The general, non-specific answer is “a lot of them,” so the cruise line you choose to sail to the Caribbean with is in some ways a secondary question. When all the major cruise lines (and several smaller cruise lines) go to the same part of the world, this isn’t the criterion you should use to pare down your options. Instead, you should first consider the broad outlines of your desired trip, such as the length of your vacation, the amount of money you are willing to spend on your trip, and the port you wish to depart from. Obviously, you will also want to consider what parts of the Caribbean you want to visit. With these and similar questions answered, you can now begin to look at specific cruise lines and their offerings.

One of the first cruise lines you might want to consider is Royal Caribbean Cruises. The very name of the cruise line suggests its relevance to the present discussion. Royal Caribbean offers literally hundreds of cruises to the Caribbean every year, cruises that depart from multiple ports in the U.S., like three found in Florida and one found in New Jersey (among others). Royal Caribbean offers trips all over the Caribbean, with ports of call in such places as Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the British Virgin Islands, along with many other places.

The advantage of booking your cruise with a major cruise line like Royal Caribbean Cruises (or Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, etc.) is the variety these major companies offer. They have the resources, in the form of ships, staff, and capital, to offer a wide range cruise experiences. They all offer short and long cruises, cheap and expensive cruises, and so on. Their strength lies in their versatility. However, the huge cruise lines are by no means the only cruise lines that offer trips to the Caribbean.

Take, for example, the Caribbean vacations offered by Blount, a company that specializes in small ship adventures that “go where the big ships cannot.” Blount only offers a few different Caribbean cruises, but they are completely different than those offered by the major cruise lines. The ship that Blount uses to go on the “Galapagos Adventure,” for example, has only seven different rooms available on the ship and a single four-person jacuzzi. These are almost laughably small accommodations in the world of cruises, where the world’s largest cruise ship is a city onto itself, but Blount is obviously aiming for a differing sailing experience, one that is more intimate, where the passengers know the entire staff and each other.

Between these two extremes lie any number of other cruise lines that offer Caribbean cruises. Holland America Line, for instance, has mid-size ships that go to the Caribbean. So, the many cruise lines that have Caribbean cruises come in all sizes and offer a staggering variety of different cruise vacations. Once you figure out what you want from your Caribbean vacation, you’ll almost certainly find a cruise line that can accommodate your desires.

To get a handle on the many different places you can visit on a Caribbean cruise, we picked a major cruise line at random (that is, we selected a Google search result without paying heed to the cruise line with which it was associated), which ended up being Princess Cruises. Where Princess Cruises sails in the Caribbean will give us a good overview of where you can go in the Caribbean in general.

Let’s divide the Caribbean in half in terms of east and west, and we’ll begin with the former. The Eastern Caribbean is home to some classic travel destinations, like the Bahamas, that fine string of 29 islands with white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Speaking of white sand and turquoise water, the Eastern Caribbean also contains St. Maarten, an island that is divided between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Because of the French-Dutch fusion, St. Maarten is known for their excellent cuisine, among other things. Yet another cruise destination in the Eastern Caribbean is St. Thomas, which, along with a few other islands, is part of the Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. St. Thomas is known for its excellent views and the pastel-colored houses that are scattered about the island.

On to the Western Caribbean. This area includes the largest island of Mexico, Cozumel, another iconic Caribbean cruise destination that offers incredible scuba diving. Another area of the Western Caribbean that offers great scuba diving is the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory that consists of Grand Cayman (where, by the way, Princess Cruises has a port), Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. If you get sick of looking at stingrays (one of the many marine creatures in this area of the Caribbean), you can check out a few shipwreck sites that are popular tourists attractions. No discussion of the Western Caribbean would be complete without mentioning Jamaica in general and Montego Bay in particular. Along with enjoying the natural beauty of this part of the Caribbean, you can also sample two of Jamaica’s most famous goods: coffee and rum.

It goes without saying that we have in no way exhausted the list of all of the places you can cruise to in the Caribbean – we didn’t even touch on Aruba, Grenada, and Puerto Rico, for example – but hopefully the above gives you an idea of the bounty of areas you can visit on a Caribbean cruise. There is much to enjoy in this part of the world.

