The Caribbean cruise holiday that’s got it all
Sail to the sun and stay at Universal Orlando Resort, from £1,299pp!
CASH-WISE cruise fans know that thinking ahead can often save them hard-earned holiday pounds, especially when they have an unforgettable itinerary in mind.
And great voyages don’t get much more memorable than a dreamy Caribbean cruise that starts or ends with all the pampering of a transatlantic crossing and includes a free, three-night stay in a brand-new hotel at the thrilling Universal Orlando Resort™.
These incredible itineraries for 2019 and 2020 are available now from £1,299pp — a remarkable low price that is sure to rise significantly next year.
For a small deposit, you can look forward to lazy days lying on sugarsoft white sand under palm trees, exploring colourful markets or snorkelling over rainbow-coloured coral, as you get to know a string of sun-drenched Caribbean islands.
Cruising across the Atlantic is all about inviting swimming pools, fabulous spas and Jacuzzi experiences, gourmet cuisine, luxurious cabins, attentive crew and amazing onboard facilities, from surf simulators to ice skating rinks.
There will be all the usual entertainment and more, from street parties to fabulous Broadway-type shows.
To top it all, there’s that bonus of a free stay at the new Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn and Suites, part of the amazing Universal Orlando Resort.
This deal is available only to those booking one of two special Caribbean itineraries aboard the fabulous Independence of the Seas, put together by experts Cruise1st, winners of a 2018 CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) award.
The new hotel is relaxed and easygoing, with a fun surf and beach vibe woven throughout. Guests enjoy exclusive benefits such as early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay, with fast, free transport to the three fabulous Universal Orlando Resort theme parks and Universal CityWalk dining and entertainment area, all just minutes away.
ABSOLUTE BLISS
CARIBBEAN cruising transports you to a world of absolute bliss, where you can sip rum cocktails on white sand and swim in warm, clear waters. The beaches circling the islands will leave you speechless and the calming beat of calypso drums will soothe your cares away.
Your cruise includes a visit to Royal Caribbean’s private resort, Labadee, on Haiti, an island blanketed in tropical foliage and vegetation.
While Labadee may serve as a picturesque playground for waterlovers, it’s also easy to find places that make you feel as if this is your own private natural kingdom.
Beautifully preserved Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, is guarded by hulking Spanish forts with dungeons ripe for exploration. Lose yourself in its warren of cobbled streets, with their cafes, shops and shady squares. Or head for the hills for scenic trails and crafts.
The past still echoes on lush St Thomas, a haunt of Blackbeard the pirate and Francis Drake.
Call at Fort Christian to picture life in the Dutch colonial era, or make the most of the duty-free shopping and sun-soaked beaches. At Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, be entranced by the Caribbean’s first French town, rich in colonial architecture.
Take a scenic train trip, snorkel in a bay that’s home to pelicans, shop for exquisite batiks, or chill to reggae rhythms with a coconut cocktail.
If you’re sailing transatlantic homewards, you’ll also call at Cork to see its hilly streets and hear the melody of Ireland’s most conversational citizenry.
Meanwhile, marvellous Independence of the Seas, the UK’s favourite ship, has just had a multi-millionpound makeover and is packed with a host of amazing features, from lavish entertainment to a huge choice of cuisine. It all adds up to an unforgettable cruise experience.