Caribbean Destinations

Captivating Caribbean Destinations

At Cruise Direct, they know that planning a vacation shouldn’t be a chore, it should be fun! By utilizing the latest advances in technology, such as live pricing and availability, they've made it as easy as 1-2-3 to research, arrange and book reservations online; without any hassles.

Their philosophy is that your vacation starts from the minute you visit their site. That’s why they have provided customers with rich, inspiring content to help ease the decision making process. They also work with the best suppliers in the business to ensure that you will always get the lowest price for your cruise. In fact, they’re so confident you won’t find a better rate, they’re willing to guarantee it! When it comes time to reserve the cabin you want, at the price you want, their booking engine makes the process fast and friendly. Yet even with all that the website offers, we realize that sometimes you need a helping hand. Their experienced support team and crew of sales agents are always just a phone call away, ready to assist you in any way they possibly can.

Royal Caribbean International Overview

Royal Caribbean International has been setting industry standards since its creation over a quarter century ago. While their itineraries have journeyed way past the islands of the Caribbean to ports of call all over the world, the company’s philosophy remains consistent: Offer every imaginable activity, to every conceivable destination on majestic vessels. They think of everything, from romantic moonlight dances to on board ice-skating, from outrageous comedy to on board rock climbing. We are confident that once you embark on an adventure with them you'll understand why a Royal Caribbean cruise is "Like No Vacation On Earth".

Recommended For

Almost anyone taking a first cruise. Those who like large ships or want an array of options with a touch of class. Those who want to be active and sociable. It's also ideal for families with several generations traveling together, as the diversity of shipboard activities and programs provides something for every age.

All About Caribbean Cruises

Caribbean cruises are the most popular of all cruise destinations. And there are good reasons that they are the cruise destination of choice. Caribbean cruises offer you intriguing ports of call, beautiful white sandy beaches with azure blue water, all while enjoying the supreme service aboard your magnificent cruise ship. Caribbean cruises offer many activities for all age groups, so it makes a great family cruise vacation.

During family cruise vacations there are activities all day long and they're free. You have already paid for it in the price of Caribbean cruise. You get all your meals, your cabin, and entertainment included in the price of you family cruise vacation. This is one of the many reasons Caribbean cruises are such a great value.

The best aspect of Caribbean cruises is that once you board your ship you unpack once for the entire trip. No schlepping bags from airport to hotel over and over again. You will be in a new island almost every day with the travel between each port done at night, while you sleep. What could be easier?

Most of the top cruise lines offer Caribbean cruises. Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America and Carnival all offer a great variety of Caribbean cruise vacations. There are very formal Caribbean cruises or the fun and casual party cruise. Caribbean cruises are good if you are looking for adventure, golf or scuba cruises. Or maybe you would like to go on a relaxing cruise to enjoy the sea on a sailing cruise. You could plan a Caribbean cruise as a second honeymoon, even the first honeymoon, or a family reunion, or a special anniversary. You don't even need an excuse to take a Caribbean cruise, do it just for fun. Or do it because there is five feet of snow and you need to see the sun and the sand.

Be sure to inquire about any discounted cruises for special groups, like teachers, police or fireman, or nurses. Many times a cruise line sees a certain cruise at a certain time of the year is filling up slowly so they offer special discounts to these groups. And if you belong to one of these groups band together, say as teachers from Pennsylvania and get additional discounts.

Now that you can know your Cruise terms, all you have to do is book one of the many Caribbean cruises that are offered. Book as a family cruise vacation, your honeymoon or anniversary or just because you want to experience Caribbean cruises.

Happy Cruising!

Cruise Suites - A Review of the Best

"Many of us can only dream of spending a fortnight in a top suite on our next cruise, but with the market becoming increasingly price competitive, we thought now would be a good time to compile a countdown of the ultimate luxury accommodations at sea!

There are a few things you'd expect to come as standard as a suite guest, such as a handy butler and pillow menu, but we have hunted high and low for those that go a whole lot further.

Our first entry comes from a P&O's Aurora. At 76,000 tons she is no super liner, yet still manages to have one of the most impressive suites to be found at sea. Situated at the very front of the ship are two exclusive Penthouse Suites. Spanning through two decks, the 937 sq. ft. suites comprise of two balconies, a sweeping spiral staircase, dining room, living area, Jacuzzi bath and a choice of a baby grand piano or a library, but most striking of all, the area is highlighted by floor to ceiling window and patio doors providing fantastic sea views.

At a modest 360 sq.ft. including balcony, you may wonder how Costas Samsara Suites made it into our top countdown. The answer is; size isn't everything. These suites may not have enough room to throw your own party, but they do have direct access to the biggest wellness centre at sea, covering more than 2000sq metres over two decks.

Suite guests receive a "welcome ritual" package which includes daily entry to the Thermal baths and Thalasso Pool, two spa treatments of their choice, two fitness or meditation lessons, access to the relaxation area plus table reservations at the exclusive Samsara Restaurant which serves a range of wellness foods. A stay in a Samsara Suite pretty much guarantees a truly relaxing cruising experience, and uniquely, one where you may just go home a few pounds lighter than you arrived!

Celebrity's Millennium class ships have dominated the prestigious Condé Nast readers' awards over the past four years, achieving the top four ranked ships in the world.

With that in mind, you would expect a celebrity suite to feature as one of our top spots. And it is well deserving of its place with a suite that is over 1400 sq. ft. Impressive enough, however, when this has a 1098 sq. ft. surrounding balcony providing 180-degree ocean views attached to it, makes this pretty outstanding!

The two suites, situated at the very back of the ship on Penthouse Deck, feature separate living and dining areas, baby grand piano, exercise equipment and a marbled bathroom with whirlpool bath. The suite is well equipped with entertainment facilities such as TVs, DVD player, music centre, fax machine and internet station. Your suite experience with Celebrity starts at boarding with priority embarkation and welcome champagne.

Runners up in our countdown are Cunard. Awarding the largest of the famous trio - the Queen Mary 2 -a liner boasting the most lavish suites afloat. Lucky guests accommodating either the Balmoral or Sandringham Duplex Suites can enjoy no less than 2249 sq. ft. of luxury. Spread across two floors, you can expect to find an oversized balcony, marbled bathroom and expansive living area downstairs. This truly is a home away from home.

Cunard has also reserved areas of the ship for suite guest's access only, the Queens Grill for single seating dining and the Queens Grill Lounge - thus preventing any unpleasant encounters with lesser cabin accommodators! (Or maybe just a nice quiet area for suite guests to enjoy)

We are near approaching the end of our countdown, and so far we have seen some of the biggest, most luxurious and innovative accommodation at sea. So, it has to be something pretty spectacular to be awarded our top spot.

How about a 5750 sq. ft. three bedroom, three bathroom area that can sleep up to six but entertain up to 100 people? Announcing Norwegian Cruise Lines Garden Villas! A collection of 10 unique suites situated up on their own deck, each with private garden, sun deck and hot tub with alfresco dining and exclusive access to a courtyard area with private pool for you and your neighbours only.

Each contemporary, oversized villa has a lavishly decorated living room, dining room and an incredible bathroom, all framed with windowed walls for amazing sea views.

So there is, in our opinion, the best accommodation currently at available sea. And if your budget doesn't quite stretch? Well, what harm is a little indulgent day dreaming?"

Genna Roberts is Web Editor at Inside Cruise.

Alaska Destinations

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