Fly to the sun, then start cruising the same afternoon: a Barbados embarkation puts you in the heart of the southern Caribbean on day one, with flights, transfers, luggage, drinks and tips folded into one package price.
The route at a glance
Seven nights, roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados, year-round with winter the peak. Marella's Voyager sails the Paradise Islands circuit: Antigua and St Maarten to the north, or St Lucia, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Tobago and St Vincent to the south and west, depending on the week. One sea day is typical, so most mornings open on a new island. The flight is part of the product - direct from UK regional airports, with transfers and luggage included - and the all-inclusive fare covers drinks and tips, which changes the onboard maths completely.
Who this route suits
Best for UK winter-sun travelers who want five or six islands in one week without planning inter-island ferries or flights, for all-inclusive fans who want a fixed holiday price, and for first-time Caribbean cruisers - Barbados is the friendliest cruise port in the region. Less ideal for US travelers, who can reach these islands cheaper from Florida homeports, and for anyone who prefers exploring one island deeply. For a slower version with more time per island, see the southern Caribbean ten-day route.
What it costs
The February 2027 Paradise Islands sailing lists from £1,690 per person inside, £1,783 oceanview and £2,077 balcony - with direct flights, transfers, checked luggage, all-inclusive drinks, port fees and tips included. Peak January weeks run from about £1,889. That is a package price, not a bare cruise fare, so compare it against flight-plus-hotel holidays, not against bare Caribbean cruise fares from Miami. The single biggest upgrade decision is the balcony: £400 per person buys morning coffee over a different island each day.
The five-minute version
- Seven nights, roundtrip Barbados; direct UK flights included.
- Five or six islands a week: Antigua, St Maarten, St Lucia, Grenada and more.
- All-inclusive from about £1,690 with flights, drinks and tips.
- Package price - compare against flight-plus-hotel, not bare fares.
- Plan a Barbados pre-cruise day with the Barbados port guide.