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Best Caribbean Cruise Ships in 2017

by hotelsetc, posted in cruise discounts

There’s really no such thing as a terrible cruise in the Caribbean, but there are definitely a few who stand out from the rest. Whether it’s unique activities that are offered onboard or just a vibe that’s not like the others, these cruise ships might have just the thing you’re looking for. So, sit back, relax and grab one of those tasty pineapple drinks with neon straws and ridiculously big umbrellas as we check out five Caribbean cruise ships that are anything but boring.

Here are the best Caribbean cruise ships in 2017:

Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas

Honestly, what makes this cruise ship so amazing are the many fresh options when it comes to activities that there’s really no other experience like it. Royal Caribbean really outdid itself with the robot bartenders, skydiving simulation, trapeze lessons, and glass enclosed ride that takes you up 300ft above sea level so you can see the world from an entirely new vantage point.

This ship also has all of the other regular stuff like delicious food options and shows, but its rooms are also unique given that some have HD screens that cover an entire wall and give guests the feeling of a virtual balcony. Some of the rooms also are interconnected and two stories, which is good for larger families or someone who just really likes to spend more money.

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Carnival Sunshine

Formerly known as the Carnival Destiny, a pretty, little makeover of over $150 million bucks upgraded the 17 year-old ship into something a little more, you know, cool. There are a ton of bars and restaurants on this bad boy, including a delish burger bar that was created by your favorite blond-haired chef, Guy Fieri.

One of the favorites on this ship though is the huge adult-only sections that span across three separate decks. Not that we don’t all love having kids around while drinking our cocktails, but you know.

Norwegian Escape

This cruise ship is a party machine and with twenty-one bars onboard, you almost have each one of your drinks at a different place. Two of them are Jimmy Buffett franchises, which always helps out with creating the chilled out Caribbean vibe.

Another thing that makes this ship unique is that it supposedly has some of the fastest waterslides you can find while sailing the seas. But, there’s really only one way to find out — plug your nose!

Disney Fantasy

Kids, kids, and more kids – that’s what Disney has always been about and this 2,500 passenger Disneyland on water is going to get anyone’s vote who’s under the age of twelve. It’s not all about the kids though and good ol’ Walt and company still keep the adults in mind with bars and other areas that are 18+ only after 9pm.

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Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

Saving the best, and most impressive for last as there’s no other cruise ship that competes with the 5,400 passengers that this thing can hold. But, it’s not only size that matters, right? There’s also an entire park that has over 12,000 plants (the first of its kind on a cruise ship), two climbing walls, a surfing simulator, and an entire mall that offers pretty much anything you would ever need to buy, including your daily dose of Starbucks.

You can check out our endless run of cruise discounts for 2017 on Hotels Etc here.

Which Carribean Island Fits Your Dream Vacation?

by hotelsetc, posted in vacations

With thousands of islands in the world to choose from, it’s hard to ignore the beauty that is the Caribbean. A Caribbean vacation is a dream for friends, couples, and families looking for a place to relax, have fun, and enjoy everything under the sun. Not only does it offer lots of activities, but also thanks to plenty of hotel discounts that are usually floating around the web, there’s something to fit every budget.

Cayman Islands – Scuba Diving

In Cayman Islands, it’s impossible not to be in the sea because this is by far the best spot for scuba diving. Boasting more than 200 diving sites anyone with an itch to take a dive can take advantage of the underwater treasures.

British Virgin Islands – Sailing In Paradise

If you’re with people who are skeptical of getting in the water, the British Virgin Islands is your place and will keep you afloat. There’s nothing more exciting than being the person behind the sails and a trip here will teach you exactly how to do that.

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Jamaica – Kid Friendly

Jamaica, while filled with plenty of nightlife and adult activities, is one of the best Caribbean islands for families. There are plenty of resorts who cater to infants and older children and some, like the Franklin D. Resort and Spa, is a like a couple’s personal babysitter. As an inclusion in guests’ payments, kids get their own nanny to look after them while their tired-looking moms and dads are getting their much-needed pampering. Who doesn’t want to relax while knowing their children are in safe hands, right?

Dominican Republic – Adventure Awaits

Dominican Republic is the haven of adventurers. Those who are thrill-seekers can get their dose of adrenaline rush by doing activities such as zip lining, surfing, diving, rock climbing, canyoning, and more. You name it, they have it.

Aruba – Island City Life

If there’s a place that feels like a city in an island, it’s Aruba. Adults will enjoy unique mix of both urban and country feel that this destination has to offer and it also means there’s always something new to experience. Oranjestad, its capital town, is known for its shopping strips, bars and restaurants, casinos, golf courses, and spas that can entertain even the most demanding people.

Puerto Rico – No U.S. Passport Needed

U.S. history buffs have no reason not to bask in the best of Puerto Rico because any citizen can go here without a passport. Direct flights make it even more convenient and the same with Jamaica. If time travel is your thing, fly to Puerto Rico and visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and Castillo San Cristobal, which are two of the largest Spanish camps. San Juan Cathedral, located at the Old San Juan district, is also where the Ponce de Leon family’s ancestral house and burial site are located.

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Martinique – Low Budget and European

Fancy seeing France but don’t have the budget? You can go to Martinique instead. Although it’s located in the Caribbean, it’s still a part of France and therefore the architecture and even the language is very much French. Imagine Paris in an island. Yep, that’s it.

