Where Do the Most Exclusive Caribbean Luxury Cruises Stop?

The Caribbean has been experiencing somewhat of an identity crisis in recent years. For every eye-wateringly expensive private island resort that pops up, we see three record-breaking megayachts blocking out the sun offshore. There seems to be a constant tug-of-war between low-cost lines and the luxury cruises that strive to offer refinement, exclusivity and the best beaches in the Caribbean. 

But what if this tug-of-war didn’t really exist? What if the Caribbean could be different things to different people, at the same time? At Panache Cruises, we believe that there’s enough of the Caribbean to go around for everybody. So long as we can have St. Barts and The Grenadines, the masses can keep their Bahamas and Barbados. We’re being provocative, of course, but these introductions have to keep you reading one way or another. 

Anyway, if you're considering a luxury Caribbean cruise in 2026 or 2027, these are the exclusive stops worth disembarking for. 

1. Gustavia, St. Barts

Why It’s Special: French Riviera glamour meets Caribbean charm.
Cruise Lines That Call Here: Seabourn, Explora Journeys, Silversea

Even the most esteemed ‘luxury’ destinations in Europe now feel a little gauche. Anybody can visit Cannes or Monaco and pretend they’re a star. St. Barts, on the other hand, still feels exclusive. You can’t visit St. Barts without dropping a small fortune to get there in the first place. 

But it’s not all A-List celebrities eating four-figure lunches. There’s culture, too, if you look past the Hermès and Cartier storefronts. There’s a lighthouse and a museum. In fact, that’s it. There are beach clubs, great lobster, and even better cocktails. Live out your billionaire fantasies but worry about the bill later. 

2. Port Elizabeth, Bequia – The Grenadines

Why It’s Special: Rustic luxury and a hideaway feel.
Cruise Lines That Call Here: SeaDream Yacht Club, Windstar, Seabourn

Okay, so St.Barts wears luxury on its sleeve. In fact, luxury in St. Barts is more like a neck tattoo– you just can’t hide it. Tiny Bequia, on the other hand, has a luxurious soul. It’s barefoot, it’s basic and it’s bloody beautiful. 

You won’t find mega-resorts or shopping malls here, just artisanal boutiques, waterfront cafés, and access to some of the Caribbean’s best snorkelling and diving. High-end cruise lines often anchor in Admiralty Bay, where you’ll be whisked ashore for low-key experiences like private beach picnics and catamaran sailing to nearby uninhabited islands.

3. Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia

Why It’s Special: Natural beauty meets five-star facilities.
Cruise Lines That Call Here: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Silversea, Ponant

Regularly described as the “most beautiful bay in the Caribbean” (source: trust us), Marigot Bay is one of the smallest bays on the list, making it one of the most exclusive. Only a few luxury cruise lines will have yachts small enough to harbour here. If they do, except excursions like volcanic mud baths, helicopter tours over the Pitons, and lunch at the nearby Capella resort. Saint Lucia is one of those islands that almost forces you to book a last-minute post-cruise stay. 

4. Soufrière, Saint Lucia

Why It’s Special: Dramatic scenery and immersive eco-luxury.
Cruise Lines That Call Here: Explora Journeys, Scenic Eclipse, Ponant

Soufrière turns most people’s expectations of the Caribbean on its head with stunning piton peaks and secluded waterfalls rubbing shoulders with five-star resorts and luxury restaurants. The beauty of Soufrière is that you can choose between immersing yourself in the beauty of the island’s nature or sinking into a world-class spa experience at one of the award-winning resorts. 

Explora Journeys often curates personalised experiences here, such as private rainforest yoga or champagne sunset cruises beneath the Pitons.

5. Soper’s Hole, Tortola – British Virgin Islands

Why It’s Special: Laid-back luxury with a nautical twist.
Cruise Lines That Call Here: SeaDream, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Windstar

This quiet harbour on Tortola’s western tip is a hidden gem in the British Virgin Islands, perfect for discerning cruisers who prefer charm over crowds. It’s the side of the Caribbean that made you want to come here in the first place. 

Shore excursions here often include private boat trips to Norman Island (reputed to be the inspiration for Treasure Island), snorkelling at The Indians, or lazy hours on the exclusive beaches of Jost Van Dyke.

6. Mayreau – St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Why It’s Special: Off-the-beaten-path luxury with postcard-perfect beaches.
Cruise Lines That Call Here: SeaDream, Windstar, Ponant

If you haven’t heard of the port, it’s probably going to blow you away. That’s our rule of thumb when it comes to the Caribbean. There are just a few hundred residents here, so you’ll have some of the Caribbean’s best beaches all to yourself. 

There are no large-scale developments– just nature, tranquillity, and top-tier service. Expect candlelit dinners on the beach, kayaking in turquoise waters, and total escapism.

7. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Why It’s Special: Iconic natural landmarks and high-end resorts.
Cruise Lines That Call Here: Seabourn, SeaDream, Silversea

Imagine your dream Caribbean island paradise. It’d be cool if it existed, right? Wrong. It already does. It’s Virgin Gorda. If you haven’t heard of the Baths, google them right now. They’re an extraordinary collection of granite boulders and crystal-clear grottos on the island’s coastline, reminiscent of the Seychelles. 

Many luxury lines offer exclusive early-access tours before the public arrives. Guests can also enjoy private beach setups, spa treatments at Little Dix Bay, or sailing excursions to nearby Necker Island. 

8. Iles des Saintes (Les Saintes), Guadeloupe

Why It’s Special: French-Caribbean fusion with boutique appeal.
Cruise Lines That Call Here: Explora Journeys, Ponant, SeaDream

This small archipelago south of Guadeloupe is a French secret that savvy cruisers love. With cobbled streets, patisseries, and oceanview cafés, it offers a slice of the Côte d’Azur with a Caribbean backdrop. There are a lot of French speakers here, however, so a little French can go a long way. 

Ships anchor offshore, giving guests the joy of arriving by tender into the quaint town of Terre-de-Haut. Boutique shopping, hilltop forts, and serene beaches make this one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets.

Head over to our website to view all of our Caribbean sailings and book your next adventure now!