Carribian Cruise – Caribbean Cruise

Posts Tagged ‘Package Vacation’

What better way to escape those cold weather doldrums than a relaxing cruise to a warm destination. Cruises offer all the amenities of home, and many more. The all inclusive nature of a cruise vacation makes it easy to relax and put the thought of cold weather and work behind you.

Choosing a destination to escape those cold weather blues can be a fun challenge. There are many options for warm weather cruising. Some may choose the more exotic routes such as the Panama Canal, Australia and New Zealand, or even the Nile River. Others may choose the allure of the Mediterranean and the French Riviera. Still some prefer the South Pacific or the Mexican Riviera.

All of those destinations have a lot to offer, but the five destinations below are the top five for the warm weather seeker.

Multi-Destination Caribbean Cruise

This is by far one of the most popular cruise choices. The Islands of the Caribbean have so much to offer. They are as diverse as they are similar. The sandy beaches, blue waters, and lush jungles entice many visitors to jump ship at each port and explore the many offerings.

These cruises range from a 3 day excursion to 10 day island-hopping expeditions. Some cruises focus on only a couple of islands, while others make a swing around the entire area. On board the ship you can enjoy the entertainment and meals, while resting up for the day trips to the islands. Scuba, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, or simply exploring villages and mountain trails, are all examples of some of the adventures that await you on the islands.

While it is impossible to experience all the Caribbean has to offer in one multi-destination cruise, it does allow the traveler the opportunity to sample a little of each culture.This smorgasbord of experiences opens new opportunities for future vacation planning.

Barbados

While we are still in the Caribbean, Barbados is a superb destination. With nearly constant 80 degree temperatures, soft sand beaches, cool blue waters, and lush vegetation, this is a vacationer’s paradise; a relaxing cruise to the island makes it even more enjoyable.

Barbados offers a rich cultural history coupled with many modern amenities. Friendly, laid back people also make this a choice destination. Throw in some great water recreation, posh resorts, and a hopping nightlife and Barbados becomes an even better choice.

Hawaii

Although not well known as a cruise destination, Hawaii has always been a warm weather destination for travelers. The problem for most vacationers was choosing which island to spend their vacation on. A cruise through the islands eliminates that choice. You get to experience them all.

You could choose a cruise that started in Honolulu and then hop to each island for a great cultural and entertaining vacation. The time aboard ship could be used to rest up between visits to the islands. This is a great way to experience all the islands have to offer in a short amount of time.

For those who enjoy the on-ship part of the cruise the best, there are cruises that depart Mexico or British Columbia and float across the pacific for a very relaxing trip. These are much longer excursions. The onboard time can be spent enjoying all the amenities the ship has to offer before embarking on the many island adventures.

Aruba

Another Caribbean destination, Aruba, is well known for its nightlife. Aruba has often been called the Caribbean’s answer to Las Vegas, with its many lavish casinos and upscale resorts. This island relies on tourism to keep it going, with over fifty percent of its gross national product coming from tourism. That explains why the people are so open and friendly.

The trade winds help keep the temperatures down from the extremes, but the arid, dry climate promises plenty of beach weather. Days spent on the beach and in the warm waters, coupled with nights spent enjoying the resorts and casinos equals fun and relaxation. A low crime rate just adds to the air of relaxation.

U.S. Virgin Islands

This popular string of islands is a hotspot for cruise ship tourism. St. Thomas is the port of choice for shoppers. There are many other attractions and beautiful beaches, as well. Many cruise ships focus their trip on St. Thomas alone, and the passengers are not disappointed. However, the other islands cannot be ignored.

St. John is not a common cruise ship destination, but it is an easy ferry trip from St. Thomas. St. John offers a great look at the nature and history of the islands. And, if it is history you are looking for St. Croix is the destination of choice. It is rich in history with many historical attractions. And Water Island, although not on the cruise ship docket, is a short ferry ride from St. Thomas and offers a relaxing taste of paradise. With less than 200 residents it is an unspoiled gem in the chain of islands.

