybe she’s highborn—a Suite—and we hear the voice-over: “I’m 19 and I’m ready to go. I just don’t want a shark to eat me.”

Before the cruise is finished, I talk to Mr. Washy Washy, or Nielbert of the Philippines. He is a sweet, gentle man, and I thank him for the earworm of a song he has given me and for keeping us safe from the dreaded norovirus. “This is very important to me, getting people to wash their hands,” he tells me in his burger getup. He has dreams, as an artist and a performer, but they are limited in scope. One day he wants to dress up as a piece of bacon for the morning shift.

THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE TITANIC (the Icon of the Seas is five times as large as that doomed vessel) at least offered its passengers an exciting ending to their cruise, but when I wake up on the eighth day, all I see are the gray ghosts that populate Miami’s condo skyline. Throughout my voyage, my writer friends wrote in to commiserate with me. Sloane Crosley, who once covered a three-day spa mini-cruise for Vogue , tells me she felt “so very alone … I found it very untethering.” Gideon Lewis-Kraus writes in an Instagram comment: “When Gary is done I think it’s time this genre was taken out back and shot.” And he is right. To badly paraphrase Adorno: After this, no more cruise stories. It is unfair to put a thinking person on a cruise ship. Writers typically have difficult childhoods, and it is cruel to remind them of the inherent loneliness that drove them to writing in the first place. It is also unseemly to write about the kind of people who go on cruises. Our country does not provide the education and upbringing that allow its citizens an interior life. For the creative class to point fingers at the large, breasty gentlemen adrift in tortilla-chip-laden pools of water is to gather a sour harvest of low-hanging fruit.

A day or two before I got off the ship, I decided to make use of my balcony, which I had avoided because I thought the view would only depress me further. What I found shocked me. My suite did not look out on Central Park after all. This entire time, I had been living in the ship’s Disneyland, Surfside, the neighborhood full of screaming toddlers consuming milkshakes and candy. And as I leaned out over my balcony, I beheld a slight vista of the sea and surf that I thought I had been missing. It had been there all along. The sea was frothy and infinite and blue-green beneath the span of a seagull’s wing. And though it had been trod hard by the world’s largest cruise ship, it remained.

This article appears in the May 2024 print edition with the headline “A Meatball at Sea.” When you buy a book using a link on this page, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic.

How these cruise passengers missed boarding, got stranded in Africa

Both Americans and Australians were left at port after an excursion ran long.

After what seemed like a dream trip, several American travelers were left stranded at port in West Africa mid-cruise while traveling from Cape Town, South Africa, to Barcelona, Spain.

Jay and Jill Campbell told ABC News Myrtle Beach affiliate WPDE that they were in the first week of a three week voyage aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines when they stopped just off the coast of West Africa.

The couple and others opted to tour the nearby island of São Tomé and Príncipe on the afternoon of March 27, and when the excursion ran late, they said they brought it to the guides' attention.

"We were like, 'our time is getting short,'" Jay Campbell recalled, at which point he said the guide let them know, "'No problem we can get you back in an hour.'"

Upon their return, the passengers said cruise officials refused to let them aboard the ship, even as the local Coast Guard had ferried the group to the anchored vessel.

"The harbormaster tried to call the ship. The captain refused the call. We sent emails to NCL the customer service emergency number," Jay Campbell said. "They said the only way for us to get in touch with the ship is via email. They're not responding to our emails."

The Campbells say they were left stranded along with four other Americans and two Australians -- of whom one is a paraplegic, one has a heart condition and one is pregnant. Some did not have credit cards or medication that was left on board.

Cruise expert Stewart Chiron, known as The Cruise Guy, told ABC News that "the bottom line was, they were hours late, the ship was ready to go."

MORE: Norwegian Cruise Line passengers claim Antarctica voyage was rerouted mid-trip

"More than likely that the anchor was already up, and the ship was already possibly moving," he said.

He continued, "Any operation at that point to get these passengers back on the ship would have caused tremendous delays, and safety would have been a major concern."

In a statement to ABC News, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines said, "On the afternoon of March 27, 2024, while the ship was in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, eight guests who were on the island on a private tour not organized through us missed the last tender back to the vessel, therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3 p.m. local time."

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They continued, "While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship's intercom, in the daily communication and posted just before exiting the vessel."

The spokesperson added that the passports for the passengers who did not return at the all aboard time "were delivered to the local port agents to retrieve when they returned to the port, as per the regular protocol."

"Our team has been working closely with the local authorities to understand the requirements and necessary visas needed for the guests to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call," they said.

The Campbells said that their eight person group spent 15 hours traveling through six countries in an attempt to rejoin the Norwegian Dawn ship in Banjul, Gambia, on April 1. However, the ship couldn't dock due to low tide, so they are now trying to get to Senegal where the ship is meant to dock on Tuesday.

