Situated largely on the Caribbean Plate, the region comprises more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays. Also called the West Indies,the region consists of the Antilles, divided into the larger Greater Antilles which bound the sea on the north and the Lesser Antilles on the south and east (including the Leeward Antilles), and the Bahamas.
With a population of nearly 40 million people,the Caribbean islands are an island chain 4,020 kilometres (2,500 miles) long and no more than 257 kilometres (160 mi) wide at any given point. They enclose the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean islands are classified as one of Conservation International’s biodiversity hotspots because they support exceptionally diverse ecosystems, ranging from montane cloud forests to cactus scrublands.
Caribbean cruise vacations are very popular especially during the winter. This is perhaps because people want to feel warm when the weather back home is cold.
But cruise lines sail along the Caribbean waters all year round. If you don t want to go during the peak season, try booking during the summer because this is the best time to go bargain hunting.
There are a lot of cruise lines to choose from. Some of them include the Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Crystal Cruises. For those who find this to be way out of their budget, they can inquire at Seabourn Cruise Lines.
Let’s talk a little bit about these companies.
The Royal Caribbean’s fleet offers to the Eastern, Southern and Western Caribbean. You could be away for a few days to a couple of weeks. The Radiance of the Seas for instance sails round trip from Ft. Lauderdale to San Juan, Philipsburg, St. Thomas and Nassau.
Apart from the good food on board, there are activities that you can do once you reach port like snorkeling, nature trekking, scuba diving and Catamaran sailing.
If you happen to book a trip in January, February, November or December, there are festivals that you shouldn’t afford to miss such as the Aruba Carnival Celebration, the Barbados Jazz Festival, Mustique Blues Festival, Bob Marley Week in Jamaica, Valentines Day, Tranquility Jazz Festival, Anguilla, St. Patrick’s Day, Bahamas International Film Festival and St. Nicholas Day in the Dutch Caribbean.
The Norwegian Cruise line offers almost the same itinerary as the Royal Caribbean. You can choose the three day , seven day or fifteen day package to the Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean and Southern Caribbean aboard its large ships.
Crystal Cruises only has 1 package and this voyage lasts for 12 days. You depart from New York, then move on to Bermuda/Hamilton, then to St. Maarten or Phillipsburg, Antigua, St. John, Curacao or Willemstad, Grand Cayman or Georgetown before heading home to Miami.
The Seabourn Cruise has only 2 packages. You can choose to go on a Caribbean vacation that could last 7 or 13 days. Apart from Fort Lauderdale, you can also catch a ride in New York City and visit Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas), and Bridgetown, Barbados. The best part about being in a yacht compared to a big ship is that it is not very crowded.
You can find out more about these shipping companies by letting your travel agent do the research or browsing online yourself.
By doing so, you will be able to know when are the scheduled their trips, compare their prices and find out what is inclusive in their packages. Once you have confirmed your trip, all you have to do now is pack your bags and leave.
For those coming from the west coast or mid-west, don’t forget to also plan your air travel so you don’t miss the ship before it leaves port. Some of these companies already have air fare and transfers inclusive so there is nothing to worry about.
The Caribbean cruise vacation is one of the best places to go if you are on your honeymoon, celebrating your anniversary or simply need time away from the real world. Once you come back, you will feel refreshed and ready to continue what you were doing before that.
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If you have never taken a cruise before, here are tips that will make your trip more enjoyable, less frantic and organized.
Lately, there are more requirements that cruise lines require like completing immigration information before the cruise. It is important that you have two ID forms. You must either have a travel passport or a birth certificate. You must also carry a photo ID like a driver’s license. Print these papers after you have made a final payment and take them with you when you check in.
We always try to fly in the day before the cruise departs. This is not mandatory, but it eliminates panic about flight delays or missing luggage concerns. If you do arrive the same day as departure, allow ample time to get from the airport to the dock. You must be checked in at least one and a half hours prior to the ship’s departure. You also need to allow sufficient time on your return flight. It is suggested to choose your departing flight by 1:00 in the afternoon. Attempt to arrive the day before the departure of the cruise line. This is not necessarily mandatory but it does eliminate panic about flight delays.
You will be assigned to one of two rooms on board. They are called a”Stateroom” or “Cabin”. There are two kinds of accommodations on board. The are called state room or cabin. They both have the same meaning. Choose wisely. If you or someone in your family is claustrophobic, do not choose an inside cabin, as they are small with no windows. Try a cabin with a porthole. Balcony cabins are also a good alternative as they are usually bigger. If you are with your family, most new ships have cabins that are family friendly. You cabin will include very nice amenities that will make it seem more like home. These include private baths, refrigerators, large closets, phone and TV.
