a guide to help you plan a caribbean cruise
A Guide to Help You Plan a Caribbean Cruise
Want to take a cruise vacation to the Caribbean, but do not know how to go about it? Buzzle brings you a brief guide to help you plan your Caribbean cruise holiday.
Visual surprise is natural in the Caribbean; it comes with the landscape, and faced with its beauty, the sigh of History dissolves.
― Derek Walcott
Considered to be the exclusive domain of the rich once upon a time, cruising has nowadays become one of the most popular modes of travel―not only because they offer you luxuries and amenities that fit perfectly into your budget, but also owing to the plethora of activities that these "floating resorts" offer. Plus, cruises enable you to see numerous, so-called exotic destinations in a single trip. Many tend to think that taking a cruise vacation is not very cost-effective, and that such a holiday would burn a large hole to their pocket. However surprisingly, contrary to this popular belief, most cruise fares are all-inclusive, thus, making it one of the most affordable travel options.
Planning a Caribbean Cruise: A Traveler's Guide
These days, cruise ships sail to a number of exotic locations throughout the world. Nevertheless, the Caribbean continues to remain the number one cruising destination. A picture-perfect "sand and palm tree" tropical paradise that the Caribbean is, it offers several opportunities to tourists, both for adventure as well as relaxation. Considering each and every rocky outcropping and sandbar, there are hundreds of large and small islands that are surrounded by the Caribbean waters. However, out of the 45 or 50 that make it onto the world map, about 25 are regularly frequented by ships, operating through various cruise companies all over the globe. Here are a few tips to help you plan a hassle-free Caribbean cruise.
Choosing an Appropriate Cruise Line
► As of now, roughly about 20 cruise lines from the US sail the Caribbean waters. These include both the big ship cruises as well as those which are smaller in size.
► Big ship cruises offer a plethora of luxurious amenities and activities on-board; however, owing to their huge size, generally only the largest ports are covered in their itineraries. So, choose such a cruise line only and only if you intend to visit just the major ports and not the more exotic ones.
► The main advantage of opting for a smaller ship is that it can get into smaller harbors, which often have more to offer than the larger ports, in terms of beauty and serenity. There is no doubt that these might be lesser-known, lesser traveled ports and harbors; however, this very thing might also put them on the list of the most beautiful ones, undisturbed/less affected by excessive human intervention. So, if you intend to explore the less-trodden paths, opt for a smaller ship and experience the sanctity of the Caribbean.
Tip: If you are traveling on a budget, opt for a bigger ship. You might avail some great discounts and luxury amenities, fitting just right into your budget. Smaller ships, owing to their "exotic" itinerary, mostly offer limited number of bargains.
Planning an Itinerary
► It is important to note that in spite of numerous picturesque islands all across the Caribbean, not every island is a cruise port. Keep this in mind while planning your itinerary.
► In-depth research is the key. While you pen down your probable itinerary, check your wish list thoroughly with respect to whether or not a particular place is accessible through a cruise ship.
► Before planning your itinerary, decide upon what you wish to do most during your vacation―whether you wish to indulge more in sailing and in adventures such as scuba diving or whether you want to stay more on land.
► As of now, Caribbean cruises offer two broad categories from which you can choose your itinerary.- The first category is of the western Caribbean islands, meant specially for those who intend to do a lot of sailing. This involves places such as Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Costa Rica.
- The second category is that of the eastern Caribbean islands, meant for those who prefer to stay on land and indulge in some serious shopping. Destinations such as the Bahamas and Puerto Rico form a part of the itineraries of this category.
Tip: Several cruise lines, such as the Disney Cruise Line, also offer stops at some private islands. So, if budget is not your constraint, you can opt for an elaborate itinerary like this.
Duration of the Cruise
► One of the most important aspects to look at when planning a Caribbean cruise vacation is the duration of time you want to be at sea, and whether it is feasible.
► On an average, the duration of a standard cruise ranges from one week to about ten days. However, longer cruises are also available.
► It is vital that you also consider your overall budget while deciding the total duration of your cruise as both these factors are directly proportional to each other.
Tip: If you wish to opt for a longer cruise, choose an itinerary such that there are more number of and preferably, longer port calls. You surely don't want to end up falling sick, right in the middle of your vacation.
Best Time to Cruise
► The peak season for cruising the Caribbean waters is between mid-December and mid-April. This is the time when most cruises are jam-packed, owing to which, there are limited numbers of discounts and bargains. On the contrary, you may have to pay higher prices.
► If you plan to go during the peak season, ensure that you book your cruise well in advance, at least a year ahead. The earlier you book, the more discounts you may avail. Last-minute discounts during the peak season are available, but are extremely rare.
► On the other hand, if you wish to avoid large crowds and avail great discounted offers, choose to go in the off-season, i.e., between the months of June and November. The overall rates for cruises during this time are usually lower, sometimes even up to 50% less than the normal rates.
Note: During the off-season, the Caribbean is prone to hurricanes. Therefore, while cruising does not stop, many cruise ships are likely to change their normal routes.
What's Included and What's Not
► This is an important aspect that needs thorough checking before booking the trip with a particular cruise line. The number of things that your cruise package includes will determine whether or not it is a good deal.
► In general, an all-inclusive cruise fare includes: (i) breakfast, lunch, and dinner; (ii) tea and coffee; (iii) a basic room; (iv) tap water; (v) daily room cleaning; (vi) charges for entertainment; and (vii) transportation charges.
Tip: Booking a lower deck will not only save you money, but also keep seasickness at bay!
► If you wish to book an airline ticket through your cruise line, you will have to book your package that way. Otherwise normally, airfares are not included. It is essential to note that booking an airline ticket via a cruise line is, more often than not, an expensive deal, and it is rather a better idea to book one on your own.
► An all-inclusive cruise fare will not include expenses such as spa services, shopping at on-board boutiques, fitness classes, casino gambling, expenses incurred on alcohol, and so on. All these are ways for a cruise line to earn additional revenue.
► Moreover, if you wish to book guided excursions with your cruise line, you will have to inquire in detail regarding the same. Whether or not these are included in the basic fare varies from cruise line to cruise line.
Note: Thoroughly check and recheck what all is included in your cruise fare, and determine whether it suits your needs and budget, before going ahead with the booking process. You definitely do not want to land up on the wrong ship, especially after paying such a hefty sum.