St. Lucia – Get Some Privacy

There’s a reason why St. Lucia is always mentioned in lists of the best places for a honeymoon – it’s vast landscape and layout of resorts make sure that the island never feels crowded. It’s also considered as one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands because of the rain forests and mountains found there. When it comes to privacy, this place is definitely the top choice for people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle.

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Packing for a Caribbean Vacation

by hotelsetc, posted in vacation, vacations

You’ve booked the flights, you’ve got a place to stay (thanks to those sweet hotel discounts you found online), and now all that stands in front of you and laying on the beach on your soon-to-be-fabulous Caribbean vacation is the dreaded thing we all try to put off as long as possible — packing. But, don’t worry too much about it, getting everything together and shoved into those old bags you still haven’t replaced won’t be nearly as hard as you might think. So take a breath, close your eyes, imagine yourself snorkeling with all kinds of different magical-looking fish, and let’s do this.

Packing for a Caribbean Vacation

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No Passport Needed

There are some interesting things you need to know about getting into the Caribbean as far as passports and visas go. First off, if you’re American and a full-fledged U.S. citizen, you don’t need to have a passport if you’re flying into Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes the trifecta of St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix — the others require you to have more than basic U.S. IDs (driver’s license, etc.). If you’re hopping on a cruise, you can actually visit more of the islands without a passport, but be sure to double-check where you’re going before assuming you’re all good.

Caribbean Weather

Another important thing to thing to do before you start packing is familiarizing yourself with the weather happening for wherever and whenever you’re traveling in the Caribbean. There’s not a lot of major differences between the temperatures from one to the other and the average temperatures are around 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit most days, but depending on the month you’re traveling you might have more or less rain, which is a good to know. Brief showers happen nearly every day on most of the islands, too but not enough to pack any legit rain gear.

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Packing Light

It’s easier said than done, but thanks to the consistently hot climate, the Caribbean is a place where less is more. In fact, many people who are traveling for a week or less easily get away with packing a couple of carry-ons, wearing a light jacket, and keeping it simple. Depending on your needs (I know, shoes)  and length of stay you could easily get away with not checking any bags, which would also save you a lot of hassle and potential delays if you’re flying.

Your Itinerary Determines Your Needs

Are you planning on doing some hiking? You’ll need some active clothes and a pair of good rubber-soled shoes that can give you the support you need. Are you just going to lounge on the beach all day and drink cocktails? You can probably get away with packing not much more than a couple of swimsuit options, flip-flops, and one or two pairs of shorts or dresses to wear when you’re not listening to the waves. There’s no one perfect list for this since each trip is unique, but think through what you’ll be spending your time doing and pack accordingly.

Toiletries

Your toiletry needs will pretty much be the same, but you might want to throw in some extra sunscreen, lip balm, or aloe/lotion depending on your plans to get out into the wild or your skin tone. It’s going to be hot and sunny most of the time, so ease into it and remember, you can always get more sun the next day, but it’s hard to deal with a really bad sunburn.

Gadgets

Last, but definitely not least, don’t forget to pack in your cameras, selfie-sticks, GoPros, Kindles, or any other electronics that you feel like you can’t live without. You’ll probably want to keep the phone off as much as possible, but it’s your Caribbean vacation, not mine, so you can do whatever you want.

Is Punta Cana worthy of the award for Top Caribbean Destination?

by hotelsetc, posted in vacation

Punta Cana was recently named the top Caribbean destination in Trip Advisor’s “Travelers choice awards”. This award was based on a number of factors but ultimately, it relied on visitor reviews of the period of one year. But how did this happen and why is Punta Cana supposedly the best destination in the Caribbean for a vacation?

Is Punta Cana worthy of the award for Top Caribbean Destination?

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Located in the very east of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana finds itself on white powder sands right next to a pristine ocean. Stretching for more than a hundred miles along the coast, the resort is hugely popular and has enough options to cater toward every budget, big and small. Whether you want a luxury hotel, a quiet guesthouse or a villa complete with infinity pool, you can find it here next to a plethora of attractions.

I guess there must also be a reason why so many people decide to get married here or choose it as a honeymoon destination? And yes there is, for it is here you will find many spa treatment center, enjoyable adventure activities, incredible restaurants and lively nightlife to top it all off. Indeed, Punta Cana is a Caribbean destination which does not seem to be lacking in any area and even the convenience of taking a trip here is inviting.

Situated a short twenty minute from the airport, the resorts require minimal travel time and with more than thirty countries flying to the region, it is always easy to get there in the first place. As mentioned above, another highlight of the resort is the food and it is common for each hotel to have its very own world class restaurant. If you decide to go all inclusive, this will obviously mean there are no excuses for sampling everything on offer but if you wish for a little more variety, it also means you can stop into any of the other resorts for something different.

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Options in Punta Cana

And then there are the resorts themselves; Dreams, Barcelo, Now, Iberostar, Excellence and more, there are so many accommodation choices and when you take advantage of hotel discounts, there is always amazing value to coincide. In fact, where else can you find rates this affordable in the Caribbean for luxury hotels? No wonder it was voted the best Caribbean destination in the awards for Trip Advisor.

That said, the decision is yours but as always we highly recommend checking out our hotel discounts to make sure you are getting the best price and to save you from needlessly spending more than you should be on your up coming vacation.

You can activate your free trial on Hotels Etc by clicking here and star finding out just how much you can save for a vacation in Punta Cana.