Caribbean Vacations: What to Expect on Your Tropical Getaway
October 6, 2010 by Caribbean Vacation and Island Tips
Filed under About Caribbean
Caribbean Vacations: What to Expect on Your Tropical Getaway
Every family deserves a vacation at least once a year. This is a great time to reconnect, de-stress and just plain have fun. With today’s hectic lifestyles, taking a family vacation is more important than ever. If you’re planning a vacation, consider an escape to the beautiful Caribbean. This tropical paradise has lured weary city dwellers for years, and for good reason. Keep reading to learn about the many appeals of a Caribbean vacation.
One of the best ways to experience the lush natural beauty of the Caribbean is on a cruise. This can also be an affordable option since many cruises offer all inclusive trips. So you and the family get to eat, drink, enjoy on-board entertainment and more all for one flat rate. Plus, you can travel multiple ports of call without the hassle of arranging flights and coordinating schedules. It’s a stress free way to see some of the most beautiful, unspoiled parts of the world. All while spending quality time with the people you care about most.
If there are little ones in your family, many Caribbean cruises cater just to their needs and interests. Mom and dad can escape for a glass of wine on the deck and take in a jaw dropping sunset while the kids enjoy games, meet new friends, and take advantage of other age appropriate onboard amenities. The ship’s specially trained staff provides expert child care and will keep your kids active and entertained all day long. This is especially great for parents whose little ones are too young to depart on ports of call during the trip.
There are plenty of amenities for grown ups too. Many ships offer top of the line spas serving up lavish treatments that are custom designed to melt your stress away. You can also hit one of the onboard fitness centers to burn off some extra calories, regain your center with a yoga class or enjoy a rousting game of racquet ball.
Speaking of extra calories, most Caribbean cruise ships offer an amazing array of restaurant options. You and the family can try something new every night of your trip. Picky eaters in your crew? Not a problem. Today’s cruise ships cater to vegans and vegetarians, and those with food allergies. Whether you want a fancy sit down dinner, or a casual slice of pizza, you’re sure to find just what you’re hungry for aboard your Caribbean cruise.
And you don’t want to miss out on the ship’s alluring entertainment options either. Shopping, bars, movie theaters, night clubs, coffee shops, and cigar shops are just a few of the attractions available. Â
Here are some sample itineraries:
Western Caribbean Cruise
This sort of cruise will often go for five nights, stopping in the following places: Roatan, Hondurus; Cozumel, Mexico; and a few other smaller islands while at sea. Accommodations will be updated and designed to revitalize you and your family. This means freshly-cut flowers, a menu of pillows to choose from, and upgraded bathroom amenities.
Eastern Caribbean Cruise
This sort of cruise generally goes for a full seven nights. It starts in Miami, from there, it will stop in Samana, St. Thomas, Tortola, Great Stirrup Cay and then head back to Miami. Brand new ships often take these journeys, and boy, are they decked out for enjoyment! We’re talking twelve places to eat, eleven places to drink, and lounges for all around hanging. Some cruise ships even boast on-board bowling alleys and rock climbing! For ships taking these longer trips, you’ll often find family-friendly connecting staterooms, perfect for keeping tabs on the kids but finally getting some peace and quiet at night.
Southern Caribbean
This sort of cruise generally goes for the full seven nights. It starts in the exotic port of San Juan, Puerto Rico. From there, it heads to Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas and back to Puerto Rico. Ships taking trips this long are often equipped with nearly 1000 cabins, all of which offer balconies to take in the sea views. These ships offer a variety of dining options (including 24 hour room service) – at restaurants where the kids will actually eat! There are always sporting events to participate in, theaters at which to watch the latest movie, and spas at which to get couples massages.
As you can see, the options for cruising the seas with your loved ones are endless! No matter what amount of time you have or where you plan to go, you can expect to be well taken care of. Cruise vacations allow you to be treated like royalty – and given your stressful day-to-day life, you deserve that sort of treatment!
Arlo Weaver is a freelance writer who writes about travel and leisure topics and planning tips, like travel agency selection.
Planning Romantic Vacations in the Caribbean: 6 Easy Steps
October 9, 2009 by Caribbean Vacation and Island Tips
Filed under About Caribbean
So, what do you need to do?
1 – Order Passports
Unless you have traveled out of the country before, you need to order a passport. Both you and your romantic partner need to have valid passports. You cannot travel by air to and from Jamaica without them. Passports take up to two months to arrive. Order them in advance.
2 – Decide Where to Travel
You already decided to travel to the Caribbean. Where in the Caribbean? You have so many amazing options. The Caribbean is a phrase that describes a beautiful and large area. Inside that area, you will find the Bahamas, Aruba, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, just to name a few.
If you do not have a preference, quickly examine and compare travel costs. Look for the cheapest. Or, examine nearby attractions and vacation resorts. Choose the destination that can make your travel dreams come alive.
3 – Decide When to Travel
As previously stated, a passport is required for travel to and from Jamaica from air. Since it can take up to two months for passports to arrive, give yourself this time. Book your Caribbean travel package at least three months in advance. Not only does this give you travel preparation time, but early reservations often result in the best deals and accommodations.
In addition to deciding when to travel, determine for how long. You can visit the Caribbean for as few as 2 days or as long as you want. On average, travel experts recommend that those on romantic vacations spend at least 5 days in the area. There is so much to do and see, but 5 days gives the best chance of enjoying most.
4 – Examine All-Inclusive Resorts
No matter where you travel to in the Caribbean, you should have all-inclusive resorts available. Closely examine these resorts. They are not like traditional hotels or vacation resorts. The costs will seem high upfront, but examine the package. You get more than just a hotel or resort room. The cost of accommodations, food, drinks, tips, and some forms of entertainment should be included. Yes, you do pay more for an all-inclusive travel package upfront, but you get the best value for your money in the end.
Since there are many all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, closely examine each. Choose the resort with the best travel deals and discounts, as well as the one that gives you your wants and needed. Do you want to spend your days relaxing by the beach? Opt for an all-inclusive beach resort. Do you want to spend your afternoons playing a game of golf on the green? Opt for an all-inclusive resort with an onsite golf course.
5 – Make Your Travel Arrangements
Once you have researched and compared your travel options, make the plans. If your all-inclusive travel package does not include airline reservations, make these first. Ensure you can get a flight down before paying for your hotel or resort. To get the best prices and the best accommodations, book travel plans well in advance of your trip. As stated above, do so at least three months in advance. This prevents any last minute surprises from hampering your romantic Caribbean getaway.
6 – Research Area Attractions
If you opt for an all-inclusive Caribbean resort, you are at an advantage. That advantage is you have the world within your reach. All-inclusive resorts are designed so you never have to leave! There is so much to do onsite. Beachfront resorts often have water skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and windsurfing available for guests. All resorts should be home to swimming pool and fitness center. Still, research area attractions. If you want to get out and explore the Caribbean island of your choice, have an idea of where to go. Know ahead of time if admission fees are charged, how to get there, and if the area is safe for tourists.
In short, you can easily plan a romantic vacation in the Caribbean in six easy steps. After these steps are complete, sit back and wait. Before the trip date arrives, pack your luggage. It really is as easy as that!
Thanks to Tony Hagar for contributing this article to our Caribbean blog:
