Cruises from Baltimore to the Eastern Caribbean

Which lines sail from Baltimore to the Eastern Caribbean?

• Carnival Cruise Line
  Laid-back, loud in the best way and unpretentious; flip-flops, burgers by the pool and a comedy show after dinner.
• Royal Caribbean International
  Energetic, family-friendly and packed with headline attractions; think floating theme park with a good Broadway show at night.

When to go

1. January: Best time, average high 84 degrees F Jan 84°74°
2. February: Best time, average high 84 degrees F Feb 84°74°
3. March: Best time, average high 85 degrees F Mar 85°74°
4. April: Best time, average high 86 degrees F Apr 86°76°
5. May: Shoulder season, average high 87 degrees F May 87°78°
6. June: Cruises run, average high 89 degrees F Jun 89°79°
7. July: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F Jul 90°79°
8. August: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F Aug 90°80°
9. September: Cruises run, average high 89 degrees F Sep 89°80°
10. October: Cruises run, average high 88 degrees F Oct 88°78°
11. November: Shoulder season, average high 87 degrees F Nov 87°77°
12. December: Best time, average high 85 degrees F Dec 85°75°

• Best time
• Shoulder season
• Cruises run
• Few or none

Temperatures in Fahrenheit, long-term averages. Climate source.

Sailings run year-round. December to April is the dry season and peak demand. The islands sit in the main Atlantic hurricane track, so June through November, and especially mid-August to mid-October, carries the highest chance of itinerary changes.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and the Virgin Islands and Leeward Islands lie in the path of many storms that form off Africa in late summer. Most activity falls between mid-August and mid-October. Expect possible port swaps in those months. Winter trade winds can make sea days a little bumpy on the open-ocean leg from Florida.

Where you'll stop

Itineraries vary by line and length. These are the ports the Eastern Caribbean cruises most often visit:

• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands: Magens Bay, duty-free shopping, the Skyride viewpoint and ferries to St. John's national park beaches.
• Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Sint Maarten: Beach right off the boardwalk, plus quick trips to the French side, Orient Bay and Maho Beach.
• San Juan, Puerto Rico (US): Old San Juan's forts and colorful streets are a short walk from the pier, and evening departures leave time for dinner ashore.
• Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands: Boat trips to The Baths on Virgin Gorda and to some of the best sailing waters in the Caribbean.
• Basseterre, St. Kitts, St. Kitts and Nevis: Brimstone Hill Fortress (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a scenic railway and a short boat ride to Nevis.
• St. John's, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda: Many beaches close to port and the restored Nelson's Dockyard at English Harbour.

Before you sail from Baltimore

From the south, take I-95 north to Exit 55 (Key Highway) and continue on East McComas Street to the entrance on the right. From the north, take I-95 south through the Fort McHenry Tunnel in the far right lane, then Exit 55 and turn left onto East McComas Street. From BWI, a taxi or rideshare is roughly 15 to 20 minutes.

Cruise Maryland runs secured long-term lots within walking distance of the terminal, with accessible spaces. No reservation is needed. As of October 2026, Cruise Maryland lists $25 per night for cars and SUVs (the rate in effect since April 1, 2026), with higher rates for RVs. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or Discover on arrival. Drop your luggage at the screening area first (tags are available at a tent at the entrance), then park.

• Drop luggage before you park; the terminal routes you to the bag drop first.
• Bring Visa, Mastercard or Discover for parking; American Express is not listed as accepted.
• Pack warm layers for winter sailings; the first day or two can be chilly.
• Check whether Royal Caribbean is sailing in your travel month, since its Baltimore season is not year-round.

Documents: Cruises that begin and end at the same US port are "closed-loop" sailings. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says US citizens on a closed-loop cruise can re-enter the United States with a birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID, and children under 16 need only proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate (most lines want an original or certified copy, not a photocopy). CBP also warns that the countries your ship visits may still ask for a passport, and cruise lines can set stricter rules than the government does. We recommend a passport book anyway: if you miss the ship or have to fly home early from a foreign port, you cannot board an international flight without one, and a passport card works only for land and sea crossings. Non-US citizens, including green card holders, have different rules. Check current requirements with your cruise line and the State Department before you sail. St. Thomas, St. John and Puerto Rico are US territories, but your other stops are foreign countries with their own entry rules.

More detail: our full Baltimore cruise port guide and our Eastern Caribbean cruise guide.

Related routes

Also from Baltimore: Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada & New England.

Eastern Caribbean from other ports: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral, San Juan.