Planning a dream Caribbean cruise? Caroline O’Toole, head of cruises and luxury holidays at JWT Travel, shares her top tips.
Caroline has been selected among the top 12 Royal Caribbean agents in Ireland and is cruising the Caribbean this week onboard Independence of the Seas, sailing out of Port Canaveral, Miami. Follow her travel updates live from the Caribbean on the JWT Travel and Cruise Chats with Caroline Instagram pages and JWT Travel social media.
West, east or south?
There are three cruising regions in the Caribbean, western and southern; although cruise itineraries often combine different regions.
Cruising the western Caribbean offers the perfect introduction to Caribbean culture; generally visiting Mexico, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Belize and the Bahamas.
Eastern Caribbean ports include the Virgin Islands, St Maarten, Antigua, St Thomas, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico; while southern Caribbean cruise itineraries generally include Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and Grenada.
Stunning destinations
From Mexico to Costa Rica, St Lucia, Barbados and the Antilles, each island and country in the Caribbean has its own unique character, wildlife, flavours and stunning scenery.
In addition to pristine paradise beaches, here are some of the unmissable gems you will find sailing the Caribbean:
• Mexico’s ancient Mayan ruins.
• Bridgetown’s colourful colonial architecture in Barbados.
• Snorkel with sea turtles.
• St Lucia’s striking volcanic landscapes.
Best time to travel
Late November to May are the best months to cruise the Caribbean, as you will enjoy the best weather and many interesting and colourful festivals take place, such as Carnival.
December to April is high season so booking your cruise during the ‘shoulder season’ periods such as November and May you will enjoy better deals.
Caroline’s travel picks
Travelling Solo: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best for families and multi generation: Royal Caribbean
The Caribbean in ultra luxury: Silversea, Explora
Ultra luxury yacht cruising: Scenic
Best for couples: Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises
Adult-only: Virgin Voyages
To book your dream Caribbean cruise, visit JWT Cruises on Upper Salthill Road from Monday-Friday; or Saturday by appointment. JWT Travel is licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority TA 0804 TO 273.
To book or arrange a consultation contact [email protected], phone 091 394484.
