Desire West Indies Cruise 2027: Itinerary, Ship, and What to Expect

The headline details

Desire's West Indies cruise sails in January 2027 aboard the Allura, the same Oceania Cruises ship used for the Mediterranean sailing. This one runs for 10 nights, departing from Miami and weaving through some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. If you have done the resort and want to combine lifestyle freedom with island hopping, this is the sailing to watch.

The itinerary

Miami, St. Maarten, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, and Curacao. Read that list again. These are not generic cruise ports. St. Maarten offers the famous split island (Dutch side and French side, each with its own character). Martinique brings French-Caribbean culture, rum distilleries, and volcanic beaches. Barbados delivers world-class food, surfing, and colonial history. Grenada is the spice island, lush and unspoiled. Curacao has the colourful Willemstad waterfront and some of the best snorkelling in the region.

This is a genuinely diverse itinerary. Each port feels like a different country because, well, it is.

The 10-night format

Ten nights gives this sailing room to breathe. You get proper sea days between ports, which means time to fully enjoy the ship, the clothing-optional deck areas, and the social atmosphere that Desire creates. The rhythm of the trip alternates between exploration days on shore and relaxation days at sea, which is the ideal balance for a voyage of this length.

The ship

The Allura is by now a familiar vessel for Desire guests. Mid-size, elegant, with 6 restaurants that consistently deliver food well above typical cruise standards. The spa is excellent. The pool deck, which becomes the social centre of the Desire experience, is large enough to accommodate the reduced guest count without feeling cramped. If you sailed the Med on the Allura, you know exactly what to expect.

January timing

January in the Caribbean is peak season for good reason. The weather is warm and dry while most of Europe and North America shivers through winter. It is also a brilliant way to start the new year. Skip the grey January blues entirely and spend the first week of your year sailing through turquoise water with a cocktail in hand and absolutely no obligation to be anywhere you do not want to be.

Caribbean versus Mediterranean

If you are choosing between Desire's Med cruise and the West Indies sailing, the decision comes down to what you want from your ports. The Mediterranean offers culture, architecture, history, and European cities. The Caribbean offers beaches, water, relaxation, and tropical warmth. Both are exceptional. The Caribbean sailing has the edge on sea temperature and water clarity. The Med has the edge on shore-side dining and sightseeing. Neither is the wrong choice.

What to expect onboard

Everything you know from other Desire experiences applies. Clothing-optional areas on deck, themed nights, a playroom, and a guest list of like-minded couples. The onboard programming mirrors the resort experience but benefits from the intimacy of a ship. You will see the same faces at breakfast, by the pool, and at the evening events. Connections form quickly and run deep.

Our recommendation

The West Indies itinerary is, on paper, the strongest Caribbean sailing Desire has ever offered. The port selection is varied and interesting. The 10-night duration gives it an unhurried pace. The January timing is perfect for a winter escape. If you can only do one Desire cruise in 2027, this would be our pick for the Caribbean.