Mesmerizing turquoise water slowly laps at pristine white beaches as birds fly high above and fish dance in the waters below. The Caribbean cruise is a trip of a lifetime for many and a regular getaway for others hooked on "island hopping." Choosing to see the Caribbean from the luxury of a cruise ship is perhaps one of the best ways to go.

The beauty of a cruise ship vacation to one or more of the Caribbean's beautiful islands is the options these trips offer visitors. By combining a floating paradise with the backdrop of a real paradise, these vacations give visitors a chance to kick back and take in all the islands have to offer without having to sweat the small stuff such as meal considerations or entertainment and room bookings.

Trips here can include stops at one or more islands and will generally offer more than enough time for passengers to take in the local flavor before boarding ships again. What's more, while on the ship passengers can be certain their in for the pampering of a lifetimes.

Saying a cruise offers a little more than the average vacation is an understatement. Most major cruise lines go to great lengths to ensure guest receive royal treatment from the time they board to the time they disembark. With gourmet food, room service, on board entertainment and more, passengers find themselves with more to do on a cruise then they can imagine. Or, if relaxing alone is what a passenger wants, there's no place like a cruise to do it.

While visiting the Caribbean, passengers aboard most major cruise lines will find the ships offer guided tours in the major ports of call. Or if passengers so choose, they can explore the destinations on their own. As long as they're back onboard in time to set sail for the next destination, the freedom to take in the local scenery is there.

The Caribbean is a favorite for cruise ship passengers since this large collection of relatively little islands offers lots of possibilities for exploring. From the Virgin Islands and the Caymans to St. Kitts and Nevis, each major stop in the Caribbean has its own style, but one thing is certain - they all offer an outdoor wonderland that's amazing.

Unlike any other vacation in the world, Caribbean cruises combine pristine tropical beauty with first-class treatment, giving passengers their choice of how to spend their time.

Getting there is half the fun, but when it comes to Caribbean cruises, the other half doesn't slouch either. With so much to see and so much to do in almost every major port of call in the Caribbean, the shore excursions offered by most cruise lines really make the trips memorable.

The Caribbean is dotted with island groups that each have their own distinct draws and rich histories. One thing they all have in common, however, are some incredible outdoor activities. From snorkeling and sailing to swimming, boating, hiking and even sky diving, those taking part in a cruise ship vacation to one of these islands will have an opportunity to pick what appeals to them.

Snorkeling, scuba diving and just plain swimming in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean are some of the biggest off-boat draws for those who sail to the region. The water and the ocean life combine to make the experience simply incredible.

Cruise ship passengers have a one-up on other vacationers to this region in that they don't have to worry about the little details. Since cruise ships make it their business to make certain their guests have a blast whether on board or off, they help make all the arrangements for shore excursions. This is great for passengers for a number of reasons:
* No booking issues. Since the cruise ships handle the shore excursion bookings, there's no concern about not being on the roster.
* No need to worry about getting lost. Cruise ships make sure their passengers can take part in guided tours, get snorkeling lessons or just kick back on the beaches. Whatever they want to do during the docking period is made available and the ships' crews normally handle all of the details.

For those who think the Caribbean islands only offer water activities, think again. The islands are rich in history, lush terrain and more. Those traveling in St. Kitts alone will find this little island packs a serious punch when it comes to things to do. From walking tours of the historic district to catamaran trips and even a stop at the Rainforest & Gardens Safari, there's lots to do besides just swim.

Getting to the Caribbean onboard a cruise ship is loaded with fun and around the clock entertainment. But the ship is only half of the story. Once it docks, the islands open up for passengers to enjoy, explore and simply fall in love with. Cruise ships make sure their guests have the best of both worlds so they can take home memories that last a lifetime.

Passengers onboard a Caribbean cruise can expect the unexpected. With literally dozens of island ports of call to choose from, pristine beaches and a tropical beauty that's incomparable mixed with a laid back local style, no two trips to the islands are alike.

While on the cruise itself, passengers can expect first-class treatment. Cruise lines specialize in making sure their guests have everything they could need or want right at their fingertips. From room service and fine dining to entertainment and more, there's nothing boring about the cruise part of the cruise itself. This, of course, is the point; a point most cruise lines work very hard to accentuate.

Most major cruise lines offer passengers the epitome of the old saying that the journey is half the fun by combining the best entertainment offerings on what amounts to floating paradise. The secret to a good cruise line's success often lies with how well its managed to entertain guests before, during and after arrival in the major Caribbean port of call.

Typical cruise ships provide passengers with workout rooms, extensive dining opportunities, live entertainment, movies, swimming and even sometimes the chance to do a little gambling while at sea. With events planned throughout the cruise, beautiful waters to take in and lounge chairs simply for relaxing, few "journeys" can compare to what a cruise has to offer.

