It used to be that winter was the most expensive time of year to cruise for those of us who live in North America, and winter cruise discounts and bargains were rare. The new millennium has seen over 30 new cruise ships launched, and more berths, i.e. "supply" means lower prices until the "demand" catches up. With all of the new ships this decade, many of the cruise lines are featuring different itineraries, home ports, and destinations.
More ships cruise to Caribbean islands than to any other region in the world, and Caribbean cruises offer their vacationers crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, abundant water sports and duty-free shopping.
The adventure of exploring the islands of the Caribbean archipelago has fulfilled the curiosity and need for variety of many the travelers over time - and still does today! Destination-skipping or "island-hopping" is easy within the Caribbean as the islands lie close together. There are inter-island ferries, ranging from old-fashioned schooners, where visitors rub shoulders with islanders, fresh produce and crates, to modern hydrofoils that whisk you between islands in air-conditioned ease.
Western Caribbean cruises can take you to see Mayan ruins on Mexico's Yucatan coast, snorkeling in the barrier reef off the coast of Belize or to Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach. Southern Caribbean cruises can take you to the varied landscapes of Aruba, the rain forest of Martinique or the beautiful beaches of St. Thomas. Eastern Caribbean cruises may call on ports in the Bahamas, San Juan, the Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos.
On the reason that so many people cruise Caribbean islands, you'll find the most competitive pricing and the best per-diem rates on a Caribbean cruise. This is especially true in the fall - just before the start of the peak Caribbean cruise season - when ships return to the Caribbean from Alaska and Europe.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but with the sophisticated radar and weather-tracking systems found on larger Caribbean cruise ships today, there is little cause for concern. Ships can easily change course to avoid storms and will substitute alternate Caribbean cruise ports if necessary.
The Caribbean is blessed with continuously balmy, pleasant weather, making it a year-round cruising destination. Caribbean cruises last from four to fourteen days. Many ships will alternate seven-day eastern and western itineraries, giving passengers the option of purchasing two back-to-back cruises and remaining on one ship for a fourteen-day sailing. Caribbean cruises have a distinguished feature of particularly kid-friendly atmosphere, which makes them an ideal option for family getaways. Most ships have children's programs, youth counselors and children's activity centers.
During cruise guests are enjoying spacious, ocean-view accommodations, most with private veranda, award-winning gourmet cuisine, personalized service, warm hospitality and unmatched selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, twenty four-hour room service, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet and all gratuities.