The U.S. Virigin Islands are a U.S. overseas territory located in the Caribbean, near the British Virgin Islands and east of Puerto Rico. The group of islands consists of three main islands, Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint Jean, and a few more smaller islets. These islands, synonym of peace and relaxation, attract over 2 million tourists every year, many of which are coming via cruiseships.

Picture by Rennett Stowe

Beach, suntanning, snorkeling, diving, shopping and golf…

These are only a few of the many activities tourists love to do when in the U.S. Virgin Islands. These islands provide an outstanding vacation spot: gorgeous beaches, luxurious forests, rich coral reefs and a wide array of fun activities for active or less active people. Duty-free shopping is obviously one of the major attractions for cruisers. Snorkeling and diving are especially great in St. John and Buck islands, near Saint Croix, while other water sports are available in all of the beaches and ports of the territory. Sailing is one of tourists and locals favorite activity. Not a big fan of water spots? Hiking and horseback riding are also available on most islands. Avid golfers will also find their spot with the islands’ beautiful golf courses such as Buccaneer, Mahogany or Carambola Golf Club.

Saint Thomas

St. Thomas, the main island of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is well-known for its shopping, its beaches and a panoply of fun activities, including kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, surfing, golf and much more. The U.S. Virgin Islands capital, Charlotte Amalie, is located on this island and is a main port for many cruise ships. Main attractions include Sapphire and Coki beaches, Coral World, an underwater observatory, a fort, built by the Dutch in the 1600s and the 99 Steps a historical sight (the actual count is 103) built from the ballast bricks of the tall ships coming from the old world.

Saint Croix

In Saint Croix, the largest island of the territory, you’ll discover some magnificent beach sands, coral reefs, forested hills and cute little towns and villages with historical buildings. St. Croix main attractions are Buck Island Reef National Park, a must-go spot for snorkelers and divers, St. Croix Aquarium, St. Georges Botanical Garden, with over 1500 native and exotic species, Estate Whim Plantation, Cruzan Rum Distillery and the luxurious tropical forests located on the north-west of the island. Golf, kayaking and horseback riding are also among other interesting activities to be found on the island.

Saint Jean

Last but not least, the smallest of the three main islands, St Jean, possesses the best beaches of the main islands. This is probably because two third of the island is protected and are part of the territories’ national park, making it an ideal spot for hiking and snorkeling. Tourists can also enjoy sailing, shopping, and the island’s great nightlife.

Picture by dolfindans

Moreover, many workers don’t have the flexibility of choosing their vacation time, and have to take their vacations during down periods at work, which often happen during summer time.

Are you thinking about traveling to the Caribbean this summer? Let’s see what the Caribbean has to offer throughout the summer.

1. Prices
Summer is considered the low season to travel to the Caribbean, which means that you can always find incredible deals throughout the summer. Resorts and hotels will offer the lowest prices as possible to attract vacationers and tourists. So if you are looking for a bargain, this is a great time of the year to look for one.

2. Weather
100 degrees with 100% humidity… in the shade. But don’t worry, this is what I commonly heard on my local radio last summer, and NOT something you would expect when traveling to the Caribbean in the summer. As a matter of fact, unlike many U.S. states or Canadian cities, where temperatures tend to reach extremes, the weather in the Caribbean tends to have fairly low variations, and average 75°F to 85°F (24°C-29°C), because of the cooling breezes from the ocean that help keep the temperature at comfortable levels.

3. Hurricanes?
Let’s be honest, there is a threat of hurricanes in the Caribbean every year. HOWEVER, the myth that the Caribbean are only about hurricanes in the summer is wrong and the threat is fairly low, unlike many believe. This should not stop you from enjoying a relaxing trip. As a matter of fact, the chances of being caught in a hurricane is as high (or low) as it would be in Miami!

4. Prices
Wait did we talk about prices? Because, the one good thing about going to the Caribbean, as opposed to Europe during summer season, is that it is more than affordable! You can expect to find accommodation at five star hotels like the Ritz-Carlton at a fraction of what it is to be expected during high season rates.

The last thing on your mind when traveling would be to be trapped on a destination or on a resort that is overly family or couple friendly. Whether you are in your 30s or in your 50s, you can have a blast traveling and meeting other singles. So if you are single and looking to mingle, check out these island destinations for a great sun vacation.

Quiet paradises

Anguilla and the Cayman Islands are stunning islands for single travelers looking to spend some quiet and peaceful time.

