Caribbean Cruising

There is no better way to sample the different countries of the Caribbean than by cruising the blue waters from the comfort of a cruise ship.  There are 7,000 islands in the Caribbean Sea, lying between the southern tip of the eastern United States, and the north coast of South America, the whole area stretching for more than 2,500 miles.  The average surface temperature of the Caribbean Sea is 29 degrees.  On land there is an average temperature of just over 25 degrees all year round.

There is a great diversity amongst the various Caribbean islands, and influences from many different settlers.  The islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Barthelemy and St Martin are all "Departments d'Outremer" of France; there are the Dutch Antilles: the US Virgin Islands; the Spanish legacy in Cuba and Puerto Rica; and of course the British influence in islands such as Barbados, Jamaica and St. Lucia.  This diversity also means there is a wide range of languages spoken in the Caribbean, as well as the local colourful dialects known as patois.  Cruising is an excellent way to sample several different islands in one holiday, and in the Caribbean there is a vast choice of cruise itineraries and styles to choose from.

How to get there

Most Caribbean itineraries are fly-cruises, flying from an airport in the UK to a port in the USA, the Caribbean or Mexico.  There are also cruises that start and finish from a UK port for those who do not like flying or airports.

Where the cruises go

Cruises can last from three days for a short holiday between Florida and the Bahamas, through to holidays lasting a month which explore the whole area.  Some sample itineraries would be

• a Western Caribbean cruise, including Cozumel or Playa del Carmen in Mexico, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica
• an Eastern Caribbean cruise, including Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands (St Thomas and St Croix), St Martin, Dominica, Barbados, St Kitts and Martinique
• a Southern Caribbean cruise departing from Puerto Rico for the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Martinique, Venezuela or Aruba
• The Panama Canal can also be combined with a Caribbean cruise.  This fifty mile stretch of canal is a breathtaking series of locks to join the Caribbean and the Pacific.  You can take a one way or "line journey" from Fort Lauderdale, Miami or Puerto Rico through to Acapulco or Los Angeles; or you can take a cruise that travels half way down the canal before returning.

The activities

There will be shore excursions at each island visited.  These could include local markets, sightseeing tours, glass bottom boat trips, submarine adventures, or visits to volcanoes.  For sports enthusiasts there will be opportunities to dive, snorkel, sail or indulge in all sorts of water sports.  There may also be opportunities to play golf and tennis at many of the Caribbean's excellent courses and courts.  Then, of course, there are the beautiful beaches where you can soak up the sun, or drink rum punches until the sun goes down.

The best time to go

The Caribbean enjoys one of the best climates in the world with year-round sunshine and warm temperatures.  It is a tropical climate so the weather can be unpredictable from June to November, with occasional hurricanes in some parts.

To find out more about the 35 countries of the Caribbean, click here

To make a reservation contact bt@dbtravel.co.uk.

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