The Caribbean is much more than just a sun-seeker’s paradise as each island has its own colourful history and there are many fascinating places to visit. Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts and Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua are just two of the historical locations on the islands that are popular with visitors.

There are also other great attractions for those who want to do more than lie on a beach. Jeep safaris take tourists deep into the tropical rainforest of St. Lucia. Other possibilities are horse riding in Jamaica or swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman. The Caribbean is also famous for its diving and snorkelling as well as offering opportunities to spot dolphins or whales.

There are many different islands in the Caribbean, each one offering something slightly different. Antigua and Aruba are renowned for their stunning white beaches whereas St. Lucia, Martinque and Guadeloupe have amazing scenery that ranges from lush tropical forests to cultivated botanical gardens and even volcanoes. Scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts will want to visit Curacao or Bonaire St. Barts. Dominica and Grenada are well known for their secluded coves and the local spice markets.

The Eastern Caribbean cruises will include the British and American Virgin Islands in the itinerary. St. Thomas UVI is the capital of the US Virgin islands and is a volcanic island with a spine of mountains that runs from east to west.

Cruise and stay is a good option for those who are new to cruises and would like to try a cruise, without giving up the option of a more traditional holiday. It also allows for greater flexibility, as cruises generally visit more than one location. This means that there is the opportunity to visit far more locations than would be possible on a traditional hotel-based holiday. It is also a good choice for those who choose cruises to far-away places, such as Far East cruises. Tours can be pre-booked, so that an individual can make the most of their time, and get more out of their holiday than he or she would with traditional cruise holidays.

Cruise and stay holidays are ideal for those who love cruising, but feel that they would also like time to explore their destination more. There are many different destinations to choose from. Cruise and stay packages are available for Caribbean Cruises, Far East Cruises, Baltic Cruises and other destinations, so it is no surprise that they are becoming a popular choice. Many cruise lines, such as Thomson Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises, offer cruise and stay holidays.

On board some of the magnificent vessels run by industry giants like Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises (to mention but a few), families from far more modest backgrounds can enjoy fabulously memorable holidays. All of the big companies offer excellent cruise deals, making them more than affordable to many who might wrongly assume that such luxury is beyond their means. Today, you don’t have to be rich to take a cruise. If you decide to take your chances on the many last minute cruises which companies nearly always have, you’ll frequently obtain even better bargains.

Some of the bigger vessels in the cruise operators’ fleets are more like floating fairytale castles than ships, and include not only gourmet restaurants, spectacular evening entertainment and several swimming pools, but also even facilities like rock-climbing walls, golf courses and onboard water surfing courses. So try a holiday experience with a difference this year; whether you picture yourself on Caribbean cruises, Mediterranean cruises, Far East cruises or Baltic cruises, there are plenty of cruises out there just waiting for you to enjoy the holiday of a lifetime.

Increasingly, big players like Thomson Cruises, P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises to name but a few, are diversifying their onboard facilities to provide superb holiday experiences for young and old alike, including families with children. Forget deckchairs and cocktails – check out the onboard rock climbing wall, golf range, ice rink or cinema. Not to mention the numerous pools for the kids.

There is a simply vertiginous array of options available, including Baltic cruises, Red Sea cruises and Far East Cruises as well as the more traditionally exotic Mediterranean cruises and Caribbean cruises. And many, many more (you can even cruise to the Arctic or Antarctic). Ranging from the weekend mini-cruise to the luxurious and leisurely cruise and stay holidays, where sea-travel is mixed with stays in beach-front hotels or apartments, every taste and budget can be catered for. There are also excellent cruise deals to be found with a little searching, especially on last minute cruises.

For those who like to get onshore and explore, mini-cruises include an overnight in, say, an historic European city, and excursions around the Med, and the Caribbean include virtually daily port stops, so you can explore the local area, take a swim on the beach and get a little retail therapy in, too.  In addition to the big names just mentioned, check out Carnival Cruises, Costa Cruises and Princess Cruises, too.

The first question is about cost. The flights will be expensive, so if your budget is tight, you need to find a cheap rental apartment or villa. Top tips for keeping accommodation costs low are to find a development where there is a shared pool and communal gardens. You’ll still have your own private patio, and having neighbours makes for a sociable holiday. You will find lower prices in the most popular resorts where competition is strong, or by going further inland, away from the pricey beachfront.

Secondly, you need to choose a location. Some islands are easier to get to than others, if travelling time is an issue. Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua are highly developed in places, but still have tranquil areas too. Other islands, such as Dominica and St Lucia are unspoilt and lush, with rainforests and mountains. How quiet or vibrant do you want your nightlife? Does amazing scenery matter to you? And how important is shopping and sports activities?

Thirdly, what comfort level are you happy with? If you don’t mind the heat, then you won’t need to pay extra for full air conditioning. If you are unlikely to cook for yourself, then you won’t need a high spec kitchen.

The Arcadia is a great choice for lovers of the arts, with more than 3,000 original pieces by British artists on display throughout the ship, as well as an on board three tier theatre and an exceptional programme of talks by experts from Tate Britain.