Sea sickness should not be a concern for you. The newer ships now have stabilizers that keep the ship from rocking side to side. To be on the safe side, pack medicine like Dramamine in your bag. You can also purchase over the counter medicines in the Sundries store on board, after sail away. Luckily, sea sickness is not a huge concern for people who suffer from motion sickness anymore. Modern ships have what are called stabilizers. This eliminates the rocking motion which sends people staggering around green from sickness. If you should have sea sickness anyway, retreat to your cabin and lie down with a cold washrag over your head or neck.
No cruise is complete without fine dining. Dress up and go to a fine dining establishment where you can sit at the same table and be served by the same waiters every night. You can even enjoy 24 hour room service. be mindful of tipping guidelines which vary
When you are packing, bring comfortable shoes. This is very important because you will do lots of walking. Do not forget to take medications, plenty of clothes, a swimsuit and your travel documents in a small bag that you can take with you. This eliminates the anxiety of waiting for your belongings to show up in your cabin.
Above all, have fun taking advantage of the many activities that they offer there. Get a massage at a massage parlor, go work out at a fitness center, and go relax by the pool. You can even watch movies, go rock climbing, go skating and more! Also, do not miss out on the shore excursions,
If you are bringing your children, take advantage of the activities for kids. Every cruise line has a children’s program. These are usually grouped by age. Take advantage of the baby-sitting service available. You will have to pay, but it is worth it if you and your spouse/partner would like to steal away and enjoy the nightlife on board.
Whether you are going for an anniversary, a get-away, or a family vacation, a cruise line is a great destination.
Alaska Amongst the top spots in Alaska, the Inside Passage, the Glaciers and the Bering Sea are the ones which contain hidden treasures such as massive glaciers, waterways, Eskimo settlements near the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands respectively. On board activities to warm you up are always available in the cruises.
New England and Canada. Depending on the traveller preferences, cruises can include Ireland, Iceland and Maritime Canada. The usual destinations are Montreal, Nova Scotia, Quebec and New England. Fully equipped cruises with a wide variety of facilities cruise these waters so that holidaymakers can enjoy before getting to the ports.
Hawaii. With two basic alternatives, Hawaii is one not to be missed. Start from Honolulu, go around the other Polynesian islands and get back to the most populated island takes around seven days. Other choices would leave from Vancouver, San Diego or LA. The longest cruise would take almost two weeks from mainland, taking few of those days to get to Hawaii. Visit the big Island and look at the volcanic formations, enjoy luxurious Oahu and Maui full of resorts and beautiful beaches.
The Bahamas. With around seven hundred islands to visit, the Bahamas region is one of the most favourite destinations for tourists. Do not miss the chance to visit the Grand Island or do some shopping in the Freeport Harbour. Spectacular sandy beaches where one can enjoy water sports and other marine related activities, and luxurious hotels and villas to have the time of the life.
Caribbean. Most cruises leave from Miami and take around seven days, though there is a large variety of other US ports one can take a cruise from. This popular zone is divided into three areas, Western Caribbean including Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula, South Florida and the Keys, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The Eastern Caribbean compromise Puerto Rico, Leeward and the Virgin islands. And finally the Southern Caribbean which covers Martinique, St Lucia, Dominica and Grenadines also passing by Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba and Curacao.
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For some people, a Caribbean vacation is a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. In these islands, they can enjoy a few days or even weeks of relaxation. Something similar to the movies, they can even choose to leave their laptops, PDAs, and mobile phones behind. This way, they can completely forget about work and just appreciate what the Caribbean islands have to offer.
If some people choose to relax and recharge during their Caribbean vacation, others opt to celebrate special occasions. What better place to enjoy one’s honeymoon or anniversary but in the Caribbean islands? Of course for other people, a Caribbean vacation is the best reward that they can give to themselves. If they’ve worked so hard for the past year – passing the opportunity to take short leaves, working overtime, etc. – or if they graduated on time, they believe they’re worthy of enjoying a relaxing Caribbean vacation.
A Caribbean vacation is a vacation to the many islands located near the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean Islands are also situated near North, Central, and South America and on the Caribbean Plate. The Caribbean Plate is made up of 7,000 islands that are often referred to as the West Indies. The term Indies came from Christopher Columbus, because he thought that he head arrived on the East Indies or the Indies of Asia.
Some people who have never heard of the Caribbean Islands may be wondering why the region was called as such. Caribbean came from Carib. This is the name of one of the ethnic groups that can be found in Lesser Antilles. Also known as Caribbean, Lesser Antilles is made up of several islands including Barbados, Barbuda, and Bonaire, among others.
