Carribian Cruise – Caribbean Cruise

Posts Tagged ‘Carnival’

Oh My God! It’s official. Well, at least it’s unofficially official. I have a disorder. I’m a junkie. It’s called “Caribbean Obsession Disorder” (COD) and it’s described as “an uncharacteristically and sometimes irresponsibly compelling drive to seek out sensory indulgence identified with the Caribbean culture – including music, scenery, fashion, food and habitat. Often accompanied by alcohol and other substance use, social and/or career lethargy, disregard for authority and rebellious (antisocial) behaviors against provincial standards and ideals.”

There’s more explanation for this disorder, but I think you get the picture.

I suppose it’s not surprising that someone actually has a name for this state of mind, after all our culture is obsessed with pigeon-holing EVERYTHING. But it is ironic that it is considered a disorder. Why couldn’t it be called “Caribbean Delight Affinity”, or “Stress Management Through Caribbean Meditations”? Ah well, whatever you call it, I have it. I display all the symptoms, most notably the “rebellious (antisocial) behaviors against provincial standards and ideals”.

I think about the Caribbean constantly, I design my life around getting my next fix, and I experience serious mood swings and irritation if I am deprived from breathing that magnificent air for more than a month or two. My heroes are Earnest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffet.

I spend so much time cruising in the Caribbean that some of my friends are starting to have conversations about me that include phrases like “running away from reality” and “just won’t grow up”, and “can’t seem to hold down a real job”. About the only people I know that don’t see anything weird about being addicted to spending beautiful luxurious days plowing the blue waters of the Caribbean are teenagers, romance novelists and a couple of aging explorers I met in Nassau who were pirates born 200 years too late.

Oh sure, lots of people LIKE the idea of cruising the Caribbean. What’s not to like? But, most grown-ups relegate it to a tiny slice of life, something that one does only when the “important” stuff is under control. A tiny little carrot that dangles tantalizingly from the sticks of careers and mortgages and “responsibilities”. Perish the thought that cruising itself could be important, or that it could make people more productive, or better parents or better members of society. That’s just not realistic! Well, I beg to differ.

You know, it wasn’t that long ago that responsible adults shook their heads in dismay at the number of kids “wasting their time” skateboarding on those plywood half-pikes that cropped up all over the place. Of course, that was pre-1995, before the massive financial windfall of the X-Games, where today, those very same “kids” command million-dollar endorsement fees and light up ESPN with their extraordinary aerial acrobatics.

In 1990, Kimberly and John Puckett took a backpacking vacation into the Alaskan wilderness and while drinking in the sensational view from atop Sable Mountain they conceived of the idea of creating a specialty coffee house patterned after ski lodges and Alaskan cabins. That “Aha!” moment, which was made possible because they indulged their fascination of wild and woolly nature, has grown into Caribou Coffee, the 2nd largest coffee chain in the US (Starbuck’s is first).

Reaching back in history a bit, we can remember the story of a young cartoonist who envisioned a “world” where cartoon characters could be brought to life in a fantasy environment of sheer child-hood delight. Walt Disney’s efforts to build Disneyland were ridiculed and criticized for years, even to the degree that his immediate family worried that he might have lost his grip on reality.

Well, seems to me that we could use a bit more of that flight from reality. And it also seems to me that gazing blissfully at a priceless Caribbean sunset is a fantastic vehicle in which to take that flight. What if the best way get in touch with the real meat of life is to remove oneself from the travails and pressure of that life. What if the perfect incubator for creating solutions and ideas to address vexing problems was the deck of a cruise ship, or a sandy white beach? I think we are missing the boat with regards to cruising in the Caribbean. Rather than dismissing it as an anti-social disorder, we should celebrate it as an essential activity that spawns true genius.

And in that vein, fellow adventurers, I proudly don the label of “COD”, and pledge myself to discovering and reporting back to the imprisoned masses, the magic of Caribbean waters, and sunsets and all that other wonderfully indulgent stuff. And more that that, I invite you to cast of the dispersions and judgments of those timid souls who measure the quality of their lives in terms of how big their car payment is or the square footage of their houses or how predictable their lives have become.

