Plan Your Itinerary: Don’t believe that all destinations in the Caribbean are the same. While many may be able to boast a shoreline and warm weather, there is in actuality a lot to distinguish one port from the next. For a taste of Dutch culture, head to the island of Aruba. For incredible beaches and blue waters perfect for sunning and relaxing, don’t miss out on Montego Bay in Jamaica. Of course, there are lots of options for exploring colonial towns or enjoying upscale dining, so tailor your itinerary to stop at the locations you wish to explore most.

Explore Onshore: No matter how wonderful the cruise ship is, many of your best memories will undoubtedly occur onshore, at one of the attractive Caribbean locations. When you have a chance to head off the ship and onto one of the island, plan ahead of time in order to know where to go and what to expect. While there are usually group tours for you to join, many people prefer going alone, for a chance to really soak up the culture. Find a market selling local items to take home as souvenirs, or indulge in an authentic meal.

Take Time to Relax: Holidays should certainly be relaxing, but cruise ships often provide so many options for entertainment and recreation that it can be difficult to turn them down. Make a point to allow yourself some time to simply do nothing – whether that is reading a book on a gorgeous beach or taking a nap on deck next to the pool. You will have a much more enjoyable time if you take time to rest and relax in between the many adventures available.

Plan Your Meals: Gone are the days where cruise ships offered only a strict eating schedule. Although formal dinners are still available, and for many the highlight of the holiday, there are also dozens of alternative options for you onboard. From in room dining to casual eateries and many styles of cuisine, your options are nearly unlimited. So pick your favourites in advance, so you don’t miss out on a chance to enjoy any of the great onboard restaurants.

Learn the Culture: All too many cruise-goers forget that their holiday through the Caribbean is a remarkable journey through varying cultures and heritages. Don’t let them all blend together into one homogenous culture, and seek to identify the differences. Pay attention the languages spoken – Dutch in Aruba, Spanish in the Dominican Republic, English in Jamaica. Visit a local museum as well if you get the chance.

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If you are taking a cruise for over 10 days, you will have to depart from ports in Florida and New York. The 7 day cruises depart from Puerto Rico and San Juan.  The cruises take you along the Windward Islands of Antigua and Barbados or you go along Curacao and Aruba which lies along the northern coast of South America. Passengers are generally taken to explore the pristine islands and enjoy itineraries that are port-intensive.

For sport enthusiasts, the Royal Caribbean offers many facilities. These cruise ships are equipped with great gyms so people who take one of the cheaper options of ships get to work out so that they do not lose out on their regular exercises. These ships also offer tracks for joggers to make use on deck apart from the swimming facilities. You can opt for any of these activities when you travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Some of the cruises allow you to visit different ports where you can get off and have fun or look for adventure. You can get the same entertainment on the Royal Caribbean cruise. You can try your hand at scuba diving if you are a novice and enjoy looking at the colorful coral reefs or the cool clear waters of the Caribbean. You can shop till you drop in the many shops that are scattered on the tropical island. Take advantage of the shore excursions that are organized by the Royal Caribbean.

If you take the Western cruise, you will be able to check out the waterfalls, various swimming areas and the Mayan Ruins.  You can shop, swim and relax on the Eastern Caribbean cruise. The Southern Caribbean cruise allows you to visit various ports. Enjoy taking pictures of your memorable cruise though you should ensure that you safeguard your camera. The main purpose of a cruise is to relax and enjoy the time you spend on the ship.

Holiday makers should try to make a trip on one of the Caribbean cruises and enjoy the unforgettable experience. A lot of attractions are offered when cruising along the Caribbean crystal clear waters.

Just across downtown Miami on the MacArthur Causeway is Miami Beach, famous for the Art Deco district along Ocean Drive, where a long line of hotels built during the forties and fifties has been magnificently restored. Heading north from the Art Deco District is miles of public beach. At the southern tip of Miami Beach is South Beach, better known as SoBe, the place to see and be seen on crowded beaches by day and wild partying all night.

