by Megan Hazel

The Caribbean is arguably the number one cruise destination in the world. The tropical chain of islands offers sun and fun with enough variety to keep it interesting and exciting. The tropical location keeps the temperatures warm, while the ocean breezes make it comfortable. The exotic beaches, mixed with luxurious accommodations, make these truly island paradises.
The Caribbean encompasses over 7000 islands, islets, cays and reefs with an island chain that spans 2500 miles. These islands encircle the Caribbean Sea. The ownership of these islands was contested during colonial times and many of the territories changed hands several times before reaching their current status. Due to their location along the Western trade routes these islands have a rich history.

The top five Caribbean destinations will depend on the goals for your vacation. Most of the islands offer plenty of beaches for sun and relaxation. The tropical waters offer plenty of underwater enjoyment as well. Some of the islands offer lush tropical forests to explore or tall mountains to hike. The cost of entertainment on most of the islands is reasonable. The following are five of the most popular cruise destinations from last year.

1.When deciding to take a cruise to the Caribbean to escape the winter cold and blues, the most popular choice has to be a multi-destination cruise. A cruise that swings through several of the islands in a nice 7-day vacation can give you the best variety. You will get a taste of the different cultures and each stop will leave you wanting just a bit more, as any good vacation should. The time spent on the ship can be used for rest and rejuvenation between beach excursions that may include diving, submarine voyages, hiking, biking, or any number of other exotic adventures. The rich history and cultural diversity in the region makes each beach excursion a trip in itself.

2.Another very popular cruise destination in the Caribbean is Barbados. Barbados has a fairly constant 80-degree temperature. This island has lush vegetation and great, white sandy beaches. It has a good mix of historical sites and modern amenities. The people are very friendly and approach life with a laid back attitude. Plenty of duty free shopping abounds. Also, water sports, great resorts and a hopping nightlife make this a great destination for fun in the sun.

3.If nightlife excitement is what you are looking for, then Aruba would be a good stop. The story on the seas is that Aruba is the Caribbean’s version of Las Vegas. Its upscale casinos and luxury-packed resorts will satisfy even the most expensive tastes. The trade winds help cool things off on the island, as well. The dry, arid climate promises sunny days for enjoying the beaches. This island knows how to treat its tourists, which is why half of their gross national product is earned through tourism. Add to that a low crime rate and you have a great destination to relax and have some fun.

4.St. Lucia is another great destination in the Caribbean chain of islands. This is a good choice for sheer beauty. The approach to the island on the ship is breathtaking and the undisturbed nature on the island provides a glimpse at the past. Trails through the secluded coves and lush, green vegetation offer a relaxing opportunity to reconnect with nature. The beaches are carpeted with golden sand. Don’t be mistaken, however, the capital, Castries, is a lively place. There are plenty of shops and attractions to keep even the most urban traveler busy.

5.The Dominican Republic attracts many people for its beaches. It does have the highest mountain in the Caribbean, the 10,164 foot Pico Duarte, but it is the beaches and resorts that attract most of the visitors. The fairly constant tropical temperature, ranging from 78 to 88 degree Fahrenheit, is also a popular attraction. It is also a good destination for shorter cruises due to its close proximity to the U.S. It has a good selection of all-inclusive resorts in the southeast. History can be found in the buildings in the capital city, Santo Domingo. If kiteboarding and windsurfing is your thing, then the North-central area of Cabarete would be a great place to visit. Overall, if you are looking for sun and relaxation the Dominican Republic is a good stop.

Whether the goal for your vacation is just relaxing on the beach, or hiking through the hills and jungles, the Caribbean has a lot to offer. While a single destination cruise gives you the chance to fully explore an island, a multi-destination cruise will give you a taste of many different cultures. If you want to escape the gold and grey winter a cruise to the Caribbean is a great choice.

About Author:
Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to vacations and the travel industry such as Caribbean Cruise | Cruise Deals

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By: Craig Wilson

When planning on an Alaska Cruise there are some things you should make sure you take with you and some items that you should get prior to your cruise. Simply by being organized you can make sure you are able to enjoy your visit to Alaska and make the most of your vacation. Most of the items are simply commonsense items however they can be easily overlooked.

When you book your cruise it is always a good idea to get your travel insurance at the same time, this insurance will offer you different types of protection. Most people book a cruise well in advance of their departure date and should you need to cancel having booked so early the travel protection cover should cover most eventualities. So in the event of an illness, major injury to yourself or anyone traveling with you should be covered.

