Why is the Caribbean such a big draw for cruisers?
 

I know the obvious answer is probably the competitive pricing, but aside from the cost....is there any other reason why the Caribbean is such a big draw. I have only been on 1 cruise in my life about 9 years ago through out the caribbean. My cruise went into ports but it seems we were only in the ports for maybe 6 hours or something very short. When I returned, I felt that I hadn't seen any of the cities or experienced any of the culture at all....maybe I should have just bought a postcard! <BR>Now, I have a chance to go on another Caribbean cruise on a huge mega ship. I'm not sure I want to spend the money and see so little, yet I'm trying to be open minded since I have only been on 1 cruise quite a few years ago. Perhaps things have changed or maybe there is one cruise that is better than others. Can you experienced cruiser let me know if there are some cruises that visit fewer ports but spend more time while there? I am not very experienced traveler but when I went to Europe one summer, I tried to spend approx. 5-7 days in each city so I could actually see something instead of a whirlwind. So many love to go to the Caribbean on cruises....To go or not and if so what cruise?? Thanks so much. Carol

Carol:<BR>I'm going to get slammed but here goes:<BR><BR>Cruising is NOT for you. Except for Bermuda where a ship will dock 3 days on a 7-day cruise the average American which is what the cruise industry is catering to, does not want in-depth stays but rather, an overview of the islands. <BR><BR> And let's face it -- the Caribbean Islands are all the same w/a few special items indigeous to each island. So why an in-depth visit?<BR><BR>But if you are the type that looks at a cruise as a "Spa at Sea" then you will have an enjoyable experience...there are many people that don't even bother to be "one of the lemmings going over the cliff" as a ship pulls into port. These people love it when they have the ship to themselves.<BR><BR>I'm guessing that Hawaii is the West Coast's answer to the Caribbean...same idea. And don't know about a "huge mega ship" either!<BR><BR>Paul, you want to step up to the plate on this one?<BR>

The tone of your message leads me to believe that you've already talked yourself out of going! Caribbean cruises generally sail to different ports each day interspersed by a few days at sea. Mostly the port stops are 6-10 hours each. You will NOT have enough time to "experince the culture", but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself. Some of my most cherished vacation memories were formed during cruises. <BR><BR>There are some advantages to cruising as opposed to traditional land tours. For example: you'll never have to figure out where to eat or how to get to the restaurant, if you don't like what you ordered you can order something else without charge, you can visit many different places in a short amount of time but never have the stresses of driving or flying to each, you only have to unpack once, it can be as relaxing or as active as you choose, overall cruising is generally a good value for your money.<BR><BR>Hope this helps you make up your mind!

Carol,<BR><BR>I'm going to disagree with Rhea that all the islands are virtually the same. They really aren't.<BR><BR>But, you have two statements in your original post that makes me think that you won't find the cruise you're looking for. First you indicate that you will be on a mega-ship, then you mention that you'd like to spend more than a few hours in port. I'd be real surprised to find a megaship with an itinerary that does that.<BR><BR>You may be able to find other smaller ships that do spend more time in port, but if you are really interested in seeing more of the islands, you might do better to island-hop on your own without the cruise ship. <BR><BR>I think the Caribbean is a big draw because it's close but exotic, it's foreign but at the same time, the islanders usually can speak at least some English. And cruises have been promoted as glamourous, and for some, that's enough.

I would never do a Med. cruise. When I go to Europe, I will drive, bus, train- pull over for the sights, etc.You can't appreciate Europe without at least a 3 wk vacation. If I want to "do islands", I will book a nice resort locale. However, we cruise the Caribbean because we love the relaxing mood on the ship, the music, weather- a few hours at a nice turquoise beach and all the fun that goes with cruising- dinners, shows, dancing, piano bars, meeting people, working out. We go for the ship, not necessarily the ports. They are a small perk. You need to decide what's important to you for your vacation!While we do many trips a year, we will always take one cruise a year.

Most people want warm weather, sun, beaches, etc. especially in the winter.<BR>Look at a map-- the Caribbean is the logical choice.<BR>As far as why they don't have more port time, remember that for every mile away from home port the ship sails, it has to sail that same mile back.Therefore, the port time is limited. Many cruise lines offer different routes, some having more time at sea with less stops. By offering different routes and sea/port times they can satisfy most cruisers. Look at how popular cruising has become in the last few years--apparently the cruise lines are doing something right.

Carol,<BR>I don't know why you're even considering a cruise. Why not just pick and island and fly there?

