Everything you need to know if you're planning a Caribbean vacation in 2026, according to the US State Department

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Boats in the waters of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela.
The Caribbean offers hundreds of tourist destinations across its many islands and coasts.

Douglas Olivares/Shutterstock

I took a 7-day cruise with carry-on luggage and a backpack. See everything on my packing list and how I organized it all.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of the author standing on the top deck of a cruise ship and clothes inside a cabin closet
Business Insider's reporter shares her packing list for a seven-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

We paid $9,000 for the cheapest room on an ultra-luxury Caribbean cruise. See inside our ship and 302-square-foot suite.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Author David Morris and his family smiling
When planning a multigenerational trip to the Caribbean during the busy holiday season, our family settled on an ultra-luxury cruise.

David Morris

My first trip to Puerto Rico with my kids was great — but it could've been even better if we'd avoided these 4 mistakes

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Jamie Davis Smith smiling on beach with Puerto Rico flag in background
My family had a great trip to Puerto Rico despite making a few simple planning and budgeting mistakes.

Jamie Davis Smith

The US is facing a wrongful-death lawsuit after a lethal strike on a boat it says was smuggling drugs

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
A screenshot from a video of a US strike on a vessel.
The US killed six men when it fired at the vessel off the coast of Venezuela on October 14, 2025.

US President Donald Trump's TruthSocial

'Our 6-day honeymoon turned into a 14-day trip': A week after Venezuela strikes caused travel chaos, some vacationers are still stranded

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
Meghan Lescinskas and her husband
Meghan Lescinskas and her husband

Courtesy of Meghan Lescinskas

My family's been stuck in the Caribbean for days. We spent $10,000 more than we budgeted for, and we're still not home.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Author David Morris smiling next to plane
Although we ended up stranded in the Caribbean for a bit, my family had the privilege of being flexible and adjusting our plans.

David Morris

Maps show the scale of the Caribbean air travel chaos — and how airlines are adding extra flights to rescue passengers

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
Boeing 777-300 ER N789AN American Airlines
American Airlines added 43 extra flights, including some on a Boeing 777-300, the largest plane in its fleet.

Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Thousands of travelers stranded as US strikes on Venezuela push airlines out of Caribbean airspace

Tech Insider : Politics, Travel, Travel
An aerial view of the eastern shore of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico has put incentives in place to attract mainland Americans and other foreigners to stay long-term.

Real Living Production

I've been to 20 Caribbean islands. Here are 7 mistakes first-time visitors should avoid making.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Mariette, wearing a red dress and sunglasses, walks along a pier on a cloudy day. The ocean is a beautiful turquoise color.
After visiting 20 Caribbean islands, I've observed some common mistakes from first-time visitors.

Mariette Williams

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