Caribbean Cruises By Arlo Weaver Article Word Count: 856 [View Summary] Comments (0) |
It can be hard to find time to relax even when you aren't stuck at the office. You work hard all day long and even if you don't have to take some of it home with you there are still a hundred other things you are going to have to deal with. Bills pile up. The house needs to be cleaned. You have to worry about your family and everyone else in your life. When are you going to get a break?
Usually this reprieve comes when it is time for a vacation. But planning your getaway can cause a whole new pile of stresses. You have to plan where you are going, how you are going to get there, where you are staying, and on and on. It can feel like a job in and of itself.
That is never the case, however, when you make your getaway a Caribbean cruise vacation. On a cruise it is all laid out for you so you can focus on what is important, relaxing. There is no worry about how you are going to get around and where you are going to stay because your transportation IS your accommodations!
There are all kinds of different Caribbean cruise packages that will satisfy people with a myriad of tastes and preferences. The important thing is that they all focus on taking it easy and letting you enjoy your valuable time off. Here are a few examples of Caribbean cruises that will give you some much needed time to relax.
Western Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises offers a relatively short and affordable 5-night cruise aboard the Celebrity Century. You will start your vacation leaving from Miami, Florida. Show up a couple days early to spend some time admiring the historic art deco architecture in South Beach.
Once you hit the high seas your first stop will be in the northern Jamaican town of Ocho Rios. Though once a fishing village this town now primarily caters to tourists. It has a wide variety of fine restaurants and nightclubs. There is even a place called Dolphin Cove where you can literally swim with the dolphins!
The next stop is Grand Cayman, largest of the Cayman Islands. The great thing about Grand Cayman is the variety. Stick to the west side of the island if you prefer the comforts of home with fast food restaurants and plenty of tourist amenities. If you are feeling adventurous, however, you can check out the eastern district restaurants that specialize in native Cayman Islands cuisine.
Even on just this five-day trip, you are sure to return suntanned and relaxed!
Eastern Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a slightly longer 7-night cruise of the Eastern Caribbean on their ship the Norwegian Pearl. You will leave from Miami with your first stop in Samana before heading to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
When you are crossing the street in St. Thomas, be extra careful. This is the only place under U.S. jurisdiction where the rule of law is to drive on the left side of the road! If you can make it across the street try and check out the Magen's Bay Arboretum. It has many exotic and rare plants including some that can only be found on St. John's.
After that it is off to Tortola, largest of the British Virgin Islands. Surfers flock to popular swells like Cane Garden Bay and Apple Bay. Get out there and catch a wave or just sit on the beach and take in some sun.
Great Stirrup Cay and its crystal clear 80-degree waters are your last stop before returning, chilled out and feeling great, to the city of Miami.
Southern Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has a great 7-night cruise of the Southern Caribbean on board the Serenade of the Seas. You will set sail from beautiful and historic San Juan, Puerto Rico. Get there a few days in advance so you can take some time to wander around the maze-like streets of Old San Juan.
Once everyone is on board you will head to Bridgetown and then to Castries, capital city of Saint Lucia. There are lots of historic landmarks in Castries to explore. These include the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Derek Walcott Square, and Fort Charlotte, located on the top of Morne Fortune hill.
This cruise ports in St. John's before heading on to Philipsburg in the Netherlands Antilles. One unusual attraction in Philipsburg is the short runway of the airport, located just by the beach. Planes have to fly unusually low (30-60 feet) over nearby Maho Beach to land. The jet blast from departing aircrafts actually causes artificial waves that are a hit with visiting and local windsurfers!
This cruise winds down in St. Croix before heading back to San Juan. You'll have had so much fun you won't be ready to go home!
If you feel like the stress of your days is finally getting to you. If you are looking for a trip that can please the whole family and allow you to just kick back and relax. Don't hesitate. Book your Caribbean cruise vacation today.
Arlo Weaver is a freelance writer who writes about travel and leisure topics and options such as cruise vacations.
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