Hi there! Welcome to my all inclusive Caribbean cruises website. It is a pleasure to meet you.
My name is Peter, a travel consultant hailing from McDonough, Georgia, USA. That's me you see up there, striking a pose with the gorgeous Princess Cruises' ship serving as a spectacular backdrop.
(Just between us, Princess Cruises' ships are simply breathtaking!)
Having embarked on numerous family cruises to the sun-dappled Caribbean, I’ve come to the firm conclusion that cruises
are the most fun and affordable way to spend quality time with your loved ones.
Seriously, nothing beats inclusive Caribbean cruises when it comes to family vacations. They are unmatched in their offering, when pitted against other family vacation options.
Caribbean family cruises have everything you need and more, no matter your age or interests.
Now, if you haven’t yet had a taste of the Caribbean cruise magic, you might find my statements daring.
Well, they certainly are!
Our Daughter On Her First Cruise
What are some features - the pros of cruising - that make Caribbean cruises so perfect for family adventures?
As Sophia Petrillo from the television sitcom "The Golden Girls" would say, "Picture it!"
Caribbean cruise vacations offer a unique blend of tropical landscapes, beautiful beaches and exciting activities that make for a memorable vacation experience.
Some of the top highlights of a Caribbean cruise include:
Life Onboard Ship - Try to imagine the following features of a Caribbean cruise getaway and smile -
Sailing worry-free, with food and drinks included for 3-nights or more and not having to think about groceries, cleaning your house (done for you), entertaining your children (done for you), not paying extra for shows and other activities, and even having free gym membership.
How about just simply lounging and relaxing? You may even treat yourself to a spa day.
Beautiful Beaches - Do you enjoy the beach? Perfect! The Caribbean is renowned for its beautiful beaches, with crystal-clear waters and white sand. Some of the most popular beaches include those in The Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
Cultural Experiences - Many Caribbean islands have rich cultural heritage, with unique traditions and customs that are highlighted in festivals, music, and dance. You can pick a time to cruise that coincides with a special event in any of the Caribbean islands.
Adventure Activities - The Caribbean is a great destination for adventure activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and ziplining.
Scenic Beauty - Cruising to the Caribbean offers great expectation of lush tropical landscapes, waterfalls, and mountains, offering breathtaking views and scenic vistas.
Food and Drink - Caribbean cuisine is a fusion of African, European, and indigenous flavors, offering a diverse range of dishes and drinks, including seafood, spices, and rum-based cocktails.
Shopping - Many Caribbean islands have markets and shops offering unique and locally made crafts, souvenirs, and gifts. Bring home something that you will not find there and can cherish for many years to come.
Discover New Islands - Get excited about discovering a new island or two. Caribbean cruises typically visit several islands, allowing you to experience a variety of cultures, landscapes, and activities during your trip.
Why would you not want to plan an all-inclusive family Caribbean cruise? Overall, a Caribbean cruise offers a unique and exciting vacation experience that combines relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion in a tropical paradise.
Our Kids Playing Mini Golf On Carnival Victory
You may be thinking that an inclusive cruise vacation is too expensive. That I understand.
If you had asked my family about taking a Caribbean cruise vacation before April 2004, we would have frankly said, "No. Thank you."
We love to travel, and had thought of cruising, but we really thought a Caribbean family cruise was expensive.
However, that has changed. Now a family friendly Caribbean cruise is the one type of family getaway that we all dream of and think about - most of the time.
Our first cruise was during spring break 2004 and it cost us less than $2,000 for all four of us - onboard gratuities included.
Our cruise getaway in October 2014 cost us $1,400 for four people (my wife was on a mission trip) staying in an oceanview cabin.
You can expect to pay about $150 per person per day for your cruise ship vacation. Depending on certain factors, it could even cost less per day and sometimes more.
After thinking about what to do with our tax refund in 2004, my wife said, Let's use it for a cruise!"
"A cruise? Really?" I thought. She was insistent.
I did the research and by April we were on our first all-inclusive Caribbean cruise to the Western Caribbean.
