Cruise Destinations - Caribbean Cruises
The place to start is where you want to go! Going on a cruise
for the sake of price regardless of where it is going is likely
to be a false economy. You want to search your dreams and find
places that ignite a passion in you and push you to want to be
there.
Not all cruise lines and not all ships do all itineraries.
And not all itineraries in the same geographic regions stop at
the same ports. So if there is a particular port you want to see,
you need to make sure it is on the itinerary of the cruise lines
you are looking at.
Some cruise ships are so large the nature of their size prevents
them from visiting ports that may be of interest. On the other
hand some of the smaller ships can go to very intimate and secluded
ports because of their size.
Within a given geographic area you may have lots of choices
as to different itineraries.
For example, if you think you want to see the Caribbean, (most
popular destination in cruising), you are choosing a region that
really offers three or more types of itineraries.
There's much more to this region stretching from south Florida
to South America than sun, sand and surf. No other destination
presents so many choices as Caribbean cruise itineraries and lengths,
with anything from a two-night getaway to an extended voyage sailing
from ports from New York to Central America. In fact, it is so
vast and diverse that it really constitutes three separate areas,
traditionally defined as:
Eastern Caribbean Cruises and the Bahamas
Usually includes:
Antigua, Basseterre, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Gustavia, Jopst Van
Dyke, Philipsburg, St. Barts, St. Crox, St. Kitts, St. John, St.
Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan, Tortola, Virgin Gorda
Western Caribbean Cruises
Usually includes:
George Town, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Montego Bay,
Ocho Rios
Southern Caribbean Cruises
Usually includes:
Aruba, Barbados, Bequia, Bridgetown, Carriacou, Castries, Curacao,
Fort-De-France, Grenada, Martinique, Oranjestad, Port of Spain,
St George's, St.Lucia, St.Vincent, Tobago, Trinidad, and Willemstad
A typical 7 day (you can go longer) Caribbean cruise allows you
to sample the hospitality, culture, history and peoples at four
or five different ports. Each port call opens the door to a new
slice of paradise, where you might discover traces of France or
Britain, or the Netherlands or Spain woven into the distinctive
pace and style of the regions many individual nations.
Most ships serving the Caribbean leave from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale
or Port Canaveral although there are departures from San Juan,
Puerto Rico; New Orleans and elsewhere. Smaller ships leave from
Caribbean Islands like St. Thomas, Barbados and Aruba.
When to Cruise the Caribbean
The busiest (and more costly) season for the Caribbean is generally
from the third week of January through the Easter/Spring Break
Period.
You can cruise year-round in the Caribbean. An ideal destination
for the family makes school holiday periods among the busiest times
of year. Those looking for the best values in a cruise to the Caribbean
and the Bahamas should check sailing dates in early January, late
spring or September through early December.
Hurricane Season in The Caribbean
Hurricane season in the Caribbean is June 1st through the end
of November. It does not mean “don’t go”. Modern
ships are equipped with the latest satellite weather warning systems
and have plenty of time to avoid problem areas. The Captain wants
to enjoy the cruise as well!
Stormy weather may mean a bit of a bumpy ride or the possibility
of missing a port of call because conditions do not warrant bringing
the ship into the area and worst case scenario you may miss a planned
shore excursion. To compensate for this seasonal weather, you will
often find great pricing worth taking advantage of.
Next ...
Alaska Cruises
This Guide to Cruising is being updated regularly - Please bookmark this page
and come back again for the next 'chapter'
-
Introduction
to this Cruising Guide ...
-
How
much more you can enjoy a cruise compared to a 'land' based holiday ...
-
How
to research a cruise holiday
-
Types
of Cruise Ship Accommodation
-
What
Part of the Ship Should You Choose For Your Cabin?
-
How
to choose your cruise cabin
-
Choosing
and Booking your Cruise Part
1 and Part 2
-
Should
I book my Cruise through a Travel Agent?
-
Cruises - FAQs ... Answers
to frequently asked questions on Cruise Holidays
-
Your
Cruise Checklist ... Things to consider when choosing your cruise ...
-
So
what do all those sailing terms mean?
-
How
to Choose a Cruising Holiday - What different Itineraries mean ...
-
Cruise
Destinations - Caribbean Cruises
-
Cruise
Destinations - Alaska Cruises
-
Cruise
Destinations - Hawaii Cruises
-
Cruise
Destinations - Mexican Riviera Cruises
-
Choosing
the right kind of cruise ship for your kind of holiday
-
What
kind of cruise traveler are you?
- Next ...Singles Cruising
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