Beauty spot
As far as cruising goes, few regions can match the Caribbean for the sheer variety of destinations and experiences on offer, writes Marilyn Jones.
Swaying palm trees, sugary white-sand beaches and turquoise seas frame every Caribbean experience. Add to this the unique personality of each island and tropical weather year-round and you have the perfect destination for natural beauty, relaxation and cultural discovery.
One of the best ways to experience the Caribbean is on a cruise. There are more than 7000 islands in the Caribbean, which is bordered by the United States, Mexico, Central America and South America in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Some islands are lush, with rainforests and mountain trails, while others have desert climates. Cruise ships stop at about 40 islands including The Bahamas. Some islands have several ports.
Homeports where ships depart for the Caribbean include New York City; New Orleans, Louisiana; Galveston, Texas; Charleston, South Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Convenience of sailing
unique character. I have rumbled along Aruba’s desert roadways in a four-wheel drive truck, rescued baby turtles on a sun-kissed beach in Cozumel, Mexico, snorkelled in Belize, explored caves in The Bahamas and learned about pirates in St Thomas.
The longer the cruise, the more islands you experience. A seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary from Galveston, for example, takes passengers to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. An eight-day Eastern Caribbean tour includes Key West and three stops in The Bahamas.
Personally I enjoy learning about island history including the indigenous population, European domination and current political ties. For example, the ABC islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao – located just north of Venezuela are governed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba is known for its beaches and
Bonaire is popular with divers. Curaçao is the largest and wealthiest island of the three.
In many cases tourism is the largest industry on an island. Locals are always friendly and appreciative, and merchants, restaurateurs and guides speak excellent English. American dollars and credit cards are accepted for services and purchases.
Often a day or two goes by in between ports of call. Cruise ships offer everything from swimming pools, water parks and basketball courts to casinos and shopping. There is also a wide variety of organised activities including dance lessons, karaoke, trivia contests, evening entertainment and comedy clubs.
When to take a cruise
Many people avoid the Caribbean during hurricane season June 1 through November 30, with a peak activity period from late August through September. But if a tropical storm or hurricane forms in the Atlantic, ship captains change their course to stay out of danger’s way.
In 2012 when Hurricane Sandy was still a tropical storm, the captain of the ship I was sailing on changed the ports of call, avoiding Jamaica and Grand Cayman by substituting Key West and Costa Maya. The itinerary changed and passengers were kept safe.
Caribbean cruises are offered yearround. The most popular cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Viking Cruises. They all regularly offer discounts and sales.
If you’re looking for an inviting, culturally rich, fun adventure, look no further. The Caribbean is a great destination.
For more information on Caribbean cruises, visit travelassociates.com.