The Norwegian spokesperson said, "Unfortunately the ship was unable to safely dock in the destination due to adverse weather conditions, as well as tidal restrictions that require specific timing for safe passage. While we share in our guests' disappointment, this modification was made with great consideration for their safety and that of our crew, which is our top priority."

The cruise line contacted the guests "regarding this itinerary adjustment and provided them with authorization to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal on April 2, 2024."

In light of the "series of unfortunate events outside of our control," the spokesperson said Norwegian Cruise Lines "will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal" and are still in communication with the guests to provide additional information as it becomes available.

MORE: Meet the cruise couple who have spent over 450 days at sea so far

In a separate, unrelated situation that took place coincidentally on the same day of the voyage, the spokesperson said, "An 80-year-old woman was medically disembarked after being evaluated by our onboard medical team, who thought it best that she receive further assessment and treatment as needed from a local hospital."

"In instances such as these, as the guest was released from the hospital and in a coherent state, our protocol is to contact the guest directly, as we would not have the authority to share any medical details with anyone else without their expressed consent," the spokesperson added, saying they worked with the port agent to receive updates.

"The guest has since been escorted on a flight to Lisbon, Portugal, and then put in the care of airport staff to continue her journey to the United States, where she has now made a safe return," they said.

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Baltimore Port: What impact will bridge collapse have on shipping?

PORT FEATURES

Current status of cargo ships inside port, cruise ships, london metal exchange warehouses, bunker fuel.

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One dead, two seriously injured after fire hit Pemex oil platform in Mexico

At least one contractor was killed after a fire struck an offshore platform operated by Mexico's national oil company Pemex, the firm said in a statement on Sunday, adding that two others were in "grave" condition.

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse: What to do if you booked cruise out of Baltimore

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has crippled transportation around Baltimore and caused people to scramble to find alternatives.

After Tuesday's disaster, drivers have had to find alternate routes to get into Baltimore, and vessel traffic was suspended indefinitely from the Port of Baltimore, causing people who booked cruises to wonder what's next.

What happened to the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore?

A major span critical to East Coast shipping collapsed early Tuesday morning after it was struck by a large cargo ship.

The  cargo ship Dali  struck the Key bridge around 1:40 a.m. Tuesday after experiencing electrical problems, officials said. The  984-foot ship sailing  under the flag of Singapore was slated to arrive early next month in Sri Lanka, according to MarineTraffic, a global ship tracking service. The bridge then collapsed into the Patapsco River.

Which cruise lines dock at the Port of Baltimore?

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, published itineraries in the 2024 calendar year include a dozen ships making 115 stops in Baltimore. Carnival Cruise Line, American Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have cruises scheduled to leave the port.

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse: Cargo ship hits bridge in Baltimore, causing collapse. Here's what we know so far

What are cruise lines doing with the Port of Baltimore closed?

Carnival Cruise Line said Tuesday it's temporarily moving Carnival Legend's Baltimore operations to Norfolk, Virginia.

Carnival Legend is scheduled to return from its current voyage on Sunday, March 31. It will now return to Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday. Passengers will be provided complimentary bus service back to Baltimore. Carnival Legend’s next seven-day itinerary on March 31 will then operate from and return to Norfolk. Guests on the current and upcoming cruises are being informed of this change. 

Carnival Pride has a trip scheduled for April 28. The cruise line has not yet shared plans for Carnival Pride.

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a release. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.” 

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s  Vision of the Seas  has a roundtrip itinerary scheduled to depart Baltimore on April 12, according to the cruise line’s website. 

 “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” a spokesperson for the line said in an email to USA TODAY. “We are closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

American Cruise Line

American Cruise Lines  has roundtrip sailings from Baltimore scheduled in May, according to its website.

“We will monitor the situation and make adjustments to future cruises if needed, but at present our schedules remain unaffected, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the immediate situation and rescue efforts underway,” an American Cruise Lines spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian doesn't have a booking out of Baltimore until September on Norwegian Sky . The cruise line is in contact with the port and will contact passengers and travel partners if changes are made.

Alternate driving routes for the Baltimore bridge

Drivers going from Wilmington to Baltimore or Washington should take I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) to avoid the collapsed bridge. However, the Maryland Transportation Authority notes there are  some exceptions .

Vehicles carrying hazardous materials, including more than 10 pounds of propane, are not allowed in the tunnels. Additionally, vehicles more than 13 feet and 6 inches high or 8 feet wide may not use the I-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Vehicles more than 14 feet and 6 inches high or 11 feet wide may not use the I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel. 

Those vehicles should use the western portion of I-695 instead.

Anthony DiMattia, Eve Chen and Nathan Diller contributed to this story.

Vacation horror as son, 20, jumps overboard from Royal Caribbean cruise in front of family

A cruise turned into a nightmare for people aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas when a young man jumped overboard shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday.

The 18-story ship was sailing between Cuba and the Bahamas’ Grand Inagua Island when the as-yet-unidentified man jumped off one of the decks.

