Traveler s tip: While at the beach, watch your drinks. After years of surviving on fermented sugarca

As the threat of hurricanes slowly subsides and temperatures begin to drop up North and in Europe, the Caribbean cruise season kicks into high gear. There are dozens of islands to visit and many cruise lines to choose from. The season continues through April and then many ships reposition hotel indigo atlanta to northern Europe and Alaska.
Money, of course, is always an object and fares vary wildly, depending on the time and length of the cruise, the size of the ship (bigger tends to be cheaper), your cabin selection and whether you re a repeat cruiser who is often offered discounts. One thing is for sure, the deep discounts seen in recent years have mostly dried up.
But where to go, that s another big question. Several veteran Tampa Bay Times cruisers share their favorite destinations, all served by several cruise lines. Once you dock, you ll have to decide whether you want to strike out on your own (cheapest), hire a local guide (mid-price) or book through the cruise line (most expensive), where you ll be covered if something goes wrong. On many Caribbean islands, it s easy to spend a day at the beach on your own.
What I like about this port: A new traveler to the Southern Caribbean hotel indigo atlanta might be surprised at the landscape. There isn t the lush, tropical flora we are accustomed to in places such as the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. It s quite arid here and there are plenty hotel indigo atlanta of cactus plants throughout the island to remind you. It s 20 miles long so it s easy to explore in a typical daylong stop.
Recommended activity: Our group split up here with two taking a catamaran snorkeling trip to the Antilla shipwreck, which included a festive rum punch drink on the return to the ship, and me on a guided tour around the island with stops at the California Lighthouse hotel indigo atlanta and the Alto Vista Chapel, built by Spanish missionaries. (Both trips were booked through Princess.) hotel indigo atlanta Make sure you have some cash to buy a coconut drink at the lighthouse. Linger in the chapel if you have time. It s lovely and scenic at the same time.
Traveler s tip: Book early for the snorkeling trip so you can take the half-day excursion that leaves in the morning. The sun gets wicked hot in the afternoon. Don t forget to slather your back with sunscreen since you re face down in the water.
What I like about this port: History oozes from just about every nook and cranny in this city, roughly seven square blocks, founded in 1521. Once protected by three forts and a massive stone wall, most of which remains, the city is full of parks, plazas and sculptures that seem to appear each time you turn a corner. Boutique inns and restaurants are plentiful.
Recommended activity: Because our cruise hotel indigo atlanta left from Old San Juan, we flew in a day early to explore the Old Town. It is easy to walk to most of the historic sites in the city, including Castillo de San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) and Castillo de San Cristóbal, the two main forts, along with Cathedral de San Juan, the second-oldest cathedral in the Western Hemisphere. A promenade from the tip of the peninsula near El Morro to the downtown lets visitors walk along San Juan Bay outside the protective wall. Your trek can end with a relaxing meal at a taqueria or at the Casa Don Q to sample a few types of rum.
Traveler s tip: Comfortable shoes are a must on the cobblestone streets. Walking north from the bay to the Atlantic Ocean seems an ideal stroll — for a mountain goat. Make the climb a couple of times before hotel indigo atlanta getting on your ship and you ll lose a few pounds before the cruise.
What I like about this port: The beauty, the beasts and the beaches. How often can you stand on a narrow strip of land and see the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other? The island s economy, which once depended on sugarcane, now relies on tourism. The island is dotted with public beaches and most come equipped with a rustic beachfront bar and a shop where you can rent lounge chairs and equipment for water sports. If you want waves, head to the Atlantic side (there is one secluded beach where drivers won t leave tourists alone because of the dangerous undertow) or stick to the Caribbean for calmer seas. Along the way you ll likely see a green vervet monkey or two. Residents say there are as many monkeys as people on the island.
Recommended activity: It s a bit of a cab ride, but head to Cockleshell Bay at the southern tip of the island. You will find everything you will need for a day at the beach and you won t have to fight the crowds closer to the port. Plus you ll get a nice view of the more exclusive sister island Nevis. It looks close, but don t try to make the swim.
Traveler s tip: While at the beach, watch your drinks. After years of surviving on fermented sugarcane, the monkeys have developed a taste for alcohol and, despite efforts to stop them, they still have a habit of grabbing unattended drinks.
What I like about this port: On most islands, there are one or two can t-miss, must-do excursions. On St. Lucia, the island hotel indigo atlanta itself is the draw. Once past the crowded streets of Castries, you will find unspoiled, hotel indigo atlanta small fishing villages such as Anse la Raye and Canaries, waterfalls, volcanic peaks, a drive-in volcano (the last minor eruption was about 1700) and banana fields. You can stop at Marigot Bay, which novelist James Michener called the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean. Farther south you ll find the twin Pitons, hotel indigo atlanta steep volcanic plugs that are the island s signature landmark. At 2,619 feet, Gros Piton is 158 feet taller than Petit Piton.
