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The Caribbean Cruise
The
quintessential winter vacation
This is your insider's guide to great
cruises, beaches, shore adventures, Caribbean islands and more
For many travelers seeking to escape cold
temperatures and snowstorms, the quintessential winter getaway is a
cruise to the Caribbean. Cruises bring a handful of islands to
you, thanks to over a 100 small, contemporary and luxury cruise ships,
including the world's largest: Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Allure of the
Seas, each with a capacity of some 5,800 passengers.
| In winter, tropical
ports-of-call offer warm temperatures, sunny weather, and frozen
drink concoctions, sipped poolside. The best tropical island
ports-of-call offer unique activities such as swimming with
dolphins, learning to water ski, parasailing, spa treatments on
the beach, local culture and who would not want to take time out
for shopping. Make sure you spend some quality time off
the ship to enhance your vacation experience. Save the shopping
for home, as there are so much more interesting things to do.
Go zip lining, hiking, or on a jet-boat thrill ride on an
Adventure Tour. Explore authentic flavors from around the world
and taste local dishes and locally crafted brews and spirits on
a Cuisine Tour. Visit historical monuments on a Sightseeing &
Island Tour. Go deep sea fishing or sea trekking in the
Caribbean on a Beach & Water Tour.
Boy! I bet you can't wait to
see your vacation photo
album after all that!
Not only do the birds fly south for the
winter but so do a flock of cruise ships. And while birds of a feather
travel together, cruise ships do not. They can be found sailing all
around the Caribbean. The East, West and Far South. |
WINTER GETAWAY
The Top 5 Reasons To
Cruise in the Caribbean
For those who need a reason to pack
up and getaway from the cold and the snow, here are the top
five:
1. When quality time counts the most, a winter cruise
offers flexibility and choice in recreational activities,
entertainment, relaxed dining and fun for travelers of all ages.
2. In times of stress, ( shoveling the snow, stuck in
traffic etc. ) the chance to totally escape is just what the
doctor ordered. No doubt a cruise has been proven to be healthy
and good for one’s well-being. As long as you don't over do it
at the midnight buffet.
3. With so many different cruises and cruise ships to
choose from, there is a winter cruise for every budget.
4.Featuring inclusive pricing, incomparable comfort and
convenience, and travel to some of the most popular Caribbean
ports-of-call, no vacation offers more value for money spent
than a cruise. Try booking a resort hotel in the winter and
you'll know what we mean.
5. Your winter getaway in the Caribbean offers beautiful
surroundings, clear blue skies and soft beach breezes |
Ok. So where is all this leading to?
As about 20 cruise lines currently sail
the Caribbean in Winter, with over 100 ships, finding your perfect
Caribbean Cruise and which islands to explore could prove to be a
daunting and difficult experience.
Sort of like finding one eagle among
thousands.
Speaking of thousands...
Did You Know?
More than 5,000 islands and
cays dot the Caribbean. That's a lot of paradise! So how do you choose
where to go on your next cruise?
First, cruise vacation destinations in
the Caribbean will vary greatly depending on your interests.
While not every Island welcomes cruise
passengers, most do. For 2011, cruise ships are stopping in more exotic
locations. So "if you've been there, done that", new ports-of-call
may beckon you back the Caribbean again.
Depending upon how much time you have, 7
day cruises of the Western or Eastern Caribbean are the most popular. If
you have more time you can take a 10 or 12 cruise and explore the
Southern Caribbean, along with the Panama Canal. Ships that sail to the
Caribbean, depart from many different U.S. home ports, however, you will
find the most ship, with the widest choice of destinations available
from the Florida cruise ports of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Port
Canaveral.
