East or West? Pick Your Caribbean Cruise Destination

A seven-day Caribbean cruise is often the first cruise many take. And it's no wonder, with all the Caribbean has to offer. Whether it's a Bahamas cruise you'd like, or you're looking for a western Caribbean cruise review, we will offer you a little insight.

The Caribbean is known world-wide for its beautiful blue waters and fantastic beaches. But it's even more than that. You can snorkel with stingrays in Grand Cayman, climb Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica, climb the Mayan pyramids, go mountain biking in the rainforests of Costa Rica, or view the many inhabitants of a coral reef in a glass-bottomed boat. And, you can enjoy the warmth of the Caribbean and its many ports of call year-round

Islands Rich in Culture
The Western Caribbean features many islands rich in culture and history in a setting that is a tropical paradise. Here you can walk through historic ruins, comb fantastic beaches, walk through rain forests and visit one of the many waterfalls in the region.

The Eastern Caribbean features turquoise-colored waters with white sand beaches and scenic mountains just off in the distance.

Most cruises leave from Florida, but some leave from New York City; Bayonne, New Jersey; Galveston, Texas; New Orleans, Aruba, Barbados, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.Generally the Eastern Caribbean cruises embark from Florida, with an itinerary including the Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. John, Puerto Rico, St. Martin and more. There is less sailing on the Eastern Caribbean cruises and more time for shopping.

Western Caribbean cruises offer more sailing, with departures from Florida, New Orleans and Texas. The itinerary includes Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Grand Cayman Islands and more.

Wide Variety of Cruise Lines
You have a wide variety of cruise lines to choose from, as all the majors ply the Caribbean on a regular basis, including Royal Caribbean International, Caribbean Cruise Lines, Holland America, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Disney, Seabourn and Celebrity. A Bahamas cruise is part of most packages.

For example, a seven-night Carnival Cruise Lines Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Port Canaveral, Florida in March and April 2007 ranges from $619 for an interior cabin to $1589 for a suite. Ports of call include Port Canaveral, Nassau and St. Maarten. A seven-night cruise leaving from Miami stops in San Juan Puerto Rico, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Philipsburg in St. Maarten. Prices range from $599 for an interior cabin to $1549 for a suite.

Each of Carnival's 22 ships features at least three swimming pools, full casino, on-board duty free shopping, a spa and complimentary children's program.

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