The Arcadia offers on board accommodation to suit all travellers, from the cosy and comfortable inside and outside staterooms, which are well equipped with all that the cruise passenger might need and make a great base from which to explore all that is on offer onboard, to the deluxe balcony stateroom, mini suite or suite.  These are best suited to those travellers looking to enjoy some extra luxury whilst on their holiday break.

Dining on the Arcadia is a gastronomic delight, with a choice of great eateries to satisfy every palate. Choose from the informal atmosphere of the Belevedere Food Court or opt for fine dining in the two tier fine dining restaurant. Delight in the mouth watering mysteries of the Orient or sample the menu created by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes for the onboard Arcadian Rhodes Eatery.

The Arcadia travels to distant destinations such as Auckland, Sydney, San Francisco and Hong Kong with the popular “World Cruise” itinerary being a sell out for the coming year. The Arcadia is therefore unlikely to be offered to travellers looking for last minute cruise bookings.

Shore excursions are a great cruise escapade, providing tourists with the best sites to visit. Costa Cruises offer the Italian style of cruising and some of the most exciting shore excursions, which allow tourists to revel in the captivating historic landmarks of their destination.

An excursion to some of the most exciting and interesting destinations in the world would be a perfect holiday getaway. One place to enjoy an excursion is in Rome, Italy, with its rich cultural and historical background. St. Petersburg in Russia and Madeira in Portugal also offer the most picturesque and breathtaking views – great places to take an excursion.

Costa Cruises also has staff to guide travellers and to help them become familiar with the places. Three levels of excursions are available: Easy, Moderate and Hard, which suit every taste and ability.

Many enjoyable activities are available on the cultural tours and nature trips, which are perfect for guests of different ages. Costa also offers sports-oriented trips for the adventure-driven guests.

However, shore excursions usually have limited space and they are booked quickly. So take the opportunity to immediately book a reservation and make sure to be included in this one-of-a-kind excursion.

A multitude of destinations and locations await travellers who are eager to sample the Caribbean vacation lifestyle. Indeed, sites like the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands make a Caribbean cruise well worth it. Exotic tropical islands dot the Caribbean Sea and are in turn lined with perfect beaches, mountains near the sea, and tropical plants like coconut and banana trees.

While in the Caribbean, travellers can make their stay even more memorable by choosing and staying in any of the leading resorts and hotels. The high level of comfort sought by any traveller is met by the high quality of service that the establishments provide for their guests. The high profile that the Caribbean enjoys as a prime cruise destination ensures the presence of top hotels and resorts there.

In order to enjoy all that the area offers, a Caribbean cruise should be provided by a leading cruise liner. Most of the best cruise lines have regularly scheduled cruises for taking visitors to the Caribbean. Companies like Royal Caribbean Cruises, the Princess, Celebrity, and Carnival Cruises are known to have liners that have some of the best services in the cruising industry.

When people hear the word “cruise”, they think of an extravagant way of spending a holiday. However, the truth is that taking a holiday on a ship is not as expensive and intimidating as it was once. Cruise holidays are actually becoming more popular in today’s market despite the economic crisis that has negatively affected many industries.

People can go on cruises to almost whatever destination they want. Most cruise lines thankfully now provide their customers a variety of packages that ensure an optimum holiday experience both on land and water. Cruise-and-stay holidays allow tourists to explore new places on land without missing the cruise experience afterwards. People who don’t like staying on land can maximise the use of entertainment facilities on the cruise ship. There are actually plenty of options for people to make their cruise experience more fun and memorable.

Cruise holidays are a good way to build a more intimate relationship with others. Since there have been remarkable changes in the cruising industry and in the competition among major cruise companies, customers are the ones who have greatly benefited. People, the very rich and the middle class alike, can now grab this chance of enjoying the wonders of nature without having their pockets suffer too much. After all, the pleasure and the priceless experience of exploring the blue oceans often far outweigh the monetary concerns.

Caribbean cruises are no doubt exciting and breathtaking. But if you want to experience the ultimate Caribbean cruise, planning should be done well in advance.

To start things off, you have to know whether you want to visit the Western Caribbean side, which includes the Dominican Republic and Jamaica among others, or the Eastern side, with the Bahamas and St. John. Once you have a destination in mind, you have to choose the right Caribbean cruise line.

There are about 20 cruise lines sailing the Caribbean and offering different itineraries. Each cruise line has something special to offer, from the activities to outstanding accommodation. Depending on your budget and taste, you can either go for big-ship cruises or the smaller boutique type ships.

The next thing you have to remember is the trip duration. Ideally, Caribbean cruises take from 3 to 10 nights. The longer cruises usually include stops in Mexico or South America.

Weather is also an important factor to consider when planning Caribbean cruises. Since the area is prone to hurricanes, make sure to plan a trip schedule that doesn’t fall in a stormy season.

There are also plenty of Caribbean shore excursions. If you’re concerned with time, make sure that the port you are in is not far from the town proper for a more rewarding experience. The Bermuda, Nassau and Southampton ports are good examples of those near town.

Finally, remember to pack decent clothes for special occasions, sunscreen for the beaches, and bug spray for possible island trips. Caribbean cruises also require travel documents, so arrange them well ahead of time. Enjoy your trip!