Let’s start with the obvious: the Caribbean, located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and North America, is awesome. It is a paradise on earth for many people, especially for those who live in less hospitable climates. There are over 5,000 islands and cays (i.e., a small, sandy island formed on the surface of coral reefs) scattered throughout the Caribbean, and you’d be hard pressed to find one that doesn’t have a beach worth laying on. The Caribbean, alternatively called the West Indies because of the (understandable) folly of Christopher Columbus, also consists of the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean Sea is famous for its beautiful water, which is paradoxically clear and a rich greenish blue color all at once. The Caribbean Sea is also home to many coral reefs; in fact, there are over 20,000 miles of them, comprising about nine percent of the world’s coral reefs. This makes the Caribbean an ideal place to snorkel, provided you’re willing to set down your piña colada and slip on some flippers. Speaking of snorkeling, there are lots of activities to do while in the Caribbean, which is the next reason to take a Caribbean cruise.

What types of things can you do? Besides the classic beach and ocean activities touched on above, there are a number of other ways to occupy your time while you’re at port in the Caribbean. For example, many islands in the Caribbean offer jeep excursions you can take to check out the sights on land. The tropics are loaded with plant and animal life, much of which will be unfamiliar to those from colder climates (the inhabitants of less hospitable lands mentioned above). Such excursions, along with any number of other activities (like flying across the top of a forest on a zip line, another popular thing to do in the Caribbean), might be offered through your cruise line, or you can book a reservation with an independent business. Either way, you’ll have no shortage of things to do as you cruise through the Caribbean.

These are merely a few of the reasons you might want to take a cruise vacation to the Caribbean. There are additional reasons you might want to go – for example, the fresh-seafood cuisine – but what humble information we’ve provided should be enough to convince you that Caribbean cruises are a great and worthwhile endeavor.

There are four different types of Caribbean vacation travel cruises available:

• Eastern Caribbean Cruise
• Western Caribbean Cruise
• Southern Caribbean Cruise
• Deep Southern Caribbean Cruise

Eastern Caribbean cruises usually depart from Florida, but longer cruises may depart from New York. Eastern Caribbean cruises sail to the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Tortola, San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Western Caribbean cruises may depart from Florida, Texas, or New Orleans and they sail to the Bahamas, Key West, Cozumel, Calica/Playa del Carmen, Costa Maya, Belize, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama.

Southern Caribbean cruises may depart from Barbados, San Juan Puerto Rico or Ft. Lauderdale. Depending on the departure port, ports of call typically include St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, Dominica, Martinique, San Juan, and Aruba. St. Thomas is probably the most popular port of call for Caribbean cruises.

The most exotic type of cruise among the Caribbean cruises is the Deep Southern Caribbean cruise. Many Deep Southern Caribbean Cruises are port intensive, offering plenty of opportunities to explore or relax on the islands. Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St. Maarten, Tortola, St. Kitts, Dominica and St. Lucia may be considered Southern and Deep Southern ports of call. Other Deep Southern Ports of call include Ocho Rios, Cartagena, Colon, San Blas, Puerto Limon, Costa Maya, and Cayo Levantado, to name a few. Deep Southern Caribbean cruises are typically longer as well.

Depending on the type of cruise you choose, Caribbean shore excursions will have some similarities such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and sunbathing, but there are many Caribbean shore excursions are distinctly different. Tubing on the Layou River in Dominica, Stingray City at Grand Cayman Island, Hiking the El Junque Rain Forest in Puerto Rico, High Tea at Sunbury Plantation on Barbados, Walking Up Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, and America’s Cup Yacht Racing on St. Maarten are just a few unique favorites among the many cruise excursion offerings.

Once you have decided which Caribbean vacation is for you, length of cruise (anywhere from 3 days up to 15 days or more), and the types of things you would like to do on your cruise, it’s time to select a cruise line. Choose any of the following cruise lines to book your Caribbean Cruise. Please click here for a directory of all cruise line websites. You can also contact your local cruise travel agent. Scroll through for information about discounts and deals.

Carnival Cruise Lines
Celebrity Cruises
Costa Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Cunard Line
Discovery Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
Holland America Cruise Line
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Oceania Cruises
Princess Cruise Line
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
The Yachts of Seabourn
Windjammer Barefoot Cruises
Windstar Cruises

To score deep discounts and deals on your Caribbean vacation travel cruise, visit any of the following popular discount cruise websites or discount booking search engines to check out the lowest prices on cruises, to shop and compare, and you can even book your Caribbean cruise right online.

Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com

To find out more about discount cruises, you can visit any number of cruise review websites to read reviews from real passengers, with real experiences. While there are man cruise review websites to choose from, some of the most popular (and reliable) cruise review websites include:

Cruisecritic.com
Cruisereviewsonline.com
Cruisereport.com
Cruisedirectonline.com
Cruisemates.com

If you are interested in any of the fly-cruise deals listed in this article or any other fly-cruise deal, there are a few things to remember. First, fares are per person (two to a cabin), per night. Next, fly-cruise deals sell out fast, so always book early. And finally, early booking can also help you save even more, so talk to a cruise travel specialist for details.