What’s intriguing about Anguilla is that, unlike many other islands, the island itself lacks the new development other neighbouring islands have been upgraded with, which means no casinos, no nightclubs, etc. So what remains? An almost intact local vibe that will suit travelers looking for a quiet and peaceful place.

Although a British Overseas Territory, the Cayman Islands is everything but British-like. Although Grand Cayman island is a fairly busy and touristic island, its sisters Little Cayman and Cayman Brac have a much more quiet and slow pace feel. The delights from the nature (wildlife, marine life, plants, etc) make it a heaven for fishers, divers, snorkelers and all nature lovers.

Fun and Excitement

Looking for fun and excitement? We recommend Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and St. Marteen/St. Martin island.

With its vibrant nightlife, Trinidad is a wonderful place to have fun. As a matter of fact, Trinidadians take their nightlife very seriously, especially during the carnival. Trinidad has no shortage of entertainment options: nightclubs, lounges, bars, dazzling lights, you will definitely have som egood time in Trinidad. And if you need to unwind, simply take a ferry to Trinidad’s sister island, Tobago, where you can enjoy quiet beaches and eco-adventure tours.

Perfect white sand at Baie Orientale – picture by Mike Roberts NYC

Jamaica is an obvious answer, one that comes in mind when it comes to vacationing in the Caribbean, whether it is for couples, families or single people. Here in Jamaica, you will find an all inclusive resort for all types of interests, all marital statuses and all ages. This large Caribbean island has gorgeous beaches, lots of watersports and a lot of great affordable resorts.

Last but not least on our list is a 37 square mile area called St Martin/St Marteen. Breathtaking landscape, blue turquoise waters, white sand beaches are among what you can expect. Now add a mile of duty free tax free shopping, primarily jewelry stores, a broad array of entertainment including nightclubs, restaurants, casino, and friendly locals, and you get yourself a magical stay in St. Martin/St. Marteen.

So as you can see, there are no shortage of possibilities in the Caribbean for single people. Simply find your niche and dive in!

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Caribbean vacation and holidays

For all the latest information, news, reviews and details on all inclusive resorts in the Caribbeans.

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Caribbean vacation discounts

In this day and age we are all starting to feel the pinch and we have to cut back on the luxuries in life. However, with good planning and knowing your budget you can still enjoy an amazing All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation on that budget.

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And many many many more

The Bahamas, Jamaica, Cuba… To name only a few of all other Caribbean destinations you will learn about.

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featured image credit: gerriet

There are also many secluded and private islands for vacationers looking for her less touristy spot to explore and discover. There are a lot of different kinds of cheap deals to take advantage of every year.

Cheap Caribbean Vacations – The all-inclusives

If you like to travel without the hassle of planning, an all-inclusive is a good option for you. An all-inclusive package includes everything you could wish for : airfare, ground transportation on the island, your stay at a beautiful resort, food tipping, taxes, kids activities and much more. In some hotels, even watersports are included. In those packages, guests can take advantage to unlimited access to the pools, the beach resort, the buffet, the snack bar, unlimited drinks, and even gyms.

Many resorts offer fantastic features, such as swim-up bars, waterslides and even waterparks. For example, the Paradise Island’s Aquaventure Water Park, in the Atlantis Bahamas Resort, is 141-acre of waterscape. And find your kid in you at the Beaches Pirate’s Island Waterpark, in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, known as the largest waterparks in the Caribbean.

Beaches has the biggest waterparks in the Caribbean, where kids of all ages will have a blast.
Many Caribbean resorts offer extravagant pool features like waterslides, waterfalls, swim-up bar services, and full-sized waterparks. Atlantis Bahamas, Beaches Jamaica, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Coconut Bay Resort St. Lucia and Hyatt Hacienda del Mar Puerto Rico have large waterpark features with lazy rivers, waterslides, and watery play zones. All resorts provide the equipment and guidance to guests who wish to partake in snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing and sunfish sailing. Looking for something unique? Try kite surfing at the Coconut Bay Resort in St. Lucia.

Many resorts also caters to parents with younger children by offering a kids program and even babysitting nights for some extra fee so parents can enjoy the nightlife as well.

Cruise Vacations

If you enjoy cheap Caribbean vacations in the type of all-inclusives but would like to see more than one place, a cruise through the Caribbean will give you the best of both worlds. Choose from a variety of routes and explore enjoy the guided shore excursions or explore on your own. If you like visiting different places, cruising will offer you a more affordable way of doing so, and the convenience of unpacking and packing only once.

