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When the days are long, dark, and cold in the UK, many of us dream of a sun-kissed Caribbean getaway.
These idyllic isles are famous for their balmy temperatures, sugar-sand beaches, and crystalline waters filled with wondrous marine life. But since each island boasts a unique culture and landscape, there’s plenty more to discover than that.
If the sunny climes of the Caribbean sound like the perfect winter blues remedy, a cruise is often the best way to explore them. Combining relaxation with adventure, you can experience as much of this diverse region as possible on an island-hopping voyage – from the humming streets of Bridgetown in Barbados to Dominica’s lush national parks.
To give you an idea of the deals out there, we’ve partnered with Marella Cruises. Marella has years of sailing experience under their belt. Plus, combined with TUI’s wealth of travel knowledge, guests are guaranteed a warm, relaxing, and friendly cruise experience.
Below are six Caribbean cruise deals for 2025.
1. Tropical Shores
Marella’s Tropical Shores voyage offers the full spectrum of Caribbean experiences. In thriving capitals like Barbados’ Bridgetown and Puerto Rico’s San Juan, holidaymakers can immerse themselves in cosmopolitan island life – from exploring colourful neighbourhoods to sipping piña coladas on wrought iron patios. You can shop til you drop, too, at local markets filled with handmade treasures or glimmering malls like Plaza Las Américas.
Along with some of the Caribbean’s vibrant hubs, this voyage calls port at more isolated oases, such as Bequia in the Grenadines. This cedar and palm-swathed island is haloed with golden sands and vivid coral reefs. Visitors can tour on a traditional schooner, stopping to snorkel and investigate the eerily beautiful Moonhole villa, or visit Brother King’s Turtle Sanctuary to see rare hawksbill turtles.
Two days in the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas are also on the itinerary. Here, a unique cultural tapestry awaits, which weaves together African, European, and Caribbean influences. And when you aren’t admiring Danish architecture or discovering tales of the fearsome Blackbeard, why not unleash your inner daredevil with a jetski ride across Frederiksted Harbour?
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Marella Cruises Tropical Shores*
Bridgetown - San Juan - Charlotte Amalie - Frederiksted - Roseau - Bequia
Barbados, Dominica, Puerto Rico & 2 more | 8 days | All Inclusive
Book now with a low deposit starting from just £100.
2. Colours of the Caribbean
If natural scenery is your priority, Marella’s Colours of the Caribbean is a great pick. The diverse Dominican Republic is the star of this itinerary, with its lofty peaks, tropical rainforests, twisting mangrove swamps, and even desert dunes. Excursions range from leisurely fishing village visits and whale-watching trips to open-air monster truck rides through the countryside.
Travellers can also look forward to calling port in lush paradises like Dominica and Tortola. Dominica is famous for its looming mountains, untouched rainforests, and natural water features – such as the dazzling Emerald Pool, otherworldly Boiling Lake, and thundering Trafalgar Falls. And, in Tortola, immaculate, palm-fringed beaches await.
There are plenty of opportunities for cultural encounters along the way, too. On a guided tour beginning in Antigua’s picturesque capital, St. John’s, you can delve into military history at sites like Nelson’s Dockyard and learn about native tribes at Indian Creek. Or visit Altos de Chavón, a replica 16th-century Mediterranean village set amongst the Dominican Republic’s tranquil hinterland.
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Marella Cruises Colours of the Caribbean*
La Romana - Roseau - St John's - Basseterre - Road Town - Samana
Dominica, Antigua, British Virgin Islands & 2 more | 8 days | All Inclusive
Book now with a low deposit starting from just £100.
3. Caribbean Classics
As the name suggests, Marella’s Caribbean Classics voyage drops anchor at some of the region’s most iconic sights. Setting off from the Dominican Republic, you’ll call in at St. George’s in Grenada, where sites like Dougaldston Estate and the River Antoine Rum Distillery can enlighten visitors about the island’s spice and rum production. Or set off into the Grand Etang National Park, where forested peaks hide volcanic lakes and playful mona monkeys.
In Bridgetown, Barbados’ lively capital, visitors can experience the captivating culture of island life. Feel your worries melt away as you meander along the pastel-painted harbourfront, soaking in the melodic sounds of calypso bands. Take in the atmosphere of Cheapside Market or stop at a traditional eatery for the island’s national dish: flying fish and cou cou.
As with all the cruises on this list, there’ll also be plenty of opportunities to visit the Caribbean’s most captivating sight of all – its beaches – whether you’re dreaming of relaxing under the dappled shade of a palm, paddleboarding through glassy shallows, or admiring the views from a seaside bar.