The following fly-cruise deals are available now:

Alaska from San Francisco aboard Crystal Symphony, departs May 9, 2011 for 12 nights.
Cost: £3,550 ($5,730 US), including and include return flights and pre-cruise overnight hotel stay, plus $1,000 onboard credit per cabin.

Caribbean Cruise aboard Fred Olsen’s Braemar, departs December 8 2011 from Montego Bay with calls in Cozumel, Tortola, and Antigua. Cost: starting at £1,362 ($2,198 US) per person, inclusive of flights and transfers.

Miami to Rome aboard Azamara Journey, departs on April 4, 2011 for 13 nights. Cost: starting at £1,301 ($2,099 US) for an inside cabin. Price is inclusive of flights, complimentary wine with lunch and dinner, and gratuities.

Rome to Athens aboard Regent Seven Seas Mariner departs June 7, 2011 for 10 nights via Monte Carlo, Amalfi, Sicily, Malta, Santorini and Kusadasi. Book by March 31, 2011 for the following deal: fares start at £2,723 ($4,395 US) and include flights and transfers, all drinks onboard, unlimited shore excursions at each port of call, and prepaid gratuities.

Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, aboard Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess with a four-night pre-cruise stay in Las Vegas, including a full-day tour to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Itineraries run from April 11 to May 12, 2011, 7-night cruises. Visit Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Cost: fares start from £1,179 ($1,903 US), based on an April 26 departure or later. Fare includes all flights and transfers.

If you miss the fly-cruise deals this year, don’t worry. You can still save money on cruises by booking with a group, booking last minute, and booking off-season. If you are 55 years or better, you are also entitled to a discount. Try booking through any of the following discount booking search engines for the best prices any time of the year.

Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com

Some of the top winter cruise destinations include:

• Caribbean
• Mexican Riviera
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Hawaiian Islands
• Barbados
• Nile

The deepest discounts are offered on Caribbean winter cruises and Hawaiian Islands cruises. But all of the destinations listed above are offered at affordable prices during the winter months. If you want to enjoy the biggest discounts, stick to major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Holland America Line, to name a few. These cruise lines offer more departures, and larger ships, so there’s plenty of wiggle room for discounts.

To save even more in winter cruises, you can also book through a discount booking search engine. Although mot cruise lines offer hot deals if you book online directly through the cruise line, discount booking search engines might offer even cheaper tickets. So try:

Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com

Sample Winter Cruise Deals

Royal Caribbean International has a number of cruises that depart from Florida ports starting at $80. These include 4- and 5-night Caribbean cruises. Cruisers will visit destinations such as George Town, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.

Carnival Cruises has a number of special winter cruise deals to Baja Mexico. Cruises depart from Los Angeles on 3- and 4-day cruises. Ports of call include Ensenada, Mexico Catalina Island, CA. Cruises start at $239 for 3-day cruises and $249 for 4-day cruises.

Starting at around $92 a day, Holland America Line has a 14-day circle Hawaii cruise that departs from San Diego, CA. Ports of call include Hilo, Hawaii, US; Honolulu, Hawaii, US; Nawiliwili Kauai, Hawaii, US; Lahaina, Hawaii, US, and Ensenada, Mexico.

More Ways to Save on Winter Cruises

Besides booking with major cruise lines and booking through discount booking search engines, there are other ways to save on already low-priced winter cruises. You can book in advance to save or you can book last minute to save up to 75 percent off the regular cruise price. If you book with a group or family, you can save or if you are a senior you can save up to 20 percent or more.

A senior is defined as a person who is 55 or older. If you are a senior, in order take advantage of senior rates, all you have to do is book through a cruise travel specialist or book directly with the cruise line. Proof of age is required. Groups and families can also get the best deals if they book through a cruise travel specialist as well or contact a live cruise travel agent. A live person will always have the latest specials and promotions on available for you.

After deciding where you would like to cruise (the Caribbean is popular), the next thing to consider is the cruise line. Everyone has their own preferences, so some people may prefer a casual environment and others may prefer a luxury cruise, where formal nights are always on the menu. Whatever your taste and budget, there is a cruise line to suit your needs. Some of the most popular cruise lines in the industry today include: Silversea Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line.

