Select your Caribbean cruise experience depending on your desired ports of call, price and length of vacation.
Few things in life are more relaxing than a Caribbean cruise, and with summer heating up now is the perfect time to book your ticket. What you may find while searching for Caribbean cruises is that there are many options involved. The Caribbean is just that, right? Well, not exactly when it comes to cruising. Cruises to the Caribbean have been broken up into regions, more specifically eastern, western and even southern. Cruise lines may define these areas just a little bit differently but for the most part these regions are consistent. Each region offers its own benefits and unique ports of call. So, depending on how many days you want to travel and what you are seeking in a cruise, you can narrow down your cruise search to a specific area. Let’s take a closer look at each one:
Western Caribbean Cruises: If the beautiful beaches of Cozumel, Mexico pique your interest, or you have always wanted to visit the lush destinations of Belize and Roatan in Central America, a Western Caribbean cruise may just be for you. Depending on the cruise line, your itinerary may also include stops in Grand Cayman, Jamaica and even the Bahamas (though not really considered in the “Caribbean,” it is a popular destination on these cruises). Western Caribbean cruises tend to be shorter cruises and typically leave from ports in places like South Florida, Texas and Louisiana.
These cruises are great options if you need to get away and want to experience several ports of call but don’t have a lot of time to vacation. They are also a great choice for a new cruiser who wants to try his or her hand at cruising but doesn’t want to be locked into a 7 or 10-day cruise. An additional perk of Western Caribbean cruises is since they are generally shorter than their eastern and southern counterparts, you will typically find cheaper prices but can still experience an incredible, action packed vacation!
Eastern Caribbean Cruises: Known for its destination’s warm weather, crystal clear water and abundance of excursions and shopping, Eastern Caribbean cruises are one of the most popular cruise options available. The region these cruises typically visit falls into an area south of Florida, east of the Cayman Islands and islands generally north of the U.S. Virgin Islands (although this differs depending on cruise line).
If visiting the unique and breathtaking islands of Turks & Caicos, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are on your bucket list, then this is the cruise for you! In addition to a large variation of ports of call, these cruises are popular because you can leave from numerous ports located on the east coast of the United States. For families with small children who dread flying for long periods of time, the convenience of embarking from a multitude of ports makes this one of the best family cruise options around! Plus, many cruise lines traveling to the Eastern Caribbean typically stop at their own private islands, such as Royal Caribbean’s stunning Labadee, Haiti location. These private island ports of call offer a unique experience for cruisers who are typically pampered and catered to when vacationing in these spots! Bottom line – you just can’t go wrong with an Eastern Caribbean cruise.
Southern Caribbean Cruises: If you are seeking a unique cruise experience and length of time is not a factor in your decision making, a Southern Caribbean cruise may just be the right choice for you. Travel to awe-inspiring destinations such as Aruba, Curacao, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Barbados and more. These cruises generally last a minimum of ten days and may have a few days at sea on the itinerary (a great opportunity to catch up on your favorite book, enjoy onboard recreation or catch some shut eye). If relaxation, magnificent islands and an extended vacation is what you are seeking, it may be time to search for Southern Caribbean cruises!
To learn more about upcoming Caribbean cruise itineraries, call the CruiseExperts today at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784). Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and join our InnerCircle for exclusive offers and cruise news you can use! Also, check out our new Resource Center, where you can receive expert knowledge from us before your next cruise or cruisetour!