Is a cruise a good way to see the Caribbean?

You Can Visit Multiple Cities in One Trip From the enchanting scenery of Grand Turk to the exciting island life and colorful markets of St. Lucia to the culture and architecture of Curacao, a Caribbean cruise is definitely the best way to see the Caribbean.



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Cruises can be a great vacation idea, especially if you're not overly interested in trip planning. One of the most significant benefits of a cruise is that much of the work is done for you, including the itinerary, dining and entertainment options.

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Island hopping is one of the best ways to see the vast beauty of the Caribbean. While you'll find a sun-kissed warm blue waterscape wherever you go here, each island has its own unique history, culture, and even distinct ecosystems.

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Caribbean Seasons
Rain is more frequent in the wet season, but the temperatures are warmer. Wet season and dry season are both good times to cruise the Caribbean. The worst time for a Caribbean cruise weather-wise is August to September, as it is peak hurricane season.

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The cheapest months to cruise to the Caribbean are May, September and October. The peak season for the Caribbean is December to April when it is driest – cheaper months tend to experience more rainfall and the risk of hurricanes causing changes to itineraries.

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And if you're starting and ending your cruise at different ports within the U.S. — or flying in to or out of a Caribbean country — you will need a passport. However, while many cruise lines may not require passengers to bring their passports, plenty recommend it, as does the U.S. Department of State.

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If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

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Whether you choose an oceanview or balcony cabin should come down to two primary considerations: price and itinerary. Can you afford the extra money you'll pay for a balcony? Or, even if you can afford it, would you prefer to spend that extra money on some other cruise experience (drinks, shore excursions, the spa)?

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Here are 18 of the most beautiful Caribbean islands.
  • 01 of 17. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. M Swiet Productions/Getty Images. ...
  • 02 of 17. St. Lucia. ...
  • 03 of 17. Grenada. NAPA74/Getty Images. ...
  • 04 of 17. Dominica. Derek Galon/Getty Images. ...
  • 05 of 17. St. Barts. ...
  • 06 of 17. Jamaica. ...
  • 07 of 17. Puerto Rico. ...
  • 08 of 17. Turks and Caicos.


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The Dominican Republic is the most visited island in the Caribbean. With its seemingly endless white-sand beaches, the Dominican Republic is a popular getaway for tourists searching for an idyllic vacation, plenty of outdoor adventure, and a tinge of colonial history.

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Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico are all considered least safe Caribbean Islands to visit.

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Most cruise lines charge between $400 and $4,000 for a 7-night Caribbean trip in a balcony stateroom. Remember that these cruise costs are only estimates, and that prices can vary greatly based on the cabin style, time of year, number of individuals in the room, as well as cabin placement.

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As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips. Fifty to a hundred dollars a day should be enough to cover small purchases, tips and snacks at each port.

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You absolutely do not have to do shore excursions on a cruise. You are free to come and go at will from most cruise ships while they are in ports of call. Shore excursions are simply one means to explore the areas visited by the ship and to participate in available activities off the ship.

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If your cruise leaves you behind, don't panic! Most major cruise companies have an agent at every port who will be able to assist you. In many cases, the boat knows that you aren't on board because you haven't checked in. So, they'll remove your essential belongings and leave them with the port agent.

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Using the example of a Norwegian Cruise Line 5-day cruise aboard Norwegian Encore, roundtrip from Miami in January and visiting Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, guests choose from several cabin categories. An inside cabin costs $399 per person, ocean view $769, and balcony $819.

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The cruise lines usually put their oldest vessels on their shortest routes, so in order to go on the nicer ships, you need to primarily do a seven-day or longer cruise, Speer said. Longer trips also give first-time cruisers more time to get oriented.

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