Yeah, it’s not always easy. Family and friends will wonder about your “crisis of identity”, employers will fret over your laid-back demeanor and credit card companies will scratch their heads in bewilderment that you refuse to be shackled by the gods of debt and credit ratings. It won’t be easy, at least to start. But here’s what you’ll get in exchange:

•Delightful moments, sometimes whole days of delightful moments, where the only stress is making sure the SPF of your sunscreen allows you to get a great tan.

•Beautiful blue water, majestic seas, lazy skies, and visual experiences that bury themselves deep in your soul rather than smog, pollution, stress, traffic, alarm clocks, beepers, ringing telephones, blinking computers, packed schedules, mindless news about the latest self-destructive celebrity and obscene political commercials 24-7.

•Somebody else waits on you hand and foot (for a change).

•A menu of adventures and experiences that you won’t have, or won’t have time for, in your current life. Things like diving, horseback riding, swimming with sting rays or dolphins, four-wheel drive explorations of rain forests and ancient ruins, parasailing.

•You’ll meet people that don’t want anything from you other than to make your acquaintance and maybe share a Corona.

•Romance, intimacy and sex. Of course, it helps if you take someone along that’s already comfortable getting naked with you, but some great love stories have written their opening chapter against the enchanted backdrop of Caribbean sunsets. (It’s also been reported that a Caribbean cruise is 97% more effective than prescription drugs for erectile… oh, maybe that’s too much information for some. But, the side effects are all good.)

•You’ll see things, and learn things, that will never get on your radar screen while slaving away in the Monday – thru – Friday world of car pools, office politics and soccer practice.

•You’ll discover a new meaning for “alone time”. It’s the kind of time that sits outside the pace of life, that defies logic, that lets you get in touch with the piece of yourself that lies slumbering inside you. You’ll have thoughts that surprise and delight you, and you’ll tickle your fantasies in ways that you haven’t tickled them since you were a kid.

Now, I ask you. How could ANY of that be a bad thing? C,mon, it’s time to trade in some of those other disorders you’ve got for one that really rocks! Get COD!

Happy Cruising!

Most people who book a cruise for the first time (92%) will make their selection based on when they can go and how long they can stay. The second most important factor will be how much it costs. Everything else is dependant on those two items. In 2006, there were 112 different cruise ships operating out of U.S ports transporting about 10 million passengers on some 4,500 cruises. 70% of those 10 million people went to destinations in the Caribbean, and four cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity- The Big Four) accounted for about 3/4 of passengers.

If you fall into that broad category, your choices will be fewer, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for something you don’t want. But simply asking “What’s the best ship (or cruise line)?” is kind of like asking “What’s the best beer?”, or “What’s the prettiest color?” The very things that one cruiser likes about a cruise are the things that other cruisers vigorously dislike. The good news is that whatever you do like, there is somebody out there doing a bang-up job providing it.

Generally speaking, the Big Four specialize in the “more-is-better” approach to cruising, while smaller cruise lines focus on more specific areas, such as 5-star quality, small intimate ships, enrichment, etc. Here are some factors you can consider when choosing your cruise.Size of the Ship.

Here some general observations one can make regarding the size of the ship. What the passengers are there for.

The bigger the ship, the greater the attention paid to make sure that the ship-board experience is as unforgettable as possible. This translates into activities, distractions and a festive, socially liberal, fun-and-games atmosphere. If that annoys you, these big ships may rub you the wrong way. How many people you’ll be traveling with.

The bigger the ship, the more people there will be on it (duh). Generally speaking, families, singles and singles traveling in groups will prefer the non-stop beat of the large ships. On the other hand, if you prefer quiet and don’t like the crush of crowds at poolside or in the dining room, you’ll have much better luck in the smaller ships, especially the ones that hold fewer than 1200 passengers. The types of ports you will visit.