If you are new to cruising, the Eastern Caribbean makes an ideal destination. The area is relatively compact as the islands are close together. It also offers plenty to see and do for everybody, beautiful beaches, watersports, shopping, dining, and nightlife. The weather is almost perfect year round, with temperatures ranging around 78F to 85F. Planning a cruise to this part of the world is simple since many cruise lines travels to the Eastern Caribbean.

St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands has the advantage of being part of the United States, so US citizens do not need passports. St. Thomas is also one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the world. This island offers just about everything for the cruise ship passenger, including some of the best shopping in the Eastern Caribbean, excellent beaches, fishing and scuba diving. Nearby St. Croix and St. John, half offer a more relaxed and laid back feel.

Tortola is the largest of the several islands that comprise the British Virgin Islands. Tortola has a West Indian flavor, along with plenty of maritime charm. It is also an island of stunning natural beauty, with dramatic mountain peaks, white sandy beaches, and clusters of mango and banana trees. The island is also a major destination for sailing and yachting enthusiasts.

St. Lucia remains one of the most scenic and well-preserved destinations in the Eastern Caribbean. The island has been named one of the most popular eco-tourism destinations in the world; it is also a popular spot for honeymooners. St. Lucia has two volcanoes, both rising to over 2,000 feet, as well as a spectacular lunar landscape with bubbling hot sulfur springs and rejuvenating mineral baths.

The island of St. Martin is the smallest territory in the world shared by two states. St. Maarten, the Dutch side, is well known for its duty-free shopping and nightlife. The French side of the island, St. Martin, is a little more relaxed and has a decidedly French feel to it, complete with excellent bistros and restaurants. Scuba diving and snorkeling are both popular on the island. The nearby Dutch islands of St. Eustatius and Saba both offer a break from the crowds since it is in a more secluded area. This provides a more relaxing experience when compared to the other islands.

Martinique is considered one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands, with its lush rain forests and miles of pristine beaches. Like St. Martin, it also has a noticeably French feel to it, especially in its modest capital of Fort-de-France. The landscape varies from distinctive black sandy beaches to high mountains and rain forest. It is also a great place for bird watching.

Some people insist that Guadeloupe offers a more authentic French experience than Martinique. Guadeloupe offers cruise ship passengers the usual sandy beaches and wide variety of sporting activities. It is also an island of great beauty, with its still active volcanoes, tropical jungle, and sugar plantations. Much of the island has been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. It is also home to many restaurants many of which specialize in delicious Creole cuisine.

Dominica is the greenest island in the Caribbean, still relatively untouched by mass tourism. It is an excellent place for hiking, mountaineering, and bird watching, rather than for beaches and shopping. The center of the island is still covered with dense tropical rain forest, which contains vegetation found nowhere else in the Caribbean. One highlight of a stop in Dominica is a trip to the Carib Indian Reserve. Indigenous Indian people still live here as they have for centuries.

Barbados has been named “the fantasy island”, perhaps for its natural beauty and many opportunities for outdoor activities and watersports. It also has a British feel to it, along with plenty of reminders of its often turbulent history, as well as some wonderful duty-free shopping. There are lavish resorts as well as miles of beaches. Barbados is generally regarded as having more natural and man-made attractions than any other Caribbean island.

Regardless of which island you visit, one of the highlights of an Eastern Caribbean cruise is simply the chance to relax, celebrate an anniversary, honeymoon or to meet new people amid some beautiful scenery. The Eastern Caribbean provides many opportunities for an exciting vacation. Whether you enjoy shopping, relaxing on pristine beaches, or just enjoying the beautiful weather, there is something for you with a trip to this area. Some islands to consider are St Thomas, Tortola, St. Martin, St. Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Barbados, St. Croix, and St. John. These are all beautiful islands. Next time you are planning a trip to the Caribbean, consider these islands because a trip to the Eastern Caribbean is well worth it. A cruise to the Eastern Caribbean can create memories that last a lifetime.