Hopefully, the 2017 hurricane season is finally over. The ports that have sustained damage due to the recent hurricanes, including St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and San Juan, will soon be receiving ships once again. Still, there are several islands that were spared this year and are eager to welcome travelers. So, there is no better time than the present to consider a Southern Caribbean cruise. In fact, here are our top 5 reasons you should visit the Southern Caribbean for your next vacation.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit the Southern Caribbean Now

Prepare for the Winter Chills

With the winter season approaching here in New England, we are always looking to extend our summer, even if it is just for a week. A trip down to one of the sunny Southern Caribbean islands is the perfect escape from the cold fall and winter days. You can relax on the white sandy shoreline of Eagle Beach or enjoy an island tour in Aruba, one the Southern Caribbean’s most popular ports of call. Of course, there are other great islands in the Southern Caribbean as well like St. Lucia or Curacao, where you can enjoy the natural wonders and rich culture during your escape from the winter chills back home.

Eagle Beach in Aruba is One of the Top Reasons to Visit the Southern Caribbean

Ideal Location

Given the unpredictability of cruising in the Caribbean during hurricane season, you are virtually guaranteed to have gorgeous weather during a Southern Caribbean cruise, especially when visiting the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao). Located outside of the hurricane belt, it is rare that storms make their way to these islands. These islands also remain quite dry making the landscapes almost a bit desert-like and the perfect location for some 4×4 adventures. Bonaire is also one of the top dive destinations in the world. Its protected coral reefs make snorkeling and diving one of the best things to do on this off the beaten path Caribbean island.

A Variety of Ships

The major cruise lines have a variety of ships sailing to the Southern Caribbean. No matter your preference, you are bound to find a ship that meets your specific tastes. Whether you like a small intimate ship or are looking for the latest technology and onboard amenities, there is a ship for you sailing to this region. Even mega ships like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway offer sailings to the various Southern Caribbean islands. As you know, the Princess and I are very fond of these massive ships and are so happy that there is such variety cruising to these islands!

Norwegian Breakaway (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

The Great Deals

We love to save money when traveling; who doesn’t? Currently, the cruise lines are looking to get passengers who might be a bit apprehensive about traveling to the Caribbean to book a cruise now. There have been some great deals recently that make traveling to the Caribbean an irresistible offer. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line just recently ran a flash sale in which they were offering travelers a free drink package, a free specialty dining package, onboard WiFi, AND onboard credit for select sailings. Of course, we took advantage of this promotion to book another four day cruise!

Supporting the Region

With the drop in tourism due to the recent hurricanes, sailing to the Southern Caribbean now will help show your support to those who call this region home. With many of the islands dependent on tourism and cruise ships in particular, cruising to these islands will help give local tour operators and businesses a bit of a boost. Along with those great cruise deals, local companies are eager for your business so will most likely be offering some promotions too. It’s a win-win; so, book a cruise to the Southern Caribbean now to enjoy these exotic locales and give back in the process.

Comments

Are you apprehensive about visiting the Caribbean after the recent hurricanes? What are your reasons for booking your next Caribbean cruise? Drop us an anchor below to let us know why you want to cruise to the Caribbean right now!