So Many Choices, So Little Time
So, the first choice you'll need to make
is what region of the Caribbean, then decide on the ports you want to
visit. Popular ports include:
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Basseterre, St. Kitts |
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Belize City, Belize |
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Bridgetown, Barbados |
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Cartagena, Colombia |
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Castries, St. Lucia |
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Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas |
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CocoCay, Bahamas |
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Colon, Panama |
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Costa Maya, Mexico |
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Cozumel, Mexico |
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Falmouth, Jamaica |
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George Town, Grand Cayman |
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Key West, Florida |
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Kings Wharf, Bermuda |
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Kralendijk, Bonaire |
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Labadee, Haiti |
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Philipsburg, St. Maarten
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Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
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Roatan, Honduras |
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Roseau, Dominica |
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Samana, Dominican Republic
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San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Santa Marta, Colombia
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St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
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St. George's, Grenada
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St. John's, Antigua |
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Tortola, British Virgin Islands
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Willemstad, Curacao |
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If you like to go with the flow and
follow the crowd and cruise on a large ship, you'll typically visit
ports in St. Thomas, St. Maartin, Haiti, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico
or Mexico, Jamaica, Belize, Honduras, and Grand Cayman. Smaller ships
will get you into places like the British Virgin islands, St.Barts,
Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis. Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America
and Disney Cruise Line all often include a stop at their private "beach"
islands. These island retreats offer fun-filled activities and
watersports, island cuisine and even shopping. If you take a Southern
route, you'll likely visit Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, Martinique,
Grenada, or St. Lucia.
It's a Caribbean Super
Sale for this Winter!
To say there is a glut of
ships in the Caribbean this winter would be an
understatement. The "over-supply" of available cabins
means lower prices throughout the season. But the best
prices and cabin availability can best be had now!
With all of the new ships
sailing the Caribbean, many of the cruise lines are
featuring not only great deals, but different
itineraries, home ports, and destinations to entice you
to book with them.
Bargains seem to be
everywhere. Plan a seven-day cruise to the Eastern or
Western Caribbean, or if you are short on time, try a
three or four cruise to the Bahamas.
What's New?
There was a time, not so long ago, when
cruise lines had little or no role to play in the development of ports
other than their own private destinations. Things sure are different
now, and the change is best exemplified by a huge project Royal
Caribbean has spearheaded in the Caribbean
| For the past 3 years, Royal Caribbean has
been leading an initiative in collaboration with the Port Authority of
Jamaica to create a brand new cruise port of call: "Historic Falmouth
Jamaica". The port is located on the North coast of Jamaica midway
between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. It is currently under construction
and is designed to accommodate two large ships simultaneously. It meets
the operating requirements of the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the
Seas and will become a marquee destination of the Oasis' and Allure's
Western itinerary beginning in March 2011. The new port will start to
accept cruise ships in January 2011 (January 7 with Navigator of the
Seas) and Oasis and Allure will start to make biweekly calls in March
2011.
The project was designed to reflect the historic character of Falmouth,
Jamaica. Falmouth was founded in 1769 and maintains much of its
historical patrimony. It was the original port of Jamaica and the site
where many slaves were brought to the New World. For a time it was also
the world's leading export port for sugar and rum. Time passed, shipping
activity moved to Port Royale in Kingston and Falmouth harbor gradually
silted in. Historic Falmouth Port will begin the revitalization of this
town, now located in the booming touristic zone of the North Coast of
Jamaica between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. The buildings and attractions
of Historic Falmouth Port are being designed in classic Georgian style.
As the phases of the port are implemented the new state-of-the-art port
will blend into the old town. It is anticipated that the remaining
designated historic buildings in the community will gradually be
restored. |
When is a port not really a
port? They have exotic names, but did Pirates
really stay there? Are they "man-made" or natural wonders?
Costa Maya, CoCo Cay, Falmouth, Castaway
Cay, Labadee, Half Moon Cay, Princess Cay. You've heard the names. But
what are they?
Several cruise lines maintain their own
private island in the Caribbean so that passengers can have a beach day.
These private places, most of which are tiny Bahamian out islands, range
from informal spots to well-organized destinations that offer
restaurants, shops, and a variety of land and water activities in
addition to sunning and swimming. For example Costa Maya is the
cruise lines own private "port" in Mexico: a man-made tourist stop with
bars, restaurants, shops and pools. The fake village itself was created
solely to entertain cruise passengers and is a drip off point for shore
excursions.
Read the paragraph
about the $170 million dollar redevelopment of Falmouth, Jamaica
into
"Historic Falmouth Jamaica".
Captain Jack would
love this place.
