Western Caribbean cruises head south and west from Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama toward Mexico's Yucatan coast, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Ports are relatively close together, so a week often has four port days and only one or two days at sea.
This side of the Caribbean is about variety ashore. You can climb Maya pyramids near Costa Maya or Belize, snorkel the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off Cozumel and Roatan, wade with stingrays in Grand Cayman, or climb Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica. It suits travelers who want activities more than beach-and-shop days.
It is also the most accessible Caribbean region for much of the country. Galveston, New Orleans and Mobile put cruises within driving distance of Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Midwest, and Tampa, Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale and Miami all run Western routes. Short 4 and 5 night trips to Cozumel are common, too.
- January: Best time, average high 83 degrees F
- February: Best time, average high 84 degrees F
- March: Best time, average high 85 degrees F
- April: Best time, average high 86 degrees F
- May: Shoulder season, average high 88 degrees F
- June: Cruises run, average high 89 degrees F
- July: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F
- August: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F
- September: Cruises run, average high 89 degrees F
- October: Cruises run, average high 88 degrees F
- November: Shoulder season, average high 85 degrees F
- December: Best time, average high 84 degrees F
- Best time
- Shoulder season
- Cruises run
- Few or none
Temperatures in Fahrenheit, long-term averages. Climate source.
Year-round sailings. December through April is the dry season with the lowest humidity. June through November is Atlantic hurricane season; Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean storms are most likely from mid-August to mid-October, and can also close Texas and Gulf home ports for a day or two.
Weather to plan around: Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the most activity from mid-August to mid-October. Storms in the Gulf of Mexico can delay embarkation in Galveston, New Orleans or Mobile, not just change ports. Winter cold fronts sometimes bring wind that cancels tender ports such as Grand Cayman and Belize City.
Ports you'll likely visit
- Cozumel, Mexico
Reef snorkeling and diving, beach clubs and ferries to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. - Costa Maya, Mexico
A purpose-built port with a pool area, beaches at Mahahual and tours to the Chacchoben Maya ruins. - Progreso, Mexico
Gateway to Merida and Maya sites in the Yucatan; Chichen Itza is a long day trip. - Roatan, Honduras
Top-tier reef snorkeling and diving and quiet beaches such as West Bay. - Belize City, Belize
Cave tubing, the Altun Ha ruins and barrier reef snorkeling. Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers in. - George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Stingray City sandbar, Seven Mile Beach and snorkeling straight off the shore. A tender port. - Ocho Rios or Falmouth, Jamaica
Dunn's River Falls, river rafting and Blue Hole tours, with Falmouth's Georgian architecture.
Highlights
Maya history
Pyramids and ruins at Chacchoben, Altun Ha, Tulum and Chichen Itza are reachable from cruise ports.
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Cozumel, Belize and Roatan sit along the largest reef system in the Western Hemisphere.
More port days
Ports are close together, so a week often has four stops.
Drive-to departures
Galveston, New Orleans and Mobile make the Western Caribbean an easy trip from Texas and the Gulf states.
Adventure excursions
Cave tubing, zip lines, waterfall climbs and jungle ATV tours are on almost every itinerary.
How long, and what documents
7 nights is standard. 4-5 night cruises from Florida, Galveston, New Orleans and Mobile often visit Cozumel and sometimes Progreso or Costa Maya.
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.
Specialist tips
- Chichen Itza is about two hours each way from Progreso; book a ship excursion or leave a generous buffer to get back on time.
- Grand Cayman and Belize City are tender ports, and wind can cancel them, so do not prepay non-refundable tours you cannot get back.
- If you are driving to Galveston or New Orleans in hurricane season, keep an eye on port closures in the days before you leave.
- Mexican pesos are not required in cruise ports; US dollars and cards are widely accepted, but small bills help for tips and taxis.
