Travelmodia - Eastern Caribbean

The Eastern Caribbean is probably the most popular destination for cruises than any other since nearly every cruise line, major or minor, offers some type of cruise itinerary to the area or elsewhere within the region like the Bahamas as part of their itinerary. The Bahamas as well as the Grand Turks in the Turks & Caicos are not officially part of the Caribbean however they are included in so many of the Eastern Caribbean itineraries that they are lumped in with this popular destination area.

Technically, the Eastern Caribbean region encompasses both the American and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Antigua, as well as the two nations on one island of St. Maarten and St. Martin. Click here to search for Eastern Caribbean cruises.

When visiting the Eastern Caribbean, you have many choice from which to depart. Miami and Ft. Lauderdale's Port Everglades are the region's major jumping-off ports however you can also sail from other East Coast ports from New York to Charleston. Additionally, during seasonal repositionings (when cruise lines move their ships from one area of the globe to another), you can even book a cruise to or from Europe.

The region's most developed ports of call include St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Nassau as well as San Juan as there are plenty of well organized activities on shore, many duty-free shopping stores, all types of watersports in addition to historic tours you can enjoy while in port. Still you can look beyond the typical tourist scenes to find your private desolated beach or other niceties that abound these ports.

Many of the cruise lines have private island-cays they own and become part of a stop-over enroute to another port of call. Above is Disney's Castaway Cay and Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay. Below you can see Holland America's Half Moon Cay and Princess Cruise Line's Princess Cay.

The Eastern Caribbean has a couple of other reasons why it is one of the most popular destinations. One being time where you can take a short 3 or 4 night cruise on a long weekend getaway There are also lengthier cruies too ranging from 7 days, 10 days or more.

Additionally, if you are a budget conscious individual, these itineraries offer some of the least expensive cruises out there. They also cater to the ultra-luxury individual as well and every budget in between.

The "high" season for cruising in the Eastern Caribbean runs from December through April, particularly for those wanting to escape the winter in the US, Canada as well as Europe. The only difference between winter and summer cruising in the Eastern Caribbean is a slightly warmer climate however it is never "searingly" hot in the summer.

The best time to book a cruise is late summer and fall when the kids have gone back to school as the cruise lines offer their best bargains then. As for hurricane season, it runs from June through November with August, September and October normally the most active storm months. As such, and not only because of the possible threat of extreme weather, you should always purchase travel insurance for several reasons, not just because of extreme weather.

So, no matter your reason, The Eastern Caribbean has something for everybody.