Cruise ship at night. Credit: Creative Commons/Citking
Are you ready to soak up the sun as you set sail on your cruising vacation? If you are cruising for the first time, then there are plenty of things which you need to consider. Here is a brief overview for first-time-cruisers.
There are myriad cruise destinations, and you may consider the Caribbean for your first-cruising-vacation. The Caribbean cruise makes a great value for money and you can visit multiple scenic islands. However, should you consider the Eastern Caribbean cruises, the western cruises, or southern cruises? Here are some differences:
Western Caribbean
The western side of Caribbean is more spaced out giving more time for cruise ships at sea. You may consider leaving from ports in Texas or New Orleans instead of Florida to reach the western side. The destinations on the west are Jamaica, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Dominican Republic, and more. The western side is featured with rain forests, more tropical climates, and ancient ruins.
Eastern Caribbean
The eastern Caribbean cruises are featured with more time on islands and lesser time at sea. The islands on the eastern side include St Thomas, St Martens, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and more. You can plan water activities like water skiing, snorkeling, parasailing, and more.
Southern Caribbean
The southern side includes Aruba, Curacao, Barbados and other islands. This will make a longer trip and as a first-time cruiser, you may find it to be an extended cruise.
Cruise Length
First-time cruisers may prefer a shorter cruise, so try a 3-4 day trip, instead of a 7-10 day. The trip cost would be cheaper and ideal as a quick-check on whether the cruise makes you sea-sick.
Try Newer Ships
First-time cruisers can try out the newer ships which have better stability, modern amenities, and are more enjoyable.
