Are you planning to go on a Caribbean cruise? Before booking your cruise, you need to be aware of a few things about Caribbean cruises. This will help you plan your vacation.
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It’s Cheaper than Other Cruise Destinations
One good thing about going on a Caribbean cruise is that it is usually more affordable than other cruise destinations. One reason for this is that you won’t need to spend extra money on shore excursions. In the Caribbean, it’s all about enjoying the beach, and you can do so without expensive guided tours. Beach visits are cheap, and you can easily get there on your own by taking a cab.
Also, Caribbean cruises tend to be shorter, which means your overall vacation costs will be significantly lower. You’ll spend less on the cruise fare, gratuities, and extras like drinks. As a result, Caribbean cruises are more affordable than cruises to other destinations. It’s perfect for budget travelers.
Weekend Cruises
The great thing about Caribbean cruises is that they can easily be squeezed into work vacation schedules. This is because there are plenty of weekend cruises available to the Caribbean.
For example, you can go on a Royal Caribbean cruise for as short as three nights from Miami, Los Angeles, or Port Canaveral. These short cruises make it easy to fit in a Caribbean getaway.
Easy to Get to a Departure Port
Before booking your Caribbean cruise, make sure to check where your nearest cruise port is. You could save money by avoiding the need to fly if you can drive to a nearby port instead.
One of the best things about going on Caribbean cruises is that it is easy to get to a departure port. There are many cruise ports to choose from, ranging from Florida to East Coast ports like New York, Baltimore, and Virginia. There are also departure ports in Texas, Louisiana, and Los Angeles. This means many passengers can simply drive to a port or take an Uber, making it incredibly convenient and affordable to go on a Caribbean cruise!
Party Cruise
One thing to know is that Caribbean cruises are known for being more of a party cruise compared to other cruise destinations, especially the shorter ones. They tend to attract the younger party crowd.
That’s because Caribbean cruises are more attractive to the younger demographics because they are cheaper and shorter, and there are more departure ports to choose from. Making it easier and less expensive to go on a Caribbean cruise since you don’t even need to fly.
Spring Break
If you’re considering booking a Caribbean cruise for March or April, remember that you’ll likely be sharing the ship with lots of college spring breakers. If that doesn’t sound like your kind of crowd, you might want to stay away from Caribbean cruises during these months. Instead, go on an Alaska cruise or a European cruise.
Beach Vacation
On a Caribbean cruise, the main draw is the stunning beaches rather than sightseeing or shopping. If you’re a beach lover, a Caribbean cruise is perfect – you’re essentially going on a cruise ship to island hop. You’ll have the chance to explore numerous Caribbean islands and beaches during your cruise. However, if you prefer a more sightseeing vacation, you might find Caribbean cruises boring.
Easy Vacation for Families with Kids
If you are cruising with kids, a Caribbean cruise will be much easier and less hectic for you. That’s because you will not be going on a cruise where you are booking back-to-back sightseeing tours. In fact, there is no sightseeing to do when you are on a Caribbean cruise!
It’s all about the pool and the beach, which is very kid-friendly. Trust me, your kids will be much happier spending their day at a beach than spending the day touring sights and attractions! A Caribbean cruise is definitely a more relaxing vacation for their entire family.
Relaxing Vacation
A Caribbean cruise is for you if you want a more relaxing cruise. Caribbean cruises are less hectic and more relaxing than Alaska and European cruises. That’s because there is not much to see in terms of sightseeing on Caribbean cruises, so you won’t be tempted to do a lot in one day! Caribbean cruises are all about relaxing on the beach!
First time going on a Caribbean cruise? Need help planning? Get your 27 Page Caribbean Cruise Travel Planner.
Cruise Private Island
When you go on a Caribbean cruise, you’ll most likely visit the cruise line’s private island. Most of the big cruise companies have their very own private islands. These islands are clean and beautiful with pristine white sand and clear turquoise water. They’re safe, too, since only cruise staff and passengers are allowed.
On top of that, there are plenty of amenities on the island. The cruise line will provide lounge chairs on the beach. There will be plenty of restrooms, restaurants, and bars. They’ll even organize a buffet lunch on the island, so you won’t have to go back to the cruise ship for food.
There’s plenty to do on the island, whether you’re just looking to relax on the beach or go kayaking or snorkeling. The cruise ship staff makes it easy for you to spend a beautiful day on the beach. Check out 22 Things to Pack in Your Cruise Private Island Beach Bag (Free Packing List)
Hurricane Season
If you’re planning a Caribbean cruise, you need to be aware that the hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. What this means is that when you sail during hurricane season, there will be more uncertainty. There is a higher chance of encountering rainy, dreary weather, choppy seas, and rough water.
This could put a major damper on your Caribbean cruise vacation especially if you are envisioning sunny beach weather. Plus, if you’re prone to seasickness, you should try to book a cruise that is not during the hurricane season. Otherwise, if you do, you need to take some extra precautions to make your cruise vacation as comfortable as possible. Check out Should You Go on a Cruise During Hurricane Season? Pros and Cons
Skip Ports
When cruising in the Caribbean, it’s common for cruise ships to skip ports, especially during hurricane season. Cruise ships will change their routes if there are any weather-related issues that could jeopardize safe sailing or docking on an island. You need to be flexible and keep an open mind since it’s common to skip ports and have more days at sea instead.
Easy to Pack
Packing for a Caribbean cruise is easy since you’ll be spending most of your time at the beach and pool. You only need shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits, flip-flops, a hat, and sunblock. It’s that simple!
Plus, if you’re departing from a cruise port that doesn’t require a flight, you can pack as if you’re going on a road trip. This means you don’t have to worry about overpacking or luggage weight. You can even bring full-size shampoo and snorkel gear without stressing about TSA rules and taking up too much space in your luggage.
Compare that to packing for an Alaska cruise or a European cruise. Packing for an Alaska cruise is trickier because of the weather and various outdoor activities. For example, you’ll need snow boots for sled rides on the snow and water shoes for river kayaking. A Mediterranean cruise also involves extra planning. For example, you need to bring a head covering for mosque visits and an anti-theft crossbody bag to prevent pickpocketing. Check out Caribbean cruise packing list (with free checklist printable)
Cruise Essentials
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Cruise Lanyard
Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!
Towel Bands
Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!
Power Strip
Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets! Please double-check with your cruise line, as some do not allow power strips and will only allow USB charger cubes.
Packing Cubes
Use packing cubes to make cruise packing easier. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. Unpacking is easy because you just need to take the cubes out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves—so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you don’t get your cubes mixed up.
Anti-Theft Cross Body Bag
This anti-theft crossbody bag is perfect for travel. It features a slash-resistant design and RFID-blocking technology for added security. It even comes with a side pocket to hold your water bottle.
Luggage Tags
For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.
Magnetic Hooks
Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.
Detergent Travel Packets
These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.
Anti-Seasickness
This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!
Caribbean Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our 27 page cruise travel planner to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
Cruise Travel Insurance
It’s smart to always buy cruise travel insurance. Get a quote for CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) if you are going on a cruise during hurricane season.
Wrinkle Releaser
Keep your clothes wrinkle-free and odor-free with these travel size Downy wrinkle releaser.
Shore Excursions
Cruise shore excursions are expensive, I suggest doing a quick price comparison with Viator to see if you can get the same tour for less.
15 Caribbean Cruise Mistakes to Avoid
Caribbean Cruise versus Alaska Cruise: Pros and Cons
25 Things People Forget to Pack for a Cruise