Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Vacations, Destinations, Holidays
Combine back-to-back Southeast Asia itineraries on Star Clipper, and you’ll get a fabulous two-week vacation and free airfare from San Francisco or Los Angeles. You’ll sail one of the world’s tallest clipper ships to beautiful islands in Thailand and Malaysia — perfect for snorkeling, diving and beaching. As this offer is for a combination of two seven-night sailings, you’ll have the chance to visit some destinations twice. Fares start at $3,690 per person. At just under $265 per night, this rate is extremely good, considering it includes roundtrip airfare, complimentary water sports (except scuba) and an intimate sailing experience.
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This mid-October sailing to the Southern Caribbean aboard Holland America’s Maasdam stops at unique ports of call like Martinique. And, starting at just $709 per person, which is only about $70 per night, this cruise is a great value; it will visit the lush islands of St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Tortola and Half Moon Cay all in one trip. This somewhat port intensive itinerary allows for three relaxing days at sea to prepare for and recover from your excursions — two sea days upon embarking and one just before disembarking in Ft. Lauderdale.
Fall leaf peeping will just be getting underway during this seven-night cruise aboard Norwegian Dawn. Sailing roundtrip from New York, you’ll visit picturesque ports of call like Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport. If the changing of the leaves isn’t quite your thing, rest assured there’s plenty more to do in this region. Some of the best pubs this side of the Atlantic are found here and you simply cannot miss munching on the delicious seafood famous to the area. This fun-filled cruise starts at $474 per person.
Pamper yourself this December with a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on SeaDream II. Itinerary highlights include a new island each day (including undeveloped Jost van Dyke with its peaceful beaches and the water sports haven of St. John) and an overnight in exclusive St. Barth’s. Onboard, you’ll feel like you’re on a private yacht — SeaDream II carries just 55 couples and a staff of 95 crewmembers. For $2,699 per person, you’ll get spacious accommodations (the smallest are 195 square ft.), gourmet meals, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar on select brands, free water sports and prepaid gratuities. The $385 nightly rate is a bit steep, but you get so much for your money, it’s worth the splurge.
Many think of the Mexican Riviera as a place to party, and while it is, many don’t know that the wildlife in this region abounds. The autumn months are prime for whale watching and you’ll be on the perfect ship to view the wildlife — Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas was built with tons of glass to bring the outside in. This seven-night cruise travels roundtrip from Los Angeles and visits Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Sailing dates range from early November to mid-December and rates start as low as just $399 per person.
Pamper yourself this December with a nine-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on SeaDream I. The jam-packed itinerary features visits to multiple ports in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands — sometimes two in one day — with overnights in St. Barth’s and Peter Island. Onboard, you’ll feel like you’re on a private yacht — SeaDream I carries just 55 couples and a staff of 95 crewmembers. For $2,999 per person, you’ll get spacious accommodations (the smallest are 195 square ft.), gourmet meals, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar on select brands, free water sports and prepaid gratuities. At $333 per night, that’s what we call good value.
Sail the deep blue waters of the Sea of Cortez and explore the abundant wildlife and hundreds of beautiful, uninhabited islands aboard Cruise West expedition vessel, Spirit of Yorktown. Fares for this seven-night cruise start at $2,199 per person for inside cabins. This exploration sails roundtrip from Cabo San Lucas and is scheduled for select dates from January through March 2009. Plus, if you book by September 5, 2008, you’ll save $350 per cabin.
Cruise travelers of any age can take advantage of Celebrity’s discounts (once reserved for seniors only) on a 14-night South America cruise on Celebrity Infinity. Guarantee fares start at $999 per person — you won’t get to pick your stateroom’s location but you’re “guaranteed” a spot onboard. Plus, if you book by September 6, you’ll also receive complimentary onboard credit. The two-week cruise sails from Ft. Lauderdale to Santiago and includes stops on South America’s north and west coasts as well as a Panama Canal transit.
Flying isn’t the only way to get to South America — you can also cruise there. Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner will cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Buenos Aires on an 18-night Caribbean and South America voyage next January. The ship will visit beautiful Caribbean islands — such as exclusive St. Barth’s and unspoiled Dominica — then hit Brazilian hotspots like Rio before finishing up with an overnight in Buenos Aires. Fares are a little daunting, though — at $9,050 per person, you’ll be paying over $500 a night for a 252 square ft. suite with a balcony. If you want a cheaper rate, the December cruise inexplicably costs half as much for a similar itinerary.
If you’ve got two weeks to spare on a winter vacation, Silversea is offering an interesting 15-night itinerary on Silver Cloud that combines ports in the Southern Caribbean with visits to multiple destinations in Brazil. Sun worshippers will especially enjoy escaping the onset of winter to try out gorgeous beaches in Bequia, Grenada and Rio de Janeiro. Fares start at $5,397 per person for Silversea’s smallest suites (cabins are 240 square ft. with a picture window). The $360 nightly rate seems a bit high for a cabin with no balcony, but you probably won’t find a much cheaper fare for a ship with gourmet dining, impeccable service, and included alcohol and gratuities on such an exotic itinerary.