What's more, passengers onboard a Caribbean cruise will soon find that unlike some other vacations, lifting a finger toward anything that might resemble work is not part of the cruise experience. Room service takes care of the cleaning, there are sitters for the kids and activities that are age-appropriate, pretty much around-the-clock dining opportunities and more.

And while it's true that getting there is half the fun, those on a Caribbean cruise do expect to take in the island lifestyle - at least for a while. Cruise ships make sure this happens. With plenty of opportunities for checking out the local beaches, shops and restaurants, along with side trip possibilities like sky diving, fishing, hiking and more, cruises make sure to leave no stone unturned when it comes to guests' comfort.

A Caribbean cruise is like nothing else going. Guests onboard a ship should expect the unexpected and prepare to be dazzled. Plus, there's paradise Caribbean style waiting at the other end of the journey with its whole host of activities to keep visitors more than entertained.

The Southern Caribbean's island draws are so impressive, songs have been made to honor them. With Aruba, Antigua and Barbados just being a few of the many island possibilities for cruise ship passengers to see, it's no wonder this portion of the Caribbean is famed for being a favorite for tourists.

While each island in the Caribbean has its own distinct and rich history and geographical draws, they all share quite a lot in common as well. The islands in the Southern Caribbean are famous for their beautiful white, sandy beaches, tropical climates and pristine waters. Offering visitors a whole host of shore activities, the Southern Caribbean is one of the most popular parts of the region for vacationers.

In addition to the tropical beaches, the island of Antigua, for example, offers visitors a whole host of other adventures. There's cricket, hiking, golfing, biking and even bird watching. Water lovers will find windsurfing, diving, snorkeling and more available, as well. Plus, there are historical destinations, shopping and dining all available.

Cruise ship passengers will find themselves privy to a number of tours if they choose to disembark on the island of Antigua. These include tours of Jumby Bay, hiking excursions, historical tours and more. Cultural experiences are also possible to explore.

The history of this particular island is rich. Visitors will get to see areas touched by the British Royal Navy, the Arawak Indians and more. Plus, there's Shirley Heights Lookout to see and Nelson's Dockyard on this island richly influenced by both British and African settlers.

Visitors to other Southern/Eastern Caribbean islands will find a host of other activities just awaiting their arrival. From rum distillery tours on Barbados to Martinique's botanical gardens, there's a paradise to see seen in the Caribbean.

Cruise ship travel to the Caribbean is perhaps one of the best ways to get a feel for the islands. By visiting several ports of call in most general trips, cruise passengers get to see and explore a little more than those who head specifically to one island or another. The trips give passengers the best of both worlds while ensuring plenty of access to off board excursions so guests can get a real flavor of the islands.

The Southern Caribbean is home to a whole host of islands, each distinct in its roots and draws, but all quintessential in their tropical styling.

The Caribbean is a favorite vacation destination for people of all ages. But when it comes to cruising the Caribbean many may think it's not an ideal trip for children. Nothing could be further than the truth.

Cruise ships specialize in giving their passengers the time of their lives. This means all passengers, regardless of age. The cruise ship experience is spectacular for people with young children. In fact, many cruises pride themselves on making sure their charges of any age have lots to do while on board and even once they reach ports of call.

For families, there are a number of benefits to cursing the Caribbean rather than simply flying and booking a hotel room. The advantages of this type of vacation versus another, include:

* Generally quite affordable. By putting everything from travel to food and entertainment under a single price, families often find the cruise ship experience is quite affordable. Since there are no real hidden charges beyond mementoes and any extras families choose to buy while on board or off, budgeting for a trip is much easier. The food factor alone is enough to make the price of the trip more than worth it.
* Planned activities. Cruise ships offer planned activities throughout the trip, both onboard and off, to ensure that guests of all ages have plenty to see and do. On board, youngsters will find games, physical activities such as swimming, movies, crafts and more. Plus, there are even baby-sitting services so mom and dad can enjoy a little alone time on the trip, too. There are even activities planned for the entire family to take part in, as well.
* Security. Keeping an eye on the kids while on vacation can be a little tough, but with the semi-enclosed environment on a ship, the task is that much easier.
* Lots to do off board. The Caribbean is perfect for families in that its many islands offer lots to see and do. From cruising the shops in St. Kitts to hitting the beaches of Nevis, there's really no shortage of family friendly activities while visiting ports of call.
* More together time. Since details like meals and itinerary have been planned out, families can just enjoy spending time together rather than sweating the small stuff while on their vacation.

Caribbean cruises bring together the best of two very different worlds and are the perfect way for families to enjoy vacations together. By offering something for passengers of all ages, the cruise ship environment is a favorite for families. The children have lots to see and do and so do the parents, providing a perfect mix of family time and alone time for each member of the clan.