What languages are spoken in the Caribbean?

Throughout the Caribbean you'll hear a variety of languages spoken, from Dutch and Papiamento in Aruba to French in Martinique and Spanish in Puerto Rico. By far the most widely spoken language in the Caribbean however is English.

Caribbean cruises

Sun-kissed deck parties. Extraordinary cuisine inspired by the region. A long list of special Shore Experiences, designed to give you the most authentic taste of local life. Sail the Caribbean with Cunard, and blend into a world of sunshine, style, and ease.

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Explore the Caribbean

Discover the incredible experiences that await you on an unforgettable Caribbean cruise with Cunard.

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Our guide to the Caribbean

We round up the highlights to see on shore, the islands to visit and the best time of year to travel, along with expert tips about where to eat, how to dress, and what to pack for your Caribbean cruise.

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Brightly-coloured houses line the shore at sunset in St. John's, Antigua

Caribbean destinations

Explore the Caribbean ports we visit, each with their own influences in cuisine, language and architecture, but all with the same friendly, laid-back spirit.

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Caribbean Shore Experiences

Discover unique activities exploring lush jungles, sapphire blue waters, historic fortresses, and vibrant local culture on these diverse and colorful islands, with recommendations to suit all types of travelers.

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The Caribbean with Queen Elizabeth

Enjoy unique Caribbean experiences in inimitable Cunard style, with White Star Service as standard. The iconic Queen Elizabeth sails to the Caribbean from October 2025.

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Caribbean cruise inspiration

Colorful cuisine and fun-filled activities aren't just for visits to shore: on a Cunard cruise, your on board experience is sure to be just as magical. Read our articles for inspiration from on board and on shore, and start planning your future Cunard adventure.

Kayaking in tropical paradise - Canoe floating on transparent turquoise water, Caribbean sea, Belize

Top ten things to do in the Caribbean

It can be difficult to know where to start when planning your Caribbean cruise. We’ve narrowed down our top experiences ashore to help you discover the very best of this vibrant archipelago.

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When is the best time for a Caribbean cruise?

The Caribbean is known for its sun, sea, and sand, but when is the best time to visit by cruise ship?

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What to pack for a Caribbean cruise

The Caribbean conjures up images of white sand beaches, brightly colored shirts, and green palm trees. Ensuring your cruise wardrobe is perfectly packed is the key to enjoying this vibrant region to its fullest.

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Sunset beach of Barbados with clouds in the sky, a large palm tree in the foreground on a sandy beach

Caribbean culture guide

The chance to step ashore in several destinations on the same vacation is one of many reasons our guests love to cruise with us. Discover the different Caribbean cultures you could encounter to make the most out of your visit to these vibrant islands.

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Bermuda coast with rocky cliffs either side meeting in the middle, small lagoon of water with gray skies in the background

Caribbean cruise routes: East vs West

The Caribbean includes 700 islands spread over a million square miles, so it can be daunting to decide where to visit. Fortunately, our itineraries cover two popular routes: East, and West, so you only have to pick between two.

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Hidden depths

The Caribbean has so much more to offer than pristine white-sand beaches. Join us as we discover four exciting islands you could visit on a Cunard cruise, along with some culinary delights to tickle the tastebuds.

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Caribbean cruises special offers

Enjoy our limited-time offers on our Caribbean cruises. White sand and turquoise sea may be the Caribbean’s calling card, but with bustling markets, candy-hued houses and ancient garrisons a Caribbean cruise with Cunard offers an equal dose of exploration and escapism.

Related Caribbean destinations

Wherever you sail in the Caribbean with Cunard, you're sure to encounter stunning natural scenery and a vibrant, friendly culture in the exciting destinations we visit.

Cruises to Mexico

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Cruises to Jamaica

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Western Caribbean cruises

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View atop a hill in sunny St Thomas in the Caribbean, showing wildflowers, green hills and a view over the marina

Eastern Caribbean cruises

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Cruises to Barbados

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Frequently asked questions about the Caribbean

The Caribbean is famous for its white-sand beaches and laid-back way of life; a theme that continues across all island groups in this enchanting part of the world. While Caribbean cruise itineraries differ in their port calls, Caribbean cruise highlights include the Shirley Heights viewpoint and the UNESCO site of Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua together with the UNESCO listed city of Bridgetown and the St Nicholas Abbey plantation house on Barbados. The Atlantis Submarine tour, which takes you 150 feet beneath sea level, is another fantastic Caribbean cruise experience, offering the chance to see the region's tropical marine life on a magical underwater adventure.

Be sure to check out our captivating Cunard Stories article for more inspiration: East vs West: Caribbean cruise routes

December is generally the best month to cruise the Caribbean. At this time of year, temperatures reach an average high of 28 degrees Celsius (83 degrees Fahrenheit) and the rainy season, which typically hits in October, has long since passed. Similarly, November is also a good month for embarking on a Caribbean cruise.

To learn more, take a moment to read our Cunard Stories article: When is the best time for a Caribbean cruise?

If you're visiting the Caribbean then beachwear is a must. The islands that make up the Caribbean are home to some of the world's most beautiful white-sand beaches, so be sure to pack a few changes of swimwear as between the beach and the pools on your ship you'll have plenty of opportunities to take a dip. A cover-up you can slip on easily is also a great item to pack for a Caribbean cruise, particularly if you're planning on stopping for lunch at a beach bar or at your ship's restaurant.

Comfortable sandals and flip-flops are essential, as is a shoe you can easily walk in if you wish to explore on foot. As for eveningwear, dresses or one or two smart suits and shirts are perfect for formal evenings on board, while smart casual shorts, shirts, polos and summer dresses will help you to feel comfortable around the ship in the daytime and while ashore.

You'll find more outfit inspiration and packing guidance for your Caribbean cruise in our Cunard Stories article: What to pack for a Caribbean cruise

Caribbean weather is renowned for being warm and inviting, with temperatures averaging between 24-29 degrees Celsius (75-84 degrees Fahrenheit) all year round. The wet season typically occurs between May and October, while other months of the year tend to be dry. Hurricane season is July to October, although storms are not a given even at this time of year. Most Caribbean cruises sail in November and December to take advantage of the lower humidity, pleasant temperatures and drier days.

Most Caribbean islands accept a form of local dollar, while some will also take US dollars and one or two accept euro. If you're hoping to bring home a Caribbean souvenir or buy a drink while in port, these are the currencies you'll need for each island:

Antigua & Barbuda - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), Aruba - Aruban florin (AWG), The Bahamas - Bahamian dollar (BSD), (US dollars widely accepted), Barbados - Barbadian dollar (BBD), Belize - Belize dollar (BZD), Bonaire - USD, British Virgin Islands - USD, Curacao - Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), Dominica - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), Grenada - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), Guadeloupe - Euro (although US Dollars can be used), Honduras - Lempira (HNL), Martinique - Euro (although US Dollars can be used), Puerto Rico - USD, Saint Kitts & Nevis - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), Saint Lucia - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), St Martin - Euro (although US Dollars can be used unofficially), Saint Vincent - East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), Trinidad & Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago Dollar, Turks & Caicos Islands - USD, US Virgin Islands - USD

Caribbean destinations you can sail to with Cunard include Antigua, The Azores, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Martinique, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Thomas, Saint Vincent, Tortola, Turks & Caicos Islands.

New itineraries are released regularly so be sure to check our cruises for an up to date list of exciting destinations.

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