4. Journey to the Tropics
If you’d like to experience a true mix of cultures on your next getaway, this cruise could be for you. Marella’s Journey to the Tropics cruise sails from the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean to the tropical climes of the Caribbean. With six days in between on the high seas, you’ll also have plenty of time to sample your ship’s amenities – from tasting world cuisine to relaxing at the decadent spa.
The journey begins in Málaga, Spain, a sun-kissed city oozing creativity. When visitors aren’t relaxing on the golden sands of Playa de la Malagueta, they can marvel at Moorish architecture, visit the gorgeous botanical gardens, or discover the works of Málaga’s most famous resident: Pablo Picasso. Next on the agenda is Gibraltar, where the iconic rock, Europe’s only wild monkeys, and fascinating World War Two sites await.
Once in the Caribbean, you’ll still have the chance to sample many of the region’s experiences – with stops in Antigua, Sint Maarten, the Dominican Republic, and more. One day, you can be wandering the ruins of a Dutch military fortress in Philipsburg, and the next, tucking into Guyanese-inspired dishes, like fragrant pepperpot and warm roti, in St. John’s.
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Marella Cruises Journey to the Tropics*
Malaga - Gibraltar - St John's - Basseterre - Philipsburg - Road Town - Samana - La Romana
Spain, Gibraltar, Antigua & 4 more | 15 days | All Inclusive
Book now with a low deposit starting from just £100.
5. Cocktails and Coconuts
Beginning in Barbados, Marella’s Cocktails and Coconuts cruise sails to St. John’s in Antigua. This island is famous for its impressive beaches (even by Caribbean standards), so those seeking restorative time by the sea certainly won’t be disappointed. You can even book a catamaran cruise and lobster lunch as an optional extra.
Another highlight of this voyage is a stop at Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe. Not one island, but a collection scattered like leaves on the sea’s surface, Guadeloupe boasts some of the world’s finest scuba diving spots. On land, the mouthwatering French Creole cuisine isn’t to be missed, or you can head to the Mémorial ACTe museum to learn about the Caribbean’s complex history.
Those seeking glorious natural scenery can look forward to dropping anchor in Basseterre, the start of the famous St. Kitts Scenic Railway. This gorgeous, three-hour train route takes visitors around the island’s coastline – over plunging ravines, through verdant sugar plantations, and around the hulking form of Mount Liamuiga. Or, why not hop on a ferry across The Narrows Channel to the nearby island of Nevis?
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Marella Cruises Cocktails and Coconuts*
Bridgetown - St John's - Philipsburg - Road Town - Basseterre - Pointe-A-Pitre
Barbados, Antigua, British Virgin Islands & 3 more | 8 days | All Inclusive
Book now with a low deposit starting from just £100.
6. Caribbean Charms
Stops at Dutch islands Aruba and Curacao set Marella’s Caribbean Charms voyage apart from the others on this list. Their capitals, Oranjestad and Willemstad, are a sugar rush of rainbow hues. Candy-coloured colonial buildings glazed with delicate white accents provide a stunning synthesis of old-world tradition and the Caribbean’s lively spirit.
Even Curacao’s famous liqueur is a brilliant shade of blue – which visitors can learn all about (and taste plenty of) at the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory. But the vibrant pops of colour don’t stop there. As well as the kaleidoscopic coral reefs and tropical fish found under the waves at Director’s Bay, cruisers can visit Curacao’s mesmerising Jan Kok salt lakes, where rosy and regal flamingos stroll through the shallows.
Alongside multiple stops in the Dominican Republic, you’ll also drop anchor at the idyllic island of Bonaire, which offers even more wildlife-spotting opportunities (it’s not called ‘Diver’s Paradise’ for nothing). But there are also plenty of cultural experiences to immerse yourself in here – such as discovering traditional Creole music.
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Marella Cruises Caribbean Charms*
La Romana - Santo Domingo - Kralendijk - Willemstad - Oranjestad
Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire & 1 more | 8 days | All Inclusive
Book now with a low deposit starting from just £100.
Final thoughts…
Whether you’re dreaming of unique wildlife encounters, unmissable cultural experiences, or long, lazy days spent on tropical beaches, there are plenty of great Caribbean voyages on Marella’s website.
And because Marella Cruises are All-Inclusive, there are no hidden costs. Everything is provided – from food, drinks, and service charges to flights and transfers. So why not see if you can find yourself a last-minute deal? You could be kicking back, rum punch in hand, in no time.
Are you considering a Caribbean cruise in 2025? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below.