Tourists who come from countries that have colder climates definitely look for warmer areas where they can have their vacation. Because of this, they set out and enjoy a Caribbean vacation so they can experience the warm climate of the tropical Caribbean Islands.
Since the Caribbean Island is actually composed of different islands, it is best to note which specific island is chosen as the Caribbean vacation destination. Each island varies in terms of their sizes, the water currents, and the elevation. This means that the rainfall for each island may vary. Researching on the chosen vacation spot and its climate would be best so that tourists would be prepared with the clothes and items that they will bring with them
Where would I want to go? Which cruise line do I choose? How much is this going to cost me? Deciding what cruise is right for you can seem a bit mystifying at first, but if you sit down and brainstorm on what you want, you can find a cruise line that closely fits your requirements.
You have just seen what seems to be the one thousandth picture of your neighbor’s recent cruise. With your eyes and ears on autopilot, you start to daydream about taking a cruise too. If anything, it would give you the opportunity to take your own thousand pictures to parade in front of your neighbor!
For instance, where you live can be a deciding factor on which cruise you could take. If you live close to the ocean, chances are there is a shipping port of some sort nearby. You could drive to the port within a reasonable amount of time since most cruise lines have to temporarily dock somewhere to refuel and replenish supplies. However, if that is not an option, you would have to factor in the cost of flying in to an airport that is closest to a shipping port. Depending on your budget and location, this could be cost prohibitive for some people.
What destination you have in mind is also helpful in your decision to pick a cruise. You can cruise in practically any ocean in the world. Have a hankering to see Mexico? There are many Mexican cruises departing from Texas ports like Galveston. Perhaps you would like to take a cruise in cooler weather and head to Alaska to see its many glaciers and wildlife.
Where you go on your cruise can also dictate when you go. For instance, if you want to take that Alaskan cruise, plan to depart anywhere from May through September. Cruising those icy waters in the winter time is dangerous. Also keep in mind that seasons are reversed in some areas of the world. Winter time in the United States is the perfect time for a cruise to a South American destination like Rio de Janeiro because it is summer there.
The number of vacation days you can take off from work is also a factor in choosing a cruise. The typical length of a cruise is anywhere from four days to twelve days. If you are close to a shipping port, then short two days cruises might be a great option for you.
Money matters in your cruise decision as well. Research what the cruise is offering. Some are all inclusive which means that your cabin, meals and entertainment are taken care of in your price. Any services offered on board like the spa, manicures, hair stylists and massages are extra. Liquor and extra food and drinks can be additional. Your cabin also determines the price of your cruise. Do you want the inexpensive cabins on the inside of the ship? Or do you want your own view with a large window, porthole or even your own balcony?
Once you have an idea of where you want to go, what you can spend and how long you can be away, then you are ready to shop around. If you are a member of an association like AAA, they can offer you great deals for cruise packages to a variety of destinations. Use the internet as a research tool and visit websites for various cruise lines for more information. Or if you prefer, talk with your neighbor about her experience and how she booked her cruise. Of course, you will be treated to another round of pictures from her vacation!
Paul Buckley, a semi-retired professional pilot and experienced world traveler, lives in Orlando, FL and manages dozens of informational websites including Hot Travel Destinations
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Cruises in particular are almost always included in cheap Caribbean vacation packages, as cruising gives tourists a chance to visit many of the islands in just a matter of days.
If you want to go on a romantic beach vacation, or simply want to visit one (or many) of the islands, you can find some amazing discounts online. Many of the packages are geared toward a particular interest. For instance, if you want to learn how to surf and snorkel, you can choose a package that includes surf or snorkeling training classes. If you want to enjoy the nightlife, you can choose a vacation deal that includes a lot of entertainment and clubbing options.
Of course, there are family friendly vacations as well, so if you want to take your kids along, you will be able to find enough activities for them to enjoy. All you have to do is visit your favorite bargain travel site to look over the options. If you’re new to online booking, popular travel sites include Expedia, Kayak, Travelocity, and Priceline. Each site has a special section dedicated to cheap Caribbean vacation packages. Look over all the offers to see which one most appeals to you.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can sign up for mailing lists and alerts. Some travel bargain sites will even send alerts to your iPod Touch or smart phone whenever a deal relevant to your interests is available. You can choose to receive notices about the Caribbean in general or individual islands. The most popular destinations include: Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Virgin Islands.
Most cheap Caribbean vacation packages include airfare and accommodation. However, you can choose your own hotel if you want. There are also plenty of nice vacation homes and villas available for rent. If you want to go on a cruise, you can look for some excursion packages for whenever you are on land. An excursion can be anything from diving to horseback riding. There are also some underwater tours in which you can explore exotic underwater scenery and wonders.
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