Who would not want to enjoy the beauty and pleasure of an Eastern Caribbean cruise? The Caribbean has long been one of the hottest destinations for tourists, and the islands live up to their reputation for beautiful beaches, exotic scenery and wonderful, sunny weather. Few other cruise stops are as appealing as those found among the clear blue water of the Caribbean.

Many travelers are uncertain about which is the best type of cruise for them to take. They assume that the Caribbean is one large area of the world and one trip must be much like the others. This is far from the truth because there are some major differences in eastern and western Caribbean cruises.

You can visit the western or eastern Caribbean islands while on a cruise, it mostly depends on the length of your vacation and your departure city. Seven day/ six night cruises are the most popular choice of visitors who are setting off on a Caribbean adventure. These cruise packages give you enough time to visit several ports of call without feeling rushed. A  Caribbean cruise will present you and your family with opportunities to tour some of the world’s most popular islands, relax on snowy white beaches and swim in blue, crystal clear water.

Advantages of an Eastern Caribbean Cruise

An Eastern Caribbean cruise is well suited for individuals who want to experience more island life and much less sailing. These vacation packages are also the ideal choice for first time passengers and families. The sailing is smooth, the stops are frequent, and there is always a tremendous assortment of activities for kids and families to enjoy.

Eastern based cruises are set among islands that are relatively close together. This means that your cruise ship can make a stop at one island today and sail to a new location overnight. Western Caribbean cruises involve more sailing because the destinations are separated by more miles.

Departure Notes

The cruise ships that are heading out on eastern Caribbean itineraries generally set sail from a Florida port. Miami and Fort Lauderdale are two of the best known cruise centers on the eastern US coast. However these cruise ships also can depart from cities as far North as Baltimore and New York.

Destinations

Some of the islands that you may visit include the Bahamas, the Grand Turks, Barbados and the Virgin Islands.  There is also Puerto Rico and St. Martin/St. Maarten that may be listed on your itinerary. Saint Croix is not the hot spot it once was and few ships stop here, but this should change shortly. Disney is already announcing that it will be including this scenic island city on itineraries.

Some of the best shopping in the world takes place at Eastern Caribbean ports. Be on the lookout for great prices on jewelry. There are some special shore excursions that are offered at the different islands as well. Swimming with the Manta Rays is a unique opportunity for all ages to enjoy. Snorkeling trips need to be signed up for in advance, and you need to try at least one of these trips. The clear water and the brightly colored marine life provide you with a true, once in a lifetime experience.

How to Select the Best Deal

The major considerations for you to keep in mind when reserving your cruise date are the timeframe and cost. If you want to keep the overall costs low you can compare the cruise line prices online. If you sign at some of the cruise information sites they will keep you updated on the best deals and even mail you offers that include special discounted rates

Remember that all of your meals and lodging are included in the cost, but extras like shore excursion packages, special dining arrangements and even soft drinks can add a lot of dollars to the final price. Look for specials such as last minute cruise offers for added savings, and if you do not mind the lack of ocean views the inside cabins are very budget friendly.

Peak season for an Eastern Caribbean cruise is December-April and sometimes a ship is already booked months in advance for holidays that fall during these months. You can find that most cruise lines set sail throughout the year and if you want to take the kids on a family vacation in the middle of the summer is usually available.

June-August is the warmest months for cruising and you will discover some really great bargains are available. If you plan a cruise vacation during the hurricane season of June-November you need to remember that a wayward storm might dash all of your plans.

Eastern Caribbean ships are the ones that offer cruise passengers the most variety and the widest cruise selection. You can sign up for a weekend excursion or set sail on a cruise ship that will be at sea for 5-14 nights, the choice is up to you.