Silversea Cruises and Crystal Cruises feature luxury cruise ships cruise lines that are popular among affluent, seasoned travelers, while Regent Seven Seas attracts the same crowd, but the cruise ships are bigger and the environment is more relaxed. Regent Seven Seas is also considered one of the most romantic cruise lines in the world so their cruise ships are perfect for honeymoons. Couples can enjoy French and Polynesian dining, spa treatments, waterspouts, and romantic shore excursions such as river cruises, dinner cruises, horseback riding through the mountains, wading in the water underneath a waterfall, and more.

Royal Caribbean International is considered the perfect cruise line for first-time cruisers as it attracts a good mix of passengers from different backgrounds and with different interests. This means you’ll find a wide variety of activities, dining and entertainment options, and a very casual environment. Disney Cruise Line is perfect for families, couples, and singles looking for a festive atmosphere and excellent prices, while Carnival Cruise Line is tops for single, 20-30-somethings looking for a party atmosphere. Carnival Cruise Line also attracts young couples (married or otherwise) that may be interested in a festive atmosphere as well.

Once you feel that you know a bit more about the different cruise lines and cruise ships, you should get to know your destinations. Depending on the cruise line, you can expect to travel to popular destinations such as the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii or romantic and exotic destinations such as Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, Bermuda, and Europe. Exotic destinations that are also popular for romance and adventure include Africa, Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Costa Rica.

If you want to save money on cruises, booking early and booking at the very last minute has advantages. Additionally, certain times of the year offer discounts and savings as well. For example, May through September is high season for Alaska, the fall and summer seasons are prime times for European sailings, and while the Caribbean is a year-round destination, winter is the most popular time for Caribbean travel. Peak travel times are always more expensive than off-peak travel, so keep this in mind.

When you are ready to book your cruise, you can contact your local cruise travel agent or you can contact the cruise line that you like most. A great place to search for certified cruise travel agents is with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The site has a search function that will help you locate certified cruise travel agents or counselors in your area.

If you already have a cruise line in mind, visit the cruise lines website to book a cruise or simply write down the cruise lines 800 or 866 number (listed on the website) and give tem a call. Click here for a directory of all cruise lines.

The top cruises from New Orleans include Carnival (year around), Norwegian (Nov-March) and Royal (Nov-May). Carnival Inspiration has New Orleans is the home port for Carnival’s Sensation, Sensation arrives every Friday morning, while Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas depart from New Orleans every Saturday.

Carnival offers 4- and 5-day cruises from the Port of New Orleans to destinations such as Cozumel, Mexico, and the Western Caribbean. Royal Caribbean’s cruises will take you from New Orleans to destinations such as Costa Maya, Puerto Rico, and Aruba.

Carnival, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean cruise to and from New Orleans, passengers allow passengers to enjoy two vacation experiences in one trip! For Carnival reservations log onto www.carnival.com. For Norwegian log onto www.ncl.com. And for Royal Caribbean Reservations, log onto www.royalcaribbean.com.

If you can’t spare have 4-5 days or your goal is to spend your days (or nights) cruising the Mississippi, New Orleans has a local cruise for every taste, style, and budget. Visitors can choose from a variety of cruises such as the popular Dinner Jazz Cruise, the Harbor Cruise or the Aquarium Zoo Cruise, which is great for families.

During the Dinner Jazz Cruise, passengers can enjoy the sparkling New Orleans skyline aboard New Orleans only authentic steamboat named “Natchez.” The Harbor Cruise features a two-hour cruise by day from the heart of the French Quarter, also aboard the Steamboat Natchez.

Families can enjoy a fun-filled day of cruising between the Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Zoo aboard the Riverboat John James Audubon. The cruise features seven miles of sightseeing and highlights, along with stops at the Zoo and Aquarium. For information about New Orleans cruises or to make reservations, contact the New Orleans Steamboat Company at 504-586-8777.

The port of New Orleans also offers New Orleans cruises aboard the Delta Queen Steamboat which runs year around through the Mississippi and Ohio River systems as well as the Riverbarge Excursion also year around cruising through the Mississippi and Ohio River systems.

New Orleans Cruise Terminal Info.

New Orleans Julia Street Cruise Terminal Complex is located within the same building as the RiverWalk Shopping Mall, featuring everything from a delicious food court to the Gap, Limited, and Victoria’s Secret. Passengers can shop until it’s time to board their ship or steamboat.

For $1.25 per ride passengers may also take a ten-minute trip to the Aquarium of the Americas, IMAX Theater, Harrah’s Casino or the French Quarter for a few hours of entertainment before or after a cruise. New Orleans Cruise terminals are all on the RiverFront streetcar (trolley) line, with two stops adjacent to the cruise terminals.

