Have you been thinking about taking a Caribbean cruise this summer? After being cooped up for the last nearly two years, it’s the perfect time to head out on a cruise. Cruise ship companies have been working behind the scenes for months in preparation for allowing their ships to board passengers. With new safety protocols in place and test runs (performed by volunteers), there is no doubt that cruises are an excellent vacation option for the summer of 2021.

Are cruises open, and when will cruises resume?

Cruises are not currently available for trips. However, many are starting cruises in June and July of this year. The list below provides the best cruise lines for Caribbean cruises as well as details about each ship. Let’s dive in!

Hop aboard Celebrity Cruises

This delightful cruise ship features an elegant design and boasts fantastic food and service on each trip. If you’re thinking about taking this cruise, here are a few things you should know.

 1. Entertainment is now offered 24/7. You can catch anything from ballet shows to theater mixed with music, live music, and even camping with your kids on board.

 2. A new ship has been added to the fleet – Apex. She will be traveling to the Caribbean in the winter of this year.

 3. St. Maarten has been added as a departure point – now you can spend a few additional vacation days here.  

 4. Now offering more benefits for both a cancellation (you can cancel up to 48 hours before your trip for a full refund!) and the Best Offer Guarantee. If the price of your trip decreases or goes on sale, you’ll be able to call for a cost match.

 Other cruise notes:

1.  This ship is right in the middle size-wise holding up to 2,218 people at its maximum capacity.

 2.    The available food options range from Italian to International and beyond.

The Celebrity Millennium will launch Caribbean cruises from St. Maarten on June 5. 

Check out Crystal Cruises

Both the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity ships are great options for cruising around the Caribbean. Each boat provides slightly different offerings making them a unique experience. Below are shared updates as well as some details on each ship.

1. All rooms aboard each boat now have free-flowing air.

 2. Contact-less dining has been added.

 3. Now offering 30 new cruises to the Bahamas.

 4. Deposit amounts required have been reduced as well as cost per traveler.

The Crystal Symphony

1.   This ship is slightly smaller (only holding 922 people at maximum capacity), providing for a more intimate experience.

 2. Enjoy Michelin-level food on this ship – yum!

 3. Butlers are provided for suites and penthouses on this ship.

4. Partake in multiple forms of entertainment, including watching recently released movies in the movie theater, taking a chance at the casino, hitting the Starlite Club for lectures, and dancing.

The Crystal Symphony will launch 10-day cruises from Antigua and St. Maarten on August 5. 

 The Crystal Serenity

1.     Holding 980 people, this ship is the largest ship that Crystal Cruises offers.

 2.     Boasting new 7-night Bahamas exclusive cruises – for those wanting a slightly shorter trip.

 3.     The new Bahamas cruises are not anchoring in Spanish Wells instead of Harbor Island.

 4.     Also offering Michelin level food – choose from Italian, Japanese, Modern, and Brazilian fare.

5.     Enjoy Broadway-style shows, a piano bar, and afternoon tea on this cruise ship.

6.     Access the pool, spa, fitness center, or take an enrichment course aboard this ship.

The Crystal Serenity will offer Bahamas-only itineraries from Nassau beginning July 3.

Travel with Norwegian Cruise Line

These magnificent Swedish ships are on the larger end holding between 2300-3900 guests at maximum capacity. Expect the below for both ships when taking a Caribbean cruise this summer.

1. SailSafe protocol is in place, which requires staff and passengers to be vaccinated before traveling.

2. Peace of Mind cancellation is in effect for cruises from April 30 – October 31. Cruises can be canceled up to 15 days before the departure date with a full refund provided in the form of a cruise credit.

3. Only one deposit is required now for every two people instead of a deposit per person.

 Norwegian Joy

1. This humongous ship can hold up to 3900 travelers and was initially built in 2017, so it is quite a newer ship as well.

2. Entertainment is abundant on the ship, including a virtual reality area, a two-level go-cart race track, acrobatic shows, live music, a comedy club, and much more.

3. Choose from modern dishes, international fare, classic dishes, and even pub food. You’ll find an excellent selection of wine pairings here as well as certain restaurants with daily changing menus.

The Norwegian Joy will offer weeklong cruises from Montego Bay, Jamaica, on August 7. 

Norwegian Gem

1. This slightly smaller but still magnificent boat holds just under 2,400 people.

2. Explore the activities available on the ship, including the luxurious spa, a casino, and an elegant lounge area.

3. Here you’ll enjoy Asian fusion eats, classic American dishes, Irish pub food, and much more.

The Norwegian Gem will sail from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, starting August 15.