Smaller Fort Lauderdale north of Miami was a famous spring break destination among the college crowd, and has now matured into a year-round vacation paradise. Heading north along the Sunshine State Parkway is the Orlando Area in central Florida, home to the Walt Disney World and Sea World theme parks, a favourite destination for visitors on Florida holidays. Directly east of Orlando is Cape Canaveral on Merritt Island, home to the NASA space centre and launch site. Heading northwest from Orlando on interstate highway 4 is Daytona Beach on the Atlantic coast, famous for the Daytona 500 Speedway. A short drive north of Daytona is St. Augustine, the oldest city in Florida and the United States, which was founded by Spain in the late 1500s and has been entirely restored.

For those who want to experience wild natural Florida, The Ocala National Forest is northwest of Orlando near Interstate highway 75. On the Gulf Coast, the Greater Tampa Bay area is home to Busch Gardens theme park, along with many of the best golfing and fishing areas in Florida. Along the Florida Gulf Coast are several smaller cities which swell every winter with seasonal residents, better known as snowbirds. The north and west side of Florida, known as the Panhandle, has a cluster of smaller cities that are generally quieter and more conservative.

Some of the benefits of cruising with Carnival include no flight expenses, airport hassles, or checking in and out of hotels during your vacation. There is no driving involved, and there are endless cruising possibilities as the ships sail year-round and itineraries last for anywhere from 3 to 12 days. Carnival offers a diverse assortment of shore excursions, ranging from glacier exploring in Alaska to scuba diving in the Caribbean.

Their fleet comprises of seven groups – the Dream Class, Fantasy Class, Destiny Class, Triumph Class, Conquest Class, Splendor Class, and Spirit Class. The most recent of these, the Carnival Dream cruises, are comprised of two ships, the Carnival Dream and the soon-to-be Carnival Magic which is to set sail in the Mediterranean in the summer of 2011. Both feature Carnival Waterworks, a splash park, Cloud 9 Spa, and a Seaside Theatre.

Carnival Cruise Line’s motto is “Fun for all. All for fun.” Once on board, passengers are sure to agree. Restaurants, 24-hour stateroom service, nightly entertainment and casinos, exciting destinations, relaxing and friendly spas, and award-winning youth programs will ensure that everyone in the family has the vacation of a lifetime. Not only does Carnival offer a getaway for families, but they also have facilities for meetings, conferences, cocktail parties, and weddings.

Carnival is always offering specials, such as the Early Saver Program which allows passengers to sail for less than $70 per day. Theme cruises with live concerts are also popular, featuring well-known musicians such as Kid Rock, Zac Brown Band, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

You may book your vacation online, toll-free, have a personal vacation planner from Carnival cruise Lines contact you, or use their travel agent find to select an agent in the United States and Canada to assist you with your cruise. Be sure to ask about the new Carnival Dream cruises, including the new Carnival Magic.

Cost and Budgeting for St. Thomas
St. Thomas is not the place for the budget traveler or backpacker as hotel and food prices are quite high. Eating out at restaurants for all three meals can easily cost two people $75-$100/day, especially if drinks are included. Shopping at the grocery stores and preparing your own food can cut down on costs, but even food at the supermarket is quite a bit higher as most food has to come in from the mainland. You’ll be hardpressed to find accommodation on St. Thomas for much less than $100/night. After that, it’s up to you as prices just keep going up, some as high as $500/night for the most luxurious of accommodations.

