Ever Been To The Caribbean? Describe Your Experience.

My Caribbean Vacation

My best friend and I had wanted to take a cruise to the Caribbean nearly 20 years ago. However, my friend became very ill before we could go and we never took that trip. Ever since that time we'd talk about it. Then one day I just got up and decided we had talked enough. It was time for action. Who cares if we haven't saved for the trip? Some of the best trips I've ever had were very low budget. This one was no exception.

I researched cruises and chose a bargain priced cabin on a Royal Caribbean Cruise ship, made sure I could tip out at the end and the rest is history. As it turned out all we had to do to make our dreams come true is actually take action. Within 2 weeks we were on a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean saying, "I can't believe we are here," and smiling from ear to ear.

The vacation was better than anything we imagined. We took part in some of the on board classes and activities that were free (because of our budget, $40.00 spending money for a week...yes, for both of us, not for each of us.) We joined in activities such as a Halloween Costume contest, a scrap booking, class. We went swimming and soaked in the hot tub and danced, ate at 5 star restaurants and world class buffets while being serenaded by wonderful musicians. We had a blast.

The best part about being on-board besides actually being in the Caribbean is that we got to attend an art auction. The thing that was neat about it is, I was close enough to touch a Picasso and Rembrandt, and if I had the money, I could have purchased the art work for considerably more than my beloved $40.00 budget. The idea that I could be so close, sipping Champaign was a thrill.

There were Broadway style musicals and shows every night and I can not exaggerate the quality of the productions. They were wonderful.

All the things I mentioned were nothing compared to the Caribbean itself. The peace I got from being out on the ocean was something I will never forget and undoubtedly want to capture again. We visited the ports of Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel

In Ocho Rios, Jamaica, I went to Bob Marley's Place and explored the shops that surrounded it, and walked around the Island. It was in Jamaica that I really wished I had brought more money, because Jamaica had some natural wonders to explore that we could not get to on foot. In Ocho Rios there was plenty to do and see and the people were friendly and helpful. I am normally not a big consumer however, I had purchased a discount booklet on board the ship as part of my initial investment, that promised free treasures if we went to each store that had an offer and I did that for part of my time in every port.

What nobody had told me is many of the beaches in the Caribbean are pay beaches and they charge a few dollars to even set foot on the sand. The fee often includes a chair to sit in and other services. Of course, I couldn't spend our entire budget to sit on the first beach we came to on our first day. So, we posed for photos with our free cigars I had found at one of the shops and we wandered away from the tourist areas. There are just so many beautiful places to see and you can get your hair braided and see native costumes and of course, the music takes center stage.

The plant life is lush and green and the sky was blue and welcoming above as we strolled around Ocho Rios and past the statue of Bob Marley on the town square. I purchased some post cards and a tiny souvenir and got a free tote bag that I still use. . Jamaica with its blue waters, colorful buildings, wonderful music and friendly people all made for a great day. We were allowed to go back on ship to eat and we did take our mid-day meal on the ship and walked back for our second round. It made for one of the best days of my life.

My favorite stop in the Caribbean was Grand Cayman. The reason it stood out as a favorite is they had a very nice street fair where I purchased a pair of earrings, nobody approached me to buy things as they did on other islands and so there was no constant reminder of my budget. I finally got to go snorkeling which was something I had wanted to do on the trip. The organized snorkeling trips were 35.00 and up, I snorkeled with rented equipment for only $12.00. We explored the ocean teaming with brightly colored fish of all sizes. I also did a little more treasure hunting with my coupon booklet and got into an altercation with a fun loving parrot that pulled the button off my cap.

In Cozumel I found a dive shop that I would like to call home. I did more walking there than I had walked the entire trip. I decided to take a short cut back to the ship and my short-cut took us 3 miles out of our way. There was plenty to see and I got to practice my Spanish and sit by the shore and look out on a stormy sea. I'd love to return to see the ruins. I sat by the ocean, purchased some post cards and collected my free treasures.

I recommend a cruise to the Caribbean for anyone wanting to get away and really relax. On all my past vacations I spent so much of my time driving, or trying to find this or that place and always went over budget. On the cruise it is all inclusive, except for special outings and tips which are paid at the end in lump sum and I didn't have to do anything except show up and enjoy myself.

My recommendation is that what ever you pay for your cruise that you bring at least that same amount for tours and outings and shopping. I didn't do that. I went with $40.00 extra dollars and came home with $2.00 in change and bags of goodies I retrieved from my treasure hunting. I would have really loved to go on the tours, learned how to skin dive, or take a glass bottom boat tour. They were all priced affordably for someone who planned their vacation with those activities in mind. I had a blast without those little extras and so did my friend. We plan to take another cruise in the near future.