9 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise

The 9 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise is a 9-night Caribbean cruise aboard Independence of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean. Departing Miami, Florida on January 10, 2028, the voyage visits 5 ports. Fares start from $1,106 per person.

Length: 9 nights
Departs: Jan 10, 2028
Returns: Jan 19, 2028
Ports of call: 5
Days at sea: 4

from $1,106

$122 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

Book with CruiseDirect Book direct with Royal Caribbean

We may earn a commission

from $1,106 pp

via CruiseDirect

Book

Book direct with Royal Caribbean we may earn a commission

Itinerary

Day 1 Jan 10, 2028 Miami, Florida Departs 16:00 Miami is called the gateway to the Americas, and it’s indeed a very glamourous global city to explore at the start or end of an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise. Home to many cultures, the city of Miami sizzles with flavours from the Americas, beginning with Cuba and the Little Havana neighbourhood - one of the most historically significant places, while Wynwood is famous for its wall art and Puerto Rican history. Across Biscayne Bay lies the city of Miami Beach, home to the world-famous South Beach. An MSC-arranged guided private tour opens up a world of possibilities for you: enjoy the beach, take in the city’s Art Deco architecture and enjoy a drink on legendary Ocean Drive, where you can people watch, and perhaps spot a celebrity. If time permits, take a stroll on artsy Lincoln Road packed with street side cafes and shops. Facing the MSC Cruises port in downtown Miami is Bayside Marketplace - a lively commercial centre that is a staging area for boat tours of Miami. Seeing the city from the water, with its impressive skyline and waterfront mansions, is an experience in itself. The downtown area also boasts the dazzling Performing Arts Centre, the Museum of Science, the Pérez Art Museum Miami (known as the PAMM), scenic Bayfront Park and the arena where the 3-time NBA champion Miami Heat basketball team plays. Miami is renowned for its shopping. Hop on a tour to see the major city sights followed by retail therapy at one of Miami's largest and newest shopping malls: Dolphin Mall. With more than 240 retail outlets, you’re bound to need a bit of room in your luggage for your purchases. Luckily, there are several luggage stores at the mall to fill that need. Head west past the city into untamed wilderness on an MSC excursion into the Everglades. At this national park where water is the central feature, unlike any other in North America, nature enthusiasts can hop on an airboat tour through the swampland and waterways to spot alligators and a variety of birds. Miami, Florida port guide Search cruises visiting Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida photo — Day 1 Jan 10, 2028 Miami, Florida Departs 16:00 Miami is called the gateway to the Americas, and it’s indeed a very glamourous global city to explore at the start or end of an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise. Home to many cultures, the city of Miami sizzles with flavours from the Americas, beginning with Cuba and the Little Havana neighbourhood - one of the most historically significant places, while Wynwood is famous for its wall art and Puerto Rican history. Across Biscayne Bay lies the city of Miami Beach, home to the world-famous South Beach. An MSC-arranged guided private tour opens up a world of possibilities for you: enjoy the beach, take in the city’s Art Deco architecture and enjoy a drink on legendary Ocean Drive, where you can people watch, and perhaps spot a celebrity. If time permits, take a stroll on artsy Lincoln Road packed with street side cafes and shops. Facing the MSC Cruises port in downtown Miami is Bayside Marketplace - a lively commercial centre that is a staging area for boat tours of Miami. Seeing the city from the water, with its impressive skyline and waterfront mansions, is an experience in itself. The downtown area also boasts the dazzling Performing Arts Centre, the Museum of Science, the Pérez Art Museum Miami (known as the PAMM), scenic Bayfront Park and the arena where the 3-time NBA champion Miami Heat basketball team plays. Miami is renowned for its shopping. Hop on a tour to see the major city sights followed by retail therapy at one of Miami's largest and newest shopping malls: Dolphin Mall. With more than 240 retail outlets, you’re bound to need a bit of room in your luggage for your purchases. Luckily, there are several luggage stores at the mall to fill that need. Head west past the city into untamed wilderness on an MSC excursion into the Everglades. At this national park where water is the central feature, unlike any other in North America, nature enthusiasts can hop on an airboat tour through the swampland and waterways to spot alligators and a variety of birds. Miami, Florida port guide Search cruises visiting Miami, Florida