Things to Do in St. Thomas
Beaches: Sapphire Beach is a resort that is open to the public. The beach is very nice, and you can rent a snorkel and check out the crystal clear water and coral around. There are also a couple of bars and a swimming pool. A live band often plays at night, and trying a BBC (Bailey’s, banana, coconut) is always a good idea. Coki Beach is where to go for snorkeling on St. Thomas. You typically have a visibility of over 100 feet, and it’s a great place for the kids to learn as it’s very calm. Touts are a hassle on your way to the beach, but once you reach it, they leave you alone. Plenty of food and fresh fruit smoothies are sold on Coki Beach. Secret Harbour is a private resort that also allows visitors. Chairs much be rented, and large iguanas will join you as they wander around the property. Brewer’s Bay has a beautiful small beach that is next to the university. This is place to go for the sunset.
Surfing: There aren’t many places to surf in St. Thomas, but Hull Bay offers surfboard rentals in the winter, and you won’t find any other place on the island where it’s offered.
Shopping: Charlotte Amalie is the place to go for shopping on the island and is referred to as the biggest shopping mecca in the Caribbean. There are dozens of stores downtown and malls that dot the island in other various locations like Havensight. Yacht Haven Grande, which is next to Havensight, has many restaurants and premium branded stores. Crown Bay is growing as a popular shopping destination as well.
Other Attractions: Coral World Ocean Park is one of the most popular attractions on St. Thomas. You can witness Caribbean marine life up close and in a stunning setting and witness life on a coral reef from the Undersea Observatory. Other attractions are shark petting and hand feeding a stingray. Coral World also offers a brand new dive operation, in addition to the Sea Lion Splash, Sea Trek Helmet Dive, Shark and Turtle Encounters, Nautilus Semi-Sub, and Parasailing.

St. Thomas Weather
The climate in St. Thomas is tropical with not much variation in temperature throughout the year. Average highs are in the mid to upper 80’s F (28-30C) throughout the year, and lows stay in the mid 70’s (22-24C) F year-round. There is usually a breeze throughout the year making it feel a bit cooler than it actually is. There is no rainy season, but expect to find more precipitation September through November, with hurricane season peaking in September.

Cost and Budgeting in Barbados
Transportation, which can be easily arranged by hotels, is very cheap- costing less than $35 for a day. While nothing fancy, it’s a more-than-festive destination where tourists (and locals) down liquor-laced punch and Banks beer (about $3) alongside massive platters of fried fish (about $12). Barbados is not one of the most expensive places to take a tropical vacation but nonetheless, a trip here is not the cheapest either. Hotels cost around $50 or more per night and diving and other out door activities can cost $100 or more. Luckily, the food here is pretty cheap and you can find meals on Barbados for around $10-15 dollars.

Things to Do in Barbados
Visit Pelican village- This is a great place for people who want to go shopping. It’s can excellent place to find great deals.
Deep Sea Fish- The waters of Barbados are filled with a wide variety of fish. Not only does this make for excellent diving, but you can hire boats to take you out for deep sea fishing and catch some dinner.
Scuba Dive/Snorkel- There are many great coral reefs and fish around the island. This can make for some great diving and should be something every traveler does.
Tropical Gardens- Enjoy the lush beauty of the island’s rich floral wonders, such as the Andromeda ­Botanic Gardens. Or go to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve where exotic animals mill around as you explore the area.
Plantation Houses- Experience the beautiful present and ugly past at grand homes such as St Nicholas Abbey. Barbados has a long history tied to the slave trade and sugar industry. The plantations can give you a bit of history.
North Point- This, the northernmost point of the island, is a great spot on the island. It’s all crashing surf and dramatic cliffs, a sharp contrast to the placid beaches on the West Coast. Pack a picnic, and don’t let the hucksters at the entrance convince you there’s an entrance fee—there isn’t. Oh, and don’t miss the blowhole about a hundred yards east of the main path.
Beaches- All the beaches in Barbados are open to the public. This makes swimming easy since no one can kick you off whatever beautiful beach you find (and you will find many). There are both black and white sand beaches on the island.
Folkestone Marine Park- Folkestone is home to a sunken barge and a coral reef busy with colorful fish; there’s also a small museum and aquarium onshore. It’s free to get in. If you don’t have your own snorkel gear, you can rent some.

Barbados Weather
The climate in Barbados tends to be nice year-round. In January, the average daily high temperature is 28°C (83°F), while the low average is 21°C (70°F). February to May are the driest months (April averages only seven days of rain), while July is the wettest month with some 18 days of rain. The tourist high season runs from mid-December through mid-April while June through October is the hurricane season.

