Travel Destinations

Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings, a travel industry powerhouse.  We are proud to be a part of world’s leading cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company.

We match our customer’s needs and desires with the right destination.  It’s all about matching you with the right vacation. 

Which shore excursions should you to do at certain ports?  What place is better for shopping?  What is the best beach?

Climate weather considerations – when is the best time to travel to a particular destination?

Time Zones

When cruising internationally, the 24-hour clock is used.  International date line is in the Pacific.  Ships crossing the Date Line will actually gain or lose a day when they cross it.

Which countries follow daylight savings time, as it will affect the ship’s time and how long it will take to get to a destination.  This is most important when looking at trips to South America, Europe or Asia.

Ship time – some ships stay on the same time zone the entire cruise – even though they may go into different time zones, they may keep the same time throughout.  Others switch to the local time zone of the port they are visiting.

Weather considerations on Caribbean itineraries - 

Cruise itineraries are divided into seasons.  High season is typically around mid-December to mid-April.  Little rainfall, with temps in the low 70s to mid-80s.  crowds are typically larger during the high season.

Shoulder season – late spring and fall.  Some milder temps, especially in northern Caribbean, not much of a variance in the southern Caribbean.  Less busy time than during winter months and is a great value for cruising.

Low season – Typically right in middle of summer.  Rain is possible. Humidity and temps could be quite high.

Hurricane season – cheapest time to travel – June 1-November 30, although September and October are peak times for hurricanes.  Southern Caribbean has the least number of hurricanes (Aruba, Curaçao or Bonaire) and are rarely affected because of their proximity to the equator.

Alaska – Summer season is the only available season to cruise in Alaska.

Shoulder season – May-Sept.  some snow and may be quite cold but you will see cheaper rates and may be a great time to see Alaska.

Mediterranean – summer is high season. Can get very hot.  It is when a lot of Europeans vacation and many close their shops during this time.  Shoulder season – spring and fall.  Can save a great deal on cruise and airfare. 

Baltic and British Isles.  Summer season when temps are very mild.  Late May early June through August and early September.

US – popular destination for adults is Los Vegas. 

Florida – Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and port Canaveral.  Of course, Orlando for family vacations.

Hawaii – land package or cruise.  Can take quite a while to get from west coast to Hawaii, unless you go with the option of a port departure from Honolulu and it is a 7-day cruise on Norwegian.

Alaska – cruise only, sometimes departing out of Vancouver or Seattle, or it might be a cruise tour package which includes not only the cruise but great spots where you can get off the ship and go into the mountains and see the wildlife.  An outdoor person’s dream vacation is a cruise tour in Alaska

Caribbean – most popular cruise itinerary.  A variety of itineraries starting at 3-4 days or 7-10+ days for longer cruises.  There is a cruise itinerary that will satisfy every person.

Mexico – may be part of cruise itinerary.  Land vacations all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas on west coast

Europe – major destination spot for all Americans.  Mediterranean cruise is sort of the gold standard, introductory cruise for so many people where you can see great ports such as Barcelona, Naples, Rome or Florence.  This is sort of a starter cruise for many people and a great way of getting an introduction to Europe.  These cruises go even further and you may even reach the Greek isles which include Athens or Mykonos or Santorini – possibly all the way over to Turkey. 

The fastest growing European cruise market is the Baltics, which is the northern part of Europe which almost always includes a stop in lovely St. Petersburg, Russia. 

When you talk about Europe, of course you will be talking about the fastest growing segment in the cruise industry - the river cruise market, which can take you down the rivers of the Rhine, Rhone or Danube, all great destinations and a chance to see a more intimate side of Europe.

The Caribbean

Three-day starter cruises usually are from Florida to the Bahamas.  You can’t really go any further than that in three days.   As you work your way south, you’ll see Cuba where the cruise industry is just starting to schedule itineraries.  Eastern Caribbean area includes ports of San Juan, St. Thomas, which is part of the US Virgin Islands.  Western Caribbean includes ports such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman Islands and Jamaica.  Southern Caribbean, which is almost to the coast of Venezuela, South America, and can include stops such as Aruba, Curaçao or Bonaire. 

When it is time to plan your next land or sea vacation, contact us at www.traveltourscruises.com.  We are a full-service travel agency.