I like cruising in the Caribbean for several reasons<BR><BR>1. I think it is difficult to get to know any place well on a cruise. That is why I will never cruise to Australia or Europe. They are just too big to "do justice to" on a one day shore leave. I went to Australia 3 years ago and Europe this summer for 3 weeks - absolutely loved both and would have felt that I short changed myself by seeing certain places in just one day. I spent almost 5 days in Rome and didn't come close to seeing it all. I don't see how cruisers can truly experience Rome in a day . There is just too much to do in terms of museums, cultural and historical sights, etc.<BR>Cruising in the Caribbean makes sense because the Islands are relatively small and even if you are in port for a short amount of time, you can experience a lot. <BR> There are some islands you can practically circumnavigate in a few hours. Last summmer, I drove around the top half of Curacao, stopped at the national park, stopped in a town, snorkeled for a couple of hours and still had plenty of time to look around the main city.<BR><BR>2. How much of the island culture you experience depends on how you spend your time on the island. Most people take the ship's tours, go shopping or go to the beach. No you will not truly get to know the island. Although many of the Caribbean islands are similar, many of them have unique cultures.<BR><BR>3. I love the Caribbean because I never get tired of the fantastic beaches, the gin clear water, terrific reefs, being on the ocean, the relaxed laid back attitude. I also appreciate the fact that there are not a lot of museums and sites to see on the island because it allows me to relax with no distractions and no feeling that I have to rush off to see certain sights. I love listening to the ocean and sitting on a beach chair. I can just "chill".<BR><BR>Carol, before you pay for the cruise, decide what you want out of a vacation. Are you looking for museums or are you looking to interact with the islanders?<BR>Read up on your destinations before you decide where you want to go. Do lots of reading. Cadogan and Lonely Planet guides are good for exploring cultural aspects of the islands. I usually decide on one two things I want to do on shore then I spend my time doing them well and enjoying them. Take a tour offered by a local company instead of the ships tours if you really want to get to know the island or the people.<BR><BR><BR>

I enjoy cruising the Carribean because even if the time is short on each island, you visit the points of interest or participate in the activity you want to and see the rest on another visit. There isn't much in the Carribean that would keep me on one island more than three days. Hawaii is another story howevr. I wouldn't want to do a Hawaiian cruise. Hawaii is too beautiful with too much to see and do on each island to have to leave it before the sun sets.

Thanks so much for all the great advice. I think I will give cruising another go....I believe I was not looking at being on the ship as the highlight (as many of you seem to feel it is). I was looking at it more as the time spent in port with so much to see in so little time. I agree with the remarks about Europe, Hawaii, Australia, Asia...these are not places you would want to duck into for only a few hours....more like days or weeks to feel like you've experienced the city. I honestly had never considered the best part of the cruise as the part being on the ship. I'd prefer a ship that includes learning/educating the passengers about the cultures they're visiting with perhaps guest speakers or something of the like. Maybe these don't exist??? Any suggestions? Thanks again very much. Carol

Carol, Look at the cruise as a preview to what the different islands have to offer. We never thought we'd go to Trinidad or St, martin, but after what we managed to see in the short day trip from our cruise ship we took week long vacations back to both. On the flip side, there are islands we visited along the way, we will not spend the time or money to go back for any extended stay.<BR>

Carol,<BR>You may want to look into companies like World Explorer Cruises www.wecruise.com or Lindblad Expeditions www.lindblad.com - they operate smaller ships where the focus is on the destination (with on board lecturers, etc.) rather than the ship. Having no direct experience, I cannot vouch for either company's quality, but this sounds like what you're looking for.

Patty has given some great advice. I have heard of these lines, but have never sailed them...yet.<BR><BR>I have sailed on some cruises where the ship was not the destination, but was simply the most economical way to island hop and preview the islands. That is what I did last year on the Destiny. I really didn't do most of the ship activities. I used my time on board to relax and customized my time on shore by either renting a car or making arrangements with private tours or local taxi drivers. Once on St. Thomas ( a few years ago), a female taxi driver took me to her home for a home cooked island food meal! I met all of her family and had authentic island cuisine! Tallk about a great cultural experience!<BR><BR>I think the expedition cruises may be what you are looking for. If not, you can customize your shore experiences.

Patty has given some sage advice. You can have the best of both worlds by taking an "educational" cruise wherein talks are given. Linblad among others has a long successful history of doing this.<BR><BR>I wish Paul had answered you...what I would like to know -- are there any of these type cruises to the Caribbean?<BR>Abercrombie & Kent, Society Expeditions, Oceanic Society & Linblad go to the Galapagos Islands What I do know is that you will have a much more expensive trip going this route than say, booking a 7-day'er on any of the lines that cruise the Caribbean.

Patty I've sailed World Explorer Cruises to Alaska and they offer the type of experience that you're looking for.They have a 2 week cruise of the deep southern Caribbean in Decenber that may fit the bill for you.Chech their web site for details.

Oops......that post should have been directed to Carol.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! Such great suggestions, I'm getting excited already. I REALLY appreciate the time and thought that went into your responses! Carol

Caribbean = blue water, exotic locale, different cultures, warm temps, sunshine, etc.

Most Americans Love the Caribbean because:<BR>1) Its a cheap vacation. (Americans are bargain hunters.)<BR>2) Its a cheap vacation.<BR>3) Its a cheap vacation.<BR>4) They don't need a passport. (Only 17% of Americans own a passport.)<BR>5)Its not too far from home. (Many Americans are afraid of "foreigners")<BR>6)Many in the Caribbean speak English. (Most Americans speak only English)<BR>7)The food and drink are not too exotic. (Many Americans are uncomfortable with meals that do not contain Beef, Potatoes, and Diet Coke)<BR>8) The best reason of course - Its cheap.

I'm not at all familiar with World Explorer Cruises. They sound so great, I'm curious... why haven't they caught on in the Caribbean or elsewhere? is it price? I've only sailed on more traditional ships like Princess and HAL. Thanks! Ben