Day 3 Jan 12, 2028 Puerto Plata/Dominican Republic 07:00 – 16:00 9.0 hrs ashore Christopher Columbus dubbed the peak overlooking the town Monte de Plata due to the silvery hue of its cloud cover, but the region is actually best known for its abundant amber deposits. View ancient fossils and insects encased for millions of years in this translucent, hardened sap at the Amber Museum, stroll among vividly painted Victorian mansions and then take a cable car to the 2,600-foot summit of Pico Isabel de Torres for glorious views of the entire Amber Coast. At the superbly preserved 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe, look out to sea and imagine an onslaught of pirates eager to plunder the town’s treasures. Fortunately, today you need not cannonade Puerto Plata from a frigate to access its myriad attractions. Puerto Plata/Dominican Republic port guide Search cruises visiting Puerto Plata/Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata/Dominican Republic photo — Day 3 Jan 12, 2028 Puerto Plata/Dominican Republic 07:00 – 16:00 9.0 hrs ashore Christopher Columbus dubbed the peak overlooking the town Monte de Plata due to the silvery hue of its cloud cover, but the region is actually best known for its abundant amber deposits. View ancient fossils and insects encased for millions of years in this translucent, hardened sap at the Amber Museum, stroll among vividly painted Victorian mansions and then take a cable car to the 2,600-foot summit of Pico Isabel de Torres for glorious views of the entire Amber Coast. At the superbly preserved 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe, look out to sea and imagine an onslaught of pirates eager to plunder the town’s treasures. Fortunately, today you need not cannonade Puerto Plata from a frigate to access its myriad attractions. Puerto Plata/Dominican Republic port guide Search cruises visiting Puerto Plata/Dominican Republic

