Travel | Vacation Guides

Archive for September, 2009

Escape The Cold-the Top Five Caribbean Cruise Destinations

The Caribbean is arguably the number one cruise destination in the world. The tropical chain of islands offers sun and fun with enough variety to keep it interesting and exciting. The tropical location keeps the temperatures warm while the ocean breezes make it comfortable. The exotic beaches mixed with luxurious accommodations make these truly island paradises.
The Caribbean encompasses over 7000 islands islets cays and reefs with an island chain that spans 2500 miles. These islands encircle the Caribbean Sea. The ownership of these islands was contested during colonial times and many of the territories changed hands several times before reaching their current status. Due to their location along the Western trade routes these islands have a rich history.

The top five Caribbean destinations will depend on the goals for your vacation. Most of the islands offer plenty of beaches for sun and relaxation. The tropical waters offer plenty of underwater enjoyment as well. Some of the islands offer lush tropical forests to explore or tall mountains to hike. The cost of entertainment on most of the islands is reasonable. The following are five of the most popular cruise destinations from last year.

1.When deciding to take a cruise to the Caribbean to escape the winter cold and blues the most popular choice has to be a multidestination cruise. A cruise that swings through several of the islands in a nice 7day vacation can give you the best variety. You will get a taste of the different cultures and each stop will leave you wanting just a bit more as any good vacation should. The time spent on the ship can be used for rest and rejuvenation between beach excursions that may include diving submarine voyages hiking biking or any number of other exotic adventures. The rich history and cultural diversity in the region makes each beach excursion a trip in itself.

2.Another very popular cruise destination in the Caribbean is Barbados. Barbados has a fairly constant 80degree temperature. This island has lush vegetation and great white sandy beaches. It has a good mix of historical sites and modern amenities. The people are very friendly and approach life with a laid back attitude. Plenty of duty free shopping abounds. Also water sports great resorts and a hopping nightlife make this a great destination for fun in the sun.

3.If nightlife excitement is what you are looking for then Aruba would be a good stop. The story on the seas is that Aruba is the Caribbean’s version of Las Vegas. Its upscale casinos and luxurypacked resorts will satisfy even the most expensive tastes. The trade winds help cool things off on the island as well. The dry arid climate promises sunny days for enjoying the beaches. This island knows how to treat its tourists which is why half of their gross national product is earned through tourism. Add to that a low crime rate and you have a great destination to relax and have some fun.

4.St. Lucia is another great destination in the Caribbean chain of islands. This is a good choice for sheer beauty. The approach to the island on the ship is breathtaking and the undisturbed nature on the island provides a glimpse at the past. Trails through the secluded coves and lush green vegetation offer a relaxing opportunity to reconnect with nature. The beaches are carpeted with golden sand. Don’t be mistaken however the capital Castries is a lively place. There are plenty of shops and attractions to keep even the most urban traveler busy.

5.The Dominican Republic attracts many people for its beaches. It does have the highest mountain in the Caribbean the 10164 foot Pico Duarte but it is the beaches and resorts that attract most of the visitors. The fairly constant tropical temperature ranging from 78 to 88 degree Fahrenheit is also a popular attraction. It is also a good destination for shorter cruises due to its close proximity to the U.S. It has a good selection of allinclusive resorts in the southeast. History can be found in the buildings in the capital city Santo Domingo. If kiteboarding and windsurfing is your thing then the Northcentral area of Cabarete would be a great place to visit. Overall if you are looking for sun and relaxation the Dominican Republic is a good stop.

Whether the goal for your vacation is just relaxing on the beach or hiking through the hills and jungles the Caribbean has a lot to offer. While a single destination cruise gives you the chance to fully explore an island a multidestination cruise will give you a taste of many different cultures. If you want to escape the gold and grey winter a cruise to the Caribbean is a great choice.

About the writer:  Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to vacations and the travel industry such as Caribbean Cruise Cruise Deals

Cruise Wear

A cruise is a time of relaxation good eating and sightseeing. Sailing on the high seas to see the islands of the tropics or Hawaii is exhilarating. A cool drink on the deck while enjoying the sun melts the troubles of your world away. The surrounding blue ocean shimmers as the giant cruise ship slices through the waves. As the boat docks at different ports the opportunity to see new beaches volcanoes the ruins of marvelous civilizations and life in a different city makes this vacation unforgettable.

