Caribbean Cruises

Choosing Caribbean Cruises

Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean - Which Is Best for You?

Choosing where to sail is one of the first decisions made when planning a cruise vacation. Most cruise travelers select a 7-day Caribbean cruise for their first experience at sea. When you search the Internet or read cruise brochures, the most common itineraries offered are Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean. Which is better? The answer is either! It all depends on what your interests are, so in addition to selecting the right ship, you need to research the ports of call before you book. Both itineraries will provide cruisers with opportunities to sail, swim, snorkel, and shop. But there are differences. Let's take a quick look at the two most popular Caribbean cruise itineraries.

Eastern Caribbean Cruises
Most cruise ships sailing to the eastern Caribbean on 7-day itineraries embark from Florida. Ports of call on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary often include the Bahamas; St. Thomas, St. John (USVI); Puerto Rico; and perhaps St. Maarten/St. Martin. If you want less sailing (i.e. time at sea) and more shopping and opportunities to go to fantastic beaches, then an Eastern Caribbean itinerary might appeal more to you. The islands are relatively close together, smaller, and shore excursions tend to be more geared to beach or water activities.

Western Caribbean Cruises
Cruise ships sailing to the western Caribbean embark from Florida, New Orleans or Texas. Ports of call on a Western Caribbean itinerary often include Cozumel or Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West, FL; the Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Belize; or Costa Rica. If you look at a map, you will see that since the ports of call are further apart, more sailing is usually involved on a western Caribbean cruise. So you may have more time at sea and less time in port or on the beach. The ports of call in the western Caribbean are sometimes on the mainland (Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica) or at larger islands (Jamaica, Dominican Republic). Therefore, the shore excursion options are more varied. You can explore ancient Mayan ruins, hike the rain forests, or go snorkeling or SCUBA diving in some unforgettable locations.

If you are now thoroughly confused, that's okay! The Caribbean Sea is a cruise lover's heaven--blue seas, sunny beaches, and interesting ports of call. You will get all of these whichever direction you cruise. East and West are both great--and then there's the Southern Caribbean, but that's for another day!

Imagine cruising through the sun-soaked islands of the Caribbean, where the spectacular beauty of St. Barts, the pristine beaches of Aruba, and the French colonial charm of Martinique never fail to enchant. Experience the thrill of landing your first catch, deep-sea fishing the turquoise waters of the Mexican Riviera. Follow in hushed awe as a local guide uncovers hidden paths in the rain forest leading to a postcard perfect waterfall, or to a promontory overlooking the steaming rim of one of the Caribbean's many dormant volcanoes. Explore the 17th century plantations of St. Kitts, the beautiful churches of St. George's, the colorful marketplaces at Soufriere and the Spanish tiled courtyards of San Juan. Walk the parapets of a 16th century fort, ancient cannons intact and seeming still to be poised to defend against marauding pirates. Or wander cobblestone streets with names from the "old countries," all the while keenly aware of the pervasive fragrance of tropical blossoms.


		You'll Find Water in Every Shade of Blue

		No one knows the Caribbean better than we do. After all, it is our middle name. And when it comes to beautiful beaches and sparkling blue waters, the Caribbean is really in a league of its own. There are countless adventures within reach on your cruise vacation. Get up close and personal with stingrays in Grand Cayman. Compete in an actual race on one of New Zealand's former America's Cup yachts in the Bahamas. Plus, there's the El Yunque Rain Forest in Puerto Rico, Christoffel National Park in Curaçao, and the Mayan Ruins in Cozumel, just to name a few.

Highlights

	Climb Jamaica's Dunn's River Falls.
	Go mountain biking in Costa Rica's rain forests.
	Snorkel with stingrays.
	Go horseback riding on the beach.
	Dive 800 feet below sea level in a research submarine.
	Discover the inhabitants of a coral reef on a glass-bottomed boat.
	Visit Labadee®, one of Royal Caribbean's exclusive, private destinations.
	Explore ancient civilizations as you climb mysterious Mayan pyramids.

Areas of Interest

Western Caribbean
Beneath their tropical paradise settings, these islands are home to rich culture and complex histories. Explore archaic ruins, beaches, rain forests and many waterfalls. Spend a fun-filled afternoon at our floating Aqua Park in Labadee®, a private destination available only to Royal Caribbean guests.

Eastern Caribbean
Relax surrounded by the white-sand beaches and beautiful turquoise waters of the most beautiful islands on earth. Find adventure parasailing high above it all or at the Dolphin Encounter. Or visit Labadee®, one of our exclusive, tropical private destinations where nature brings striking mountains and pristine beaches within arm's reach.

Southern Caribbean
The most exotic Caribbean islands await you down south. Adventures are endless in this area. You can explore the Hato Caves in Curaçao. Take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race an America's Cup sailboat. Relax and take in some sun at Magens Bay Beach in beautiful St. Thomas. Stroll down the streets of Old San Juan and discover the largest Spanish citadel built in the New World. And explore the many cultures that make up these exotic islands.

