HIT THE OPEN SEAS AND EXPLORE THE WORLD - FIND THE CRUISE OF YOUR DREAMS BY EXPLORING NEW PORTS OF CALL FROM THE GALAPAGOS TO THAITI TO ST. MAARTEN TO AROUND THE WORLD!
- St. Lucia is one of my dream cruise destinations!
I love, love, love cruises! How else can you see multiple destinations at such an affordable price? Seriously though, if island hopping the Caribbean Islands is something you are into you should consider a cruise.
And it really is so incredibly easy to
find the cruise of your dreams because the number of cruise companies has increased significantly over the past few years. You now have companies that specialize in specific regions, different aspects of travel, themes, packages, etc, so however you want to tailor your cruise there is a company that can do it.
With that being said, it can get a little over whelming trying to figure out which cruise line is right for you...especially for Caribbean travel...and that is why U.S. News and World Report put together a comparative list of the 2015 Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean.
They go through the top 15 by giving you a brief description of what they are known for, then you can click on the link to get even more specific ratings such as Expert Ratings, Traveler Ratings, and Health Ratings. Check the article out
here to
find the cruise of your dreams!
ANOTHER METHOD OF FINDING THE CRUISE OF YOUR DREAMS IS BY CONTACTING A TRAVEL CONSULTANT WITH UNITED MILITARY TRAVEL.
They first will find out what your pre-approval loan amount is and then you two will go into details about the area, activities, trip duration, amenities, and such to completely customize the cruise of your dreams.
United Military Travel finances cruises with all of the major cruise lines including: Carnival Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and many other smaller cruise lines and charter cruises. Many cruise lines offer military discounted cruise fares and we can help you book these military discounted cruise tickets! United Military Travel's knowledgeable staff is able to inform you about the cheapest way to enjoy your cruise, while keeping an affordable monthly payment. We know travel tips and secrets to keep the cost of your cruise low from the many years of cruising and booking experience our staff has.
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ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR IN DESIGNING THE CRUISE OF YOUR DREAMS IS WHEN TO CRUISE!
YOU NEED TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS BEFORE BOOKING: PRICE, WEATHER, HOLIDAYS, SUMMER, AND PASSENGERS.
Price: The cheapest rates for Caribbean cruises are typically offered between September and early January with the exception of holiday weeks. Bargains are also found between mid April and the end of May. Bargains are particularly good during the fall, which is peak hurricane season. If you don't mind a possible itinerary change or cancellation of the cruise because of a storm take advantage of these rates. You may also miss a port over the winter when seas have a greater chance of being rough, which is why the bargains run through the beginning of January.
Weather: The Caribbean is temperate all year round, but it can get chilly in the winter and make swimming uncomfortable. So if you planned on spending your vacation taking advantage of the region's excellent snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities, I would reconsider visiting in the winter. Sail during the spring or fall if you want to do water sports in warm temperatures but don't want to deal with excessive summer heat. Hurricane season extends through November, so it's best to choose spring to avoid potential tropical storms. Just like with any other method of travel, you are at a higher risk for flight delays or cancellations if you sail during the winter, so I recommend buying trip insurance.
Holidays: Do you love holidays? Many cruise lines decorate their ships for the Thanksgiving through New Years Day holiday season and have special on-board activities. Or do you hate holidays? Taking a cruise during the holiday season could mean you have to do less at home and your kids still get the festive feeling!
If you have children, they usually have some time off school during this period. They can cruise around Thanksgiving, Christmas or the New Year without missing schoolwork. School breaks also coincide with Easter and other holidays such as Presidents' Day. You will pay a premium to sail to the Caribbean during this period, but the trade-off in special celebrations or minimal disruption to your children's school schedule may be worth it.
Summer: Unless your children attend year round school, most schools have a break between May and August. Also, these months are when most employers make employees take their vacation time and the cruise lines know this - thus you will find their highest prices are during the summer months. But this may be the best time for you if you're under work constraints or have school-age child - just be prepared to pay premium price.
Passengers: If you prefer not to encounter a lot of children on your cruise you should sail during the school year. Cruises to the Caribbean usually last at least five to seven days. There are more adult passengers during this period because some parents don't want to take their kids out of school for that long....also its a nice escape for the parents! Most of the kids on board will be age five or below, and the overall passenger count will be lower. This means shorter waits for tendering into ports and less crowded dining rooms and other on-board areas.
OK - YOU HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO FIND THE CRUISE OF YOUR DREAMS, SO GET TO PLANNING!!!