Cruise With Royal Caribbean International

One of the most well-known Caribbean cruise lines, these cruise ships are sure to delight you. Although the cruise courses have changed in 2021 for this cruise line, they still provide excursions to the Caribbean. Here are a few things to know when booking your cruise aboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

1. Future Cruise Credits have been altered to include a higher rate to apply to cruises up until April 2022. You can cancel up to 48 hours before the cruise and still receive credit.

2.  A Lift and Shift feature allows rescheduling of cruise dates.

3. A full refund can also be issued if your cruise was canceled.

Adventure of the Seas

1. Holding a whopping 3,807 people aboard this ship, you’ll be able to experience fun with the whole family.

2. There is something here for everyone featuring water slides, a dancefloor, and live music.

3. There are three mealtime options on this ship – you can eat Italian, Asian, or steakhouse classics.

4. This boat offers not only entertainment but also educational activities. You and your family can spend your time aboard the ship with a variety of different shows (live music, ice skating, and more), peruse shopping options, and even take a cupcake-making class.

The Adventure of the Seas will sail 7-day cruises from Nassau, Bahamas beginning June 12.

Vision of the Seas

1.  This ship is a good mid-size, holding up to 2,514 people.

2.  Huge wrap-around windows offer gorgeous views from the ship each day you’re on the ship.

3.  Check out the arcade, climb the rock wall, play a round of blackjack, and watch the constantly changing original shows every night.

4.  Also featuring Japanese, Italian, and steakhouse-style menus for you to choose from.

The Vision of the Seas will launch from Bermuda 7-day cruises beginning June 26.

Use Seabourn For Cruising

Seabourn is unique in that you can take back-to-back cruises without fear of repeating locations. Feel like extending your vacation an extra week? No problem – hop on another cruise and keep exploring. Seabourn also offers cruise lengths from 7-36 days. Check out some notes below to ensure you have the best trip possible.

1. Travel insurance is strongly recommended for this cruise line.

2.  Surfaces will be sanitized; there is plenty of space for cruise-goers to spread out and options for outdoor dining.

3. Book With Confidence policy is in effect until September 2021 – cruises can be canceled up to 30 days prior to the cruise for a credit to be used on a future cruise.

Seabourn Odyssey

1. This is one of the smaller ships on this list – only holding about 458 people. You’re sure to get excellent service as there are normally 335 crew members aboard the ship.

2.  A spa, fitness center, live music, and a dance club are all available to check out on this cruise.

3. Opt for a buffet meal, American food, or modern food. There are plenty of options available to satisfy your cravings.

The Seabourn Odyssey will launch seven-day Caribbean cruises from Bridgetown, Barbados, on July 18.

Travel Aboard Windstar Cruises

Windstar is known for offering longer-length cruises ranging from 13-73 days. This is another cruise line that boasts a minimal number of repeated ports for those who want to extend their trips and not see the same sights. Windstar Cruises are also known for their smaller boats that are available for cruising. See below for notes on Windstar Cruises for 2021.

1. Each Windstar Cruise ship has billowing sails, which creates a unique experience for guests.

2.  Future Cruise Credits are available with cancellations up to 48 hours before the trip.

3.  A new Beyond Ordinary Care program has been initiated for Windstar Cruises. This includes a completely revamped HVAC system as well as hospital-grade disinfectants creating a safe space for travelers to enjoy.

Star Breeze and Wind Star

1.  As expected, these ships are on the smaller side – the smallest mentioned cruise ships on this list. The Star Breeze is available for up to 312 people and 190 crew members versus the Wind Starship, which can hold up to 148 passengers and 101 crew members.

2. Both ships include available equipment for water sports, live music, and a workout center with classes.

3. Each ship offers a new menu for every evening based on local ingredients and seasonings purchased from the market near the port. You can even go with the chef and see how they pick out the ingredients for meal time – perfect for foodies.

The Star Breeze will sail from Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and the Wind Star from Athens, both on June 19. The Wind Spirit will launch in Tahiti on July 15, and the Wind Surf on August 8 from Barcelona.

Conclusion

Take your pick from the list of best cruise lines above. Although each cruise line has a different boat size, different available activities, and different cuisines to be eaten – they all provide excellent service. Cruising on any of the above ships will offer an unforgettable experience and a much-needed exploratory trip. Choose the cruise ship that fits your needs and sail off into the sunset with your significant other and family members.