Big ships go to big ports. Certain ports, such as Roatan, Honduras or Vera Cruz, Mexico, are only available to smaller ships. Sometimes those ports are the very thing that makes the cruise quite special. If the ports of call are at the top of your list of reasons to take a cruise, consider booking passage on smaller ships that have extended itineraries. Age of the Ship

“Old” is a relative term in the cruise industry, meaning ships that were launched around 1990 or before (15+ years a go). Many of these ships were state-of-the-art at the time and trumpeted the absolute best cruising had to offer. But in the last 15 years, cruise ships have gotten bigger and more extravagant in ways that were unimaginable two decades ago.

Older ships are not bad, just different. Many are less efficiently designed and have more traditional layouts. Some of the extras and amenities that are common on the newer ships, like internet in your cabin, themed alternative dining restaurants, wave pools and ice rinks don’t usually exist on the older ships. Cabins are smaller, critical traffic areas (such as elevator lobbies and disembarkation lines) are congested and shops can be pretty cramped. Some passengers (not all) notice stale odors or complain that the ventilation systems in the cabins are cranky.

On the flip side, many of the older ships have been up-fitted and remolded in the last few years, and so are fine cruising vessels. They are primarily used on the shorter cruises (3-5 days) and generally charge lower fares. Take into the account the value of the cruise experience. Maybe the older ships aren’t as fresh and perfect as the newer ones, but the value they offer – what you get for what you pay – can be outstanding. Design of the Ship

Whether it’s accomplished with an extreme makeover or during the building stage, cruise ships place a premium on the design. Some are designed for luxury, some for fun, some try to strike a middle ground. Ships are often given “star” ratings similar to those given to hotels. Some ships are 5-star, such as Holland America. Others are 4-star, such as Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Keep in mind, if you want 5-star, take a cruise on a 5-star ship. Don’t take a cruise on a 3- or 4-star ship and then be unhappy because it’s not top quality. A good source available on the internet, is the “Galaxsea.com” Cruise Ratings site (http://www.galaxsea.com/ratings.html).

I also highly recommended the various message boards that populate the internet. Such sites as Cruisecritic.com or Cruisemates.com are an excellent way to see what other people say about the ship and the itinerary you are considering. You can browse the hundreds of posts by people who have been there, and you can ask specific questions of people who take cruising very seriously. Type of Entertainment

Whether it’s the combo that plays at poolside, the bands that perform in the clubs or the glitzy production numbers that grace the theatres, cruise ships put a lot of thought and a ton of money into presenting entertainment. Pick the right entertainment environment and you’ll spend sun-drenched days in blissful happiness. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by a bunch of people scratching their fingernails on a chalkboard.

Entertainment isn’t just about the lounge/club/party scene. It’s also about cooking classes, lectures, watching a movie, wine tasting, the casino, getting your golf swing computer analyzed, karaoke, bingo, “game-show” games or touring the galley. You can get a good feel for the type of entertainment and activities a ship offers by going online and checking out the ships on-board newsletter. It lists EVERYTHING happening on the ship. Each cruise line’s website will have a sample version of their newsletter. If your travel agent is any good at all, they will have copies from a variety of cruises they have taken. Dining

For many people, a cruise is all about the food. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to learn what your prospective ship has to offer.Main Dining (aka Formal Dining). All cruise ships have at least one Main Dining venue and many ships have more than one. The main dining room is the embodiment of luxury and service on your ship and they all work hard to offer classy selections. It’s an opportunity to try food and preparation styles that you would never experience otherwise. The main dining rooms will also open for breakfast and lunch. There is no assigned seating for these meals, but you still get great service and the menu selections are very good.

