 | Low: $330-$700 |
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 | Medium: $460-$850 |
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 | High: $900-$3,000+ |
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| Located southeast of the North American continent, east of Central America and west of South America , the Caribbean includes the Caribbean Sea, more than 7,000 islands and the surrounding coastlines. | | |
| Typical costs: | - A 3-4 day Caribbean getaway on a large, mass-market boat runs about $330-$700 per person double occupancy; for a midrange vessel it's around $460-$850: and luxury ships are $1,600-$3,800. Add $200-$500 or more for a suite rather than a cabin.
- A 7 day Caribbean cruise starts around $600-1,300 per person double occupancy; the next level up is about $1,200-$2,200; and luxury cruises can be $3,000-$5,200 or more. Again, a suite adds considerably to the cost.
- Longer Caribbean cruises of 10-14 days begin at $900-$2,900 for mass-market ships; run $3,000-$5,000 at mid level; and are $6,000-$12,000 and more for luxury vessels. A suite can almost double the fare.
- Cruise ships visit the Caribbean year round, with December-April the driest and most popular months. The cheapest times for a cruise are late summer and fall during hurricane season, but there may also be bargains in early December or spring.
What should be included: | - CruiseMagOnline.com gives a pictorial overview of the region. Although there's lots of overlap, cruise itineraries generally target three areas: the Eastern Caribbean, the oldest and most traveled route; the Southern Caribbean, perhaps the least known but slightly more exotic portion of the area; and the Western Caribbean, known for sun and surf, ancient civilizations and eco-oriented adventures.
- Eastern Caribbean cruises often depart from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale in Florida, but also leave from other East Coast ports ranging from Charleston to New York City. Itineraries often include stops in Key West, Florida, St. Thomas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Maarten/St. Martin, which also affords a chance to go island hopping. Many ships also stop in the Bahamas, which technically are not part of the Caribbean.
- Dominica is considered a garden of Eden; Grenada boasts a laid-back, small-town feel; and for smaller ships, Bequia and St. Vincent offer unspoiled wild beauty. CruiseCritic.com lists some outstanding excursions in the region.
- Western Caribbean cruises depart from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Tampa Florida; Galveston or Houston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Mobile, Alabama. Western Caribbean itineraries offer tremendous variety--vibrant cultures, natural wonders, Mayan ruins and famous resorts. Among the ports visited are Key West, Florida; south and west of the US mainland are Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Jamaica.
- More off the beaten track is Belize (formerly known as British Honduras); as well as ports along Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.CruiseCritic.com provides a roundup of Western Caribbean cruises.
Additional costs: | - Be sure port taxes (which vary depending on location) and all other fees are included in the quoted fare.
- On-shore activities are extra, and prices vary depending on whether you choose to explore on your own or pick a planned excursion.
- Onboard tipping adds $5-$10 daily per traveler, or an additional $70-$140 for a couple on a seven-day trip. Some cruise lines, such as Radisson Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar, include tips in the price.
- Luxury ships generally include everything except bar tabs and port excursions, while lower-priced vessels may charge for special shows, restaurants, spa treatments or other shipboard amenities, potentially doubling the total cost.
Discounts: | - For more adventurous or independent travelers, the British easyCruise.com offers bare-bones Caribbean cruises of 3-7 days for $55-$140 (meals extra).
- Many cruises offer discounts for seniors or early reservations. If traveling with family and friends, ask about group discounts.
- Look for last minute bargains on cruises that haven't sold out.
Shopping for a caribbean cruise: | |
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Article updated March 2007 |
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