While the cost of a cruises tend to be much more expensive than all-inclusives. But the cost can vary accordingly to your ship, and the location of your room. Lows versus high seasons will also determine the cost of your trip.

Cheap Caribbean Vacations & Last-Minute Deals

If you can afford making last minute arrangement, with as little as a day in advance of notice, then there are plenty of amazing deals for you to choose from. Indeed, you may be tempted by a trip to the Caribbean with discounts as low as 75% off the regular price, even off the exclusive or high-end resorts or cruise ships. You can find many good last minute deals online. Some website even specializes only in last-minute deals. Well known vacation companies, including American Airlines and American Express, also offer last minute, as long as you are ready within the next 72 hours!

Find out more about cheap Caribbean vacations and other deals.

Top 3: Child and Family Resorts!

The gray and cold of January are no over yet, but warm weather is just one wish away, time to recharge our batteries! We have researched 3 great kid friendly all inclusive resorts where dreams become reality and royalty is us! Enjoy the sun and the mojitos!

Small budget, big fun!

White sandy beach, turquoise blue water and sunshine, what else to ask for. If you are on a tighter budget, Tryp Peninsula in Varadero, Cuba may be what you are looking for. Although the facilities are slightly dated, the great staff compensates for any shortcomings.

From sunrise until sunset, children will have a blast! Pocket Tournament, swimming, volleyball, music and dance are some of the fun activities planned for them. And don’t forget the water slides and the kids’ pool!

The buffets offer a big variety of food and a good service. Midnight snack craving? The Snack Bar by the pool is opened 24 hours with fries, pizza and burgers.

Obviously, not a luxury hotel, but absolutely a phenomenal value for what you pay, which is very affordable!

Tryp Peninsula in Varadero, Cuba

Kid Friendly All Inclusive Resorts – The Classic

The chain of resorts Club Med recently had a makeover and the quality of its baby and kids club is well established. Our favorite? The Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Enjoying all the Club benefits, and having our little ones have as much fun while being safe comes at no price.

The strength of their kid friendly all inclusive resorts is that they cater for parents of toddlers and even small babies, as young as 4 months old. Most resorts only have kid’s programs for children 3 years or older, but here, at Club Med, parents can pay extra for the services of a highly qualified babysitter or nanny even in the evening! Of course, the other kids are not forgotten, and you will find clubs for kids of all ages with fun activities for everyone!

And in terms of children and babies accessories, Club Med also made a fabulous job by having strollers and bottle warmers handy for parents.

Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Big budget: Hello luxury!

Big budget? Live the dream at Karisma Azul Sensatori in the Mayan Riviera with its two-room suites to accommodate big families .

No need to pack… Here, strollers and even Fish Price toys are provided on site. The restaurants are equipped with high chairs and again, several toys.

It has no need of our stroller (provided), or pack some toys, Fisher-Price since a menu is available to us (and our choice will be delivered to our room). All restaurants are equipped with high chairs, with several choices of toys too. The hotel ensured that every is available to take care of baby with no worries : bottle warmers, monitors, Gerber baby food.

For active kids, their is a small gymnasium where they can spend their energy. Rainy days? Three game rooms, a theater and entertainers are made available for the rainy days. We bet your teenager will greatly enjoy the Breeze Teen Club, where a Kinect, a Wii, an Xbox will hold them occupied. Volleyball tournaments and supervised campfires on the beach are also on the agenda!

This family friendly resort is a paradise for kids, but an even bigger one for parents, who can finally enjoy a few days of rest.

Karisma Azul Sensatori, Mexico

Map of islands in the Caribbean

Picture by Kmusser (Own work, all data from Vector Map.) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Ahhh… The Caribbean, with its pristine blue waters, its white or pink sandy beaches, its perfect weather… Who hasn’t dreamt of visiting the Caribbean at least once, whether it is in an inexpensive all-inclusive resort or simply in a nice villa near the beach? A vacation in the Caribbean is one of the best way to unwind and relax. Far far away are the emails, the last minute phone calls to your cell phone, the angry boss or coworkers.

But really, what is the Caribbean? To many, the Caribbean stops to the number of countries they’ve heard of before : Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic… But wait, is there more?

