4 TOP CRUISE LINES IN THE CARIBBEAN & HAWAII

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There are so many islands in the world, and the best way to see them is by setting sail. Endless sunshine, tranquil waters and exciting ports are what you can expect on a Caribbean or Hawaiian cruise.

Most cruise lines sail to these tropical spots, and each ship has its own special features and unique offerings. In this guide, we’re covering our most popular Hawaiian and Caribbean cruise lines. Here’s what’s to love about these favourites!

Royal Caribbean International

No surprises here, Royal Caribbean is known for its sunny voyages. See every island from A-Z, err, A-V (Aruba to Virgin Islands).

The world’s biggest ships belong to Royal Caribbean International, with Symphony of the Seas taking the top spot at 228, 081 gross tonnage—which is a fancy nautical term used to measure a ship’s volume. Despite being mega-sized, Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships are proudly energy-efficient and require less power generation.

Didn’t think you could skydive, ice skate or learn to surf all on a ship? Think again. Other highlights include rock climbing walls and a zipline 10 decks high.

Fun fact: Harmony of the Seas (the longest ship in the world) is longer than the Eiffel tower is high and has more art on its walls than the Louvre. Sacrebleu!

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Celebrity Cruises

No, George Clooney won’t be onboard, but you’ll still feel like a star on Celebrity Cruises. A love of travel is the ethos behind this cruise line, which wants to give its passengers a chance to see the world. Multiple ports of call and off-the-grid destinations are what they’re known for.

Celebrity recently introduced Eden, a breathtaking venue with walls of glass that are brimming with live plants. Relax here or in one of the many spas and wellness centres Celebrity ships are known for. Culinary highlights onboard include authentic Italian at specialty restaurants like Tuscan Grille, or a celebration of seafood at the complimentary Cyprus.

Celebrity cruises also offer accessible cruising options, like boarding with ease and autism-friendly certification.

Fun fact: The first cruise ship that performed same-sex marriages onboard was part of Celebrity Cruises fleet. Also, the first woman to captain a mega ship was with Celebrity!

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Norwegian Cruise Line

Don’t let the name fool you, this Nordic-named cruise line is one of the best Caribbean options. It’s easy to spot these colourful ships as they sail into port, as each has a unique mural painted on the sides. But the rainbow fleet isn’t what this cruise line is known for—excellence and prestige is synonymous with the brand.

Frequently named the leading cruise line by World Travel Awards, Norwegian Cruise Line is the top shelf of offerings. The line recently introduced The Haven, an executive suite enclave on its ships. Think VIP section, but with access to all that’s great about general admission. Like your own ship within the ship, The Haven has white glove service, priority access and private amenities. We recommend The Haven for the discerning guest who enjoys the best of everything, or for special occasions. Treat. Your. Self.

Fun fact: As one of the oldest cruise lines, Norwegian revolutionized the industry by being the first line that allowed guests the freedom to choose their own dining times and venues.

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Carnival Cruise Line

With ships named Elation, Ecstasy and Mardi Gras, it’s no surprise that fun is the name of the game with Carnival Cruise Line. Voyages last between 3 and 24 days, so you can choose a quick blitz or a marathon of good times.

Great for both adults and families, Carnival offers a variety of activities. The wee ones can enjoy things like Build-A-Bear at Sea and craft workshops, and when the grown-ups want to let loose at the casino or club, Carnival offers daycare and babysitting services. The entire family can join in group adventures like Family Feud tournaments and murder mystery parties.

Take a cruise to Flavourtown with several Guy Fieri restaurants onboard, like bomb-dot-com BBQ and burgers. Then do some good while you do a jive at the dance event Groove for St. Jude, with all proceeds going to the children’s hospital.

Fun fact: Carnival just introduced the world’s first roller coaster at sea, called the Bolt on the new Mardi Gras. It’s as cool as it sounds.

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WHAT’S NEXT

We’ve taken you on a tour of our most popular Caribbean and Hawaiian cruise lines, but there’s still many to explore! Check out deals from all partners here to find your perfect match or read about some of their top island itineraries.