Cruising The Western Caribbean by: Jim Christy

HOW TO SAVE HOW TO ENJOY

SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU SAVE

Finding Cruise Values

Those inexpensive Western Caribbean cruise promotions may sound like a terrific bargain, but you really need to know more. Ships have become fancier and offer more amenities, so trying to figure out the actual cost of your trip can be complicated. There is no one simple answer.

Historically, the only extra fees were crew tipping, beverages, ship-to-shore phone calls, gambling, trips and gift shop purchases. Today, cruise lines are adding all sorts of interesting features, available for an extra cost. Extras may include exercise classes, Internet access with per minute charges ranging from $ .35 to $ 1.25 and alternative dining options with a $ 20 charge and up per person.

If many of these "extras" are important to you, consider upgrading your cruise line. Luxury lines tend to be more inclusive and all you can get more of your needs included in the cost of your cruise.

In any event, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your cruise vacation budget.

Look for Sales

The Internet is the best source for seeking out sales. Virtual travel agencies, particularly those geared to the do-it-yourself traveler, make it possible for you to act as your own agent. You can book your own cruise and even select your own cabin.

The Internet has a handful of high profile travel agencies with great reputations for accuracy, customer service and excellent pricing. They generally offer lots of extras along with recent consumer reviews.

The prices on a cruise line's brochure should be considered sample pricing. Unless a particular itinerary is very special and demand is higher than supply, you should never have to pay the brochure price.

Be Flexible

Pricing a cruise is a lot like looking for airline tickets. Fares constantly go up and down. Travelers who have the flexibility to wait until close to departure dates (three to six weeks before departure for cruises) may find the best rock bottom pricing. You may not be able to choose an outside room, but the pricing can be very attractive.

Another option may be to advance plan your cruise. Many cruise lines offer excellent fares and throw in otherwise expensive upgrades to people who book six months in advance and pay a deposit. The most valuable upgrade would be a "balcony stateroom for the price of an outside cabin."

The official season for hurricanes is from June 1st through November 30th. This can be an excellent time for cruise bargain hunters.

On-Board Savings

* The bar bill can often drive your on-board costs up. Look for discount packages such as "wine and dine" deals. Cruise lines will also offer a drink of the day special or a bucket of beer, five beers for the price of four. You can also save money by getting an all-you-can-drink soda card, which used to be limited to children.
* Communicating back home from onboard can be very costly. You can expect to pay $ 6.95 to $ 15.95 per minute for ship-to-shore calling. One thing you can do is find a cyber center in a port and send emails from there at a fraction of the cost.
Using the spa on the ship can be very pricey, as much as $ 99 for a 50-minute massage. One tip to help you save if you want to use the spa: book your time when the ship is in port. The price is often 10% to 20% lower at that time.

SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU ENJOY YOURSELF

Some Facts

The Western Caribbean ranks as one of the world's great vacation destinations by combining some of the Caribbean's most vibrant cultures along with natural wonders on land and sea. If offers the rich historical treasures of the Mayan Empire, a diver's paradise and snorkel's as well as an archaeological treasure trove.

The sheer volume of Western Caribbean cruises attests to the fact it truly is a year round destination. Temperatures seldom vary from highs in the 80s and lows in the 70s, with humidity at the 70 percent level all year long.

Things to See and Do

Traditional ports in a Western Caribbean cruise often include: Belize City, Belize, Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman, Key West, Florida; Montego Bay and / or Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Progresso, Mexico. Here are some shore adventures you should take in these ports.

Belize City

Belize's 185-mile barrier reef is the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the scuba diving is world class. Cruise ships offer supervised excursions for snorkelers at all levels. One of the most popular snorkeling spots along the reef is Shark / Ray Alley, where you share the water with southern stingrays and nurse sharks.

Cozumel

You should definitely see the great walled city of Tulum. The sixty-acre site features stone carvings, archways and architecture with "Sundials" that light up during the solstices. Tulum's main castle sits on a limestone cliff overlooking the Caribbean.

George Town

Take a stroll among the casuarinas trees along the white sands of Seven Mile Beach. But then take a boat trip to the famous "Stingray City Sandbar." As you snorkel in the shallow waters, you will be able to feed the stingrays with huge chopped up squid provided by the tour operators. The rays will eat from your hand and are quite polite.

