Along with Alaska, Europe and Hawaii, the Caribbean remains a favorite cruise and family vacation destination for people all over the world. Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian are just some of the many cruise lines which offer all inclusive Caribbean cruises. With itineraries which can last anywhere from two days to two weeks, cruises to the Caribbean are often characterized by exciting attractions and amazing shore excursions. Caribbean sailing cruises travel to different areas of these wonderful islands with trips specifically geared to the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean. These cruises to the Caribbean vary in terms of departure ports, with New York City and Miami, Florida, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Cozumel, Mexico as examples. 12
As for now, Galveston reigns supreme, with a modest, yet effective array of ships that make up the island-port’s fleet. Cruises from Texas offer up ships of varying size, with the “smaller” ships able to handle 2,000-3,000 passengers. Royal Caribbean is relocating its behemoth 138,000-ton, 3,600-passenger “Voyager of the Seas” from Miami to Galveston, making it the largest Galveston cruise ship to ever operate out of Texas to date. Cruises to Mexico and to the western Caribbean will make up the bulk of cruises from Texas in the coming years, with occasional extended cruises to such locations as Barcelona, Spain. As the Houston comes back on board, Texas cruises will likely offer a wider selection of destinations and increasingly larger ships. 22
There are also several discount cruises New Orleans hosts like Carnival cruise lines to Mexico and the Caribbean. Try a 4 day cruise to Cozumel for around $300, or a 5 day New Orleans Cruise to Cozumel and Costa Maya Mexico for around $500. As with any other New Orleans cruise on the Carnival party ship, that includes choice of dining, a casino and plenty of entertainment. 21
Disney last minute cruise deals include three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and seven-night expeditions to the Caribbean. Disney cruise vacation deals include a wonderful onboard experience which may at first seem straight out of a cartoon, but is magically real. You'll really notice it when your favorite Disney character eats breakfast with you!) Of course, guests can watch live shows with their favorite Disney characters and interact in many unique ways. Disney cruise line deals are the perfect opportunity for an ultra memorable family vacation at reasonable and affordable rates. 11
Disney Magic has actually scheduled 10 and 11-night Mediterranean cruises in Europe in 2007. Would a Disney cruise be a good way for an American to see Europe? Probably not, as this ship is a destination unto itself, while what one desires in a ship for a European cruise is a comfortable conveyance between port stops. Most likely, the ship will be marketed more to Europeans while in Europe than to U.S. cruisers looking for a European vacation. But with Disney fanatics who knows? They just might combine a European cruise on Disney Magic with a trip to Euro-Disney. 35
Carnival offers three-, four-, or seven-day cheap vacation cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Baja Mexico. As an example, Carnival's three-day cruise to Baja will begin its sail from Los Angeles, California and then travel on the Pacific Ocean to Ensenada, Mexico. One of Mexico's most popular cities, Ensenada bustles with many excursions that center around La Bufadora, a massive spout that shoots sea water in the air. 11
The Eastern Caribbean is most famous for the Bahamas and an exorbitant amount of beaches. With this in mind, Carnival Cruise Lines has offered in the past special three and four day cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. These all inclusive Caribbean Cruises often depart from ports in Orlando, Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Furthermore, these Caribbean sailing cruises have included stops in Freeport and Nassau. Many sportsmen have spent these cruises to the Caribbean golfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and sailing while in Freeport. In addition, many tourists have come to love the sandy beaches and swaying palm trees when lounging in Nassau during their cruises to the Caribbean. 12
Longer cruises to the Bahamas from New York may also include stops at Port Canaveral, Florida so cruise passengers can visit the Orlando Theme Parks and Kennedy Space Center; as well as a stop in Miami to enjoy the South Beach scene. Most cruise lines who cruise the Bahamas regularly include a day at their Private Islands. 29
Unlike any other vacation experience, Royal Caribbean?s Freedom-class of ships exclusively feature amenities that have revolutionized the industry, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the H20 Zone water park, a boxing ring, cantilevered whirlpools, and the four-bedroom/four-bath Presidential Family Suite. With eight restaurants and more than 15 bars and lounges, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas offer guests more ways to enjoy a memorable Caribbean cruise vacation. 36
Disney Cruise Line offers seven day cruise deals to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean. While in the Eastern Caribbean, Disney ships visit ports of call in St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. John and Castaway Cay, which is Disney's own private island. Magical discount cruise rates for these two sailings are offered throughout the year. 11
Carnival and Royal Caribbean often visit the Caribbean with special cheap cruise deals as well. Carnival's cruise specials to the Western Caribbean include three-, four-, or seven-day trips on a variety of its Fun Ships, such as the Imagination, Ecstasy/Elation and Carnival Triumph. Royal Caribbean discount cruises include four, six and seven night trips to not only the Western but also the Southern and Eastern Caribbean. 11
Carnival Cruise Line also offers a wide array of unique weekend getaway cruise deals to the Bahamas. These two or four day affordable vacations often depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and travel to Freeport or Nassau in the Bahamas. Besides being perfect excursions for swimming, snorkeling and engaging in other water activities, Carnival's weekend getaway cruise deals to the Bahamas are also ideal opportunities for those couples looking to rekindle their romance. 11
You'll find Bahamas cruises will depart from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral. Nassau is often included as a port of call on 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises as well. Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line both offer the Bahamas on unique 7-night itineraries departing from New York. 29
Mexican Riviera cruises 7-nights and longer and are offered on a seasonal basis October through April or May. Look to Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises for newest ships and the most regular sailing dates. Repositioning itineraries sail one way northbound in the spring and then again southbound in the fall and can be found on a wide variety of cruise lines. Norwegian Cruise Lines has introduced an 8 Night Mexican Riviera cruise that includes and overnight port stop in Acapulco and Celebrity Cruises has 10 Night Mexican Riviera Cruises from San Diego. 28
A marvel of modern cruise engineering, eighty percent of the Carnival Miracle's staterooms have ocean views and 80% of those have private balconies. Highlighted by an 11-story Metropolis atrium with a ruby-red glass ceiling, this "Fun Ship" features all of the fabulous dining, endless entertainment options and pampering service that make for a truly special onboard experience. Forget about small, a cruise on this ship will leave you thankful for BIG Miracles. 34
- References
- www.alldiscountcruises.com
- www.portofsandiego.org
- www.cruisenetwork.com
- www.cruisenetwork.com
- www.moments-notice.com
- www.destination360.com
- www.destination360.com
- www.travelshipcruises.com
- www.redtag.ca
- www.cheapoair.com
- www.cruisemagic.com
- www.cruisecheap.com
- www.starwardcruises.com
- www.alldiscountcruises.com
- www.cruisecheap.com
- www.cruisebrothers.com