Cost and Budgeting in Saint Lucia
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is the island currency. US dollars are often accepted by taxi drivers and larger hotels – be sure when negotiating taxi fares and room rates that you are both talking about the same currency as there is often confusion because of dual acceptance. Hotels typically cost around US80 per night. Meals vary but cheap eats start at around EC10 dollars while restaurant meals cost around EC60 dollars. An hour of diving will set you back EC100 dollars. Overall, while you can find cheap deals around, this island is not a budget destination.

An 8% tax and 10% service charge are added to the bill at all but the cheapest hotels and restaurants; there’s no need for additional tipping.

Things to Do in Saint Lucia
Visit Mt. Soufrière- The world’s only drive-in volcano is a great place to go visit.
Go Jungle Trekking- Trek the jungle and be witness to the wonderful natural environment that St. Lucia is blessed with. There are several official hiking routes on the island that offer a good alternative to the beach.
Visit Pigeon Island National Park - Just north of Gros Islet, the park has some of the oldest buildings on St.Lucia and has great views of the island of Martinique.
Take a Romantic Cruise- The coast of St. Lucia is stunning and there is nothing better than to take a sunset romantic cruise with the one you love.
Admire the beauty of The Pitons- Climb one of  these iconic towering peaks to get gorgeous views of the island and see beautiful jungles as you head up.
Lounge in Hot Springs – Just south of Soufriere, these hot springs are one of the main attractions on the island. They are a great way to relax and treat yourself to these nice warm waters.

Saint Lucia Weather
As with most Caribbean destinations the winter season is the most popular time to visit St Lucia. The very un-winter weather brings the crowds and jacks up the prices during the driest period from December to March. Hurricane season falls between June and October – expect some more rain this time of year and lower prices.

Cost and Budgeting in Jamaica
Most budget travelers will have spend at least US$35 a day. Roadside stalls and budget restaurants sell food for less than US$1 and jerk pork and other local meals for around US$2. The touristy restaurants, however, can be expensive: expect to pay at least US$10 per person and, at the top end, as much as US$60.

Cheap accommodation cost sUS$20 or more. Midrange hotels range from about US$60 to US$150, while luxury resorts can charge US$300 or more per day. All-inclusive hotels offer tremendous bargains, as everything you consume is included in room rates. Sometimes these are the best way to go.

A 10% tip is normal in hotels and restaurants. Some restaurants automatically add a 10% to 15% service charge to your bill. Some all-inclusive resorts have a strictly enforced no-tipping policy.

Things to do in Jamaica
Pelican Bar- Play dominoes with a fisherman at this singular bar in the middle of the sea.
Black River Great Morass- Boat up a swampland waterway to find alligators and birds.
Negril Beaches- Throw your cares to the wind and toast the sunset in Jamaica’s ‘capital of casual’.
Appleton Rum Estate- Tour this distillery and find out about the rum that adds fuel to the island’s fire.
Cockpit Country- Disappear into Jamaica’s most otherworldly terrain to enjoy hiking, caving and solitude.
Falmouth- Learn the troubled history of slavery in the best-preserved Georgian town in Jamaica.
Rio Grande- Coast along the majestic Rio Grande on a raft of bamboo poles.
Dunn’s River Falls- This is one of the greatest waterfalls in the the region and a great place to climb and go swimming.
Nine Mile- Pay homage to Bob Marley at his place of birth and final resting place.
Boston Bay- Relish the flavors of spicy jerk pork and chicken, or hit the beach for the island’s best surfing.
Bob Marley Museum- Take the pulse of Kingston at this museum devoted to Jamaica’s most revered contemporary hero.
Blue Mountain Peak- Hit the trail in the dark of night to scale Jamaica’s highest peak by sunrise.

Jamaica Weather
A ‘rainy season’ starts in May or June and extends through November or December, with the heaviest rains in September and October. Jamaica lies in the Caribbean ‘hurricane belt.’ Officially the hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30; August and September are peak months.

Jamaica is a year-round destination, though there are seasonal differences to consider. The rainy season extends from May to November, with peaks in May, June, October and November. Tourism’s high season runs from early-December to mid-April, when hotel prices are highest. Many hotels charge peak-season rates during Christmas and Easter.