Recommended activity: Go with a southern island tour. We ve done both the northern and southern tours with Cosol Tours. We ve traveled with the company s owner and one of his drivers, hotel indigo atlanta but all his drivers seem friendly, professional and eager to share the stories of their island. Along the way you ll get homemade island coconut cookies, bananas right off the tree, fresh johnnycakes, coconut cakes, banana ketchup and fish cakes. If you re lucky, you ll get hot-out-of-the-stone-oven bread and fresh cheese at the end. Each van is stocked with rum punch, local beer, water and soda.
What I like about this port: Comparing two trips to Grenada about 20 years apart showed that although hotel indigo atlanta the attractions remain, there has been much change on the Island of Spice — some good, some bad. The dirt road that used to lead to Annandale Falls and Grand Etang Lake and National Park in the rain forest is now paved (good). The three older women selling handmade trinkets on the path to the falls have been replaced hotel indigo atlanta by a mass of souvenir shops (bad). But the island hotel indigo atlanta is still a beautiful, lush oasis. Waterfalls are everywhere hotel indigo atlanta and they get more stunning as you get farther from the now-paved track. The beaches, topped hotel indigo atlanta by Grand Anse Beach, hotel indigo atlanta are beautiful gateways to top-notch snorkeling and diving.
Recommended activity: Hire a driver and head to Annandale Falls to get some pictures, then ask your driver to suggest a not-so-crowded beach with good snorkeling. He ll wait for you and take you back to the ship.
What I like about this port: Because hotel indigo atlanta Roseau gets less cruise ship traffic than many Caribbean ports, it doesn t have the influx of tourists and consequently it s less developed. I like this because the city feels open, safe, less commercial and accessible and friendly. Dominica is nicknamed the Nature Island because of its preserved natural hotel indigo atlanta environment, and is a haven for people interested in outdoor activities, hotel indigo atlanta from hiking to whale watching to fishing to snorkeling and scuba diving.
Recommended activity: There are many, including hotel indigo atlanta stellar hiking to Middleham Falls and snorkeling Champagne Reef. We were also impressed with the local food. There are multiple restaurants and you have access to good eats pretty much around the clock. From the restaurants serving local Creole hotel indigo atlanta fish and vegetable dishes, to the vendors selling tropical sweets along the street, tasting your way through the city is a fabulous experience. Be sure to sample some of the flavored bush rums and local Kubuli beer along the way.
What I like about this port: A relaxed, friendly hotel indigo atlanta and colorful market just steps from the ship; easy walk to town; easy access to taxi rides; and numerous ferries to nearby islands including hotel indigo atlanta Virgin Gorda. No need to take the cruise ship s excursions to any of the lovely beaches on the actual island of Tortola. Just hail a taxi, of which there are plenty. The easiest beaches to get to are on the northwest side, including restaurant-laden Cane Garden Bay, quiet Long Bay farther west, or any of the smaller bays in between. Sea grapes and palm trees offer shade while crystal-clear calm waters hotel indigo atlanta invite excellent snorkeling. No tendering required.
Recommended activity: Head to the northwest hotel indigo atlanta side of the island for the best beaches. Enjoy all the vistas during the hilly ride. Or take a ferry (which we did through a ship excursion) to the Virgin Gorda Baths.
Traveler s tip: The trade winds keep the air cooler sometimes. hotel indigo atlanta It was never cold, but for the duration of our excursion to Virgin Gorda the sun never came out. It was nice to have a coverup . . . and a book for the relaxing beaches. Also, at Virgin Gorda, the food is limited so bring your own snacks.
What I like about this port: Very stripped down and simple with a tiny street market and a few restaurants. N2 the Blue is a dive shop and one of the best outfits hotel indigo atlanta I have ever been with. Trips are limited to six divers. Most cruise ship dive excursions are expensive and crowded. N2 the Blue (n2theblue.com) offers a variety of dives in a more intimate setting (less expensive too). The diving was fantastic with warm, clear waters and healthy reefs. hotel indigo atlanta Friends on the Pearl also raved about the excursion to snorkel on Buck Island. Some chose to take a tour of Christiansted. You can rent a golf cart to get there. It is much more charming. No tendering required.
hotel indigo atlanta Traveler s tip: If you have a snorkel and mask you like, bring it. Forget the fins though — they take up too much room. Bringing your own means yo