Houses and the boats in the bay in St. Maarten
Destinations Caribbean

The Caribbean: paradise found

Visit the Caribbean as part of a big adventure on a cruise holiday from Southampton or make a shorter winter escape. However you want to do it, we’ll help you find your Caribbean paradise

6 min 06 Oct 2020

Editorial Team

Author

Endless sunshine, palm-fringed white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters... Little wonder the Caribbean is on many people’s wish list. But these diverse islands have so much more to offer. The hardest bit will be choosing what to do first.

Wicker hammock on Caribbean beach

1. The variety of island life

A cruise holiday to the Caribbean is like no other, with each island offering a different experience.

 

Soak up the glitz and glamour of Barbados before wandering the colonial streets of the island’s capital Bridgetown. Experience three cultures on one tiny island on the half French and half Dutch Caribbean island of St Martin/Sint Maarten. Delight at the luscious scenery of St Lucia, where you will find rainforests brimming with tropical flowers and wildlife and the iconic Pitons mountains. Snorkel through pristine waters teeming with colourful fish and explore the inland waterfalls and emerald pools hidden on the island of Dominica. Or simply soak up the sunshine on one of Antigua’s 365 beaches – one for every day of the year.

 

Wherever you go, you’ll be seduced by the famous laid-back vibe and friendly locals who know just how to help you relax and unwind.

2. Transatlantic relaxation

Our Transatlantic Caribbean cruises offer the perfect combination of discovery and comfort. What better way to kick-off a great holiday than by waving goodbye to Southampton as your ship sails for sunnier climes? Departing from Southampton on Arvia or Britannia, you can toast the start of your holiday as soon as you step on board.

 

As you sail to your first destination, the sea days let you make the most of your ship’s amazing facilities. Whip up culinary delights in The Cookery Club on Britannia, or let the professionals cook for you at one of our Food Hero’s finest establishments on both Arvia and Britannia. Treat yourself to Afternoon Tea at The Epicurean, spend a leisurely lunchtime pairing wines and food at Olly Smith’s The Glass House or try the delicious dishes on offer at Sindhu. For a little extra TLC, check in to The Oasis Spa or simply find a quiet corner with a good book and let total relaxation take hold.

 

Transatlantic cruises also give you the chance to explore on your way to the Caribbean. A stop at Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago, offers insight into the strong Portuguese influence of these nine Atlantic islands that lie 760 miles from their parent country. The colourful splendour of Madeira, where you’ll find streets abloom with tropical plants and a famous toboggan ride with stunning vista over Funchal and the island’s southern coast, also awaits you.

 

As our Transatlantic Caribbean cruise holidays include one flight, you can cross the Atlantic on your outward or homeward journey. Take it easy at the start of your holiday and then fly back home, or head straight to the Caribbean sun and enjoy sea days on the home run… the choice is yours.

Mountains surrounding sea with bright green plants

3. Bigger adventures

If you’re after a longer holiday, we have round-trip cruise holidays from Southampton that take in the Caribbean without the need to take a flight.

 

Aurora’s cruise holidays in October take in some of the highlights of the Caribbean with the chance to explore the Spanish town of La Coruña on the outwards journey and Ponta Delgada on the way home. If you like the idea of a Caribbean Christmas, she sails again in December.

 

Remember, sailing round-trip from Southampton means we'll take care of your luggage from the moment you arrive to the minute you leave. With dedicated car-parking facilities in Southampton, coach drop-off points next to the terminal and easy access to taxis and public transport, the beginning and end of your cruise can be as calm as the holiday itself.

Bright image of wooden promenade at the waterfront of Bridgetown in Barbados. Colorful building against blue sky with white clouds. Boats and yachts in the harbor.

4. Fly straight to the sun

If you’re time-limited but still want to holiday in the Caribbean this winter, our range of port-rich Caribbean fly-cruise holidays are for you. You can embark and disembark Britannia in St Lucia or Barbados, flying direct to either location for a 7- or 14-night cruise holiday. Or fly to and from Barbados and join Arvia on a 14-night cruise. From your embarkation point you can visit up to nine Caribbean destinations, giving you the perfect escape from the cold and grey British winter.

Flights and transfers are included with our Fly-cruise holidays, and as soon as you join your ship you can experience the best the Caribbean has to offer while enjoying everything on board too.