The Caribbean

World’s Most Popular Cruise Area

Lee Foster

As a cruise region, the Carribbean has no equal, and there are good reasons for this popularity. The weather is dependably sunny and warm year round. In mid-winter, especially, the sun and warmth is a welcome antidote to the weather farther North. No resident of the Caribbean could possibly understand the concept of wind-chill factor.

The major cruise season in the Caribbean is October through May. Some ships leave the Caribbean in May, traverse the Panama Canal, and sail in Alaska June through August, returning in September. The Caribbean can experience storms and hurricanes in late summer through early autumn, but modern cruise ships benefit from high-tech weather prediction, meaning they can hold their positions at sea during a storm, or even outmaneuver a storm.

Other such cruise regions as Alaska and the Baltic present only short summer cruise seasons. The Mediterranean and South Pacific could be said to compete with the Caribbean when it comes to sun and warmth, but they require a much longer air flight to get there.

Proximity of the Caribbean is a major virtue. Most cruises start out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, which both have easy air access from anywhere in North America. Travelers on the East Coast can even drive to Florida. Some Caribbean cruises depart from such other Eastern or Southern cities as Tampa or New Orleans, and still others begin deep in the Caribbean itself, especially from San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Caribbean is also an immensely interesting area to cruise because there are so many different islands to visit, each with its particular European historic overlay on a basically Black African heritage. The great sea powers-the Dutch, Spanish, English and French-each left their New World imprint on certain Caribbean islands.

With each subsequent cruise, it is possible to sample a new itinerary of islands. To help you choose a Caribbean cruise wisely, let's consider some overview thoughts applicable to all cruises, some comments of the major players dominating the cruise world in the Caribbean and then some of the diverse island destinations you might want to consider.

A cruise price includes your basic costs for accommodations, food, and entertainment. Drinks, tips (about $10-$15/day), Internet access and escorted shore excursions are among the hidden extra costs to contemplate. Of course, interliners get up to 80% off on cruises throughout the region.

Choosing a Caribbean Cruise

Choosing the right Caribbean cruise for you is a little like planning for dinner at a buffet restaurant: there are so many choices that you can't expect to consume them all at one sitting; however, there are some basic questions you want to ask.

How long do you want to go? It is possible to do short cruises for three to four days out of Miami or other locations. This is a good way to get started or to maximize your time if your vacation is short. The typical cruise will last a week and will depart from Miami. A ten-day to two-week cruise will allow you to see additional islands.

What type of ship is best? Most travelers will be cruising on one of the newer ships of such major players as Carnival, Princess or Royal Caribbean, which will be discussed shortly. The newer ships are large, carrying 2,000 to 3,000 passengers, and afford a range of choices in dining and entertainment that may surprise you. If you haven't cruised in recent years, you will be amazed at how the industry has been transformed by these new mega-ships; however, there are also smaller, boutique ships. Typical of these would be Wind Star, which has the romance of sails, carries only 128 passengers and can get you to smaller islands.

What islands should you visit? If you've looked into the geography of the Caribbean or have special interests, the itinerary and ports-of-call of the cruise ship could be a major aspect of your cruise decision. If scuba diving is your passion, Bonaire would be a terrific island to visit. If Dutch Colonial architecture intrigues you, the lovely port of Willemstad in Curacao will be memorable. Birders will delight in the Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad, where 430 species of birds have been recorded. There is even an "American" Caribbean to explore, the Virgin Islands. A stop in St. Thomas can allow you a day trip to one of the best U.S. National Parks-on the island of St. John-boasting some of the most gorgeous beaches on the planet.

Do you fit into a special group? For example, all the major cruise lines now have good programs for kids on cruise ships; however, as one might expect, Disney puts primary emphasis into kids and families on its cruises out to the Bahamas from its home port on the Space Coast near Orlando. If you're single, gay or lesbian, a golfer, a big- band fan, or whatever, there will be theme cruises from various companies that might fit your interests and affinities.

Major Players & Classic Itineraries

Three players dominate the world of Caribbean cruising and carry most of the passengers: Carnival; Princess; and Royal Caribbean. There are boutique players, such as Wind Star, and there are marginal players, which can be chancy. Some passengers choosing the marginal players have actually been stranded in recent years when the cruise company went bankrupt. It was not a pretty sight.

The major players all imitate each other in their classic itineraries. Only these major players have the survivability that has become a main factor in the cruise scene. You need to attract enough passengers so that you can generate enough capital, which will allow you to build the next generation of ships. If a cruise company can't do this, it is ultimately doomed. This is their problem, not your problem, if you stick with the major players. Just relax and enjoy your cruise.

Carnival has several ships operating in the Caribbean. Typical is the Carnival Spirit, sailing out of Miami to the Western Caribbean. This new ship is so fast, traveling at 23 knots, that it can comfortably motor all the way from Miami down to Colon, Panama and back in a one-week trip, with stops in Belize City, Belize and Limon, Costa Rica, plus a couple of days at sea.

Princess also has several ships in the Caribbean and has developed classic itineraries. For example, the Dawn Princess sails a Southern Caribbean excursion out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Because the passenger has already flown from Miami to Puerto Rico, the ship can put its time into island hopping, rather than long-haul transport. The Dawn Princess can take you to the Virgin Islands, St. Lucia and Grenada.

The alternative of small, boutique ships offer two major differences-a more intimate ship-board experience and more less visited ports-of-call. Wind Star is an example, though what will be the best on-board experience for you is a matter of taste. Wind Star will have far fewer people, plus upscale casual dining and a more cozy feel; however, don't be caught up with the assumption that smaller is automatically better. Many cruisers find that the new, large ships offer extraordinary choice in dining and entertainment. The Carnival Spirit offers a Florida stone-crab and steak specialty restaurant, something a small ship could never duplicate. Many large ships also have outside private balconies, which can be a special pleasure in the Caribbean, where you might want to linger outside on your private balcony to watch a sunset or a moonrise with that special person. The small ships, such as Wind Star, do offer a totally different port-of-call itinerary option. The large ships overwhelm small ports, requiring orderly but massive troop movements to get passengers on and off the ships. A small ship can slip into the island of Goffe's Caye, off Belize, or Los Roques, near Venezuela. Don't expect any Las Vegas-style evening on-board entertainment on Wind Star. It's all a matter of your taste when it comes to Caribbean cruising. Analyze the choices and determine what is best for you.

Cruising the Caribbean is one of the most popular travel options. Millions sample a Caribbean cruise and then return again and again. And when you ask why, they say that the area is so warm, the new cruise ships are so alluring and the diverse island destinations are so beguiling. Interliners often say, "The price was so good, I couldn't afford to stay home."

Travel writer Lee Foster's website is www.fostertravel.com. His latest guidebook is Northern California History Weekends (Globe Pequot).