Day 4 Jan 13, 2028 San Juan, Puerto Rico 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore Blessed with some of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, San Juan, Puerto Rico’s cap-ital, is romantically charming with its bright pastel Spanish colonial facades, wrought-iron balconies abloom with flowers, narrow cobblestone streets and beloved park squares. Once you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise at the port, explore Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan), a UNESCO World Heritage district, widely renowned for the fortresses of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and the Castillo San Cristóbal. The old town occupies the headland of a 2.5-mile-long island (connected by bridge to the mainland) that shelters San Juan Bay, for centuries a key port in the New World. It was originally known as Puerto Rico, or “rich port,” because its location made it the perfect stop for shipping. Several MSC excursions offer walking tours that let you soak up amazing views of San Juan, while making cultural discoveries of a lifetime. Wander through the old town along the Paseo de la Princesa, San Juan’s oldest tree-lined avenue; head up its southern city wall, La Muralla, which until the late 19th century encircled all of Old San Juan with sandstone; and tour the 16th-century fortress of El Morro, with its six different lines of defence. Take a coffee-tasting walking tour to explore Puerto Rico’s rich coffee culture, and learn how the island’s rich volcanic soil and climate have contributed to the rise of coffee as one of its main crops. Taste a delicious cup of freshly brewed Puerto Rican café con leche, learn about the island's historical ties with the caffeine-rich beverage, and explore how coffee and the church are connected on this MSC excursion through the streets of Old San Juan. Or savour San Juan’s culinary delights, in a Martha Stewart excursion curated exclusively for MSC that will have you tasting local cuisine and drinks at five destinations along the route through the fortified colonial city. From Puerto Rican fritters at historic El Convento Hotel, to chocolate tasting at a fourth-generation chocolatier, you won’t want to miss this tour, which ends at La Casita de Rones for a rum lesson and a piña colada, the national drink of Puerto Rico. With more than 80% of the world's rum coming from Puerto Rico, delve deeper into the spirit on an MSC excursion to Casa Bacardí in the town of Cataño. Discover the story behind Bacardí’s legendary cocktails, sniff the products on display and learn about the rum-making process including wood barrelling, ageing and finishing. For the grand finale, enjoy a fascinating mixology show. Nature lovers will not want to miss a visit to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. territory and one of Puerto Rico's finest spots of natural beauty. Marvel at its small horsetail waterfalls, giant ferns and tropical hardwoods. For an enchanting experience, kayak into the enchanting bioluminescent bay at Laguna Grande of Fajardo on another MSC excursion. Under the blanket of the night sky and the lighthouse of Fajardo, paddle through the water and watch it glow with the bioluminescence of millions and millions of tiny organisms. San Juan, Puerto Rico port guide Search cruises visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico photo — Day 4 Jan 13, 2028 San Juan, Puerto Rico 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore Blessed with some of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, San Juan, Puerto Rico’s cap-ital, is romantically charming with its bright pastel Spanish colonial facades, wrought-iron balconies abloom with flowers, narrow cobblestone streets and beloved park squares. Once you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise at the port, explore Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan), a UNESCO World Heritage district, widely renowned for the fortresses of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and the Castillo San Cristóbal. The old town occupies the headland of a 2.5-mile-long island (connected by bridge to the mainland) that shelters San Juan Bay, for centuries a key port in the New World. It was originally known as Puerto Rico, or “rich port,” because its location made it the perfect stop for shipping. Several MSC excursions offer walking tours that let you soak up amazing views of San Juan, while making cultural discoveries of a lifetime. Wander through the old town along the Paseo de la Princesa, San Juan’s oldest tree-lined avenue; head up its southern city wall, La Muralla, which until the late 19th century encircled all of Old San Juan with sandstone; and tour the 16th-century fortress of El Morro, with its six different lines of defence. Take a coffee-tasting walking tour to explore Puerto Rico’s rich coffee culture, and learn how the island’s rich volcanic soil and climate have contributed to the rise of coffee as one of its main crops. Taste a delicious cup of freshly brewed Puerto Rican café con leche, learn about the island's historical ties with the caffeine-rich beverage, and explore how coffee and the church are connected on this MSC excursion through the streets of Old San Juan. Or savour San Juan’s culinary delights, in a Martha Stewart excursion curated exclusively for MSC that will have you tasting local cuisine and drinks at five destinations along the route through the fortified colonial city. From Puerto Rican fritters at historic El Convento Hotel, to chocolate tasting at a fourth-generation chocolatier, you won’t want to miss this tour, which ends at La Casita de Rones for a rum lesson and a piña colada, the national drink of Puerto Rico. With more than 80% of the world's rum coming from Puerto Rico, delve deeper into the spirit on an MSC excursion to Casa Bacardí in the town of Cataño. Discover the story behind Bacardí’s legendary cocktails, sniff the products on display and learn about the rum-making process including wood barrelling, ageing and finishing. For the grand finale, enjoy a fascinating mixology show. Nature lovers will not want to miss a visit to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. territory and one of Puerto Rico's finest spots of natural beauty. Marvel at its small horsetail waterfalls, giant ferns and tropical hardwoods. For an enchanting experience, kayak into the enchanting bioluminescent bay at Laguna Grande of Fajardo on another MSC excursion. Under the blanket of the night sky and the lighthouse of Fajardo, paddle through the water and watch it glow with the bioluminescence of millions and millions of tiny organisms. San Juan, Puerto Rico port guide Search cruises visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico

Day 6 Jan 15, 2028 Oranjestad, Aruba 08:00 – 23:00 15.0 hrs ashore Located in the southern Caribbean, Aruba stands out with its desert-like vistas, wind-shaped trees, natural rock formations and breath-taking beaches. Its terrain offers plenty of opportunity for exploration and off-road trekking. As you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise in Oranjestad, the tax-free capital named after William I (the Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands), admire the city’s charming Dutch Colonial architecture with its antique buildings and houses that blend in with today’s modern architecture. Not much grows on Aruba. However, its hot dry climate is ideal for aloe farming. Book an MSC excursion to the Aruba Aloe Museum & Factory, and learn about the 160-year history of aloe farming on the island. If adventure is on your agenda, get on a UTV on an MSC excursion that will take you through Aruba's outback, skirting along the coastline with visits to the Alto Vista Chapel, the Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins that remind us of Aruba's 19th-century gold rush, and to the early 20th-century California Lighthouse, which bears the name of an unfortunate ship that sank nearby in 1891. An on-road driving MSC excursion will visit those sites as well, along with the amazing Casibari Rock Formation, or huge diorite boulders found in the centre of the island. Take a “Natural Aruba” MSC excursion to tour the Butterfly Farm, then pass countless divi divi trees and cacti before arriving at Aruba’s Natural Bridge, a wonder carved out of solid coral by the relentlessly pounding surf. Or relax in the calm waters lapping Arashi Beach and Palm Beach, while snorkelers will enjoy our catamaran sailing excursion that explores Boca Cathalina and the “Antilla” World War II shipwreck, considered to be one of the top dive and snorkel sites of the Caribbean. Oranjestad, Aruba port guide Search cruises visiting Oranjestad, Aruba