Travel Protection Insurance not only covers cancellation but also whilst you are on your cruise in Alaska. Insurance cover should cover your medical bills in the event of serious injury or illness of anyone named on the policy. The holiday insurance should also cover your luggage and personal belongings in the even of theft. Make sure the insurance cover you have is adequate for your needs and everyone named on it is also fully covered as well.

Don’t forget to take some form of identification and carring it with you at all times. Suitable identification would be a passport or a notarized copy of a birth certificate with some photographic identification. Alaska is an American state however there is a chance your cruise may leave from Canada or make a stop there. For other travelers you will already have a passport, which you used to gain entry to the United States or Canada.

Plan ahead and make sure you pack appropriate clothing for the formal nights and some smart but casual attire for the less formal nights aboard the ship. Swimsuits and such shouldn’t be forgotten for the ships pool and Jacuzzi.

Don’t forget you are traveling to Alaska and pack appropriate clothing for the weather for the time of year you are traveling on your cruise. By layering your clothes you can be comfortable and warm at the same time. If you have hiking boots, make sure you take them if you are planning on taking some of the more adventurous excursions.

When it comes to shampoo and soap some cruise ships are no different to hotels and only provide small bars of soap and small bottles of basic shampoo. Make sure you pack soap and shampoo with your other items such as lotions and toothpaste. Take similar items you would if you were going on an extended vacation.

Take extra spending money for emergencies or if you want to dime out whilst in a port of call or for shopping. Don’t take large amounts of cash it is advisable to take travelers cheques as these can be replaced, cash can’t. Credit cards are widely accepted in Alaska.

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What to pack with you on your Alaska Cruise with some Alaska Cruise Packing Tips. Some great insightful and travel tips to make your holiday go smoothly from the cruise professionals at the Travel Bites web site.

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By: Robbie Claus

So what would be a deal? Well for you it may be getting the best bang for your buck. But for your other half, maybe they have always wanted to go to Cancun and take the kids snorkeling. A good Cruise Specialist will find out what makes you both happy and gear your vacation to include all the things that you want. Maybe Mom wants to enjoy the spa, while Dad wants to hone his golf swing. The real key is to get the best deal that is right for you.

Cruise lines and their ships have personalities just as we do. There are luxury liners, mega ships, fun ships, ships with casinos, golf, basketball, spas, virtually whatever suits your fancy. It’s just a matter of fitting it all in and finding the deal that is a good fit for you.

After checking out all your requirements for the best cruise for you, the Cruise Specialist will check into discounts which you might be eligible for. Some of these special rates include senior discounts if you are over 55 or group discounts for 8 or more. You may even qualify for a past passenger rate from having sailed on a sister cruise line. They will work hard to find any special deals that would be available to you.

Our reservation system connects to the various cruise lines directly so your cruise specialist is viewing the exact same fares and programs that a cruise line reservation agent would see if you called them directly. However, they will work within your budget to get you the good deal that you deserve.

Legend has it that you will get a lower rate by calling the Cruise Line directly. Not true, in fact, we can usually get the same or lower pricing then most of the online sites out there. We will recommend a different cruise line when we see a good deal. Would you go into a Toyota dealer only to have them tell you that Nissan is having a sale down the street? In your dreams maybe. Our goal is to have you call us for your next cruise vacation and tell all your friends about us. Our commissions are paid by the Cruise Line, not by our customer. Without us, the ships simply wouldn’t get filled. You reap the benefits of our experiences.

So for valuable advice, personal and customized service and a long term relationship regardless of which cruise line you book, seek out a cruise specialist. After, all it’s YOUR vacation and your money so entrust it to a professional who truly wants you to have the best experience and most memorable cruise.

The deal that would be best is the one that fits your lifestyle into the destination, cabin and ship that will have you talking about for many years to come. The satisfied client is the one who has found the perfect fit, filled with activities that will have you thinking, When is it time to plan our next cruise vacation.

Our job as Cruise specialist will be to help prepare you by answering all your questions such as, What to pack, how do I book a shore excursion, what documents do I need. You wouldn’t go to your hair dresser for advice on how to fix your car. Cruise Specialist-that is what we are here for, we can book your hotels and transportation to the port as well as air. It’s all part of the service. What are you waiting for? Call us for the deal that will get you your dream cruise vacation.

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Robbie Claus has helped many people plan their cruise vacations. With over 7 years in the travel field, she works on getting her clients the best deals on cruises, as well as discount luxury cruises

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