Yes there are. As a matter of fact, there are thousands of islands associate to the Caribbean and its countries. ome are close to, others are part of. For example, the Dominican Republic itself has 13 islands, and the Bahamas…. 501 islands!!

So here’s a quick summary of the main island-country and their island, some of which are continental countries with islands.

What are the islands of the Caribbean

1 Anguilla – 27 islands
2 Antigua and Barbuda – 37
3 Aruba – 4
4 Bahamas – 501, the largest one being Andros and not Bahama
5 Barbados – 2
6 British Virgin Islands – 43
7 Cayman Islands – 12
8 Colombia (continental) – 10
9 Cuba – 23
10 Curaçao – 2
11 Dominica – 2
12 Dominican Republic -13
13 Grenada -39
14 Guadeloupe and dependencies – 38
15 Haiti – 6
16 Honduras – 6
17 Jamaica – 26
18 Martinique – 50
19 Mexico (continental) - 4
20 Montserrat – 3
21 Netherlands – 25
22 Nicaragua (continental) - 4
23 Puerto Rico – 142
24 Saint Barthélemy -13
25 Saint Kitts and Nevis – 20
26 Saint Lucia -17
27 Saint Martin (France) – 8
28 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 39
29 Trinidad and Tobago – 21
30 Saint Maarten – 2
31 Turks and Caicos Islands – 58
32 United States Virgin Islands – 81
33 Venezuela (continental) - 15

Although there are so many islands, only a few major ones have been developed into resorts and all-inclusive heavens. Some of them are nearly tiny islets, while others countries boasts numerous secluded islands that have been barely developed. These islands can very attractive if your dream spot in the Caribbean is an island to yourself. However finding a way to get to these more secluded island is not always easy. Of course you can pay a guide to bring you there, but you can also get there by simply renting a yacht or a boat.

I’d like to take a vacation in the Caribbean. I’ve been to all-inclusive resorts several times in the past. We’d like to take a cruise this time, although we have some reserves, people we know that have taken a cruise in the past being much older. We are in our thirties, love traveling, touring and are very sociable.

Can you quickly list the pros and the cons of cruising.

Thanks,

Jon & Myriam

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Dear Jon & Myriam,

Unfortunately, cruises still hold this image of catering to older people only. But the truth is that more and more young people, such as you, also love cruising. Cruises are being more affordable than a decade or two ago, and young couples and even young families are now opting for an all-inclusive cruise rather than an all-inclusive resorts.

So let’s see the pros and the cons of cruising.

The pros of a cruise

Of course, cruising involves living on a boat for an x period of time, but not just any boat: cruise boats, especially in the Caribbeans, are real palaces with a crew dedicated to your safety and well-being 24h.

Just like in resorts, meals are included, and can be buffet or a-la-carte menu, depending on the cruise or on the night.

Most sailing is done at nighttime, while passengers are sleeping. During the day, the ship will stop at the most major ports, and you can enjoy the organized excursions. You will also be given some time to explore the city on your own. Because you are always on the go, you end up visiting a lot more interesting places than you would on a regular trip.

Unlike resorts, where you spend more time away from the local people, resorts give you more opportunities to interact with local people and learn more about their culture.

Remember that visiting is not a mandatory activity. Although most guests prefer to go and explore the towns, some passengers like to stay on board and relax or participate to the many activities on board, which often include a spa, mini-golf, swimming, board games, etc.

Evenings are when the party and the fun start. Dances, shows, cinema, cabaret and casino nights are among the activities that are offered on board. Evening events are a great time to socialize and make new friends.

The cons of a cruise

You need to know that calling from the boat can only be done via satellite and can be pricey. Also, because you are in the middle of the sea, during sailing days, you will not have the option of leaving to boat and wandering around, which some will find boring.

The other disadvantage are also bad weather and seasickness. Cruise boats being gigantic, you will barely ever feel the movement of the sea most days. However, when the waves are too strong (which does not happen often!), you are at the mercy of seasickness. Fortunately, a team of medical expert are there to help you if you need medication.

The other disadvantage of a cruise is that although you end up visiting many ports, cities and countries, it can feel superficial, since there is only so much you can see in 8 or 10 hours per place. There is always a time where you are unsure where to start and then a safety margin to make sure you return to the boat on time.

Overall, the cruise can be a good option to spend some quality time with your other half or your family, and a good way to explore many places without the stress or packing and unpacking.

The team of Cheap All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation.