Many ships now offer alternative restaurants that require reservations and/or a surcharge in which you can choose from restaurants that specialize in French cuisine, seafood, or any number of other themes. There is a $5 – $15 surcharge for each person, but for people that like the choice, it’s well worth the money. This option usually isn’t available on ships built before 1990, because the idea wasn’t popular enough to include the extra space needed.Alternative Dining. In addition to the main dining room, all ships have a variety of interesting food options. Each has their own version of buffet lines that operate through-out the day, and naturally, some are better than others. New York style delis, pizza and sushi bars, and the always popular poolside grills are but a few of the ideas that are employed. Most ships now also provide coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream counters which usually cost extra. Room service is available 24-hours a day (no charge), with pastries and fruit in the mornings and sandwiches and pizza the rest of the day and night.Available ServicesChild Care and Youth Programs. Cruise lines understand that the people paying the tab need to have a good time if they are going to come back again. And the way that you make sure parents have a good time is to make sure the kids they are traveling with have a good time.

If you are planning a family cruise, you’ll want to travel on a ship that provides the best environment for the youngsters in your group. On the other hand, if you don’t want to have your space invaded by youngsters, you’ll want to stay away from cruise ships that make their youth programs a priority (such as Disney). Programs are set up to provide age appropriate activities and are usually free of charge. There will be an orientation about the youth programs on the first day of your cruise so you can get all the information you need, as well as meet the people who will be overseeing your kids.

Almost all ships provide in-cabin baby-sitting services for an extra fee. When provided, these services require you to pay cash directly to the sitter, rather than place the charge on your ship-board account. Educational/Enrichment Programs. Alongside the more traditional programs like yoga, nutrition counseling and towel folding, some ships now offer programs on gourmet cooking, wine tasting, art education, digital photography, computers, flower arranging, ceramics and much more. Most are offered at no extra charge. The availability of programs increases the longer the cruise. Shorter cruises usually only have a single day at sea, which is the most popular time to offer these classes. Some cruise lines place as high a premium on enrichment programs as other cruise lines place on partying and fun.Spa Facilities. Across the board, most ships consider a good spa and gym to be essential. Most cruise lines outsource their spa operation to Steiner Leisure Ltd. of London, England, who operate the spas on over one hundred cruise ships, including all of the spas on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney ships. In all probability, no matter which ship you select, you’ll have a quality menu of options and a good spa. Gymnasium/Fitness Center. While you can generally count on a consistent level of quality and service in the spas, unfortunately the same can’t always be said of the gyms. Some are absolutely spectacular. Others are little more than a closet with treadmills. The newer ships will have very nice gyms regardless of the cruise line. The older ships, i.e., those built before 1990, may or may not, depending on whether the ship has been recently refit. Exercise equipment usually includes treadmills, stationery bikes, weights and cardio machines and most come staffed with one or two Fitness Directors. Fitness centers usually include men’s and women’s locker rooms, whirlpools, saunas and steam baths. Internet. Most ships have some kind of internet access, but it is a relatively new technology as far as passenger services go. On the newer ships, there is access all over the ship, even in many cabins. But the older vessels have more limited access. “Internet Cafes” are as common as casinos. Cruise lines are working hard to implement ship-wide wireless internet access and they are definitely getting there. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to check your e-mail at poolside. In some cases, wireless access is limited to one or two locations. If you do bring your laptop, finding electrical outlets on the ship can be REALLY hard. Make sure your battery is charged. Laptops and wireless cards can be rented on board.Cabin Size and Options

There are basically four options for cabins; inside, ocean view, suite or balcony (some ships call it “verandah”). Inside: The least expensive cabin aboard. The size of cabins can vary greatly from one ship to another. RCCL Sovereign-class ships are ridiculously small (119 square feet), whereas a similarly priced cabin on Carnival is about 50% larger (187 square feet).Outside: Usually an identical layout to the inside cabins, but has a window or portal. The difference in price between a standard inside cabin and an ocean view cabin ranges from $10 – $40 per night (NOT per cruise) depending on the ship and the time of year. In almost all cases, outside cabins, whether or not they have balconies, are larger, sometimes by as much as 15%. If your outside cabin is on one of the decks that has an exterior deck, you won’t necessarily see much ocean and you’ll have to deal with people walking outside your window all day.Balcony. Before 1990, balconies were not considered important, and so most ships built during that time either didn’t have any at all or have only a few. For all of the newer ships, i.e. those built after 1995, balconies are plentiful. A balcony will add $20 – $30 per night to the cost of an outside cabin, which usually works out to about twice as much as the cost of an inside cabin. For a 3-day cruise, given the short amount of time you’ll spend in your cabin, a balcony may not be worth double the cost.Suite. Actually, “suite” is a pretty generous description, since what you’re actually getting is an extra large cabin (about twice the size of your standard cabin and 3 – 4 times the cost). There are some suites that provide separate sleeping quarters and private hot tubs on the balcony but these are very limited and very expensive (5 – 10 times as expensive as an inside cabin). Most suites are a larger, and usually better furnished, version of a standard cabin.

