Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Vacations, Destinations, Holidays
Archive for August, 2008
The first half of December is one of the most affordable times to cruise, so if you’ve always wanted to try a luxury sailing, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are a great time to go. Fares for the December 13 voyage of Seabourn Pride start at $2,398 per person for a 277 square ft. suite with a window (no balcony), walk-in closet, fully stocked bar and marble bathroom with tub and shower. Don’t forget that for your $342 per night, you also get open bar throughout the ship, included gratuities and the line’s signature Caviar in the Surf (tuxedoed waiters serve you champagne and caviar in the water!). Oh, and the itinerary isn’t half bad either — it includes visit to beautiful islands such as St. Barth’s and Puerto Rico on a one-way trip from Barbados to Ft. Lauderdale.
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Voyages of Discovery has revealed its 2009 schedule and is offering free to $199 air add-ons for passengers who book by October 15, 2008. Several amazing itineraries are available and a sampling of destinations and rates follow immediately below. Sail anywhere from 11- to 42 nights on an adventurous excursion trip aboard Discovery. This ship is equipped to hold 800 passengers, but never carries more than 650 to add a level of comfort onboard. And Discovery offers a lighter adventure quality with excursions in unusual ports around the globe that aren’t as rugged as what you’ll find on other expedition ships. Each sailing blends a unique enrichment program with pleasure; top experts offer knowledge about the history, culture and ecology relevant to the destinations traversed. Be sure to check all of the itinerary options at Voyages of Discovery’s Web site linked below.
This seven-night just-shy-of-spring sailing aboard Costa Fortuna travels roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale and starts at just $539 per person. Costa is a European-style cruise line and chances are you’ll be mingling with people that hail from a host of various countries. Ports of call include San Juan and St. Thomas. Plus, a stop in the new Eastern Caribbean port of Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic will be great for those who like to golf (The Teeth of the Dog course is considered the best in the Caribbean) or those who want to get away from commercialized tourist areas — actually Grand Turk, another port of call on this cruise, is good for serene and secluded areas too.
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.
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.