Eastern Caribbean Itineraries
How a week from Florida or San Juan is usually put together.
Compare Eastern RoutesThe Classic Seven-Night Loop
Most Eastern Caribbean cruises are seven nights round trip from South or Central Florida. They spend two days running southeast, call at two or three islands, and then turn north, often with a Bahamas beach stop before reaching home.
The main departure ports for these weeks are PortMiami, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral near Orlando. Some sailings also leave from Palm Beach, Tampa or Jacksonville, though those are more often shorter Bahamas or Western Caribbean trips. Our sister sites Cruise From Palm Beach and Cruise From Tampa Bay cover those Florida ports in depth. The two anchor ports of an eastern week are almost always St. Thomas and St. Maarten; the third call might be San Juan, Tortola, Antigua or a different island depending on the ship.
Patterns You Will See
| Pattern | Usual ports | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Florida classic (7 nights) | St. Thomas, St. Maarten, plus a Bahamas private island | First-timers; families who want a guaranteed beach day |
| Florida with Puerto Rico (7 nights) | San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten or Tortola | History lovers who want an evening in Old San Juan |
| Longer Florida sailings (8–10 nights) | Adds Antigua, St. Kitts or another island | Travelers who want fewer sea days per port |
| San Juan round trip (7 nights) | Five or six islands, often reaching the Southern Caribbean too | Maximum island days; requires a flight to Puerto Rico |
San Juan sailings often reach farther south than a Florida week can. When they spend most of the week among Barbados, St. Lucia and the islands below Antigua, our sister site Southern Caribbean Cruises is the better guide.
The Bahamas and the Private Islands
Many Eastern Caribbean weeks finish with a day in the Bahamas. Sometimes that is Nassau, but more often it is a cruise line’s own destination: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay, Disney’s Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Princess Cays, or Carnival’s RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay (renamed from Half Moon Cay in 2025).
Carnival added Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, which welcomed its first ship in July 2025, and in December 2025 Royal Caribbean opened its Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, sold as an add-on day pass. These stops are built for an easy beach day, with the line’s own food and facilities.
How to Choose Your Week
- Pick the ports, then the ship. If St. John or The Baths on Virgin Gorda are must-dos, choose a sailing that calls at St. Thomas or Tortola on a full day.
- Count the sea days. Three is normal from Florida; if that feels like too many, compare a San Juan departure.
- Check the arrival times. A 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. call gives you a full island; a short afternoon call does not.
- Choose the cabin for the route. With several sea days, a balcony earns its keep. Cruise Ship Deck Plans explains how to pick a good location.
- Think about the season. Winter and spring are the most reliable; see when to go.
Itinerary Questions
How many sea days does a week from Florida have?
Usually three: two on the way south and one on the way back, sometimes broken up by a Bahamas call. Shorter four- and five-night sailings rarely reach the Virgin Islands at all; they stay in the Bahamas.
Can I visit St. John on a cruise?
Large ships do not dock at St. John. Most visitors go from St. Thomas by public ferry or on a tour boat. See our St. Thomas and St. John page.
What happens if a hurricane is forecast?
The cruise line changes the route, often swapping the Eastern Caribbean for the Western Caribbean or the Bahamas. Your fare buys the cruise, not specific ports. See when to go.
Compare Eastern Caribbean Sailings
Tell us your departure port, dates and the islands you most want to see. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare routes across the lines and send free quotes.
Compare Eastern Routes