When considering cabin options, think about how many people will be sharing it and much time you’ll be using it. The longer the cruise, the more important size and balconies become. Location of the cabin also determines desirability (and cost). For example, lower cabins sometimes pick up engine noise or the sound of the anchor dropping, but they do tend to be more stable in rough seas. Cabins located close to the action near the middle of the ship are convenient, but may also be in high traffic areas which translates into noise in the halllway outside your cabin.Itinerary

Caribbean cruises are broken down into 3 broad regions – Western Caribbean (Cozumel or Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West, FL; the Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Belize; or Costa Rica), Eastern Caribbean (Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. John, Puerto Rico, or Turks & Caicos) and Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Martinique, Barbados or St. Thomas).

Western Caribbean cruises tend to include more sea days because the destinations are so far apart and the distance one must travel across the Gulf of Mexico is so long. If you take one of these, make sure you choose a ship you’re going to like because you’ll be spending a lot of time on it.

Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises usually include more ports of call (the islands are right next to each other) and therefore offer a wider variety of venues. That doesn’t mean you’ll have a wider variety of activities. The basic offerings from port to port will generally be the same type of activity, just different scenery.

Some things you’ll want to consider in addition to where you are going:How long will you be there? Ships that are in port for only part of a day only allow enough time for one shore excursion and may not leave time for shopping or bar hopping. Ships that stay in port overnight, or at least until midnight allow for more diversity of activities in port.When do you arrive/leave? This can matter, for example, if you want to do a sunset dinner cruise, but the ship pulls out sundown. Likewise, if you’ve booked a shore excursion on your own that requires a pick-up time at 9:30 am, but your ship doesn’t dock until noon, you’ll lose your money.How do you get ashore? Sometimes the cruise ships tie up at a pier and you just head down to the gangway and walk ashore. Other times the ship has to anchor away from the dock and deliver people ashore via tenders, which means there will be a bottle neck getting on and off the ship. This can be a major pain, especially if the ship is one of the super liners that has to disgorge 3,000+ passengers. Also, the roughness of the wind and water can hamper tender activities and can even cause the ship to decide to not stay in the port.In Summary

For many cruisers, you won’t really care about all of these factors. No problema. Just pay attention to the ones that are important to you. Whether you are booking through a travel agent or directly with the cruise line, ask about the issues that are important to you and make sure you check out the online reviews and message boards to get objective info.

HAPPY CRUISING!

With the addition of so many new mega cruise liners the cruise industry has cabin inventory with thousands of berths that they must fill each week or every two weeks. Cruisers expect these beautiful ships with a plethora of entertainment venues, shops and itineraries to choose from everyday when taking a cruise vacation. Everyone that has enjoyed the cruise experience knows that cruise lines are forever trying to come up with new ideas and interesting things to entice new and repeat cruisers. The ships are getting glitzier and the perks are getting better and better. Here are a few things that the cruise lines have added to their rosters to coax you into taking your next cruise vacation on one of their ships.

The world is health conscious today, and the cruise lines have noticed this trend. The first thing that they have decided to revamp and extend is their sports activities to cater to those cruisers who wish to indulge in the cruise experience without leaving their fitness routine behind. Royal Caribbean, for example, not only offers its rock climbing wall but has added a forty foot wave pool, an ice skating rink and a boxing arena for guests to learn how to bunch a bag. These are all very diverse activities sure to meet the tastes of almost everyone on board. On the higher end of cruise lines, SeaDreams Yachts has a retractable marina. The marina opens so that guests may enjoy all kinds of water sports including snorkeling, water skiing, kayaking, and wakeboarding. The ship is even equipped with “Segways” for the clients to borrow to get around the ship or at tour ports when docked. Segways are high tech motor scooters rarely seen in port towns which make them doubly enjoyable.

