Cruise Geography

The Number One cruise itinerary in the world is the Caribbean.  The average American chooses the Caribbean as a first cruise.  Starter cruises to the Caribbean are 3-4 days, usually to the Bahamas.

Travel to the Caribbean has three distinct seasons:

• Peak Travel – Mid December to mid-April.  Weather is an average 80°F. with very few rain showers.
• Shoulder Season – May plus September-October.  Temps are lovely but seas may be rough due to tropical storms or hurricanes – more rainy days.
• Low Season – June-August.  Height of hurricane season

Cruise lines have the right to modify an itinerary if they see it is unsafe to travel.  Less ships are unavailable during summer months because cruise lines reposition their ships during that time.

Caribbean itineraries are separated into three categories:

·      Southern Caribbean. The Southern Caribbean stretches from the lush paradise of Dominica to the remote isles of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire.  With a deeper dive into the Caribbean, you can immerse yourself in traditional Caribbean culture and life, on islands pairing colonial influence with native charms.

Beautiful, Picturesque Island of Dominica

·      Eastern Caribbean. The laid-back Eastern Caribbean is home to many of the region’s most popular islands – gems like the US Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Antigua and the duel-country island of  Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.  Known for world famous beaches, stingrays and shopping, this is the perfect option for a sunny family vacation, reconnecting with loved ones.

Coming in for a landing at Sint Maarten Airport.  Runway is right next to the beach.
          The wildest place on earth to watch planes coming and going!

·      Western Caribbean. Unique destination s await in the Western Caribbean, where you’ll find Mayan ruins and eco-adventures in southern Mexico, gorgeous beaches and snorkeling in the island of Roatán and friendly spirit of Jamaica, Cozumel, Belize, Cayman Islands, among others.

Mayan Ruins in Mexico

Florida leads the market with Western Caribbean embarkation ports:

• Port Canaveral
• Ft. Lauderdale
• Miami
• Tampa

Caribbean cruises also sail from standard western ports of:

• New Orleans
• Galveston
• Houston

The ports of call visited during the cruise depend on the embarkation port, cruise line, and cruise length.  Western Caribbean cruises typically range from 4 to 8 days in length.  Longer cruises tend to have more ports of call but the following ports are standard on many itineraries:

• Cozumel
• Belize
• Roaten
• Jamaica
• Grand Cayman

All 3-4 day cruises will generally visit one port of call, usually Cozumel.  Five-day cruises will visit two ports of call, Cozumel typically being one.  The second port will vary by cruise line.  Seven-day cruises increase ports to about 4.  Longer cruises have a wider range of itinerary possibilities and may see any combination of port cities.

The Eastern Caribbean has seven embarkation ports:

• Boston
• New York
• Baltimore
• Charleston
• Port Canaveral
• Ft. Lauderdale
• Miami

Many clients are not aware of the location variety of ports to embark at, such as Bayonne Cape Liberty, a port in New Jersey.  Featured cruises include cruises to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Southern Caribbean, and autumn cruises to east coast US/Canada.

Embarkation ports may greatly affect cruise itineraries of same duration.  For examination, a 7-night cruise from Boston will have less port days than a 7-night cruise from Miami, because it takes more sea days to reach the Caribbean from Boston.

Stops can include:

• Bahamas
• Turks & Calicos
• Grand Turk
• St. Thomas
• Sint Maarten/Saint Marten
• St. Kits
• Antigua

Also unique to the Eastern Caribbean itineraries is a stop or two to the private island holdings of each major cruise line.  Each cruise may include 1-2 days at their all-inclusive private island, depending on the cruise length.  The following is a list of islands owned by each Cruise Line:

Disney – Castaway Cay

Meet and greet Disney characters.  Dining is included in package.

Norwegian – Great Stirrup Cay

Spend day on the beach or snorkeling, parasail or kayak.  Free BBQ/buffet

Holland America Line – Half Moon Cay

Shares with its sister cruise line, Carnival.  You have a unique opportunity to ride horses at sea.

Princess – Princess Cay

White sand beaches and typical shore activity such as clear bottom kayaking, snorkeling and sailing.  Free BBQ/lunch buffet.

Royal Caribbean - Coco Cay

Parasailing, snorkeling, relaxing in hammocks along the private beaches.  Aquapark and a large floating playground.  Plans are being made to build a new pier that will eliminate the need for tendering.  It will even accommodate the Oasis-class ships. In addition, a massive waterpark is also planned.  Completion is scheduled for 2018.

Royal Caribbean – Labardee, Haiti

Another private island owned by Royal Caribbean, this one has the world’s largest zip line over water, a 300-foot water slide, and private roller coaster.

Southern Caribbean Itinerary has the least amount of embarkation ports:

• New York
• Port Canaveral
• Ft. Lauderdale
• Miami
• San Juan (primary)

Southern Caribbean itineraries may repeat same port of calls as Eastern Caribbean itineraries …

• St. Thomas
• Sint Maarten/Saint Marten
• St. Kitts

This is not Photoshopped - an actual jet flying in for a landing at Sint Maarten airport, which happens to be right past the beach.

 … and may reach more southern ports of call:

• St. Lucia
• Barbados
• Grenada
• Dominica
• Aruba
• Curaçao

Southern Caribbean cruises fall within the 7- to 12-day range.  Cruises from Baltimore and north are longer because of the time it takes to get to the Caribbean.  These embark ports typically are 12 days.

What are the Nos. 2 and 3 most popular cruise itineraries?  Find out tomorrow!  Contact Travel, Tours & Cruises to schedule your dream vacation.