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The mountainous terrain, lush rainforests, and an abundance of natural hot springs make this one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Kobe is your access point for Kyoto, with its temples and gardens, while Shimizu is your gateway to scenic Mt. Fuji. Visit the moving Peace Memorial Park honoring the tragedy of WWII in Hiroshima and historic Hirosaki Castle in Aomori. Don't miss Sakaiminato, famous for its seafood and the Izumo-taisha Grand Shrine. The sophisticated capitals of Scandinavia — Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki — plus other coastal cities such as Tallinn, Estonia and Gdansk, Poland, are each compelling in their own right. So, imagine the rush of urban euphoria you'll feel while exploring all of them on a Baltic (or Northern Europe) cruise from May through September.
Longer sailings from the West Coast
The region offers explorations of the famous Hato Caves, tours of the world's oldest rum distillery and a look into the region's rich British military history. Southern Caribbean cruises may be a bit less popular offerings by cruise lines, but the Southern Caribbean is likely the most diverse of all three regions. While The Bahamas is not considered part of the Caribbean, ports like Nassau and Freeport are often added to Eastern Caribbean itineraries. These islands, which are among the most developed for tourism, also offer a wide variety of water sports, land tours and duty-free shopping.
Take a Dip in the Pool
From Grand Cayman, stingrays, not airplanes, will attract your attention at Stingray City as they tickle your feet, waiting to be fed. The wildlife in Puerto Rico may be more elusive; you’ll be the envy of birdwatchers worldwide if you spot the Puerto Rican parrot in the El Yunque rainforest, as it’s one of the rarest birds in the world. Port Douglas, Queensland is the gateway to dense rainforest; why not take a cruise on the Daintree River and see if you can spot lurking crocs?
Caribbean Rainforest and Parks
Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife. Note that moose don't regularly show up in the Inside Passage; you'll need to head farther north to find them. If you want to cruise Alaska but also see some of the interior and enjoy a stay in a lodge or hotel, go for a cruisetour package from either Holland America or Princess Cruises. Both have fantastic itineraries that take passengers not only to the Inside Passage, but also to Anchorage, Denali National Park, the Yukon, Kenai Peninsula, Talkeetna and Fairbanks. Gulf of Alaska sailings — especially those in late August and September — can encounter rough seas in the gulf portion of the voyage.
When to book a Caribbean cruise
Brave Devil’s Peak, the tallest water slide in North America, or fly over the island on a zipline. Unwind on the white sands of the beach at Chill Island, or while away the day in a luxurious overwater cabana. Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean just offshore from Playa del Carmen and just south of Cancun. You can head to the beach, go scuba diving or snorkeling or head to the mainland to see Mayan cultural sites like Tulum and Chichen Itza. Stick around town to find cheap drinks at Senor Frog's or shop for souvenirs.
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Caribbean Wildlife Encounters
In the past, it might have been that the majority of your time would be hanging out on the pool deck and having a drink. These days there is no end to the fun you can have on a cruise, and there are activities nearly around the clock. Most sail along the Inside Passage, a maritime route along the state's southern coast (and into British Columbia and Washington state) that weaves around the area's thousand islands. Some venture farther north into the Gulf of Alaska; these are often one-way cruises that begin and end at the ports near Anchorage.
The islands themselves tend to be more exclusive, with fewer ships visiting on any given day. The British Virgin Islands are a paradise of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and stunning coral reefs. This Caribbean archipelago is one of the most popular cruise destinations for travelers looking for an idyllic beach getaway. Located south of the hurricane belt, Bonaire is a popular Caribbean destination for its warm climate, rich marine life and unique culture. This small island is home to white sand beaches, rugged landscape and plenty of activities such as scuba diving and windsurfing.
Best East Coast National Parks You Need To Visit At Least Once
More than any other region, the Eastern Mediterranean offers cruisers the chance to step back in time simply by stepping off their ship. The ports on a Western Caribbean cruise, including Belize, Roatan and Honduras, are full of action-packed activities like cave tubing, zip-lining and snorkeling that are sure to entice adventure-seeking teens. Or add a dash of education to your vacation with a friendly visit to Stingray City in Grand Cayman. This huge glacier is very active, calving all summer long, and towers over passing cruise ships. Find out more about these must see Alaska cruise destinations including popular ports such as Ketchikan and Juneau along with stunning views.
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Visitors can get to know the locals by visiting the towns of Basseterre and Charlestown. And, when you need a break from sightseeing, there are plenty of activities to enjoy such as golf, scuba diving, and zip-lining. With so much to do and see, St Kitts is an idyllic spot for a Caribbean cruise.
She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide. You’ll need a head for heights in Tokyo, too, as you zoom up the Tokyo Tower to the viewing platform 492 feet above the neon lights of the Japanese capital. Juneau, the tiny state capital, is hemmed in by mountains and water, a short journey from the Mendenhall Glacier, where chunks of ice wash up on the rocky lakeshore. Pretty Ketchikan, on the edge of the Tongass National Forest, is famed for its salmon and for the world’s largest collection of totem poles. Skagway was once the gateway to the gold of the Yukon, and it’s from here that you can ride the historic White Pass and Yukon Railroad for a glimpse back to those heady days of the Gold Rush.
However, there are a few considerations to make before picking the date of your cruise. Beach days are common in Mazatlán, too, and many visitors choose to take a trip to nearby Stone Island to soak in the sun. If you’re feeling active, consider a stroll down Mazatlán’s boardwalk, which spans around 13 miles on the waterfront. Southern Caribbean itineraries generally exceed one week, and sail roundtrip from San Juan and Barbados.
The classic Western Caribbean itinerary visits Mexico (typically Cozumel or Costa Maya), Jamaica, Grand Cayman and a cruise line's private island, which is typically in the Bahamas. Highlights of a Hawaii itinerary include a pre- or post-cruise visit to the historic sites of Pearl Harbor and perhaps even an overnight stay in Waikiki. On Maui, you can enjoy active thrills, such as biking down a switchback road on the volcanic slopes of Haleakala or snorkeling the offshore Molokini Crater. Since you'll be cruising in U.S. territory, you don't have to worry should you need to leave the cruise early and fly back to the states because of illness or a family emergency. This can be a concern for passengers on round-trip, closed-loop sailings from Florida to the Caribbean or Bahamas who board only with a driver's license and birth certificate. When travelers dusted off their bucket list post-pandemic one of the places they most wanted to visit was Antarctica.
Head for Blue Lagoon Island to laze in a hammock and drift over coral reefs, or feel the adrenaline rush on the thrilling water slides at the Aquaventure water park. If you’re busy dreaming about your next escape to sea, now is the time to start planning your 2024 cruise vacation. I also recommend that all passengers bring a passport on their Caribbean sailing.
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