What to Pack

Days onboard are casual and you'll be most comfortable in sport clothes and resort wear. Shoes should be low-heeled for deck activities. Bring a few swimsuits so you'll always have a dry one. You don't have to bring towels, as they are provided. But don't forget your camera and binoculars, so you don't miss a thing.

For evening wear, count on three basic types of attire:

	Casual: Dresses or slacks and blouses for women, sport shirts and trousers for men
	Smart Casual: Dresses or pantsuits for women, jackets for men
	Formal: Cocktail dresses for women, suits and ties or tuxedos for men (you can arrange to rent a tuxedo onboard)

Ashore, you'll need comfortable walking shoes as well as a hat and sunscreen for protection from the sun.

EASTERN CARIBBEAN HIGHLIGHTS

Caribbean Cruises Known collectively as the Lesser Antilles and Trinidad & Tobago, the islands of the Eastern Caribbean make a 1000km long north-south sweep, beginning east of Puerto Rico and coming to a halt just off the coast of Venezuela. The Lesser Antilles include the Leeward Islands (from Anguilla to Dominica), the Windward Islands (from Martinique to Grenada) and Barbados.

The islands are mountainous, with rainforests and black-sand beaches. The coral limestone fabric of the outer arc of islands, extending from Anguilla to Barbados, reveals their marine origins. White-sand beaches, indented coastlines and low, scrubby hills characterize these islands. The islands of the inner arc, extending from Saba to Grenada, have volcanic origins, and craters and hot springs still steam, bubble and pungently belch their sulfuric gases. Volcanic activity has ceased on most of the islands with Montserrat the rumbling exception. Trinidad & Tobago have different origins again, having broken off from the South American continent. Trinidad's soils include deposits from Venezuela's Orinoco River, and its northern range is an extension of the Andes.

Philipsburg, In St. Maarten’s Dutch capital, one of the favorite yachting destinations of the Caribbean, you can crew on a former America’s Cup contender or ride in a submarine to see the underwater wonders. This duty-free port is a paradise for shoppers too. St. John, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Long John Silver and his band of pirates made their home in the Virgin Islands. Almost all of St. John is protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park, a pristine tropical wilderness-mostly under water. St. Thomas, Take a ‘jeepney’ ride up the twisting spiny ridge of the island to Drake’s Seat. This is where Sir Francis supposedly spied on and made plans to attack the treasure-laden Spanish fleet as it made its way through the lovely archipelago of the Virgin Islands.

WESTERN CARIBBEAN HIGHLIGHTS

Cozumel, Vibrant. Colorful. Vivacious. Mexico’s favorite island is hot chili peppers and cold Margaritas. Ancient Mayan ruins and ultra-modern resorts. Mamacitas clothed head-to-foot in black, and sun-bronzed goddesses in the scantiest of bikinis. And the whitest powder sand and the clearest blue water you’ll ever see! Ocho Rios, Float down a gentle river in a bamboo raft as your guide sings a Bob Marley tune. Climb through 600 feet of cascading waterfall at Dunn’s River Falls. Explore a moldering Great House where ghostly apparitions make their apperance on a regular basis. Then, have a little Jamaican rum and feel all right!

SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN HIGHLIGHTS

Caribbean Cruises You don't have to have a lot of time to have a great time in the Caribbean.
There's Grenada for the spices; Barbados for the British pubs and Trafalgar Square; San Juan for the narrow, cobbled streets; St. Maarten for a combination of French and Dutch influences and St. Thomas for the fabulous duty-free shopping.

Great beaches can be found from Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman to Cozumel. And islands like St. Lucia, Dominica, and St. Kitts offer scenery so breathtaking, you'll feel as though you've found heaven on earth.

Special adventures like the St. Maarten's America's Cup sailing regatta which lets you be one of the crew, the Tulum, Lost Mayan Civilization journey into the past, and rafting on the Martha Brae River in Jamaica make your vacation complete.

Southern Caribbean: Castries, St. Lucia’s fiery origins are pretty obvious when you see the Pitons, the famous twin lava cones that rise steeply out of the sea. Be sure to visit the world’s only drive-in volcano! St. John’s, Antigua prides itself on being the yachting capital of the Caribbean. Another attraction with sailing lore is English Harbour, where Admiral Nelson created the largest navy base in the Caribbean. Basseterre, St. Kitts was considered the British mother colony of the Caribbean. At the infamous Brimstone Hill, learn about the endless colonial wars between the French and the British. St. Croix, Crumbling fortresses remind you of a time two centuries ago when St. Croix was a bustling colony of the Kingdom of Denmark. Today, its glorious beaches have brought the island to life again. St. Thomas, The turquoise waters around St. Thomas hold as many treasures as its duty-free shops. A visit to Coral World will show you an underwater wonderland. Or glide in a submarine to even deeper worlds. Dive a wreck off of Buck Island, or sail a catamaran to St. John.