According to cruise industry reports, the Caribbean consistently ranks as the most sought-after cruise destination. It’s easy to see why. There are countless reasons why Caribbean cruises are so popular, and cruisers keep coming back for more. Here’s why.
What’s So Great About Caribbean Cruises
Cruise Private Island
One of the best things about going on a Caribbean cruise is the chance to visit the cruise line’s private island. Most major cruise lines have their own private island, which makes for a hassle-free beach day.
The cruise ship either docks directly on the island, or you take a tender. Then, it’s just a short walk to the beach. The beaches are pristine, with white sand and turquoise water.
On the island, you’ll find lounge chairs, restrooms, restaurants, and bars. There is plenty to do on the island, whether you just want to spend the day relaxing on the beach or be out kayaking or snorkeling. The cruise ship staff makes it easy for you to do so. The best part is you don’t need to worry about safety, making it a super easy beach day.
Beach Vacation
If you absolutely love beach vacations, then a Caribbean cruise is definitely the best type of cruise for you. When it comes to Caribbean cruise ports, the main highlights are the beautiful beaches. After all, you go to the Caribbean primarily for the beaches, not so much for sightseeing or shopping.
On a Caribbean cruise, you get to visit many different beaches. It’s wonderful to spend a day at a local beach, return to the ship for dinner and a good night’s sleep, and then wake up the next day to visit another beautiful local beach.
Cruise Pool
One of the best things about going on a Caribbean cruise is lounging by the pool. Most of the time, when you’re on a Caribbean cruise, the weather is going to be pool weather. It is warm and sunny, perfect for swimming and relaxing poolside.
If you go on other types of cruises, especially to colder destinations, it might not be warm enough to make use of the pool. For example, during my Alaska cruise, I didn’t have a single day by the pool, and even on a June cruise to the British Isles, there was only one day nice enough for the pool.
Room Service in Balcony
One of the best things about Caribbean cruises is the option to have room service on your balcony. Having breakfast on the balcony is one of my favorite activities on a cruise.
This is possible on Caribbean cruises due to the warm weather. While, you go on an Alaska cruise, it can be too cold to dine on your balcony. It’s much more comfortable to have breakfast indoors!
Less Hectic
Caribbean cruises are more laid-back and less hectic than other cruise destinations such as Alaska and European cruises. That’s because there is not much to see in terms of sightseeing on Caribbean cruises, so there isn’t a lot of pressure to do much in one day!
While this might not appeal to everyone, I personally appreciate the freedom to take it easy without feeling the need to cram in any sights. It’s nice to be able to go shopping, relax on the beach, or simply stay on the cruise ship without any guilt. A Caribbean cruise is definitely so much more relaxing than other types of cruises.
Easy to Get to a Departure Port
One convenience of Caribbean cruises is the accessibility of the departure ports. Most Caribbean cruises set sail from Florida, and there are usually plenty of reasonably priced flights available to get there.
Aside from Florida departure ports, many Caribbean cruises depart from East Coast ports like New York, Baltimore, and Virginia. Plus, there are also Caribbean cruises departing from Texas and Louisiana.
For many cruise passengers who live within driving distance of a cruise port, getting to a port is as simple as hopping in an Uber. This makes it so convenient and cost-effective to go on a Caribbean cruise!
Cheaper
Caribbean cruises are much cheaper than other cruise destinations because there’s less pressure to book shore excursions. Many people on Caribbean cruises don’t book shore excursions since the main attractions are the beaches, not sightseeing.
If you do add something extra, it’s usually not expensive, such as kayak or snorkel gear rentals. As a result, most of your extra vacation budget isn’t spent on tours. Your main expenses at Caribbean cruise ports are minimal, typically just the cab ride to the beach and possibly the rental of an umbrella and lounge chair.
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Packing is Easy
When it comes to packing for a cruise, Caribbean cruises are the easiest to pack for. After all, you really only need shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits, flip-flops, a hat, and sunblock. That’s it!
While packing for an Alaska cruise is more complicated due to unpredictable weather and varying types of outdoor activities. For example, you will need snow boots for walking in the snow and water shoes for kayaking on a river.
Even a Mediterranean cruise requires additional planning, such as bringing a head covering for mosque visits and an anti-theft crossbody bag to prevent pickpocketing. Packing for a Caribbean cruise is definitely so much easier than packing for other types of cruises! Check out our Caribbean cruise packing list with free printable checklist.
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