Cruises include a smattering of different foods to eat. There are midnight buffets stocked with crab legs continental breakfasts every morning and three course meals for dinner. Dont be afraid to loosen that belt and enjoy the tastes of multiple cuisines. There are a million different things to do on the boat from relaxing by the pool to climbing a rock wall the only limit is your imagination. With a lovely group of staff members to assist you from all over the world; its near impossible to not enjoy yourself.

Hawaiian clothing is the most appropriate thing to wear on a tropical cruise. Whether its to the Bahamas Hawaii or the Caribbean a bright flowery designed shirt or skirt sets the mood for good time. The designs available are nothing short of festive. Shirts with flowers or swirled patterns are stupendous for an outing at the beach. Long dresses made with bright colors and tropical themed decorations are perfect for dinner engagements. Sarongs are available to keep your legs warm while you lay out on the deck to catch a tan. Late night excursions on the ship beg for bright tropical clothing.

Breathable and light Hawaiian clothing is exactly what the doctor ordered for warm days under the tropical sun. There is a definite chance of getting wet either from the ocean or the pool. The light material used to make the dresses skirts and shirts dry easily without shrinking or staining. Cotton silk and rayon are combined to create soft and breezy tropical wear. The lightweight clothing is ideal for packing. They reduce the weight of the luggage making it easier to transport. This will come in handy when returning from your cruise with all the souvenirs youll be bringing home.

A cruise is meant for relaxation and fun. Formality is tossed out the window as the salt water hits your nostrils and the smell of Pina Coladas radiate the air. A comfortable Hawaiian dress or shirt can make all the difference for a good time. Let the fun ensue on the beaches cruise ship and island destinations. Just dont be caught relaxing without colorful tropical clothing.

About the writer:  Set sail for the open seas with stylish cruise wear to keep you cool in more ways than one. Make sure you have Hawaiian clothing to engross yourself in the tropical climate. Find the right Hawaiian shirt or skirt for your next tropical vacation at Tropical Tantrum online or in Hawaii.

Cruise Ship Reviews

Are you interested in planning a cruise ship vacation but perhaps youre not quite sure where to start? Not a problem! I will be more than happy to assist you with that!

Lets explore three of the top cruise lines in the United States which are Carnival Cruise Line Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Line. First lets start with more information about the Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival Cruise Line is often known as the fun ships. This cruise line offers a wide array of fun practically endless activities to choose from and therefore it definitely lives up to its nickname! A Carnival cruise is a great choice for upbeat happy people who are looking to have a wonderful time.

The Carnival Cruise Line offers a wide variety of cruises to choose from. For example they offer 34 day trips to the Bahamas 4 or 5 day trips to Canada or Mexico 7 day trips to Alaska the Caribbean or the Mexican Riviera just to name a few. They have ships that deport from ports all over the U.S. including Miami Port Canaveral Tampa New Orleans Los Angeles and New York. Next lets take a look at the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. The Royal Caribbean Cruise line offers many exciting vacation packages! However they offer one especially great cruise that you may want to consider.

Its a vacation package that combines a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando Florida with a cruise to the Bahamas. This allows for lots of fun and excitement spread out over a 7 10 or 11 night vacation. Purchasing this package saves you a lot of money when you compare it to the cost of booking these two trips separately. While in Orlando youll enjoy the excellent accommodations at the Hard Rock Hotel. At Universal Studios youll get to experience such fun as going on The Simpsons Ride and seeing Shrek in 4D just to name a few! Last but certainly not least lets take a look at the popular Princess Cruise Line. Princess Cruise Line offers packages for a wide variety of exciting and beautiful destinations.

They offer trips to Alaska Asia Australia Europe and Hawaii just to name a few. Their Hawaiian cruise is especially popular. It deports from Los Angeles and takes you on an exciting 12 day tour of all of the Hawaiian islands. The Princess Cruise Line offers all kinds of fun activities onboard their luxurious ships. Feeling lucky? Try your luck at their casino! Are you an art buff? If so then youll be sure to love their onboard art auctions. Do you love to shop? If so youll be in for a real treat when you visit their onboard boutiques. They offer a great selection of designer brands that are dutyfree!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read these Cruise Ship Reviews and I hope that youve found them to be helpful! Also I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise ship vacation!

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;For more great information on Cruise Ship Reviews visit our new website www.allmytraveltips.com. And for more great articles visit www.thearticlenetwork.net today.