10 of the Best Caribbean Cruise Itineraries

The Caribbean is one of the most attractive cruise destinations in the world. Check these Caribbean most famous itineraries to give you an idea of the various voyages offered and help decide on where you want to be on your next cruise.

The Caribbean Sea is home to over 7,000 islands and it is the 5^th largest body of water in the world. Whereas you cannot sail a major cruise vessel to every corner of the Caribbean, you do have a lot of choices to pick for the best itineraries.

Deep south

The deep south itinerary is a voyage to the southernmost of the Caribbean sea: the ABC islands and South America’s northeast coast. These unusual paths are not offered by most lines, but they can be best picks especially during hurricane season since most storms do not strike south. The 11-night cruise of Regent Seven Seas’ Seven Seas Voyager out of Ft. Lauderdale gives visits to Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Grand Turk and Puerto Rico. Well, it is visiting Caribbean from tip to toe.

Eastern Caribbean

Western Caribbean’s sister itinerary is Eastern Caribbean of seven nights’ sail. Many cruise ships weekly alternate between east and west, which create chances for two-week back-to-back expeditions. Such is what happens to the big ship Freedom of the Seas by Royal Caribbean Lines. Its itinerary in the eastern Caribbean stops in St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico with three sea days. At the stops, you can enjoy shopping, the beaches and rainforests or spend the days ice skating, rock climbing or simply box on this giant floating resort.

Short Caribbean cruises

The good thing about Caribbean is that it is too close to the southern US ports. If you do not have much time for vacation, a short cruise can be best for you. You shall absolutely feel like escaping the office just for a short period. Celebrity Line offers a first-rate five-night expedition on the recently enhanced Century. You depart from Miami for Grand Cayman and Jamaica, enjoy two nights at sea then return tanned and rejuvenated for just a short break.

Southern Caribbean

Veteran cruisers who have sailed the Caribbean look to southern Caribbean for less crowded and more exotic islands. Departure are usually from Barbados or Puerto Rico since the islands are far to reach when from the mainland of United States. To sail in style, try the eight-night expedition of the Silver Wind out of San Juan. With just a day at sea, you can visit Bequia, Barbados, Grenada, St. Bart’s, Antigua and Dominica. You may also look for virgin beaches, romantic settings and spice plantations.

Western Caribbean

The basic seven-night Caribbean cruise is best for first-timers. You can depart from various homeports and get a blend of Central American and some island ports as well as spend days at sea. Cruising on the Grand Princess departs from the Ft. Lauderdale and calls at Caribbean ports of Jamaica, Cozumel, Princess Cays, Mexico and Grand Cayman. Activities include snorkeling, scuba diving on Grand Cayman, exploring Mexico’s Mayan ruins and climbing a waterfall in Jamaica. Plus you have two days at sea to enjoy the ship.

2012 World’s Five Best Medium Cruise Ships

According to a poll conducted by Condé Nast Traveler, a premier travel magazine with vacation ideas, destination information and travel tips, the following are voted as the world’s 5 best medium cruise ships in random order.

  

Here is the list of the world’s five best medium cruise ships of 2012 according to the votes of Condé Nast Traveler travel magazine readers. Both Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas occupy two slots each. Oceania occupies the remaining other.

Crystal Serenity of Crystal Cruises

Crystal Serenity underwent a general renovation in May 2011, with updated decor and new bedding as good as modern lightings and tufted headboards. This 535-cabin cruiser has Creative Learning Institutes that offer courses from language to keyboard lessons. These help the line high scores for traveler activities; plus their “Perfect Choice Dining” that provides passengers with flexible dining schedules in the main restaurant and the “You Care, We Care” program that Crystal subsidizes of their new shore excursions focusing on voluntourism. Aside from world cruises, Serenity can be found often in the Baltic early summers, in the Mediterranean in late falls and summers and in the Caribbean during winters. Itineraries are all-inclusive with prepaid gratuities and complimentary drinks.

Crystal Symphony of Crystal Cruises

Crystal Symphony of Crystal Cruises was the first of Crystal Cruises’ ships that underwent renovation, which was a multimillion-dollar one and was completed in 2009. It then gave the ship a modern feel. Symphony and Serenity have similar lineup of dining locations, including Silk Road which is helmed by restaurateur Piero Selvaggio’s Prego and celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Symphony spends summer 2012 in Europe. In fall foliage seasons, it is often found off the easter Canadian and New England coasts. Itineraries are all-inclusive with prepaid gratuities and complimentary beverages.

Regatta of Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises’ Regatta is the line’s very first ship which it launched in 1998 and renovated in 2011. For its line, it set the tone for a luxury cruise at competitive price. Regatta has 342 staterooms and four dining venues managed by Jacques Pépin. In 2009, it started a partnership with Canyon Ranch for its spa to offer more than standard therapeutic services and to also include reiki, Ayurveda and acupuncture. This 2012, Regatta shall initiate some firsts for its line, by sailing to Alaska in summer and eastern Canada and New England in the fall.

Seven Seas Mariner of Regent Seven Seas

Launched in 2001, Regent Seven Seas’ Mariner is the world’s first “all-suite, all-balcony” ship, and since then, has regularly been refurbished. All the three Regent ships underwent an “enhancement” in 2009 which included having Prime 7 modern steak house as an addition. On the same year, Regent Seven Seas collaborated with Canyon Ranch which takes care of its ships’ fitness and spa areas. All Regent packages include pre-cruise hotel accommodations as well as ground transfers to the cruiser. The Mariner usually sails the Mediterranean from April to November, makes crossings in the Atlantic in March and November then begins in the Caribbean and circumnavigates South America in winter and spring.

Seven Seas Voyager of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seven Seas Voyager is the highest-rated ship of its line Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Seven Seas maybe labeled as the second to its sister Mariner in “all-suite, all-balcony” ship as well as the second cruiser which restaurant is operated by Le Cordon Bleu, but it is the first in terms of staterooms size.  Voyager has the biggest “lead-in” suites in the cruise industry even with its smallest 356 square feet size. After its renovation in December 2008, the ship got new additions that include a spa that is Canyon Ranch-branded and the Prime 7 steak house. The Voyager is always cruising, from Indian Ocean to the Pacific. In summer, she can be found in Scandinavia or Mediterranean.