Day 7 Jan 16, 2028 Willemstad, Curacao 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore A beauty to behold, Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island just off the coast of Venezuela, offers dramatic coastlines, hidden beaches tucked into coves, expansive coral reefs, wondrous caves and two different climates: one wet and tropical, the other dry. Abuzz with European flair, Willemstad, the capital, boasts a thriving art and culinary scene, pretty pastel-coloured colonial architecture, museums and a go-go attitude, thanks in part to its booming economy. As you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise in Willemstad, you’ll have options for MSC excursions at your fingertips as diverse as its climate: Cultural tours or nature tours? Beach or hiking? A blend of both? The choice is yours. Start by exploring the narrow alleys and gaze at the curious houses in bright colours in the picturesque old town of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dutch colonial-style houses with sloping roofs, and alternating pink, light green, blue and yellow colours contrast with the monochrome blue of the sky and sea, a panorama worthy of Instagram. MSC excursions let you hop on a trolley tour or join a guided walking tour to marvel at the city’s best known sites. At the mouth of the bay of Sint Annabaai, between the two districts of Willemstad, lies Fort Amsterdam, one of the most important forts on the island. Built in 1635, the fort is now the seat of the governor, and houses a Protestant church and a museum. The church, built in 1769, was fired upon by a British warship in 1804, and you can still find a cannonball embedded in the southwestern wall of the church. Another fort worth seeing is Fort Beekenburg, overlooking Caracas Bay. Constructed in 1703, it was actively used in the 19th century to defend against the French, British and pirates, and is one of the best-preserved fortifications in the Caribbean. A Curaçao cruise lets you tour the factory where the world-famous Curaçao liqueur is made. At the sunshine yellow Chobolo Mansion, visit the old distillery to learn how the distillation process works and, of course, you get to sample the Blue Curaçao liqueur. For an otherworldly experience, opt for a short drive to the north of Willemstad, passing salt flats and flamingos, to explore the Hato Caves on a guided tour. At this natural wonder, you’ll learn about stalagmites, stalactites, limestone formations and, if you're lucky, you’ll spot long-nosed fruit bats. Or to observe the stunning coastline, another MSC excursion takes you on a country drive, past old plantation homes, to Boka Tabla, part of Shete Boka National Park, on the north coast. Admire the phenomenon of how the pounding surf has over time formed beautiful coves and interesting rock shapes stretching over seven miles of unspoiled shoreline. Willemstad, Curacao port guide Search cruises visiting Willemstad, Curacao

Willemstad, Curacao photo — Day 7 Jan 16, 2028 Willemstad, Curacao 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore A beauty to behold, Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island just off the coast of Venezuela, offers dramatic coastlines, hidden beaches tucked into coves, expansive coral reefs, wondrous caves and two different climates: one wet and tropical, the other dry. Abuzz with European flair, Willemstad, the capital, boasts a thriving art and culinary scene, pretty pastel-coloured colonial architecture, museums and a go-go attitude, thanks in part to its booming economy. As you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise in Willemstad, you’ll have options for MSC excursions at your fingertips as diverse as its climate: Cultural tours or nature tours? Beach or hiking? A blend of both? The choice is yours. Start by exploring the narrow alleys and gaze at the curious houses in bright colours in the picturesque old town of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dutch colonial-style houses with sloping roofs, and alternating pink, light green, blue and yellow colours contrast with the monochrome blue of the sky and sea, a panorama worthy of Instagram. MSC excursions let you hop on a trolley tour or join a guided walking tour to marvel at the city’s best known sites. At the mouth of the bay of Sint Annabaai, between the two districts of Willemstad, lies Fort Amsterdam, one of the most important forts on the island. Built in 1635, the fort is now the seat of the governor, and houses a Protestant church and a museum. The church, built in 1769, was fired upon by a British warship in 1804, and you can still find a cannonball embedded in the southwestern wall of the church. Another fort worth seeing is Fort Beekenburg, overlooking Caracas Bay. Constructed in 1703, it was actively used in the 19th century to defend against the French, British and pirates, and is one of the best-preserved fortifications in the Caribbean. A Curaçao cruise lets you tour the factory where the world-famous Curaçao liqueur is made. At the sunshine yellow Chobolo Mansion, visit the old distillery to learn how the distillation process works and, of course, you get to sample the Blue Curaçao liqueur. For an otherworldly experience, opt for a short drive to the north of Willemstad, passing salt flats and flamingos, to explore the Hato Caves on a guided tour. At this natural wonder, you’ll learn about stalagmites, stalactites, limestone formations and, if you're lucky, you’ll spot long-nosed fruit bats. Or to observe the stunning coastline, another MSC excursion takes you on a country drive, past old plantation homes, to Boka Tabla, part of Shete Boka National Park, on the north coast. Admire the phenomenon of how the pounding surf has over time formed beautiful coves and interesting rock shapes stretching over seven miles of unspoiled shoreline. Willemstad, Curacao port guide Search cruises visiting Willemstad, Curacao

