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Best cruises to Jamaica
Sail from Florida, Texas or Louisiana to reach the birthplace of reggae.

Jamaica’s lush landscapes, vast sandy beaches and dramatic mountain scenery make for an idyllic tropical getaway. Since this island nation is in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, it’s rare to see itineraries that go to Jamaica and nowhere else. Usually, cruises to Jamaica include port stops in the Bahamas or Mexico, along with other island nations like the Cayman Islands and Aruba.
The main cruise ports in Jamaica are Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Falmouth. If you book a boutique or small ship cruise, you might be able to visit the more remote Port Antonio.
What's in this guide?
Ports with cruises to Jamaica
We typically see cruises to Jamaica from these US ports:
- Fort Lauderdale
- Galveston
- Jacksonville
- Miami
- New Orleans
- Orlando
- Tampa
When traveling, follow safety measures that include wearing a mask in public, social distancing and washing your hands. If you are diagnosed with, have symptoms of or are waiting for COVID-19 test results — or are otherwise at risk of illness — do not attend gatherings or travel for 14 days.
Our favorite cruises to Jamaica
Cruise line | Cruise | Itinerary | Price | Book |
---|---|---|---|---|
Carnival | Western Caribbean from New Orleans |
| From $444 per person | Book now |
Royal Caribbean | Western Caribbean from Galveston — 7 nights |
| From $645 per person | Book now |
Norwegian Cruise Line | Caribbean from Miami — 5 days |
| From $671 per person | Book now |
Norwegian Cruise Line | Caribbean: Jamaica & Grand Cayman from Orlando — 7 days |
| From $664 per person | Book now |
Holland America Line | Western Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale — 7 days |
| From $800 per person | Book now |
Best Jamaica cruise lines
Most cruises to Jamaica are included as part of a Western Caribbean itinerary so you can pair a Jamaican port with other popular destinations including the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. Here are some of the top cruise companies that’ll get you there in style:
Best for your buck: Norwegian
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
Best for families: Royal Caribbean
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- Price matches
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
Best for young adults: MSC
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card
Best for seniors: Holland America
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card
Best for couples: Princess
- Room service included
- No free alcohol
- Food included
- No price matching
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card, JCB
How we picked the best cruises.
When choosing cruises for this list, we looked at the quality of routes available from each cruise line, prioritizing well-paced itineraries with port stops at key destinations around Jamaica.
We also considered dining onboard, weighing the number, variety and overall quality of restaurants against passenger reviews. Finally, we weighed cabin amenities against each price point, looking for cruise lines that are known to deliver the highest value.
Additionally, we sought out customer reviews on travel websites and personal travel blogs, considering first-person experiences and each company’s overall reputation.
When is the best time to cruise to Jamaica?
Overall best time to visit: Once the hurricane season tapers off, November to mid-December is when you’ll find great weather and fewer crowds. Late April through May is considered the shoulder season when the rain is yet to arrive and the islands and ships are less crowded.
A great year-round destination, Jamaica’s temperatures seldom vary from lows in the 70s and highs in the 80s with a humidity that sticks around 70%. However, there are a few things to consider to help you plan for your ideal holiday.
- Peak season. Late December to March seems to be the most popular time to visit when it’s cold up north but practically showing off with sunny days in Jamaica.
- Storm watch. Hurricane season is from June to November but storms are most likely between August and October. This doesn’t stop most cruisers, though, as cruise ships are adept at avoiding the worst of the weather. Make sure you’ve considered cruise travel insurance to cover your trip and avoid any disappointments.
- Key festivals and events. Jamaica is festive most of the time but there are some top events you might want to include in your travel plans including the Junkanoo parade, Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, Bob Marley Week, Carnival and Reggae Sumfest.
What are the must-do cruise excursions in Jamaica?
Sure, Jamaica’s got its share of world-class beaches (hello, Seven Mile Beach?) but there’s certainly more to enjoy if you’re looking for something a little bit different.
- Dunn’s River Falls. Spend a couple of hours swimming — and climbing if you’re feeling adventurous — in Jamaica’s daredevil falls surrounded by tropical scenery.
- Rastafari Indigenous Village. Learn about the Rastafarian lifestyle as you get to know the life of local farmers, artisans and musicians.
- Ziplining. Boasting one of the longest zip lines in the Caribbean, you’ll get to take in Jamaica from a whole new perspective as you sail down a 1,600-foot cable.
- Mystic Mountain. Race through a tropical rainforest by bobsled on an adventure inspired by the famous Jamaican Olympic team.
- Irie Blue Hole. A 20-foot cascading waterfall overlooks hazy blue waters deep enough for diving and cliff jumps as well as a rope swing so kids can swing Tarzan-style.
- Montego Bay catamaran sail. Enjoy everything the Caribbean has to offer as you snorkel in the clear waters and admire the coral and marine life.
What should I pack for a cruise to Jamaica?
A swimsuit (or two), sunscreen and flip flops are a must for soaking in the sun both onboard and at the beach. For adventures further inland, pack some comfortable walking shoes and water shoes if you’re planning to do any water activities and hiking.
Most cruise lines have at least one formal night or specialty restaurant that encourages you to look the part so make sure to include something nicer as well.
Current cruise deals
Bottom line
A cruise to Jamaica makes this upmarket destination accessible to everyone. Stop dreaming about the salty, tropical island vibes and find out what it’s really like with these top cruise deals.
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