Cruising in the Caribbean Sea

The Caribbean Sea is the fifth largest body of water in the world and is home to nearly 7000 islands. With gentle seas and year around warm climate, the area is a must visit for lovers of the tropical climate.

And what better way to enjoy a holiday than cruising through the sea and stopping at different islands rather than visiting one single island. You get a chance to enjoy the splendor of the Caribbean sea with the gentle breeze caressing your face. Even if it rains, there are plenty of activities within the ship to keep you occupied.

There are various types of cruises. Choose the one that suits you the best. Some of the more common types of cruises include:

Short Caribbean cruises: – A typical five night cruise that doesn’t move far away from the Southern ports of the U.S., this is the ideal option  for those with short holidays. Cruise Liner Century operates a five night cruise which travels through Miami, Jamaica and the Grand Canyon and comes back after two nights at sea.

Long Caribbean cruises:- This is the option you need to choose if you have plenty of vacation time. Go for a 7 night cruise to any one region or opt for a full two week cruise that takes you throughout the Caribbean. Cruises like Holland America provide 14 days of cruise itinerary with only 4 nights out at sea. The rest of the nights are spent on different locations around the region, including the private island owned by the cruise company.

Bahamian cruises:- Even though the Bahamas are in the Atlantic ocean, the tropical weather coupled with numerous attractions enable them to be hotspots for various cruises. Enjoy a 3 night weekend or midweek break cruising through the Bahamian islands. Alternatively, you can also go in for 7 night cruises that take you to several Bahamian Islands. In most cases, an overnight stay is included in any one port where you can shop or enjoy the nightlife in clubs and bars.

There are a number of companies that provide cruising facilities. The major ones include: Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises and the Norwegian Cruise Line. Smaller cruise lines are also available and are preferred for islands that cannot be reached by the biggies.

The first part in planning for a cruise holiday would be to choose an itinerary. Most of the companies provide their own itineraries. Here are a few of the more significant ones.

The Heart of the Caribbean:- Touted to be the best Caribbean cruise, it is an eight day trip that starts off at San Juan in Puerto Rico and cruises around the sea. Stops are planned in the islands of Saint Thomas, which you can see in a mini sub; and the island of St. Lucia known for its towering mountain peaks. In addition to the numerous sights and sounds, the ship is filled with fun activities to keep you on your toes.

Southern Caribbean:- Preferred by experienced cruisers, this itinerary touches exotic and secluded islands down South. The Silver Wind Cruise liner provides the Silversea Eight Nights Voyage which starts from Puerto Rico and visits the islands of Grenada, Barbados, Bequia, Dominica, Antigua, and St. Bart’s. For the most part, beaches in these islands are unspoiled, and provide the perfect setting for a romantic getaway.

Eastern and Western Caribbean:- Called sister cruises, these itineraries cover the Eastern and Western parts of the Caribbean respectively. Most cruise liners take alternate turns to cover the eastern and western regions and if so, you may get a chance to go on a back to back two week sailing vacation throughout the region.

If it’s the west, then the week long cruise line starts off from Ft. Lauderdale in Central America and cruises through the ports of Grand Canyon, Mexico, Jamaica, Cozumel and in the case of the Princess Cruise on the Grand Princess, the final stop will be on a private island. The various activities you can indulge in include:- snorkeling and scuba diving, waterfall climbing in Jamaica and visiting the Mayan ruins in Mexico.

The eastern itinerary (Royal Caribbean) takes care of the ports of Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. Shop in these destinations or lounge by some fantastic beaches, climb small mountains, wander through river forests and enjoy the sports of ice skating and boxing on the islands.

Central America:- It’s not only about visiting islands in the Caribbean. Some cruise lines cater to onshore activities and adventures. Also called as exotic Caribbean cruises, these itineraries revolve around the coastal areas of Panama, Belize and Costa Rica and provide more onshore visits and overnight stays.

Deep South:- These cruise lines are dedicated to traveling to the southernmost reach of islands in the Caribbean sea which include the South American coast. If you are in a hurricane prone area, be sure to opt for this line as it will take you as far away from the storm as possible .

Private Islands:- Most cruise line have their own private island and offer water and inland activities to the visitors. For example: Disney Cruise Line has released its new itinerary which includes a two day stay in the private island of Castaway Cay. Feel free to explore free beaches, without the fear of losing your luggage or other valuable articles to the locals. In addition to sporting activities, you can also participate in barbeques, and enjoy a free cabana massage.