South Locus Point Cruise Terminal has seating for more than 750 cruise passengers, 36 mobile check-in stations, and parking for more than 500 vehicles. This dedicated cruise terminal is conveniently located less than 200 yards off I-95, the major north-south route on the East Coast, and ample parking allows passengers to simply drive up and board their cruise ship.

The top cruises out of Baltimore include Caribbean/Deep Caribbean, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Key West, and Canada/New England. These cruises are offered through
two of the biggest cruise lines out of Baltimore including Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. Cruises sail the Chesapeake Bay so there are plenty of sights to see along the way.

Royal Caribbean’s popular Grandeur of the Seas departs from the Port of Baltimore. Grandeur of the Seas has a gross tonnage of 74,137 tons and it houses a crew of 760, with accommodations for 1,950 passengers. The ship is under 15 years old as of 2008. This modern Vision-class super liner also sails the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera, and variety of U.S. Coastal itineraries. Other Royal Caribbean Vision-class ships include Enchantment of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines has 23 vessels in its fleet.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Majesty also departs from the Port of Baltimore. This classic vessel is around 40,786 gross tons and it travels to Bermuda. Norwegian Majesty has nine passenger decks, more than 700 rooms and suites, and it accommodates 1,790 passengers. Norwegian Majesty also travels to the Caribbean and Canada/New England.

Although not as popular as Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, but still a favorite among those in the know, American Cruise Lines also leaves from the Port of Baltimore. American Cruise Line’sAmerican Eagle and American Star offer six, seven, and fourteen day U.S. and Canada cruises. The six day cruises cover Baltimore, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Tangier Island, Crisfield, Solomons, Cambridge, Oxford, Saint Michaels, Annapolis, and back to Baltimore, and the seven day cruise covers Baltimore, Norfolk, Oriental, Morehead City, Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, Charleston or the seven day Baltimore, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Tangier Island, Solomons, Cambridge, Oxford, Saint Michaels, Annapolis, and back to Baltimore.

Fourteen day American Cruise Lines cruises leaving from the Port of Baltimore travel to Baltimore, Norfolk, Oriental, Morehead City, Wilmington, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Beaufort, Daufuskie Island, Hilton Head Island, Savannah, Saint Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Amelia Island.

For more information about which cruise lines leave from the Port of Baltimore and scheduling information, visit the official Port of Baltimore website at www.cruisemaryland.com.

Mini-cruises may stand alone or they might be part of a larger itinerary. When part of a larger itinerary, mini-cruises may include exotic river cruises, small yacht cruises, or small expedition cruises that travel where larger ships cannot. Mini cruises offer the same variety of entertainment, dining options and leisure facilities that are found on longer sailings, but they are designed to allow passengers to get the most out of their time onboard.

Some mini-cruises may take place during the week, but many take place on weekends. These types of cruises are packaged as “weekend getaways.” Popular destinations for weekend cruises include The Bahamas, The Western Caribbean, The Pacific Northwest, and Baja Mexico. Pacific Northwest mini-cruises typically last for three nights and they leave from Seattle. Bahamas cruises leave from Miami for three nights, and Western Caribbean cruises leave from Miami for four nights. Baja Mexico cruises leave from Los Angeles for three nights.

These are not the only mini-cruises available. Most cruise lines offer short cruises, but some of the most popular mini-cruises are offered through:

-Royal Caribbean
-Disney Cruise Line
-Carnival Cruise Line
-Celebrity Cruises

Prices for mini-cruises are “mini” too. Thanks to the shorter duration of the cruises, the are perfect for cruisers that are short on time and money. Depending on the type of accommodations, a mini-cruise may cost as little as $150 per person for an interior suite, up to $500 for a deluxe suite. You can also save money on mini-cruises by booking through a discount booking search engine such as Kayak or CheapTickets.com. The links to the most popular discount booking search engines are provided below.

Kayak.com
Expedia.com
Orbitz.com
Travelocity.com
CheapTickets.com
VacationsToGo.com
Cruise411.com
Cruise.com

So why take a mini-cruise? Mini-cruises are a perfect way to test the waters (no pun intended). If it’s your first cruise, a mini-cruise will let you know if you will get seasick, if you are ok with crowds, if you will like the cruise experience overall, the food, entertainment, etc. Next, as stated earlier, mini-cruises are less expensive than longer cruises. Mini-cruises also allow you to visit a variety of locations in a short amount of time without having to deal with flying or staying overnight in multiple locations. And finally, if you are short on time and you only have a few days to unwind, a mini-cruise offers just enough time to accomplish your goals.

To book a mini-cruise, visit any of the websites listed in this article or use the Ships and Cruises Directory to locate dozens of different cruise lines around the world.