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 93-day span: $994 · range $994–$1,106

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $1,106

$122 / night

Fare rows

Interior Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,106

$122 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,199

$133 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,217

$135 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Promenade View Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,236

$137 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Connecting Promenade Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,255

$139 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Oceanview

from $1,226

$136 / night

Fare rows

Ocean View - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,226

$136 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,330

$147 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,351

$150 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Spacious Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,380

$153 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Spacious Panoramic Ocean View

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,502

$166 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

from $1,534

$170 / night

Fare rows

Balcony Stateroom - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,534

$170 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,736

$192 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,756

$195 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Connecting Oceanview Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,776

$197 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Spacious Ocean view Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,787

$198 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Spacious Ocean View Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,817

$201 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Sunset Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,929

$214 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Suite

from $2,659

$295 / night

Fare rows

Suite - Guaranteed

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,659

$295 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,759

$306 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,999

$333 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Sunset Junior Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,028

$336 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean View Panoramic Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,079

$342 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,209

$467 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Suite - 1 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,629

$514 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Suite - 2 Bedroom

Cabin grade

Available

from $5,289

$587 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 30, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Royal Caribbean and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 42 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Spacious Ocean View Balcony	1B	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	1D	Balcony
Spacious Ocean View Balcony	2B	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	2D	Balcony
Spacious Ocean View Balcony	3B	Balcony
Spacious Ocean view Balcony	4B	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	4D	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony	5D	Balcony
Connecting Oceanview Balcony	CB	Balcony
Sunset Balcony	SB	Balcony
Spacious Sunset Balcony	SG	Balcony
Balcony Stateroom - Guaranteed	XB	Balcony
Ocean View Balcony Quad GTY	XQ	Balcony
Spacious Promenade View Interior	1Q	Inside
Spacious Interior	1R	Inside
Interior	1V	Inside
Promenade View Interior	2T	Inside
Interior	2V	Inside
Interior	3V	Inside
Interior	4V	Inside
Connecting Promenade Interior	CP	Inside
Interior Stateroom - Guaranteed	ZI	Inside
Interior Quad GTY	ZQ	Inside
Ultra Spacious Ocean View	1K	Oceanview
Spacious Panoramic Ocean View	1L	Oceanview
Ocean View	1N	Oceanview
Ocean View	2N	Oceanview
Spacious Ocean View	3M	Oceanview
Ocean View	3N	Oceanview
Spacious Ocean View	4M	Oceanview
Ocean View	4N	Oceanview
Ocean View - Guaranteed	YO	Oceanview
Ocean View Quad GTY	YQ	Oceanview
Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom	GS	Suite
Grand Suite - 2 Bedroom	GT	Suite
Junior Suite	J3	Suite
Junior Suite	J4	Suite
Sunset Junior Suite	JT	Suite
Owner's Suite - 1 Bedroom	OS	Suite
Royal Suite - 1 Bedroom	RS	Suite
Ocean View Panoramic Suite	VP	Suite
Suite - Guaranteed	WS	Suite