Today's floating hotels have come a long way since the "Love Boat"

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Approximately two million travelers cruise to the Caribbean each year to enjoy the beautiful beaches and warm weather. Caribbean cruises are popular because of the activities and amenities on board the ship and because many ships make stops at various islands along the way.

If you're planning to cruise, plan ahead: Depending on the season, cabins may get completely booked months before the cruise is scheduled to set sail. You can book the cruise yourself by calling the cruise line or making an online reservation; you can also book your excursion through a travel agent.

If you choose to work out the details of your cruise on your own, you can call the cruise line, utilize the cruise line's website, or book your cruise through a general travel website. When planning, keep in mind what type of trip you're ultimately after. For instance, if this is a family vacation, you may want to book with a cruise line that considers itself family friendly. These ships will have daily activities specifically designed for children. If you're traveling as a couple, look for a quiet ship with a romanctic theme, such as a Princess Cruise – the cruise line used by the “Love Boat” TV show. If you'd like to sail aboard the most luxurious ship available, look to liners known for their top notch services such as Crystal, Silversea, or the new Queen Mary II.

Of the many ocean liners servicing the Caribbean, each offers a variety of price, schedule, and island stop options. Whether you seek an extravagant vacation aboard a floating luxury hotel, a romantic getaway with your loved one, or an activity-filled family voyage, your dream ship awaits.

Cruise Classes

There are currently four classes of cruises: contemporary/value, premium, luxury, and specialty. Depending upon the type of cruise you seek and how much money you wish to spend, these segmented classes can assist you in the ship selection process.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean, the powerhouses of cruising, are two of the most popular contemporary/value cruise lines and together make up almost 90% of the entire cruise industry. This is the largest class of cruising and it's characterized by reasonable prices and package deals.

Premium cruises are generally more expensive and the ships aren’t as large, but the service is considered superior to that of a contemporary/value cruise. Ocean liners like Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America boast a larger wait staff for fewer passengers.

Others may want to consider a luxury class ship. Ocean liners like Seabourn, Windstar, and Cunard belong to this highest class and reputedly offer top-notch service and amenities. Luxury cruises come with a higher price tag, but the experience is considered to be worth the value.

Ships in the specialty class, like the regional American Hawaii Cruises, typically sail to a unique, secluded destination, not the usual major Caribbean ports of The Bahamas or Jamaica. These ships may also offer specialized cruises for exclusive passenger groups such as gays and lesbians, senior citizens or singles.

Ships

Not only do ships range in theme, décor, and luxury level, they also vary in size. The size of a ship is a critical factor when booking a trip because some are too large to visit particular islands.

A Panama-class ship is the largest available. Its name derives from the Panama Canal because the ship is so large it can barely squeeze through the canal's borders. These enormous ocean liners, holding a maximum of 3,000 passengers, visit the major ports, such as Aruba, Barbados or The Bahamas.

If visiting a secluded island sounds appealing, try a smaller ship carrying no more than 300 passengers. These smaller ships, such as the Windstar Cruise Ships, generally avoid the larger ports the megaships visit and stick to the small harbors like those in the Virgin Islands.

Obviously, the larger the ship the more stable it will be on the ocean during periods of turbulent weather. A medium-sized ship may feel a shudder from a swell, but one of the megaships should be almost completely resistant.

Ships are classified based on the following criteria:

For more information to help shape your ideal cruise, make sure to read our thorough guides to planning your cruise. We offer tips on everything from deciding if cruising is right for you to what to pack, a simple to understand guide on the costs of cruising, and even information on travelers insurance.

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