If you are anything like me, when you travel with you other half, you like the peacefulness of a pool with no kids screaming, no single people ready to party 24/7. Luckily, someone somewhere had thought about us, and here you are, swimming, snorkeling, enjoying some drinks and great food like two lovebirds you are.

One of the reasons Jamaica attract so many couples and honeymooners, is the exclusivity of some hotels and resorts to those special bidders in search of a quiet place to start their lives together.

So to you, lovers and honeymooners around the world, here are some of the best all-inclusives you can find in Jamaica.

Couples Swept Away,Negril

Couples Swept Away is one of the most prestigious hotels in Negril. Newlyweds are welcomed with a bottle of champagne and a complimentary 30 minutes massage session.

A stay at Couples Swept Away includes four meals, all you can drink beverages, a shuttle service, watersports like windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking, scuba diving, glass bottom boat tours and golf, which you all have to book at least a day in advance.

This resort is within walking distance of the 11 km long beach and includes a wide range of services.

Because they cater to a different crowd, the nights there are fairly quiet and, party animals tend to stay away from the Couples Swept Away.

The food at Couples Swept Away is great, and offers an option to dine on the beach or at the restaurant.

If you’d like to stay in shape, the resort features a huge sports complex near the hotel, restricted to customers of Couples Swept Away use only. The complex has Olympic swimming pool and high-tech equipment.

Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa, Montego Bay

Opened in 2005, the Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa is a new all-inclusive that occupyies a 3.2km (2-mile) stretch of beachfront. Because the resort is very remote, it may not be the best one to opt if you are planning for a few trips outside the resort. However, it is the perfect spot to spend your holidays if you are planning to relax and enjoy the beach. Reviewers have said it : this is nearly paradise!

The area around the hotel has remained fairly natural, and gives the resort both an exotic and romantic atmosphere, which is one reason vacationers love one Sandals Whitehouse so much.

Like all all-inclusives, the package includes all meals, unlimited drinks, tips, as well as water sports, like diving, windsurfing or surfing.

For an ultimate experience, ask for a room with ocean views. To all pool lovers, Sandals Whitehouse features four swimming pools, one of them being the largest in Jamaica! Although the main pool is often packed, you can also opt to go swim at the Dutch village, which is much quieter.

Royal Decameron Montego Beach

If you’d like to stay in Mingeo Bay and remain near the fun nightlife and the fabulous shopping, the Royal Decameron All Inclusive hotel is ideal for your honeymoon.

The package includes all meals (Jamaican food at the hotel is by the way absolutely great), access to the tennis court, non motorized water sports and nightly entertainment. A gym is also available on the premises.

Because the hotel is much smaller than the Sandals and the Couples Swept Away, it has a much cozier and intimate feeling, which also makes it more affordable.

1. Obviously, the beach is your number 1 reason you are planning this trip to the Martinique. Long stretch of white sandy beach, Martinique is definitely one of the best island of the Caribbean. Check out Corps de Garde and Les Saline.
2. In the mood for some good food? Try one of Martinique’s great restaurant. Years of history has merged French and Creole food into this simply exquisite cuisine.
3. One of the biggest attraction are the panoply of watersports you can practice on the island. From sailing to diving to deep-sea fishing, sport lovers will not get bored. If watersports is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of land-based sports to choose from : cycling, golf, horseback riding, just to name a few.
4. In the 19th century sugar dominated Martinique. Today, the sugar industry is still prominent, so why not take a tour to one of the sugar plantations and discover the heritage of slavery.
5. Martinique’s nightlife will be another highlight of your trip. In Fort-de-France, you will find a dozen of great night sports where Zouk rhythms or soft jazz will be playing all night long.
6. Enjoy shopping at Fort-de-France to find local and French items, including French wines, local fashion jewellery, and baskets.
7. Enjoy a rejuvenating mud bath experience at Le Precheur, the very last village along the northern Caribbean coast, best known for its hot springs of volcanic origin.
8. When in the Martinique, why no take part of some of the major events throughout the year, such as the Carnival in February, the Mi-carême, a smaller carnival held from the twentieth day of Lent to Easter, a yawl race in August, and the jazz festival in early-December.
9. Make friend with local people. Local people will certainly give you some hints on where to go and what to see and what tourist traps to avoid.
10. Last but not least, the  village of Trois-Ilets is definitely the most historically significant spot on the island. This is where Napoléon’s wife Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais was born and raised.