OVERVIEW
Caribbean
destinations are among the most popular ones for cruising
public. Many cruise travelers choose a week-long Caribbean
cruise for their first
sea
experience. This destination is often chosen by couples
for a romantic
getaway. Caribbean cruises are also loved by families
with children, therefore summer is
this destination's busiest time. Therefore, you will find Caribbean
cruises least
crowded in February-May and in September through November.
Every traveler can find a Caribbean cruise to
his taste and price range. Many Caribbean cruises are low and
moderately priced which makes this destination one of the
most affordable, starting from just under $300 for a 4-night
long cruise. Caribbean cruises are priced according
to their lenghts, itineraries and particuar ships. The Caribbean region
is so huge, culturally and geographically diverse, that it is usually
separated into three different cruise destination areas: Western, Eastern
and Southern.
Which destination to shoose? Despite many similarities between all
three areas, such as great opportunities for beaching, swimming,
snorkeling, diving, shore excursions and shopping, there are
also some differencies. Let us explore attractions and activities one
can expect to see and do in each of the regions.
WESTERN
CARIBBEAN CRUISES
Western Caribbean cruises appeal more to people who enjoy spending
more time at sea
and
shorter
port stays. The ports of call in the Western Caribbean
region are further apart comparing to the Eastern Caribbean one, so
there is more sailing time in the itinerary. The cruise length is
usually between 4 and 11 nights. Cruise ships to Western Caribbean
destinations embark from Florida, New
Orleans or Texas. Prices start from $300 for a 3 or 4-night cruise.
Belize (eco-tourizm, excursions to Mayan ruins),
Mexico ports
(excursions to Mayan ruins, snorkeling, beaches,souvenirs shopping),
Guatemala (Mayan
ruins, wildlife sighseeing),
Cayman
Islands (duty-free shopping, beaches, coral reef diving
and snorkeling),
Colombia
((historic sites touring, sightseeing, souvenirs shopping),
Costa
Rica (wildlife, coral reef shorkeling and diving,
beaches),
Grand Turk
(coral reef snorkeling, diving and fishing, wildlife
watching),
Honduras
(beaches, coral reef diving and snorkeling, botanical gradens, nature
tours),
Jamaica
(beaches, town sightseeing, sailing, kayaking).
Short
Western Caribbean cruises usually
visit: various Mexico ports, Jamaica, Cayman Islands. Most common
cruise line:
Carnival.
Long
Western Caribbean cruises usually also visit: Honduras,
Belize, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia
ports. Most common cruise lines:
MSC,
Norwegian
Cruise Line and
Regent
Seven Seas Cruises.
SEARCH
Western Caribbean Cruises.
EASTERN
CARIBBEAN
CRUISES
This Caribbean destination is perfect for those people
who want
less
time
at sea and
more
shore excursions,
shopping
and
relaxing on
a beach. The Eastern Caribbean islands are closer to each
other and relatively small comparing to Western or Southern ones. The
shortest cruises are 7-night long. 9+night long cruises also depart
from Baltimore and New York, besides Florida prots. The prices start
from $600 for a week-long Eastern Caribbean cruise. These are the most
popular
Eastern Caribbean destinations:
Grand
Turk (sportsfishing, snorkeling, hiking, swimming),
Bahamas (town
sightseeing, botanical gardens, beaches),
Bermuda (town
sightseeing,
museums, aquarium, beaches, eco-tours),
British
Virgin Islands (nature and historical tours, beaches),
Dominican Republic
(touring
of the oldest city in the New World built by Europeans- Santo
Domingo, snorkeling,
diving, beaches, whale watcing),
Puerto
Rico (touring
of the second oldest city in the New World built by Europeans- St.
Juan, museums, shopping, beaches),
St.Kitts
(botanical
gardens, snorkeling,
kayaking, sightseeing),
St.
Maarten
(shopping, sightseeing of the Dutch and Frech influenced town),
US
Virgin Islands (duty-free shopping, beaches, sailing).
Short-lasting
Eastern Caribbean cruises usually visit: Puerto Rico, St.Thomas
(US Virgin Islands),
Dominican Republic and St. Maarten. Most common cruise lines:
Carnival,
Costa,
Royal
Caribbean and
Norwegian
Cruise Line.
Longer
Eastern Caribbean cruises usually also visit: Grand Turk Island,
Antigua, Barbados, St. Kitts and Bermuda. Most common cruise lines:
Royal
Caribbean,
Norwegian
Cruise Line and
Princess
Cruises.
SEARCH
Eastern Caribbean Cruises.
SOUTHERN
CARIBBEAN CRUISES
Itineraries include more ports of call. Longer Southern caribbean
cruises usually include South American ports i Colombia or Venezuela.
Cruise last from 3 to 11 nights. Prices start from $500.
Aruba
(beaches, snorkeling, town sightseeing),
Barbados (beaches,
wildlife watching),
Bonair
(snorkeling, kayaking, diving),
British
Virgin Islands (nature and historical tours, beaches),
Costa
Rica (wildlife, coral reef shorkeling and diving,
beaches),
Curacao
(shore town sightseeing, beaches),
Dominica
(whale and bird watching, snorkeling),
Grenada (nature and
town architecture sightseeing,
Guadeloupe
(nature sightseeing, beaches, watersports),
Martinique
(botanical gardens, shopping),
Panama
(Panama Canal, sightseeing),
St.Kitts
(botanical gardens, snorkeling,
kayaking, sightseeing),
St.Lucia
(nature sightseeing, open-ar markets, beaches),
Trinidad (museums,
shopping, beaches),
Venezuela
(sightseeing, spas, beaches)
Short-lasting
(3-5-night) Southern Caribbean cruises usually
visit: St.Kitts, St. Maarten. Most common cruise lines:
Holland
America,
Royal
Caribbean.
Longer(10+nights)
Southern Caribbean cruises usually also visit: Curacao,
Dominica,
St.Kitts, Venezuela, Dominica, St. Thomas,
Grenada, Bonair, Martinique, Aruba, Puerto Rico,
St.Lucia, British Virgin Islands. Most common cruise lines:
MSC,
Celebrity
Cruises.
SEARCH
Southern Caribbean Cruises.
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