Save some time for a quick run to the Tortuga Rum Factory on South Church Street. The factory's rum cakes are famous with flavors such as coffee and key lime. You can even purchase mini sized cakes for about $ 10 and they make great gifts.

Key West

The southernmost point of land in the United States, the "Conch Republic" of Key West has a history as one of the favorite haunts of artists, celebrities, presidents and literary giants. Be sure to visit the Ernest Hemmingway Home and Museum and "The Little White House" where Harry Truman relaxed. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum houses millions of dollars worth of treasure salvaged from a Spanish Galleon.

You must also stroll down Duval Street, home to many shops and restaurants including Sloppy Joe's Tavern where Ernest Hemmingway spent time writing and entertaining. Do not miss an opportunity to have some Key Lime Pie here.

Montego Bay

Take an excursion to the 6000-acre Rose Hall Plantation. The plantation's Great House, built in 1760, is said to be haunted by the ghost of its former mistress, Annie Palmer.

Ocho Rios

Dunn's River Falls is the place to see here. Climb a 600 foot high staircase surrounded by lush foliage as you watch the falls crashing down on a white sandy beach.

Many cruises offer excursions that focus on the arts, including visits to museums, galleries such as Harmony Hall and tours of Noel Coward's beautiful retreat, Firefly.

Progresso

The Mayan city of Chitzen Itza is a short two hours from Progresso. With its intricate temples, the famous pyramid of Kulkulcan, a sacred ball court and astronomical observatory, it is certainly worth the trip. Another important Mayan ceremonial center, Dzibilchaltun, is but fifteen minutes away.

If the ruins intrigue you, look for the face of the living Maya. The descendants of the Maya still thrive here, having preserved their language and many of their ancient ways.

These are but a few of the many adventures and sights you can visit and experience during your Western Caribbean cruise. There will be many more trips offered by your cruise line, so investigate and take advantage of the beauty and culture of the Western Caribbean.

A visit to Luggage Pros website will play an important role in helping you meet all of your luggage and travel accessories needs.

About The Author

Jim Christy

For more information on Jim and his luggage and travel tips, go to http://www.luggagepros.com/.

@ luComment luggage to how to enjoy

Some tips to help you save

Find the values of cruise

These cheap Western Caribbean cruise promotions in May sounds like a great bargain, but you really need to know more. The vessels have become Fancier and offers more amenities, to try to determine the actual cost of your trip can be complicated. There is no simple answer.

Historically, the only expense of the crew were tipping, beverages, ship-to-shore telephone calls, gambling, trips and gift shop purchases. Today, cruise lines are adding all sorts of features, available at an additional cost. May extras include exercise classes, with Internet access per minute from $ 35 to $ 1.25 and other dining options at $ 20 per person and up.

While many of these "extras" are important to you, consider upgrading your cruise line. Luxury lines tend to be more inclusive and all you can get most of your needs included in the cost of your cruise.

In any event, here are some tips to help you make the most of your holiday cruise.

Look for sales

The Internet is the best source for finding sales. Virtual travel agencies, particularly those devices to the do-it-yourself traveler, it is possible for you to act as your own agent. You can book your cruise, and even choose your own cabin.

The Internet has a handful of high profile travel agencies with a great reputation for accuracy, customer service and an excellent price. They generally offer many extras with recent comments from consumers.

The price of a cruise line brochure sample must be considered priceless. Unless a route is very special and demand exceeds supply, you should never have to pay the brochure price.

Be flexible

Price of a cruise is a bit like searching for airline tickets. The rates go up and down constantly. Travelers are able to wait close to departure dates (three to six weeks before departure for cruises) May find the best prices low. May you not be able to choose an outside room, but the price may be very attractive.

Another option in May in advance of your cruise. Many cruise lines offer excellent rates and throw in expensive upgrades for people who book six months in advance and pay a deposit. The most valuable upgrade would be a "cabin balcony for the price of a cab outside."

The official hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30. This can be an excellent opportunity for bargain hunters cruising.