According to onlookers, his father and brother watched helplessly as he leaped over the side.

Some passengers said it appeared to be an impulsive, spur-of-the-moment decision. 

“I had hung out with him and his brother in the hot tub until 3:30,” passenger Bryan Sims tells The Post. ” It was standing room only. He sat right beside me the whole time.”

“He was pretty drunk,” Sims continues. “As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess.”

“When we got to them, he said to his dad, ‘I’ll fix this right now.’ And he jumped out the window in front of us all.” 

“There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately,” another passenger,  Deborah Morrison, told The Post. “His family was horrified. Just beside themselves. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through.”

“It was insane,” says Sims. “It was just surreal.” 

In a statement to The Post, Royal Caribbean said its crew immediately sprang into action following the incident.

“The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the US Coast Guard, who has taken over the search,” the statement reads. “Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.”

News of the apparent suicide attempt quickly spread among the guests — and many of them tried to help in any way they could.

“The early morning was definitely somber as so many people came out of their cabins to stare at the sea, hoping to be able to aid in finding the person,” said Amy Phelps Fouse, a passenger on the ship.

“Royal Caribbean has been excellent at communicating updates throughout the day,” Fouse continued. “They have asked that people act with compassion in light of the tragic situation.”

Overboard incidents on cruise ships are rare.

According to the Washington Post , about 386 people were reported to have gone overboard on the major cruise lines between 2000 to 2020.

The incidents, whether accidental or intentional, are often deadly.

In the past few years, most cruise lines have enacted onboard safety measures and surveillance systems to help reduce the risk of overboard deaths.

The Coast Guard confirmed to The Post it is still conducting a search and rescue operation in the waters off Cuba. The man has not yet been found.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to  SuicidePreventionLifeline.org .

Baltimore cruises to reroute after bridge collapse pauses port traffic

Carnival, royal caribbean will move some operations to norfolk while baltimore recovers from key bridge collapse.

Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans and avoid the Port of Baltimore while officials suspend vessel traffic amid cleanup and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore, though no ships were in port Tuesday morning. The next cruise was scheduled to depart Sunday, but its operator confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that the voyage would instead head out from Norfolk.

Amira M. Hairston, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore port, said in an email that the status of the upcoming cruise ship schedule is not yet known.

“At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update. Until then please keep those involved in your prayers,” Hairston wrote.

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas left Saturday for a 12-night southern Caribbean cruise with plans to return April 4. The cruise line said in a statement Tuesday that it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

On Thursday, the cruise company said the current sailing would end in Norfolk.

“Our guests on board will be provided compensation and complimentary shuttle transportation as well as Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements,” Royal Caribbean said.

Upcoming cruises on April 4 and 12 will sail from Norfolk as well, and passengers will be compensated for the change. The ship was already scheduled for maintenance in the Bahamas after the April 12 cruise.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” the company said.

Carnival Legend set off Sunday for a seven-day Bahamas cruise; the ship was scheduled to return March 31 and depart for its next sailing the same day. Instead of coming back to Baltimore, Carnival said late Tuesday, it will end its trip in Norfolk, and free buses will bring passengers back to Baltimore.

The ship’s next seven-day cruise will leave Norfolk and return to the port. In a news release , Carnival said it would temporarily move Baltimore operations to Norfolk “while Key Bridge rescue and cleanup efforts continue.”

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

Carnival Pride is supposed to start sailing from Baltimore next month, mostly to the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have cruises scheduled out of the port until later this year. American Cruise Lines, a U.S. river cruise operator, has Chesapeake Bay trips on small vessels scheduled from Baltimore starting in May. The cruise line said it will monitor developments “and make adjustments if needed.”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said it was “deeply saddened” by the bridge collapse and was closely following the situation. “Right now, the most important thing to do is to allow the emergency workers to do their work,” the group wrote in a statement.

This year, 12 ships are scheduled to make a total of 115 calls at the Port of Baltimore, the industry association said. With room for roughly 2,000 or 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, most Baltimore-based ships are much smaller than the record-breaking behemoths that sail from Florida ports.

“Any adjustments to current cruise activity at the port will be announced as soon as available by the individual cruise lines,” CLIA said in its statement.

A news release issued last month by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said that more than 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore last year, the most since 2012. The Maryland Port Administration said in a news release last year that the cruise industry generates nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in revenue every year for local businesses.

The port positions itself as a convenient option for cruising year-round, thanks to its location off Interstate 95 and plentiful parking. More than 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of the city, the port administration says.

Baltimore bridge collapse

How it happened: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship . The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers have recovered the bodies of two construction workers , officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . A mayday call from the ship prompted first responders to shut down traffic on the four-lane bridge, saving lives.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, which provides about 20,000 jobs to the area . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

Rebuilding: The bridge, built in the 1970s , will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild , experts said.