We set sail on Carnival Sensation from Tampa, Florida on a Saturday in April 2004 and visited Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Nassau, Bahamas.
Wow!
On just one 5-day Western Caribbean Cruise we visited three unfamiliar places. My family had a blast on board the Carnival Sensation!
We enjoyed hanging out at the pools and hot-tubs; the Las Vegas-style shows; the well-organized Camp Carnival for the kids; the incredible amount of food; being pampered, wined and dined in an elegant dining room; just relaxing in an onboard lounge; looking out at the rich-blue Caribbean Sea; as well as going ashore at each port of call.
My Family Arrives in Belize aboard Carnival Glory
When we returned to port the following Thursday, none of us wanted to get off the ship. Our boys - TJ and Matthew - actually asked if we could remain on the ship.
We told them that we had to return to work so that we could earn more money to pay for future family Caribbean cruises.
Our boys offered to save their own money to help!
Well, twenty years later (2024), my family has taken twenty (20) all-inclusive Caribbean cruises.
Get this - our daughter, Eliana, who is now seventeen years old, has already been on seventeen family-friendly Caribbean cruises.
As a family, we have been blessed to take several inclusive Caribbean cruises.
Our family cruise adventures have taken us to The Bahamas, Eastern, Southern and Western Caribbean islands.
We have experienced a varying number of cruise days at sea, from 4-night itineraries to 8-night itineraries. Our preference is always a longer cruise.
We have also sailed with most of the big-name cruise lines with itineraries to the Caribbean. Most of our cruises have been aboard Carnival Cruise Line's "Fun Ships" such as the Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunrise, and Carnival Sunshine.
However, we've enjoyed other cruise lines such as Disney Dream, MSC Divina, MSC Meraviglia, Norwegian Dawn, Princess Cruises' Crown Princess and Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.
We have discovered something great that works as a perfect family vacation - all-inclusive Caribbean cruises - and will not look back!
My Wife & Relatives Enjoying Princess Cays Beach
After reading a summary of our cruise experiences, you may now be really thinking of taking one yourself. However, you have a question:
"Are Caribbean cruises really all-inclusive?"
The short answer is "Yes." The fact is that with one exception, "arbitrary" gratuity on some cruise lines, your Caribbean cruise package includes everything that you will need to have an enjoyable and memorable family vacation.
Your inclusive cruise package includes your cabin, all your meals plus free activities and entertainment. You do not need to spend another dime onboard the ship, except for cruise ship tips that cruise lines automatically add to your onboard account (you may ask for an adjustment up or down).
If you desire more while on board - such as to visit a specialty restaurant, drink soda instead of the beverages included, enjoy a spa treatment, consume alcohol, or to be a part of an exciting shore excursion, then you will pay for those.
See our Caribbean Cruise Packages page for more information on how "all inclusive" your Caribbean cruise is.
My Family and Friends Leaving St. Thomas On Crown Princess
So, are you ready to set sail on one of these amazing cruise ships? Great choice! I will help you.
This website is designed to help you:
1. Learn what an all-inclusive Caribbean cruise package includes;
2. Explore some exciting Caribbean cruise destinations;
3. Find U.S. home ports for Caribbean cruises and their nearest airports;
4. Explore some of the fabulous Caribbean cruise lines from which to choose; and,
5. Identify ways to save on your family-friendly Caribbean cruises - plus much more.
Are you ready? Let's do it!
Just before you go, if you are interested in saving on your all inclusive Caribbean cruise, click here to learn insider cruising tricks from an ex-cruise officer.
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Book Your Cruise with PetesTravelCenter.com.
Earn Onboard Credit.
Ocean Cay
South Beach
Ocean Cay
Tender Boat in Grand Cayman
Seven Miles Beach
Rope Course on
MSC Meraviglia
Castaway Cay
Birthday Celebration
Disney Dream
Feeding Birds in DR
Appetizers
Main Course
From Buffet
Dessert
Main Dining Room
Balcony Cabin
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