Cheap all inclusive caribbean vacation – resorts & vacation packages

Forget everything you know about cruises, cruising is not anymore a thing retired people do, a cheesy “Titanic” where everybody is dressed like a penguin for extravagant captain nights. The warm and welcoming weather of the Caribbean will quickly make you forget all those old stories you’ve heard about cruising.

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Caribbean Cruises – a diary

Day 5
The ship was sailing quietly between Cozumel and Grand Cayman. From the patio of our room, the night was hot and humid. We were really enjoy our time, still smiling about our fantastic dinner. The only bummer was that the trip was coming to an end. I joked that I really was hoping not to hit an Iceberg and see Celine Dion appear signing “My heart will go on”.

Of course, this is not the type of joke to do on a cruise ship, but hey, with the temperature of the water averaging 75F, the chance of an iceberg going our way was as high as seeing Celine Dion appear on the ship.

Day -1
At first, I was somewhat reluctant to go cruising, and worst, to tell people I was cruising. “I thought cruising was only for old people” frowned of my friend. But I have to admit that with the very laid back atmosphere, both of the cruise ship and the Caribbean, there was no more shame or regrets.

Although I don’t consider myself to be in my prime time, cruises are definitely not only for retired people. The ship is not filled with cheezy things to do, although it did felt good to sing out loud an extra cheesy song with thousands of other cruisers during the dinner after-party.

And unlike many think, you can leave your uptight tux and shiny dresses at home and dress casually the whole time (although having a few nice shirts or dresses around won’t hurt!).

Day 5
Well, at least our ship didn’t have a mandatory tux and shiny dress dress code for dinners. The ship by the way is huge, and can carry up to 2700 people on board, plus 1100 staff members, incredible!

Our cruise departed from Fort Lauderdale (like many Caribbean cruises), stopped in Key West, in Cozumel and in Grand Cayman before coming back to Fort Lauderdale. As newbies, we choose a fairly short trip, to see if we would enjoy it.

This trip was definitely long enough to tell us one thing: we love cruising. But definitely too short to enjoy everything the cruising on the Caribbean has to offer.

Jon, writer for Cheap All Inclusive Caribbean Vacations.

5 Star Hotels in Jamaica

A wide variety of resorts and hotels can be found in Jamaica, starting with your most basic acommodations, up to luxurious 5 star hotels in Jamaica where you’re pampered and primped shamelessly. It all depends on you the travellers, to decide what you’re looking for and what is important. The sheer number of choices is incredibly, and with so many hotels to choose from you’re sure to find a great resort or hotel that you and your family will enjoy. Are you looking for the royal treatment, beautiful restaurants, spectacular ocean front views?

Take a look at our list of the best 5 star hotels in Jamaica, see which offers the services and accomodations that you’re looking for out of your next vacation. If necessary, discuss the options with your family and see what they think. The right vacation can live forever in you and your family’s memories. We’ve taken the time to compile a list of what we consider to be the finest hotels in Jamaica, gathered from multiple industry sources, and should provide you with an excellent insight as to what to expect should you book there.

List of 5 Star Hotels in Jamaica

The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall
The SPA Retreat, Negril
Sandals Whitehouse European Village and Spa, Whitehouse
Sandals Royal Caribbean Resorts, Montego Bay
Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios
Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa, Negril
Sundance Resort, Montego Bay
Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort, Ocho Rios
Sandals Montego Bay, Montego Bay

As you can see, there are quite a few 5 star hotels in Jamaica to choose from. Not surprisingly, quite a few of them are from the Sandals line of resorts, which are known worldwide for the high quality luxury and affordable pricing. Of course, not all 5 star resorts are built equally, so you would be wise to not only consider what star rating a hotel gets but what services and ammenities are available. Read our reviews and descriptions of each hotel to get a better picture of what each one has to offer you and your family.

Each hotel and resort comes with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Resorts in Negril for example, often boast beaches that other destinations simply can’t compete with. If you’re not particular about those, then any of these amazing high-end hotels and resorts will provide you with beautiful surroundings, breathtaking ocean views, and luxury that you’ve come to expect from such high end hotels.

For more information about 5 star hotels in Jamaica and much more, please visit our site at Cheap All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation.

Jamaican Cuisine

When most people picture Jamaican cuisine, images of jerked chicken inveritably pop into their heads. Although the island is famous for its jerk spices, the idea that their culinary landscape ends there is selling Jamaican cuisine short. You wouldn’t think that Japanese food is just sushi, or that Italian is just pasta? Jamaican dishes have a long and storied history, mixing cooking techniques, spices, and flavors from a dozen different sources and ethnicities. You’ll find the influence of the indigenous peoples of the island, as well as the Europeans, Africans, Indians, and Chinese workers who eventually settled on the island.

You will find that Jamaican cuisine is an innovative and unique fusion of these different cultures and there palettes, leaving you with a unique flavor that can’t be found elsewhere in the world. Most dishes are modifications of dishes introduced from elsewhere, with locally grown crops substituted for missing ingredients. Over time, a wide variety of novel dishes have been developed utilizing local ingredients and styles as well.

Most famous of Jamaican dishes is the popular “jerked” technique, which involves dry rubbing meats with a hot spicy mixture known as “Jamaican jerk spice”, and then grilling the meat in a variety of ways. The traditional method is to smoke over aromatic wood charcoal, although many settle to simply grill over hardward charcoal in jerk pans (large steel drums for grilling). If you’re in Kingston, be sure to drop by the Chelsea Jerk Center for a real introduction to authentic Jamaican jerk dining.

Another popular dish that’s made its way into North American stores (and hearts) is the famous meat patty. This delicious little patty typically consists of a flakey outer crust, akin to a very nice pie crust, and a spicey meaty interior. They’re great for a quick meal, especially for travellers who are looking to keep going. I would avoid the frozen supermarket versions, as they are a pale comparison to the original in much the same way that a frozen pizza is nothing like a fresh pizza from a wood oven.

The national dish of Jamaica is Ackee and saltfish, which has its roots in African cuisine. The ackee fruit having been introduced to Jamaica by way of West Africa aboard slave ships. The dish consists of sateed cod with boiled ackee fruit, onions, peppers, tomatos, and spices. It is often served with salad, rice, fruit, or boiled green bananas. The dish has quickly spread to other countries, and is now enjoyed in the UK, Canada, and the United states.

Asian and Indian influences have also spawned a myriad of recipes, including curried goat, steamed cabbage, and a wide assortment of rice and beans dishes. Jamaican cuisine is rich and colorful tapestry of flavors and cooking techniques, incorporating cuisines from around the world. Their mixture of fresh meats, vegetables, and spices are sure to please even the most discerning of palettes.

Visit All Inclusive Caribbean Vacations for more fun tips about Jamaica and the Caribbean.