As the cruise industry moves to a worldwide existence,
cruise guests are offered more selections than ever before. With that, the
thought of taking just a Caribbean cruise might seem rather docile by today's
industry standards. But actually there has never been a better time for
your group or you to reconsider taking the Caribbean cruise for a number
of reasons.
There is a renewed interest because there are more itinerary
variations and departure ports than ever before, with some of the biggest
and most technically advanced and designed ships sailing to the Caribbean.
Finally, a Caribbean cruise still offers one of the best cruise values around.
In the 1980's when modern day cruising really began to
take hold, Caribbean itineraries really only offered three choices: Eastern,
Western and Southern.
The refocus on homeland cruising has made Caribbean cruise
itineraries even more accessible and has added to the variety of choices
available. To sail to the Caribbean, your group can depart from Tampa, Port
Canaveral, Galveston, Fort Lauderdale, Mobile, Norfolk, Baltimore, Jacksonville,
Charleston, New England or even New York in addition to the Traditional
Port of Miami departures. Cruising has really become an easy vacation considering
how accessible the ports are.
The best thing about cruise lines is their ability to
help create new destinations. When NCL started the Out Island concept in
1977 with Great Stirrup Cay, other cruise lines followed. Royal Caribbean
eventually created an out island experience beyond the traditional Bahamas
Island with Labadee, located on the north shores of Haiti, Hispaniola.
Earlier this year when Holland America Line's newest
ship, Noordam, sailed into the Caribbean's newest port facility, the Grand
Turk Cruise Center in British West Indies, she made history. It was the
officially opening of this new state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar facility,
which serves as a gateway to one of the loveliest islands in the Caribbean.
This new port facility accommodates two large Super Vessels, and also features
a 13-acre complex, complete with an 800-foot white sand beach, array of
shops, cabanas, and swimming pool. It's also home to the Caribbean's largest
'Margaritaville' themed bar and restaurant, owed by Jimmy Buffet. The new
Grand Turk Cruise Center was developed and is operated by Carnival Corporation.
In addition to cruise lines creating new ports, they
keep adding new destinations to their itineraries. Princess Cruises, for
instance, offers a Western Caribbean itinerary aboard Grand Princess that
includes Belize, and Roatan, Honduras, as ports of call. Other ports that
are beginning to be featured on more cruise lines' itineraries include Tortola
in the British Virgin Islands, Bonaire, St. Vincent, Trinidad, Costa Maya,
and 'up-and-coming' port near the ancient Mayan cultural centers, and La
Romana in the Dominican Republic. There really is not a 'traditional' Caribbean
cruise itinerary anymore.
The Caribbean has customarily offered the newest fleet
additions, and it's getting even better. The bar has been raised again with
Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. This new 3,600-passenger ship, now
the world's largest, was designed to offer high-quality, choice filled and
active cruise choice for guests, with even more exclusive features. Activities
include the new outdoor H20 Zone water park for kids, but adults are by
no means ignored. The Solarium offers an adult-only environment and, like
the Voyager class design, there are two pools side by side, with one designated
for water sports. In addition to the mainstay features of a rock-climbing
wall and ice-skating rink, Freedom of the Seas also has a boxing ring and
the first ever to have surfing onboard with the much anticipated FlowRider.
For groups that might not want a ship as large as 'Freedom
of the Seas', other cruise lines are still adding tonnage to their fleets.
Holland America Line's newest ship, Noordam, takes on a different cruise
viewpoint. The Noordam, which is the first Holland America Line ship to
be launched with the full complement of Signature of Excellence enhancements,
exemplifies the classic style of the golden age of ocean travel with contemporary
amenities and modern enhancements.
Caribbean cruises still tend to offer the most affordable
rates. The industry now has more and larger ships than ever before, and
that makes it possible to have 21st century cruises at the 1980's prices.
Booking early is still the best option for securing space
and the best rates. Even with the increasing number of ships sailing and
throughout the Caribbean starting later in the fall when ships move back
from the other parts of the world, demand is high. Taking a cruise vacation,
especially to the Caribbean, is one of the best vacation and group vacation
values available.
