Caribbean cruises are the most popular choice among cruise travelers because of the vast array of destinations they visit and their affordable prices. It’s important to study the various ports of call that different cruise ships visit in order to find a cruise that suits your interests.
Tips for Choosing Itineraries for Caribbean Cruises
The first thing you have to do is decide between cruises in the eastern Caribbean, western Caribbean, and southern Caribbean. Most cruise travelers select Caribbean cruises that last for at least 7 days because they are competitively priced and offer plenty of time for relaxation and recreation Choosing between eastern, western, and southern Caribbean cruises can be a daunting task if you don’t know anything about the Caribbean. Study up on the various destinations in each region of the Caribbean so you can get a better idea of what to expect with each itinerary.
All Caribbean cruises enable you to shop, snorkel, swim, and enjoy other activities commonly associated with cruising, but these three itineraries do have some differences that you should keep in mind.
Caribbean Cruisses
Eastern Caribbean Cruises
Eastern Caribbean cruises typically embark from Florida and often stop in Puerto Rico, St. Martin, the Bahamas, St. John, and St. Thomas. Eastern Caribbean cruises are ideal for travelers who’d like to spend less time at sea and more time beach-hopping, shopping, and relaxing.
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The islands are smaller and closer together in the eastern Caribbean, so less time is usually spent on board.
Western Caribbean Cruises
Western Caribbean cruises embark from Texas, New Orleans, or Florida. Common ports of call on western Caribbean cruises include Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Jamaica; the Dominican Republic; and Belize.
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You’ll be required to spend more time at sea on a western Caribbean cruise since the ports of call are spaced further apart. However, you can participate in a greater diversity of activities in the western Caribbean. For example, you can visit Mayan ruins and hike in the rainforest in addition to visiting the usual white sand beaches that are a popular attraction on Caribbean cruises. Western Caribbean cruises are also the best choice for travelers who want to do a lot of snorkeling and scuba diving.
Southern Caribbean Cruises
Southern Caribbean cruises are generally longer than eastern Caribbean and western Caribbean cruises, lasting about 10 to 12 nights on average. Southern Caribbean cruises generally depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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They stop in Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Virgin Gorda, Curacao, and Martinique, among other destinations. Southern Caribbean cruises are ideal for travelers who would like to visit as many islands as possible on their cruise vacation.
No matter what itinerary you choose, you’re sure to get a good dose of sun, sand, and surf on a Caribbean cruise. The Caribbean is a cruise lover’s paradise because of its fabulous weather and stunning beaches. Each island in the Caribbean has a unique culture, cuisine, and landscape to offer, so the region can meet the needs and interests of just about any type of traveler. Because of the sheer number of destinations there are in the Caribbean, you can take four or five different cruises and yet repeat very few destinations.
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