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Many local workers are involved in the $170 million development, and the
community is expected to be dramatically revitalized as cruise ships
begin to call in 2011. Guests arriving into Falmouth will be able to
choose between the shore excursion options in both Ocho Rios and Montego
Bay since the new port is equidistant from both of these Jamaican towns.
Additionally there will be an array of options for both tour and non
tour guests at Falmouth. Guests arriving into Falmouth will feel like
they are in the old world of the Caribbean and find themselves availed
of numerous shopping and authentic dining opportunities. Historic
Falmouth will blend well into the local town and will seamlessly allow
our guests to experience one of the true treasures of Jamaica.
Royal Caribbean and Port Authority of Jamaica anticipate that Historic
Falmouth Jamaica will become one of the premier ports of call in the
Caribbean, offering a unique historic ambiance together with a broad
range of adventurous tour opportunities.
Where to Cruise in the
Caribbean
It’s
everything a tropical paradise
should be: Turquoise waters
teeming with colorful fish, lush
jungles, exotic animals and
amazing natural wonders. The
locals are friendly, the shops
bustling and the legends
fascinating. Discover each
island’s own incredible story.
Few places on earth are more
conducive to relaxation than the
islands of the Caribbean.
Perhaps it's the light, tropical
breezes that gently soothe the
soul. Or the warm waters and
warm receptions that await you
on every shore. One thing is
certain: aboard a cruise ship, a
Caribbean vacation offers
something for everyone. From
snorkeling over ancient
shipwrecks to visiting secluded
locales off the beaten path,
feel your cares melt away as you
revel in the warmth of the
tropics.
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CRUISE SEARCH
Stop
surfing. Start saving. Dream on....
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There really aren't
enough adjectives to
describe the colors of
the Caribbean. The water
shifts from aqua to
turquoise to deep blue.
Throw in some white-sand
beaches, yellow, pink
and green architecture,
some rather colorful
colonial history, plus
great dive spots,
duty-free shopping and
you've got one amazing
cruise vacation. The
Caribbean, it's becomes
one of the most relaxing
spots on earth. |
As you begin to research
cruises to the Caribbean, you'll see that itineraries
fall into three different geographic areas: Eastern
Caribbean, Western Caribbean, and Southern Caribbean.
The following can help you decide which ports of call to
set sail on your Caribbean cruise:
Eastern Caribbean
Take a 5, 7 or 8 day cruise
to the Eastern Caribbean and see some of the most
beautiful tropical islands in the world.
Relax surrounded by the white-sand beaches and beautiful
turquoise waters of the most beautiful islands on earth.
From the charm of Old San
Juan, Puerto Rico, to the delightful mix of French and
Dutch cultures in St. Maarten, Eastern Caribbean Cruises
give you it all.
The
Eastern Caribbean islands are
blessed with an abundance of natural
beauty—from the turquoise waters,
white-sand beaches, lush rain
forests and coral reefs teeming with
marine life. Discover the
fascinating histories, shopping and
food of this idyllic region on
popular Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Western Caribbean
Breathtaking waterfalls,
enchanting beaches, lush rainforests and exciting
nightlife are just a few of the attractions you'll
experience on a 4, 5, 6, 7 or even 8 day Western
Caribbean cruise. Relax on the powder-soft sand of a
quiet beach, swim with stingrays, visit local wildlife
habitats or explore an ancient Mayan city on horseback.
Whatever your desired level of adventure, you're sure to
find it in the Western Caribbean. Whether it's adventure
or relaxation you're looking for, Western Caribbean
cruises offer the best of both worlds.
These islands are home to
rich culture and complex histories. Explore archaic
ruins, beaches, rain forests and many waterfalls.
The
Yucatan Peninsula is a mix of
ancient mysticism and modern-day
commerce where Mayan ruins lay amid
high-end resorts and tropical
amusement parks. The area’s
geography offers marvelous natural
wonders, such as “cenotes,”
underground lakes where you can
snorkel in subterranean caves. It’s
just one of the many special things
you can experience on a Western
Caribbean cruise.
Southern Caribbean
The Southern Caribbean landscape is something to see,
teeming with exotic flowers and stretches of
sun-bleached beaches. Imagine aquamarine seas ablaze
with brightly colored coral reefs and schools of
technicolor fish.
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