Taste the Tropics on a Caribbean Cruise
Most cruise ports in the U.S. are only a few hours away by plane from the major cities in the country. Ships and onboard activities are ideal for romantic evenings and excursions. Cruise packages usually look after everything. You are truly on vacation when you board the ship. No fumbling with road maps, trying to find a place to stay or a decent restaurant. Less hassle equals more quality time together! Many cruises visit several ports, which increases the likelihood of finding that special perfect spot you’ll remember for a lifetime. Some couples are choosing to spend their honeymoon, anniversary or Christmas on a tropical cruise.
There are about 3 different levels of cruise ship companies. You would have a good time on any of them, , but knowing in advance what to expect will help you make a good choice and get maximum value for your money.
Here is a look at some of them.
Standard Tropical Cruises: Carnival, Costa, Disney, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Regal Cruises. Huge modern boats carry many passengers, lots and lots of activities and shore excursions, big choice of recreation facilities and programs, glitzy entertainment, nice cabins, and mainstream cruise dining. This is probably best suited to families and those on a budget. The wide range of programs and options for kids might allow parents some more romantic time together!
First Class Tropical Cruises: Celebrity, Holland America, Orient Lines, Princess Cruises. These are Large ships with slightly fewer passengers which gives a little more of a roomy feeling. Good choice of excursions and staterooms are very attractive. Good variety of entertainment with some romantic options. You have a choice of deluxe dining or more traditional cruise eating. This would suit couples, singles or family. This is a nice balance of features and price.
Luxury Tropical Cruises: Crystal, Cunard Line, Radisson Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Windstar. There is a variety of different boats and ships with plenty of room for everyone. Luxurious rooms with many extras, outside balconies, even suites. Emphasis is on cultural activities and excursions, with deluxe entertainment, Spas, health clubs, educational classes, and more. Dining is exquisite. A quieter atmosphere, this is preferred by couples and singles looking for a more sophisticated and romantic travel experience.
The Royal Caribbean ships and others have rock climbing walls. Some even have ice skating rinks. But that only counts the things on the ship. You’ll also spend 4-5 days in port at various islands. There you can do parasailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, go up in a chopper, go on an Americas Cup sail boat, horse back riding, visit the Mayan Ruins, get a cold one at Carlos’n’Charlies, have lunch at the Hard Rock in St. Thomas, etc.
The ship is not the only destination. It’s also transportation to a new tropical paradise each night.
If you go on a mega ship like the Navagator, Exployer, or the Voyager you even have an ice skating rink and a great ice skating show. A full size basket ball court on the top deck. Mini Golf Course and a roller blade course.
When working on your cruise budget, allow for extra expenses like shore excursions, tips and poolside drinks, etc. Also, a general rule is that rooms on higher decks are more expensive.
Waters are generally very calm, but keep in mind that hurricane season in the Atlantic and Caribbean usually runs from about June to November.
Now we all know Hawaii is what almost everyone associates as romantic and tropical. So let’s take a look at Hawaiian Cruises. These are short cruises but still very fun and romantic. Let’s go on a 3 1/2 hour tour. I promise you won’t be stranded with Gilligan (Oh! you want to be, I’m sorry then). The Na Pali Sunset Cruise Adventure Island of Kauai, Port Allen Boat Harbor – All Year Round 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm with this cruise you will see spectacular sea cliffs, enchanting waterfalls and timeless lava tubes. Enjoy the history and legends of the ancient civilization that once inhabited these verdant valleys on a 3 1/2 hour adventure aboard a 65 foot motor yacht. Included with this cruise are pupus and an open bar. Kauai is Hawaii’s oldest island and, as first-born of the main islands, has a legacy of paradise to uphold. And what a paradise! A trip around Kauai in a yacht is a feast of green. The cost of this cruise is $89 for adults.
Many first-timers looking for a tried-and-true cruise experience test the waters between Florida’s Atlantic Coast and islands of the Eastern Caribbean, the most frequented sea lanes in the world, at least in terms of cruise-ship traffic. The standard one-week circuit from Miami or Fort Lauderdale continues to dominate Caribbean cruising. Even the short-cruise market is centered on the state’s east coast, with three- and four-day hops from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas a long-established phenomenon.
Currently, Carnival’s 2,052-passenger Sensation offers four- and five-day Western Caribbean swings that mix two days at sea with visits to Cozumel, Mexico, and either Grand Cayman island or Key West, Florida. Both cruises, ideal for those short on time and money, can be easily combined with hotel stays in Tampa or Orlando (less than two hours away) for a neatly wrapped land/sea vacation.
