The Eastern Caribbean has many historic islands with endless stretches of beautiful beaches. The western Caribbean is which one can explore ancient Mayan ruins as you venture into the Yucatan peninsula. The Southern Caribbean is known for its many dive sites with coral reefs full of fishes.
Each part of the Caribbean is unique and offers exciting places for a great cruise experience.
Eastern Caribbean Cruises: Sun, sand, sea and shopping
One of the favorite destinations in the Eastern Caribbean is St Maarten. St. Maarten is known for its duty-free shopping. Christopher Columbus sighted St. Maarten in 1493. French and Dutch divided the island and settled down in 1648. They have lived side by side ever since. St. Maarten gained partial independence from the Netherlands in 1954. The Netherlands Antilles governs St. Maarten while St. Martin is part of the French West Indies. St Maarten and St Martin is the world smallest island shared between two countries. The beaches on the island are among the best in the Caribbean. Clothing is optional on some beaches.
Western Caribbean Cruises: The Ancient and Adventure
The Western Caribbean cruise vacation is interesting because you can explore a number of countries and experience a variety of cultures in the same trip. You can also pop over the Mexican coast. Some cruises include stopovers at Key West and New Orleans.
Southern Caribbean Cruises: For the Young and Adventurous.
It is little wonder that the Southern Caribbean cruises are marketed as cruises for the singles. There are many activities for the young and energetic. Just right for breaking the ice between strangers. The Southern Caribbean is known for its crystal clear waters, which are ideal for snorkeling and diving.
There are also some great shore excursion opportunities. Many of the Southern Caribbean ports are booming centers of commerce while others are still large tract of lush rain forests. Some are enclaves for the rich and famous while others look more like the Arizona desert with their towering Saguaro cacti.
The Southern Caribbean islands are further away and less accessible than the Eastern or Western Caribbean islands. If you sail from the USA, you will need to plan for a longer trip. Alternatively, if you can fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aruba or Barbados and take a Southern Caribbean cruise from there. The Southern Caribbean cruises from this place starts from 4 days.
Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To get more tips on finding the best caribbean cruise line, please visit caribbean cruise vacation.
