All of the largest cruise lines operate in the Caribbean, and they offer cruises of varying lengths. Most cruise lines offer 3, 4, or 7 night cruises in the Caribbean. They also offer cruises that sail in two separate regions: the Eastern Caribbean and the Western Caribbean. Which you choose is completely up to you, and both regions are home to beautiful islands to explore.
The Eastern Caribbean cruises set sail from various ports in eastern Florida, Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale. Often, Eastern Caribbean ports of call include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the wildly popular Bahamas. The islands in this area are situated close to each other, allowing for longer shore excursions from the ship, as well as more beach time. Many choose these routes for shorter cruises.
The Western Caribbean cruises embark from ports in western Florida, New Orleans, and Texas. This regions includes various ports of call in Mexico, including Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Key West, Florida. Often the longer cruises sail these routes. The islands are pretty spread apart, so you will find that a western Caribbean cruise means more time on the open seas and less time at each port of call. However, because of the variety of the ports of call, it also means that you will have more options for excursions than with the eastern Caribbean. Aside from shopping and lounging on the beaches, you can hike in the rain forests, explore ancient ruins, scuba dive, and more.