What kind of ship should I choose?

There's one last thing to consider before you book a Caribbean cruise —  finding a ship that best matches your travel style and budget. Are you looking for a lively vibe or do you prefer a quieter ambience? Are you looking for a bargain fare, or are you able to splurge? Here are your options:

• Megaships: These mammoth vessels accommodating 4,000 to 7,000+ guests are popular with both families and couples seeking a buzzy atmosphere with Las Vegas-style entertainment, theme-park inspired thrills such as waterslides, and as many as 20 dining venues. They also offer a wide range of staterooms and suites to fit most budgets. Some of the newest megaships cruising the Caribbean are Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas; MSC World America; and Carnival's Excel-class ships (Mardi Gras, Jubilee, and Celebration). Princess' new Sphere-class ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, are also megaships, but they lack top-deck thrills such as waterslides.

• Large Ships: Many ships sailing Caribbean itineraries fall into this category and carry 2,500 to 4,000 guests. Newer options include Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Viva, Disney Treasure and Disney Wish, Princess Cruises' Royal-class ships (Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Sky Princess), Holland America's Pinnacle-class ships (Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam), and MSC Seaside and MSC Seashore. 

• Premium Ships: These vessels, which generally carry 1,200 to 3,000 guests, are priced a bit higher and offer a more upscale, adult-centric ambience. They include Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura, Celebrity's Edge-Series ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, and Xcel), and Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady.

• Mid-Sized Ships: Many of these vessels, which carry 1,000 to 2,400 guests, were built 20 to 30 years ago. They have undergone multiple refurbishments, but may not have all the bells and whistles of their newer fleetmates. They are, however, often among the most affordable options. Examples include Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, Princess' Island Princess, and Holland America's Zuiderdam and Volendam.

• Small Luxury Ships: If your budget allows, cruising the Caribbean on a luxury ship carrying just 300 to 900 guests offers indulgently spacious suites, superb cuisine, five-star service, and mostly all-inclusive cruise fares. Some of the newest luxury vessels are Silversea's Silver Ray and Silver Nova, Regent's Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Grandeur, Viking's Viking Sea and Viking Sky, Explora Journey's Explora I and Explora II, Windstar's Star Seeker, and Crystal's refurbished Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.