Even non cruisers know the cruise lines reputation for good food, all of the time. Now the ships are creating activities that include the cruise guests when it comes to the culinary arts. The cruise lines want to show you how to prepare great food, present it and to savor it, a talent you can take back to your own kitchen. Holland America for one, has instituted the Culinary Arts Centers fleet wide. Each year they invite 20 well known culinary experts to sail and host cooking classes. Silversea on the other hand, has had Viking create a show kitchen on the beautiful Silver Wind. Jacques Pepin is the star of Oceania’s ships doing cooking lessons, taking guests on culinary excursions in port and dining with the passengers on board. What aspiring chef would not be delighted with that?

During this time, as the cruise lines are teaching you about gourmet food what would be the perfect pairing? Well, Wine of course. Carnival has taken this step by introducing the wine-themed vacation called the Presidential Wine Club Cruise. On this wine themed Caribbean cruise they offer seminars and wine tastings from famous vineyards. They have even included the Michelin-starred chef Georges Blanc to oversee culinary dishes that are wine friendly. Silversea has instituted the Slow Food Experience excursions on its Genoa, Italy itinerary. With this unique program passengers become students at the University of Gastronomic Sciences for one day and then visit the nearby Wine Bank that has the top wines produced by 200 Italian vineyards. When touring the Iberian Peninsula, Princess Cruise passengers get to create their very own cognac in Camus, France at a family owned distiller. Another Princess Cruise line offering is a trip to Leith near Edinburgh, Scotland where you can visit a Scottish Malt Whisky Society and have single-malt tastings.

When it comes to spas, some cruisers will book just for that experience. Celebrity Cruises has packages that you can book ahead of time with a variety of spa treatments. Some of their exotic treatments include the Ceremony of Milk and Ginger, the Asian Ceremony of the Stone or the pricey Daily Well-Being Ritual. With all packages you have unlimited use of the Thalassotherapy pool. Costa Cruises offers the largest spa at sea on their Concordia. In the 20,000+ square foot spa there are Turkish baths, Rock saunas and thermals. If you book a suite on the Concordia, or a spa cabin, you have unlimited access to the Ristorante Samsaru where Chef Ettore Bocchia, another Michelin starred professional, has created the menu. All of the major cruise lines have choices which include aerobics, work out rooms with equipment, saunas, whirlpools and special programs like yoga or toning and stretching.

Because of our hectic world some people just don’t want to be without internet access. Well, the cruise industry has answered your concerns. It is safe to say that all of the mega liners have internet access. Some have portals in each berth while others have internet cafes. On the higher end cruise lines you can borrow lap tops to use in your cabin. Each cruise line is different, some charge for usage or some use it as a perk for repeat cruisers. For instance, Princess Cruises has free internet usage for their Captains Club members after they have sailed a certain amount of times on the Princess ships. The cruise lines clubs (once you have sailed on a particular cruise line you are automatically a club member) all have different “perks” for different levels of repeat cruisers but that is for another discussion.

As you can see, the cruise lines are keeping up with all cruisers demands so you have lots of options to choose from on your next cruise vacation. Check out all the cruise lines with your Travel Agent and pick the one that is tailor made for your needs.

Bon Voyage!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.BestCruiseSites.com

Is it really a wise decision to book a Caribbean Cruise vacation during the hurricane season? Many may argue against it. Summer may not be the right season to explore the Caribbean region. Not to mention the characteristic tropical storms associated with this region. But there are a handful of good reasons to why it’s a good idea to book a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season.