On pension savings

* The bar bill can often your car on board costs. Look for discount programs like "Wine and Dine" deals. Cruise lines also offer a drink of the day or a bucket of beer, five beers for the price of four. You can also save money by making an all-you card can drink soda, which was limited to children.
* Communication home on board can be very expensive. You can expect to pay $ 6.95 to $ 15.95 per minute for ship-earth appeal. One thing you can do is find a cyber-center in a port and send emails from there at a fraction of the cost.
* Use the spa aboard the ship can be very expensive, as much as $ 99 for 50 minutes of massage. A trick to help you save money if you want to use the spa: book your time when the ship is in port. The price is often 10% to 20% less than that time.

Some tips to help you get

Fast Facts

Western Caribbean is a major holiday destinations by combining some of the Caribbean's most dynamic cultures along natural wonders on land and sea supply rich historical treasures of the Maya empire, a paradise for divers and snowshoeing as well as an archaeological treasure trove.

The volume of the West Caribbean cruises reflects reality, it is really a destination throughout the year. Temperatures vary rarely highs and lows in the 80s in the 70s, with humidity at 70 percent all year.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Traditional ports of the western Caribbean cruises often include: Belize City, Belize, Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Grand Cayman, Key West, Florida; Montego Bay or Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Progresso, Mexico. Some shore adventures you take in these ports.

Belize City

185 miles Belize Barrier Reef is the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and scuba diving is world class. Cruise ships offer supervised tours for Snorkelers at all levels. One of the most popular spots along the snorkeling, the reef is Shark / Ray Alley, where you share the water with southern stingrays and nurse sharks.

Cozumel

You must see the great walled city of Tulum. The sixty-acre site presents stone sculptures, arches and architecture with "solar" that light up during the solstice. Tulum's main castle is located on a limestone cliff overlooking the Caribbean region.

George Town

Take a walk among the trees along casuarinas white sand Seven Mile Beach. But then, take a boat from the famous "Stingray City Sandbar." As you snorkel in the waters, you'll be able to feed the stingrays with huge chopped up squid provided by tour operators. The rays will eat your hand and are very polite.

Put a little time for a rapid solution to the Rum Tortuga of South Church Street. The plant is famous rum cakes with flavors such as coffee and key lime. You can even buy mini-sized cakes for about $ 10 and they are great gifts.

Key West

The southern United States, the Conch Republic "Key West has a history as one of the favorite artists, celebrities, presidents and literary giants. Do not forget to visit the Ernest Hemmingway and Museum Home and "The Little White House where Harry Truman relaxed. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum is home to millions of dollars in treasure rescue of a Spanish galleon.

You must also walk in the street Duval, houses many stores and restaurants including Sloppy Joe's Tavern where Ernest Hemmingway spent time writing and entertainment. Do not miss the opportunity to have a Key Lime Pie here.

Montego Bay

Take a trip to the 6000-acre Rose Hall Plantation. The planting of the Great House, built in 1760, is said to be haunted by the ghost of his ex-mistress, Annie Palmer.

Ocho Rios

Dunn's Falls Rivers is the place to see here. Climb to 600 feet high staircase surrounded by lush foliage as you watch the fall crashing on a white sand beach.

Many cruises offer excursions that emphasize the arts, including visits to museums, galleries such as Harmony Hall and visits by Noel Coward beautiful retreat, Firefly.

Progresso

The Mayan town of Chitzen Itza is a short two hours from Progresso. With its temples, the famous pyramid Kulkulcan, a sacred ball game and Astronomical Observatory, it is certainly worth the trip. Another important Mayan ceremonial center, Dzibilchaltun, but fifteen minutes.

If the ruins Intrigue you, see the face of Maya life. The descendants of the Mayas Thrive still there, having preserved their language and many of their old ways.

These are just some of the many attractions and adventures you can experience during your visit and west Caribbean cruise. There will be many other excursions offered by your cruise line to investigate and take advantage of the beauty and culture of the western Caribbean.

A visit to website Luggage Pros play an important role to help you meet all your luggage and travel accessories needs.

About the author

Jim Christy

For more information about Jim and his luggage and travel advice, go to http://www.luggagepros.com/.

luggage@luggagepros.comggagepros.com