Looking for an antidote to winter? Grab a long weekend tropical cruise out of Miami. You’ll find the best rates on the oldest ships, such as Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas. Cruise-goers revel in their adventure at two different ports in the Bahamas.
Have you ever wanted to experience total paradise? Well you can with a holiday to the Caribbean, Mexico or Brazil. You can stroll along endless sandy beaches with crystal clear waters lapping at your feet and stay in luxurious accommodation in fantastic locations. Most of the properties are All Inclusive meaning all your holiday essentials are included in the price, so you can relax and make the most of your tropical paradise. Let’s have a look at Jamaica.
Jamaica is home to lush tropical vegetation, breathtaking beaches and cascading waterfalls. Beneath the misty peaks of the Blue Mountains; British, Spanish and African cultures blend to create a unique ‘feel-good’ atmosphere, which the locals affectionately express as feeling ‘irie’. Breathe in the heavenly scents of orchids and hibiscus and feel the rhythm of reggae beats and steel drums on this beautiful island. Feel the adrenalin as you climb Dunn’s River Falls and listen to the soothing rush of the water as it cascades into the sea. Beautiful white beaches characterize every resort and lead straight to the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Negril has possibly the best beach on the island, its non- crowded sands stretching for seven miles. The beach resorts of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios have fine sandy beaches.
Bermuda offers a chance to bask in sun and beauty. Where else can you explore a shipwreck that inspired Shakespeare or watch cricket under the shade of a palm? The atmosphere is properly British, in tints of pastel. You won’t find crowds or rental cars because it might disturb the neighbors. In short, Bermuda is a haven of civility surrounded by a sea of tranquility. This is the perfect place for golfing, tennis, swimming, snorkeling, sailing and just about any other water sport known to man. And the perfect antidote for everything you want to forget. Happily, the Seven Seas Navigator calls at both Hamilton and Georgetown for three nights and four full days of perfect temperatures and perfectly manicured greens. Then sail to Norfolk for a visit to Williamsburg or Jamestown.
The Caribbean, islands are where gentle trade winds keep the tropical climate comfortable, and where frothy whitecaps frolic in turquoise bays. Here calypso rhythms and spices scent the air and coral carpets the ocean floor. Each island has a charm all its own. Some are mountainous. Some are desert-like. Some are covered with lush, tropical greenery. And with as many independent nations as there are countries in Europe, the Caribbean traces a heritage from around the world.
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises cruise the Caribbean all winter long, so there’s bound to be a sailing that matches just what you had in mind. Close your eyes and imagine: gently swaying palms, a sugar-white beach and a sun-dappled sea caressing the shore. Now think how easy it is to make fantasy a reality.
The tropical destinations of the Southwest Pacific and Southeast Asia offer intriguing ports of call, beautiful beaches, exotic temples and monuments, distinctive food, and colorful crafts and costumes. Most ships visit Singapore or Hong Kong; many continue on to Sri Lanka and India, or go to China or Tahiti if on a world voyage.
There are some things you need to be prepared for. Do not expect just to walk on the ship as you may find that it will take a while. What many people do not expect is that before you can embark you will have to wait for the previous debarkation to take place. This means the previous passengers have to make their way off the ship and the staff and crew need to get the ship ready for the next sailing. So, keep in mind there is a lot going on here behind the scenes.
When you arrive you should realize that the baggage handlers do not work for the cruise line and will most likely expect a tip. You will also have to show your cruse ticket and some ID for verification and security. .
Next, you will see the shore side staff in their official uniforms with nametags that will point you in the right direction. Once you are boarding you will have to produce any forms that you were asked to prepare, your proof of citizenship and a credit card to cover any onboard expenses. Then you will be issued a boarding card. Many times this doubles as your stateroom key and ship charge card. The final procedure is check in where your hand luggage will have to pass through security similar to going to the airport. .
You are almost there. Get ready to smile, if you can, for the ship’s photographer for your embarkation picture. Nice souvenir for you and guess what? You finally made it. Welcome On Board a Tropical Cruise.
As you can see a Tropical Cruise can be an inexpensive and short trip to a longer more expensive trip. Either way you decide to go you are sure to have lots of fun in the sun and be surrounded by beautiful crystal clear waters. A Tropical Cruise is romance and memories in the making.