1. A cruise vacation is always a better option than a land vacation. Once you are on board, the ship presents you an entirely out of the world vacation experience. With new horizons to witness, a cruise vacation is altogether a different kind of incomparable pleasant experience. Pleasant sight seeing to fun filled sport activities, visits to historical places to entertaining evenings a cruise vacation has all the ingredients required for a joyful vacation.

2. One good reason to book a Caribbean cruise vacation during hurricane season is that you are safe in a ship. If you are camping in an island when the storm strikes, not only your vacation gets spoilt you are in trouble as well. Imagine how difficult it will be to travel back home from a storm-stricken island? In a cruise you are really safe and your pleasant vacation is assured all through.

3. Price is an important aspect that speaks for booking Caribbean cruises during hurricane season. Cruise liners offer discounted pricing for their vacation packages during this season. Hurricane season extends from June to November. With discounts aplenty, hurricane season provides an affordable way to enjoy a cruise vacation happily in its wholeness.

4. It is highly unlikely that hurricane affects a specific ship during the season. Statistics favor those who dare a Caribbean cruise vacation during the hurricane season. Hurricane may affect even air and road travel. By planning well in advance and reaching the boarding port much ahead of the actual start you can get ready to enjoy a cruise vacation with minimum possible expenses. Prices drop to an unbelievable level during this time of the year. It is a good time to take the whole family to a happy vacation within your budget.

5. Reputed cruise liners offer you the assurance of reimbursement. If ports are missed or any part of the cruise vacation package gets cancelled you are paid reimbursement. So in effect you would loose nothing in terms of money in case of any adversity. And of course there is always the option of going for insurance.

Booking a Caribbean vacation during hurricane season is all about gain. It really is a good idea to spend a wholesome vacation by spending less.

Chris De La Rosa and his family are avid cruisers who can be found on some of the biggest and most glamorous cruise ships sailing the Caribbean seas.To learn more about Booking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season, please visit CruiseCrownPrincess.com. Where you get access to various crusie videos, pictures and reviews.

Here are some ideas for your next, or only Caribbean cruise. If you’ve been thinking about enjoying one, now is the perfect time. There are many ship lines providing excursions and that gives you some options to choose from. Want to take a cruise but need a reason? Actually, any reason is a good reason to go on a ship excursion! Do what a lot of people are doing and plan your vacation trip around a special event: For example, take a wedding cruise or for your honeymoon so that you can spend your time in the sun with someone you love. There’s nothing like the memories you share when you take a Caribbean cruise together.

But, if you’re still looking for love, why not consider a singles cruise. These trips are designed to help you find romance in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean with like-minded singles. Forget the world cruise; everything you want and need is yours when you book a reservation on a Caribbean cruise.

How to get there…booking Caribbean cruises has never been easier. With cruise websites online you’ll be able to find great deals and Caribbean cruise vacation times that work for you. Start with an online booking to find the dates that work for you. Once you’re on the site, find a port of origin that your Caribbean cruise is leaving from and see if that port is convenient for you. Caribbean cruise ships leave from many ports so you have many options to choose from in order to find exactly the right one for you. Cruise companies try to make it very convenient to get to their ships by docking in major cities so all you need to do is arrange air fare to get you to the port city and you’re off! Many people enjoy this convenience to make last minute plans.

Paying for your Caribbean cruise…Caribbean cruise discounts are available if you are able to book in an off season or at the last minute. Sometimes, you don’t have to book your Caribbean cruise in the off season to get a discount; you just need to find the right website to give you the bargain cruise you deserve. If money is still an problem, you can still enjoy a Caribbean cruise in a way you might not have imagined. Your Caribbean cruise can be entirely paid for if you work in a cruise job on the cruise ship itself! Help other people enjoy their vacation and you’ll get paid on your Caribbean cruise!

Here are a few other options: if you’re a global traveler, perhaps the Caribbean is simply too small for you. No problem! Forgo your Caribbean cruise for a world cruise on a massive ship that will show you the globe! Wherever you want to go, you’ll find a cruise trip to take you there. Not sure where to start? A Caribbean cruise will be a vacation you’ll never forget!